Page 59 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Tequila flows freely. Laughter and cheers fill the air as we lose ourselves in the moment. The music shifts to an upbeat pop song, and Jess grabs my hand, pulling me onto the makeshift dance floor.

We move with wild abandon, the world fading away as we sway to the rhythm. Jess’s blonde hair flies around her face, and she grins at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I know she’s the life of the party, and I’m grateful to have her as my friend.

I find myself surprisingly present in the moment. It’s strange how I’m barely thinking about Sebastian. He’s been a constant presence in my thoughts lately, but now, with the music blaring and the tequila flowing, he seems like a distant memory.

Bullshit, my heart beats. But the rhythm beats louder, and another tequila shot helps to silence it further.

The alcohol continues to flow, and I can feel its effects coursing through me, warming my body and loosening my inhibitions. The music seems louder, the lights brighter, and the emotions stronger.

As I dance with a handsome stranger, I let my mind wander back to Sebastian. The memory of his smile, the feel of his lips on mine, it all rushes back, and I’m overcome with a bittersweet mix of longing and regret. Maybe it’s the alcohol talking, or maybe it’s just the way my heart works, but I can’t help but feel a lump forming in my throat.

I lean in closer to Jess, shouting over the music, “Do you think I should call Sebastian?”

She raises an eyebrow, her blue eyes filled with concern. “Remember rule one of girls’ night, no drunk calling exes.”

“I’m not drunk.”

“You are definitely drunk,” she says, laughing. “Stay with me and have fun. You can pout about him tomorrow when you’re nursing a hangover.”

I throw myself back into dancing, letting the pounding rhythm of the music wash over me. But after a while, the world starts to spin, and the room feels like it’s closing in on me. My vision blurs and I stumble slightly. I tap Jess on the shoulder, gesturing that I need some fresh air.

Outside, I pull out my phone. My fingers fumble as I unlock it, the screen glaring brightly in the darkness. I start typing, my thumbs moving clumsily across the display, and before I can stop myself, I’ve sent a text.

Bella: Hey Sebzzzz...I’m rly drunk ????...but I just had to tell u...ugh, miss u like crazy ????. Let’s talk soon! ????

The message floats in the digital ether, and I watch as the three dots indicating a response start to appear. My heart races.

Sebastian: Where are you?

I hesitate, my thumb hovering over the screen. Panic sets in, and I decide not to reply. Maybe if I ignore it, he’ll forget I texted.

But then my phone starts ringing.

Shit.

I fumble with my device in my intoxicated state, desperately trying to press the "End" button. My fingers, however, seem to have a mind of their own, and I accidentally hit the “Answer” button instead.

“Bella?” His deep voice resonates across the line. “Where are you?”

I contemplate remaining silent, hoping that Sebastian might assume the call was dropped or unanswered. I hold my breath, trying to keep quiet.

“Bella?” he repeats, his voice filled with concern, and it becomes clear that my attempt at evasion isn’t working.

I inhale sharply and eventually answer, my words slurring, “I'm...hic..okay.”

He mutters something under his breath, then demands, “Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.”

My words tumble out in a messy slur, my tongue feeling like it’s grown ten sizes too big. “I don’t need you to res-hic-cue me. I just need...some...some air.” I plop down on the curb, feeling the hard concrete beneath me, and let out an exaggerated groan, as if the whole world has suddenly become a dizzying carnival ride.

There’s a muffled sigh from the other end, and I can almost picture Sebastian running his fingers through his hair in frustration, but his voice remains steady and calm. “Is there anyone with you?”

“Jess...hic...is inside.”

Sebastian’s tone takes on a sense of urgency. “You need to tell me where you are. I can’t help you if I don’t know where to find you.”

I glance around the dimly lit alley, squinting at a sign in the distance, trying to make out the name of the bar. “I think...Pulse-something-or-other,” I slur, not confident if I’ve got it right.

But before I can provide any more information, my device goes dead, the screen blank.

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