Over the Moon by K.K. Allen

Author:K.K. Allen [Allen, K.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-21T16:00:00+00:00

21

STAND STILL

SILVER

Hope convinced me to stop by her cabin before we left for the campfire, and as soon as I arrived, she handed me a shot of something thick, sweet, and pink.

“What is this?”

“Tequila Rose. You like it? My friends in college and I used to down an entire bottle before heading to the clubs.” She giggles and pours another round of shots.

I take mine and toss it back, letting the sweet and creamy liquid coat my throat. “Yum. But why are you trying to get me drunk before we even get there?”

Hope sets her shot glass down and wiggles her ass back to her closet, where she’s still combing through her clothes for something to wear. “I’m not getting you drunk,” she says tossing me a sharp look. “I’m giving you liquid courage to get you through this party. Maybe you and Kingston will work things out.” She winks and turns back to her closet.

I frown, the reality of my own failure to trust anyone hitting me hard in the chest. Why I fought so hard to push Kingston away has been eating at me for days, especially after our argument yesterday. “What’s to work out, Hope? He leaves tomorrow.”

“Stop doing that,” she says. “Stop slamming the doors on your own happiness without even giving people a shot.” She swivels around. “I’ve known you long enough to see you do this to yourself over and over again. You hold everyone at arm’s length and refuse to let them get close to you. It’s lucky for you that I see through your bullshit and love you anyway. Looks to me like Kingston sees through it too, but your stubborn ass won’t allow yourself to see it.”

“Geez, Hope. Tell me how you really feel.”

There’s a stern look in her eyes. “Sorry. It’s time for some tough love. Your focus should be on having a great time tonight. Stop thinking about tomorrow and everything that can go wrong. Guess what? Those things will still happen if they’re meant to. At least you’ll have happy memories to take with you.” She points to the bottle of Tequila Rose. “Help yourself while I find something to wear.”

We finish off the bottle of liquor, and I get just tipsy enough to let Hope style my long hair in gentle waves and touch up my face with a light dose of makeup. After a long look in the mirror, I leave my white cotton shorts as is, lift the bottom half of my sleeveless blue blouse above my belly button, and knot it on the side. The style wins a squeal of approval and a “That’s my girl” from Hope.

As we finally leave her cabin, I’m clinging to her arm like my life depends on it. I walk along the path toward the party, the anticipation of seeing Kingston one last time killing me. With one glance up at the moon, I pull in a deep breath while silently asking for it to give me courage. For some reason, I feel like I’ll need it tonight.

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