Page 164 of Swallow Your Sorries

“I don’t think we should’ve mixed so many drinks,” Stassi says, holding her stomach as she slides down the wall. We’d long since abandoned the makeshift bar, unable to stand or sit anymore.

“Turn on your side,” Aria says, nudging Stassi to roll over with her foot. “In case you aspirate.”

“You always know every fucking thing,” Stassi says, grabbing Aria’s ankle and using it to roll onto her side. “Sixth Street. Gant. I’m surprised you haven’t figured me out yet.”

“Figured what out?”

“My secret,” Stassi giggles, then hiccups.

Aria’s eyes narrow. “Truth or dare?”

“What are we, nine” Stassi asks before belching.

“Truth or dare?” Aria insists.

“Uh! Fine, truth.”

“Where were you over the summer?”

The seconds tick by, but Stassi doesn’t answer.

When I finally lean over to check her face, her eyes are closed.

“She’s out cold.”

“Faker!” Aria nudges her hard with her foot but Stassi doesn’t wake up, instead a light snoring fills the room.

“She’s only had four shot glasses worth,” Aria says, shaking her head. “How the hell is she knock-out drunk already?”

Probably because her stomach’s now the size of a banana. “Lightweight,” I say, wanting to change the subject. “Truth or Dare?”

“I’m asking first.”

“Fine.” I roll my eyes. “Truth.”

“Does it bother you that Jarett got away?”

That throws me. Why’s she asking about my father, of all people? And at a time like this?

“The way you used to cry and plead in your sleep…it’s obvious he was abhorrent to you.”

I deflate a fraction. I’d tortured us all in this room with my nightmares. I guess it’s only fair that she asks about them.

I nod slowly before taking another swig. “Sometimes, when I think about what he may be up to, I don’t give a singular fuck because he’s not here. Not in my and my mum’s life. But sometimes…sometimes I envision him at rock bottom. I pretend he finally knows what it feels like to be treated as subhuman. Sometimes I wish...”

Aria doesn’t look appalled or surprised. In fact, she looks understanding. “Sometimes you wish Bart Auclair had gotten a hold of him?”

I nod, feeling despicable as I hiccup.

“I wouldn’t say it’s too late.”

Suddenly, my shoulders stiffen again. Aria’s Gant’s friend. But does that make her words any less true? I’d been thinking about what sort of things Bart Auclair could do to Jarett ever since Gant and I’s conversation in the studio.Unimaginable things,Gant had said and I can’t help but think that Jarett would deserve all of them.

“One problem. I don’t know where Jarett is.”

“If you did, would you tell Gant?”

There’s a long pause. “I don’t know,” I say honestly. “But I’ll tell you, just like I told Gant, I have no idea where he could be. Not a singular clue.”

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