Page 43 of An Uphill Battle

“Sounds good, and thanks for tonight and for your honesty. I appreciate it more than youknow.”

The drive back to her car is silent, and her words about making Azalea jealous run on a loop through my mind. Would that work? Would she even care? Would it make things worse? Can things even getworse?

I glide my truck into the spot parallel to Kasey’s car as she unbuckles, moving toward her door, but before she can grip the handle, I pull her hand away. “Do you really think it would work? Makin’ Azaleajealous?”

“Seeing as I’ve been a woman since the day I was born, Iknowit’ll work. Women always want what they can’t have. We diet, we crave chocolate. Our man moves on, we want him back. Trust me—she’ll be on you like white onrice.”

“Okay. Let’s doit.”

23

Azalea

I’m miserable,and it’s all my fault. And isn’t that a really sucky reality? The knowledge that I let my hopes and dreams—my future—slip through my fingers and into the arms of a stunning brunette because I was so caught up in the past that I was blind to thepresent...

It. Effing.Sucks.

I had myself so convinced that Drake only wanted me for a little boot-knocking fun that I built the walls around my heart so damn thick and strong, and they were pretty much impenetrable. The man straight up told me he loved me, and he definitely showed it through his actions, and now, he’s someoneelse’s.

Cue the anger, because my God, it sure didn’t take him long to rebound. I’ve spent the last week since seeing him with his... whatever she is... at Trattoria going through the motions at work and coming straight home to sulk. How pathetic amI?

No. This isn’t me. I’m not some weak little girl who crumbles when life doesn’t go her way. I’m a fucking fighter, and I’m ready for the nextround.

It’s time to break out of this melancholic funk I’ve been in since Thanksgiving. Snatching my phone from the end of my bed, I dial Seraphine. “Hello there, AzzyJo,” she chirps into thephone.

“Seraphine, please tell me you’re freetonight?”

“Free as a bird. Why, what’sup?”

“Let’s go out!” I tell her, bouncing in my seat, excited by the prospect of getting my groove back, so tospeak.

“For real? You really wanna go out?” I tell her I do, and she squeals into the phone. “Awesome! Can I invite thegirls?”

“Of course you can. Hopefully, Myles can get asitter.”

“We’ll see. I’ll text you and let you know. Let’s meet at Big O’s around eightthirty?”

“See you then!” I tell her, tossing my phone back down onto the bed. This calls for primping, because Lord knows, if I’m going to step foot back into the bar where Drake and I fell apart, I’m gonna look my best doing it. And you know, after the last few weeks, I’m lookingrough.

* * *

Ipullup to Big O’s ten minutes early and make my way inside to grab us a table. The bar is already bustling with people, and I’m ready for a good time—ready to forget for awhile.

Not even seven minutes later, Magnolia and Seraphine plop down into chairs next to me. “Myles can’t make it,” Seraphine says as she signals for awaitress.

“Figured she wouldn’t be ableto.”

“What can I get you ladies?” our server asks in a boredtone.

I order a vodka and cranberry, Magnolia orders a glass of white wine, and Seraphine orders a Shirley Temple, what with her being well under twenty-one.

Our waitress walks off, and Seraphine immediately redirects our conversation. “So, not that I’m not happy you’re finally out of your sad shell, but why the suddenchange?”

“I’m still sad. Probably will be for a while, but crying into my pillow won’t change shit. I want Drake back, and we’re gonna figure out a plan.” Magnolia looks worried by my words, but Seraphine breaks out into an almost evilsmile.

“Oh, yes, let’s scheme!” We pause as our drinks are delivered. “Okay, so do you have an idea inmind?”

“No,” I tell her honestly. I take a sip of vodka cranberry, my lips puckering at thetartness.

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