Addiction

Chapter 7-1

Chapter 7

I avoid Mom’s all-knowing stare.

“What’s wrong, dear? I have been looking for you for the past twenty minutes. They are about to start serving the food,” she says as she gives me the once over.

I look away from her because I know she will be able to tell I was up to something so I look at the necklace around her neck.

“Nothing, I just don’t feel good, that’s all. I think I’m going to head home early. The room is starting to spin a little and I think I may be catching a bug. I don’t want to hurl and ruin your meal for you.”

She stares at me to see if she can detect me lying or not and then nods her head. “Well, if you don’t feel well dear, then you can go. Drink some juice and eat some crackers. It will probably help your stomach feel a little bit better. And you know chicken soup heals everything so you may want to buy some of that as well.”

I kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom, and I’ll pick up some soup on my way home.”

“Take care of yourself. Be sure to get plenty of rest as well. I know you don’t get a lot of sleep, I can see the bags around your eyes.”

“I will Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too, and don’t forget to call me later to let me know how you’re doing.”

I hug her one last time and head outside.

After I give the valet my ticket, he goes to run around and grab my car.

I tap my foot impatiently, ready to get away from this party and most of all, ready to get away from Garrett.

The valet pulls my car around and I rush to get in and pull off toward my house.

Driving in silence, I mentally beat myself up for yet another slip up.

I don’t understand what was going on with me.

I am usually so level headed and didn’t get caught up in these types of situations but Garrett somehow seems to bring out a different side of me and I wasn’t fond of it one bit.

He brings out this spontaneous, crazy side but I am a cautious woman who likes to plan everything out. He was just trouble and I needed to avoid him like I needed to avoid the plague.

When I arrive home, I open the door, throw my keys on the counter, and head into the kitchen.

Rose is working tonight so I know she won’t be in until late, which meant I would be alone with my thoughts for a while.

I open the refrigerator and grab the container of fudgy brownie ice cream and sit down on the couch in front of the TV.

I haven’t pigged out in a while so tonight will be the perfect night for just that. I sit down on the couch and begin to flip through the channels. Settling on an old romance movie, I start to eat straight out of the ice cream container.

My mind runs back to Garrett but I kept trying to push him as far out of my mind as I possibly can.

He is no good for me.

Toxic.

I used to think the same way about his dad, George, until my Mom softened him up.

The very first time I met George, I had come home for winter break in college and he was there for Christmas dinner.

Mom was blushing over him but he was so serious and all he talked about was his money and job.

I hated it.

I didn’t know what Mom saw in him.

I knew my Mom wasn’t a gold digger so I knew that he would have to have some qualities to attract her to him and, eventually, they showed up.

He had a fun sense of humor and was pretty laid back once he got to know you.

It was as if he were the complete opposite of his arrogant self, who seemed to think he could buy anything or anyone but the truth was, he couldn’t buy me, no matter what.

I hate that life.

I hate the excess of money that they throw around.

Who needs that much money anyway?

Surely, once you have a roof over your head and all the bills are paid, that is enough?

I look at the TV for a little while longer before I decide to head to bed.

Taking a long shower, I wash the scent of him off my body.

I don’t feel as ashamed as I did when he paid me for s*x but I still feel disappointed in myself.

How did I let that happen?

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