I take another pull of the whiskey, and it takes five gulps until the burning starts. After another six, the glass bottle flies out of my hand and crashes against the white wall, shattering everywhere like an explosion while the amber liquid leaks down. The pictures on the wall of my father and my brother stare back at me. The picture of the three of us standing in front of this very house. “Fuck you,” I say to the empty room, but more to my brother whose picture I’m staring at. “Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.”

Chapter Two

Savannah

“She isn’t worth it.” His words cut me more than anyone else. I knew this day would probably come, but I thought I had more time, or at least I hoped I would. I’m standing in the same office as I was eight years ago when I begged his father to help me. All he did was laugh at me, then toss me two hundred dollars and told me to take out the trash. I was broken then, but nothing could have prepared me for the look Beau is giving me. Nothing could hurt more.

I can hear the music from outside, and I can see the pain in his eyes. I can feel his hurt all through my bones. I want to reach out to him and touch him and tell him that it’s all a mistake. I want to tell him everything, but I don’t. No words come out. The only thing that comes out is a sob, and then Jacob swings, and it’s the final straw. Everything I touch gets ruined. I turn and open the door, then step outside to rush to my car. I’m almost out the front door when I feel a hand on my arm. Something inside me wishes it was Beau, but I know right away it’s not. My eyes roam down to my arm, and I see the stupid fucking gold pinky ring, making my blood run cold and the sadness suddenly turn to hatred.

“Now, now.” When I hear his slimy voice, I rip my arm away from his touch. You would think he would get the hint, but he doesn’t. Instead, he closes the distance between us and puts both hands on my bare arms. “I hope you’re not leaving yet.” Hearing his voice and feeling his breath make me want to vomit. The smell a mixture of cigars and whiskey. “We didn’t have a chance to catch up.” I look at him, and I have to wonder how the fuck I ever found him attractive. Sure, he’s tall, and his hair is always perfectly coiffed, and his blue eyes just pop with his brown hair. But underneath all those preppy good looks is a spineless piece of shit.