If Only by A J Pine

Author:A J Pine [Pine, A J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781622664351
Published: 2014-02-26T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Santè!” Victoria throws back what will be her first of many shots this evening. Miraculously, in one day after piercing, she has regained control of her tongue. Fear of parental retribution has suddenly given her the ability to hide her indiscretion. Mine is easily hidden under a long-sleeve shirt. And Hugh. Well, Victoria’s parents really aren’t concerned with what Hugh does to his body unless it also involves Victoria’s body.

Hugh and I raise our shot glasses with her, but I slam mine back on our table without drinking it, saving it for when Victoria needs another.

“No shots,” I say.

“Not even for the new year? Pourquoi?” She pouts, like I’ve suddenly ruined the party.

“Because, in the words of my flat-mate, I’m a pussy lightweight. Plus I say stupid shit and do stupid things when I’m drunk, so there’s that, too.”

Victoria giggles, not much of a heavyweight herself, it seems. “Then we’ll let you take it slow. Don’t want you to say anything stupid to a bloke you might fancy.” She giggles again, but I ignore her. The last thing on my agenda tonight is meeting a bloke. Instead I slowly sip a pint of cider. It’s ten o’clock. I need to pace myself if I’m going to make it until midnight and beyond.

Victoria’s club is more like a retro swank pub, and I’m grateful for the laid-back atmosphere. The long, dark bar sports a backlit counter displaying the various beverages available. High-backed, black leather booths line the parallel wall. In stark contrast are the neon-lit, hourglass-shaped pub tables. We occupy a pink one. The place is cool bordering on cheesy. What seals the deal for me is the music—nineties Britpop. Right now Blur’s “Girls & Boys” pours through the speakers.

“Time to lose the cardigan, darling.” Before I have a chance to react, Victoria undresses me, revealing the baby-doll tank top hiding underneath. On the way home from Prick yesterday, we passed a shop Victoria insisted we check out.

“Ith the New Year, love. You need to ring it in with thtyle!”

She was still lisping at that point, but it didn’t stop her from pushing me into a fitting room with an armload of tops I never would have thought myself capable of pulling off. Now, as I look down at the beaded black bodice that flares out over my jeans, I’m still not sure. My bare shoulders prickle with goose bumps. I fidget with my hair and then smile when my hand runs over the red rose hair clip that rests above my left ear, pinning back my bangs. Victoria insisted on the top. I insisted on the clip.

“You’re gorgeous, love. Très belle. Stop fiddling. Isn’t she gorgeous, Hugh?”

He offers a nod of agreement. I don’t think I’ve heard Hugh speak more than ten words in the past two days. Then again, Victoria has enough conversation in her to keep things going on her own. Her use of the word gorgeous is hardly encouraging. This morning she gave the same compliment to the quiche we had for breakfast.

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