Chapter 63
KC
My hands finally quit shaking on the drive to work.
Thank god Brittney won’t be home tonight either.
She went to the fights with Skyler. I don’t want to be alone tonight, and I’m not going to spill what the fuck happened to Jared over texts and stress him out.
I don’t even know how this happened. I’ve been so careful when posting as xxSparkleySkittlexx.
I mean, this could all be Mathew just fucking with me, because he could have found out about my online persona while snooping in my apartment.
I texted Ajani, asking if we could meet up at Darla’s Pub for drinks once my shift ended tonight.
I’ll stay the night with her afterwards, then I can figure out what the fuck to do tomorrow.
Every noise has me jumping and looking over my shoulder.
Nothing can happen while I’m here. I know I’m safe with Carter’s people.
I’m almost done wrapping up behind the bar, when a blonde at the end catches my attention. I have to do a double take, and my breath gets caught in my throat. This woman has bleach blonde hair and a right dimple piercing; her head is tilted down, and she’s texting on her phone.
I’m frozen in place when she looks at me, catching me staring, and her smile is slow to spread across her face. Her voice soft when she speaks. “Kailey?”
The woman at the end of the bar looks a lot like Beth, but she isn’t my sister. It’s Sarah.
“Uhm, Sarah? What the hell are you doing here?” I walk over to her.
“Holy shit, this is crazy. I’m in town for work and was told this is the place to go for a good drink.” She waves her fruity drink up in the air.
Wow. The closer I get to her, I can’t believe how much she looks like my sister. It’s unnerving. I don’t speak; I just continue to just stare at her.
Her palms rest on the bartop. “I’m really sorry about… everything.”
I shake my head, coming back to reality, instead of staying lost in thoughts of Beth.
“It’s in the past…”
And I mean that, right? I’m with Jared again, and it feels really good.
Why should I still have any negative feelings against Sarah?
Maybe it’s time to let all of that go too.
I know I’ll feel lighter. I grab her hand and give it a squeeze.
“You just caught me off guard. Seeing you here. And you look an awful lot like Beth right now.”
Sarah pushes her hair behind her ears. “Yeah, I always thought that dimple piercing of hers was badass.” She lightly taps her diamond stud. “She inspired me. In a way, this helps me keep her memory going.”
I give her a sad smile and nod. “I understand that.” My fingertips lightly drift over my sunflower tattoo. Sarah and Beth were close too; we all were. Shit, that feels like a lifetime ago.
“I feel like running into you was meant to be.” Sarah’s hand turns and squeezes mine. “I always wondered what had happened to you, and how life has been treating you.”
“Life’s been good. I really love living here in Chicago.”
“Yeah, from what I’ve seen, it’s very beautiful and upbeat here.”
“What did you say that you do for a living? What brought you here?”
“Oh, I haven't yet. I’m traveling with my boss. I’m kind of his personal assistant.
We’re only here for the night, for some sort of high-end merchandise sale.
Then we head back out tomorrow morning.” Sarah pauses, looks around the bar then back at me.
“Hey, what time do you get off? Would you like to go somewhere for dinner or something?”
My emotions are at an all-time high right now. But seeing her here has to be a sign that I’m meant to forgive and move on, right?
“I’m actually going to meet a friend shortly for drinks. You’re more than welcome to tag along.”
“That would be so fun! I’d love to catch up. And I definitely didn’t want to spend the night alone in my hotel.”
“Alright, give me time to finish up my rounds here, then you can follow me over there.”
“I actually used a taxi service to come here. Do you mind if I just ride with you?”
“Sure! We can sing our hearts out on the way. Darla’s also has karaoke, if you feel like busting out some vocals?”
“Hell no! That was always you and Beth’s thing. I’ll continue to be your cheerleader though!”
Once Sarah and I walk into Darla’s, I see that Ajani is in one of her usual disguises. A hot pink wig, glasses, a long-sleeve white tee, and a black jean skirt, with black combat boots. She looks like an emo Barbie.
“Hey, I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick.” Sarah points at the restroom sign. “When you gotta go, you gotta go. It’s not healthy to hold it.” She laughs and starts to walk toward it.
I chuckle at her. Sarah and her random knowledge… Nice to see that hasn’t changed. “Yeah, okay, we’ll be sitting right there.” I point to where Ajani is currently sitting in a booth.
She nods before pushing the bathroom door open.
“So, were you afraid that you were going to be followed by one of your father’s men?” I tease Ajani when I plop down onto the cushion right next to her.
“I don’t give two fucks about my dad’s men.” She plays with her wig, making sure it’s straight on her scalp. “I wanted to go out tonight and not have eyes on me. It’s unnerving and not necessary. Do you know how hard it is to get rid of someone tailing you?”
“No, I can’t say that I’ve ever had that issue, beautiful.”
“Well, it sucks ass. What do you think of tonight’s look?”
I casually look her up and down. “You look like a fucking hot emo Barbie with a tan!”
“Oh, yes, that’s the exact vibe I was going for.” Ajani grabs her sleeve and covers her black threaded bracelet. I think the only time I haven’t seen her wear it is when she’s performing in one of her ballet shows.
Ajani’s stare is trained on the bathroom doors. “Who’d you bring?” She tilts her head.
“It’s a crazy thing. I was finishing up my shift when I saw her… It’s Sarah.” I point to the bathroom.
Her hand slaps the table. “Wait, you’re shitting me, right? Like, the Sarah, your old friend from back home?”
“Yeah. Crazy, right?”
“I’d say so. Are you okay?”
“I mean, yeah, it caught me off guard. Seeing her… She looks so much like my sister before she died. But I think I’m okay. Maybe it was meant to be? Her randomly walking into The Purple Room while I was working.”
Ajani nods before whispering, “Well, if you need me to kick her ass for what she did all those years ago, I’ll do it.”
I bring her in for a hug and chuckle. “Easy, killer. I love you, but it’ll be fine.”
“Hi!” Sarah is standing over us with a tray of clear liquid shots. “I assume you still like tequila? Consider it an apology, and an offering for a good night of catching up.” Sarah gives the tray she’s holding a light shake.
Ajani looks at the shots, then at me. I return her stare with a subtle nod. “Alright, let’s do it. This pretty lady is Ajani. Ajani, this is Sarah.”
“Nice to meet you,” they say in unison.
Sarah places the tray of shots down on the table, and we each grab one, clinking them together before tapping them on the table. “To a night of memories!” We each swallow every drop.
I raise my hand for a waiter to come over, and he takes our usual orders, along with a fruity drink for Sarah. We each take turns talking about ourselves. Sarah tells us about how she travels the world with her boss and hasn’t found a place she’d like to call home yet.
I finish my bottle of beer, and my eyelids start to feel heavy. Shit, I didn’t realize how much stress I’d been holding today. I feel light as a feather. I shouldn’t have skipped dinner. “Whew, I feel good, ladies.” I laugh and look at Ajani; she’s already ordering us more shots.
Sarah’s body leans against mine. “I’m so glad I ran into you tonight!”