Chapter 2: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟏

BREE

The club is the last place where I should be right now.

Tonight took a bad turn on a good day. I should’ve taken the sign when Jay ignored my calls and texts while I was out with Rose.

Jay as in my ex-boyfriend now since I just caught him cheating on me.

I went to his apartment to surprise him with a stay-at-home date and caught him making out with a beautiful girl.

He didn’t even notice I was there. None of them did. He was so into it. The moment the bag of drinks fell out of my hand was when I got their attention.

He didn’t even give me any excuses. He was mad that I was there.

He yelled. So loudly. And kicked me out.

That was two hours ago.

I drove around the neighborhood for 2 hours before coming to this club.

The pounding music hits my ears as soon as I step in.

I don’t like clubs or any bars. I hate going to them, hate the sensation of someone’s wrong gaze on me. A lot of people call me dramatic or pick me for it but I usually ignore them. I only ever came to club with my friends during college and even then me and Rose- my best friend- would leave early to get take out and binge watch movies.

I should call her.

But she’d get worried and I don’t want that.

I drag myself towards the bar and order a shot of tequila.

“Here you go, miss.” the bartender says as he passes me my shot.

I mutter a “thanks,” before I pick up the glass.

I don’t take shots. My brother does- the one who is approachable.

There’s a first time for everything.

I take the shot and wince at the hot and bitter sensation in my throat.

That was horrible.

But I still get another shot.

Maybe if I drink enough, I’ll be numb enough to not care about anything.

I take two more shots till my head starts pounding and still order another one.

As the bartender passes me my fourth shot, I sense a presence beside me.

From the corner of my eye, I catch an older man- maybe a few years older than me- sit beside me and watch as I chug down my drink. He smirks and licks his lips.

I internally cringe at his act.

He waits till I order another drink then he decides to get up from his seat and get closer to me. I make sure not to look at him and ignore him all the way as I chug down another drink.

My head pounds at the last shot, nausea rising in my throat as I put down the glass.

“Here, let me pay for your next drink-”

“No, thank you.” I cut him off, without sparing a glance at him.

Apparently he doesn’t take the rejection and starts to push, “come on, sweetie. Let’s have a little fun.”

He reaches out his hand to touch my face but I slap his hand away, glaring at him, “I said, no.” I grit out.

I get off my stool, grabbing my purse and turn around to leave but a hand grips my elbow, harshly turning me around.

“Stay still.” the man grits out, his eyes boring holes in my face.

I swallow hardly, my head pounding and panic settling into my stomach.

This is bad. I’m going to die tonight. God, help me.

I usually am pretty good at getting out of troublesome situations but I have a too much alcohol in my body and no energy.

I try to jerk my hand away from him but it doesn’t work-

“Take your hand off of her before I chop it off.”

The panic starts to slowly fade away as I catch Finn behind the man, dressed in his usually black button up shirt and pants, making him stand out. His hair disheveled as if someone thread their fingers through them.

I don’t want to think about that.

Still gripping on my arm, the man turns his head to look at Finn, “who the hell are you?”

“Someone who will chop your hand off if you don’t let go of her.”

A mixture of shock and relief settles in the pit of my stomach as I watch Finn death glaring at the man. Mainly because Finn is always cheerful. We have never seen him angry or glaring at someone- well, at least I haven’t.

When the man still doesn’t show any signs of releasing me, I try to free myself but end up wincing because of the tightening of his grip.

Finn’s jaw clenches before his hand shoots out and grabs the man’s collar, forcing him to release me.

I quickly take a step back as Finn pulls the man by his hand effortlessly then say to me, “wait here. Do not move.” then disappear in the back with the man.

Even though he’s not there, I still nod and stay rooted in place.

I wrap my arms around my middle, staying away from the crowd.

After a moment, Finn reappears from the back alone with his facial expression cool as if he didn’t just drag a man to an unknown place.

He pays the bartender for my drinks then turns towards me,“are you okay?” he asks, his voice softer than when he was talking to the man before.

Not being able to form words, I just nod. I sway while standing and stumble but before I fall, Finn grabs my arm, steadying me, “Okay, let’s get you home.”

He leads me out of the club carefully, keeping me steady on my feet.

As soon as the outside air hits me, the nausea rises to my throat again.

“I’m going to throw up-” I mumble before I slap my hands on my mouth.

“What?- oh, shi-”

Finn quickly leads me to a corner and I start emptying my stomach.

Instead of walking away from the disgusting scene, Finn holds my hair back in one hand while rubbing my back with the other.

After all the tequila is out, I stumble a few steps back before falling on my ass, exhausted. My eyes are droopy, my head is still pounding and I’m still not numb enough to forget tonight.

“Here,”

I raise my head and find Finn holding a bottle of water. Without saying a word, I take it, stand up and wash my mouth in a corner.

After I’m finished, Finn takes my arm and leads me towards my car. I don’t think my mind is working while Finn asks me for my car keys and makes sure I’m seated in the car before he gets in it.

I don’t look at him. I can’t. I am so tired, drunk and I just threw up in front of him. It’s embarrassing.

So, while he drives me to my destination, I stare out the window to the blurry streets.

The silence of the car is comforting but as well as terrifying because Finn is never quiet. I appreciate that he isn’t bombarding me with questions like my brothers or Rose would but for some reason, I feel like something happened with him too.

I close my eyes and immediately regret it because the events of tonight flash through them.

“We’re here.”

I open my eyes and my apartment building comes into view.

I hear the car door open and shut before Finn appears outside the window to open my door. Since he's not looking at me, I briefly stare at his features.

Finn is one of the most handsome men I’ve met in my life. He’s beautiful not only because of his features and attractive build but also because of how kind and helpful he is. And he has the most charming smile. Which isn't visible right now.

As soon as Finn opens the door and looks at me, I look away.

He holds my hand as I step out of the car and shuts the door. I let him lead me inside the building into the elevator. He keeps me steady with his arm around my waist and I try not to think too much of it.

As soon as the elevator door opens, I gently push away from him, “I can go by myself from here.”

He doesn’t say anything for a beat then mutters an “okay,” I step out of the elevator and hear him say, “Text me if you need anything,"

I just nod and continue to drag myself towards my apartment that I share with Rose.

She must be worried sick-

As if hearing my thoughts, the door to our apartment opens and in stands Rose dressed in her red pajamas with her hair tied in a messy bun.

“Oh, my God.” she breathes out before taking my hands and leading me inside the apartment, closing the door behind us.

She sets me on a couch then quickly brings me a glass of water before settling beside me.

“I was so worried about you. Where did you go?” she asks, her voice filled with concern.

I take a small sip of my water and mutter, “sorry,” without looking up at her.

“What’s wrong, Bree?” she places a comforting hand on my lap, “Talk to me, please.”

My eyes sting with tears and my bottom lip quivers. A sob leaves my mouth even though I try to silence it.

“Oh, my God. Bree.” Rose quickly takes the glass from me and puts it away. Before she mutters another word, I wrap my arms around her waist, burying my face into her lap as sobs leave my mouth.

Rose doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t question or utters a word. She lets me sob on her lap and holds me through my breakdown.

Before I pass out, those cruel words repeat in my head,

You’re never enough!