“Are you going somewhere, Kacey?” I heard Lucy’s voice behind me and turned to see a worried look on her six year old face.
“I’m going on—a trip.” I tried to force a smile on my lips so she wouldn’t worry. “I’ll see you again soon.”
“Mom’s really mad.” She walked into my room and sat down on the bed. “She won’t tell me why. Is this because of what happened last night?”
“Don’t ever fall in love, Lucy.” I reached over and patted her shoulder. “Love is—love is shit.”
“Okay.” A smile spread across her face. “Love is shit, got it!”
“Wait, maybe don’t say that around Mom.” I brought my finger to my lips and hushed her. “That’s our secret.”
“I got a secret!” Lucy jumped off the bed and ran towards her room.
Oh yeah, she’s totally going to say that in front of Mom. At least I won’t be here to incur more wrath.
I finished packing my bags and walked over to my jewelry box. Most of it was worthless costume jewelry, although there were a few pieces I had received as gifts that had a little value. In the center was the most valuable piece of all—the ring that Chad put on my finger when he asked me to be his wife. He never even asked for it back. I might have shoved it down his throat if he had. The ring was the one thing that could always bring a smile to my face during the two years I wore it. I was young and stupid then. I believed that high school love could last forever. I should have been planning for college instead of a wedding, but I was blinded by the trust I put in him. He was blinded by lust.
He could have had me anytime he wanted, yet he chose to sleep with the school slut instead of taking my virginity.
I had loved Chad so much that I would have done anything he asked. I wanted to do a lot more than feel him cum through his pants. I certainly wanted him to do a lot more than bring me to orgasm with a finger on my panties. I didn’t care about the abstinence pledge we took when we were teenagers. We were going to be husband and wife. The wedding wasn’t permission in my mind, no matter how many times the preacher at our church screamed about the dangers of sin. Chad had no problem sinning with someone else, yet I was off limits until our wedding day. Thinking about it still made me sink into a pit of mental despair, even though it had been almost two years since we split up. It would only be a few months until the ring had been in my jewelry box longer than it had been on my finger.
Fuck it. I need money. This ring would be a lot better in a pawn shop than sitting in my jewelry box.
“You don’t have to go, Kacey.” My mother met me at the end of the hallway. “I want you to get help, if that’s what you need. I’ll even pay for a psychiatrist.”
“Take care of Lucy. Don’t let her make the same mistakes I made.” I rolled my luggage bag past her and started walking towards the door.
“My door is always open, as long as you come home sober.” There was sorrow in her voice, and it cracked when she spoke.
“Bye, Mom.” I looked over my shoulder one last time when I got to the door. “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about me.”
There were tears in my eyes when I stepped out on the porch and slammed the door behind me. I was officially on my own. My future wasn’t exactly bright. I didn’t have a very good job, my high school diploma wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on without a college degree to go with it, and I was homeless. I needed somewhere to stay for the night, and a friend named Abby offered her couch, so I took it. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but it was somewhere to rest my head after I did as much damage as I could at the bar. I dropped off my stuff, showered, and lounged around, just staring at my phone until it was an acceptable time to start drinking.
Okay, here we go again.
Chapter Two
Kacey
One week later
“I’m sorry, ma’am. Your card has been declined.” The bartender walked over and put my credit card on the counter in front of me.
“What?” I blinked in surprise and picked it up. “No way.”
“I’m afraid so.” He shrugged and tilted his head to the side. “I’ll need a valid credit card if you want to start a tab, otherwise you can just pay in cash.”
“Seriously? I come in here all the time!” I grabbed my wallet and opened it.
Fuck, I don’t have any cash.
“Yes, and since you do, I’m sure you know the rules.” He turned and pointed to the sign above the bar.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and put my wallet back in my purse. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Actually, why don’t you put her drinks on my tab.” The man next to me lifted his head and smiled. “Hey, Kacey.”
“Mr. Yancy?” I blinked in surprise. “Wow, how long has it been?”