“This wasn't how I planned our first day here.” Morgan laughed, as she wiped a tear from her eye.
“This is precisely why we should never get wine drunk.” I said, raising my empty glass in the air.
Morgan lifted her glass as well, before awkwardly clanking it into mine.
“To getting wine drunk!” She giggled.
“To wine!” I giggled back.
Morgan drifted back to the other side of the hot tub then, and placed her empty glass on the table just beside it. I handed off my own glass, and then I sunk down into the water until it reached my chin. I closed my eyes, and my thoughts instantly drifted to Derek. If Morgan didn't 'give' him to me, what did that mean? This whole time I thought that I was some kind of consolation prize. That he'd only chosen me because Morgan wasn't interested. Was I wrong? Did I push him into another woman's arms because of my own insecurities?
I let myself fall all the way under then, submerging myself in the steamy water. As the warmth enveloped me, I slowly began to sober up. I was tired of feeling sorry for myself all the time. This trip was supposed to help me forget about Derek, but instead it was only making me miss him more.
When I came up for air, Morgan began to climb out of the hot tub. I quickly followed suit, noting that my limbs felt like noodles, and my fingers had significantly pruned. I grabbed my towel from the chair I'd tossed it on, and quickly wrapped it around myself. The air was humid, but I still felt a chill as the wind swept over my wet hair.
“I know it's early, but I think I'm going to call it a night.” I said.
“No worries. It's been a long day.”
“Goodnight.” I said, before slipping back into my room and drawing the blinds over the door.
I found a pair of pajamas in my suitcase, and carried them into the bathroom with me. After discarding my towel, and swimsuit I climbed into the shower and turned the water on as hot as I could stand it. As quickly as I could, I washed up and changed, using the provided hair dryer so that I wouldn't crawl into bed with wet hair.
I suddenly had no energy to worry about the mess, so I left my towel and bathing suit on the bathroom floor. When I made it to my bed, I grabbed my phone from the table, and switched it back on. Ten missed calls. All from Derek. I set the phone down again, and tossed the large white comforter aside. It didn't matter that it was only three in the afternoon, I was drained.
Maybe it was the drive, or the wine? Or a combination of both? Either way the only thing that I wanted to do was sleep. I climbed onto the bed, and pulled the blanket up, and over me snuggling into my pillow. I closed my eyes, and then I started to cry.
“Dammit, Derek.” I sobbed to myself. “Why can't I just forget you?”
FIVE
I WASN'T NEW TO THE world of hangovers, but I certainly didn't like them. My head felt foggy, and when I sat up the pulsing in my temples only intensified. I groaned, as I drug myself into the bathroom. When I caught a glimpse of myself I couldn't help but laugh. My wavy hair was in tangles, and I had dark bags under my eyes. It looked like I'd gone a few rounds in a boxing ring, opposed to a few bottles of wine.
Even though I'd showered before bed last night, I decided it wouldn't hurt to have a little refresher. The instant the hot spray hit my throbbing head I let out a sigh of relief. I stood there for a while, just letting the water ease the pain before eventually taking care of business. When I stepped out of the shower I felt a million times better than I had only moments ago.
I towel dried my hair, and then found a comfortable pair of jean shorts, and my favorite olive green tee shirt. I paired it with my tennis shoes, and tossed my hair up into a pony tail. It was mid April, and it was supposed to be pretty warm today. Normally I wouldn't bother with makeup, but with the shape my face was in after last night's bender I put a little concealer under my eyes.
Just as I finished applying my lip gloss, the door between our rooms opened revealing a very well put together Morgan. Of course she would look like she just stepped out of a magazine. The woman was blessed, there was no other explanation.
“Good morning!” She said, in a cheerful tone.
“Is it?” I asked, as I stepped out of the bathroom.
“You look like hell, Ronnie.”
“Which is exactly why I don't get wine drunk.” I said.
“Should we go grab some breakfast before heading into town?”
I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “It's nearly noon.”
“Brunch it is! Grab your purse.”
I gave her a small salute, and she rolled her eyes before adjusting her own bag on her shoulder. After making sure I had my phone, and room key the two of us made our way out to the parking lot. Seeing the big blue ford parked outside brought a smile to my face. Even though I was missing my dad, a part of him was still here with me and it made me feel a little less homesick.
Morgan climbed into the passenger seat, and began searching for restaurants on her phone. I sat, patiently waiting, tapping my hands on the steering wheel. Truth be told I couldn't care less about food right now, but I'd humor her just as I always did.
“There's a place called Biscuitville. It says they serve breakfast, lunch, and
