I turn to my New York girls and assess their reactions. Lisa looks like she’s in shock, and Crystal is stoic when she says, “I think it’s time we put your sister to bed.”
Crystal helps me wrangle Leah and her friends into two cabs. Since we seem to be the most sober and know our way around town, we split up. I hail a cab with Leah and Jessica. Crystal hops in another with Kimberly and Suzanne. Lisa has to get home so she says good-bye and whispers in my ear she has no desire to share any of my story with anyone. She never cared much for Alexander Asher anyway, even if he did create the school she works at.
According to Lisa, “It’s all publicity bullshit, if you ask me.”
Crystal’s cab pulls up to my apartment just behind mine and she helps me escort the girls into my small apartment. The sleeping arrangements aren’t ideal but they’re free for the girls so no one is complaining.
I half carry Leah to my room, her weight hanging from my shoulder like a thousand pounds, as she whispers words to me about how much she loves me, how she had the best bachelorette party ever, and, of course, reminding me that she’s getting “marrriieeedddd.”
With Leah snug under the covers, I turn her to the side and place a trash bin next to the bed in case she gets sick. I close the bedroom door and make sure the other girls are comfortable. Suzanne is passed out on the chesterfield, while Kimberly and Jessica are raiding my cabinet for late-night munchies. A blow-up mattress is next to the couch for them to pass out when they’ve finished loading up on empty calories.
Slowly, blowing the air out of my lungs, I assess the damage. Not to my apartment. To my reputation.
When the air is completely out of my lips, I brave a look at Crystal, who is standing by the door with her hand on the doorknob. She is waiting for my full attention before she speaks.
“Listen, I don’t want to tell you how you should feel but from meeting your sister, I know with all my heart she was only trying to help you.”
I give her a look of understanding. As pissed as I am—and this is going to take a long time to get over—I know Leah wouldn’t have done anything to hurt me.
“And Asher? I don’t know what happened between the two of you but you were obviously hurt bad by it.” Her green eyes are downcast. “I’ve been hurt before too. But I still believe in a happily ever after. Don’t give up hope, okay?”
I nod my head. I don’t necessarily agree with her yet I understand where she’s coming from.
Crystal opens the door and is about to step out when she turns around. “You don’t like to talk about your private life and I get it. But from the looks of things, you need a friend in New York. A real friend. I won’t tell anyone what I heard. Neither will Lisa. She told you that. Let us be here for you.”
I always had friends. I never shied away from that. I have simply not wanted to talk to any of the ones I had because they reminded me of what I lost. And since I’ve come to New York I haven’t given myself an opportunity to really open up for fear of what might come out.
I give her a hug in appreciation for being a great person. “Thank you, Crystal. Maybe we’ll go out for a coffee this week.”
She smiles as she lets go of our hold. “I’d like that.”
I’d like that too. I close the door and head off to bed. I already know tomorrow is going to be a bad day.
The familiar sound of my bedroom door creaking alerts me that Leah is up. It’s almost two in the afternoon and, while I am still pissed at her, I did check on her twice to make sure she was breathing.
When I was satisfied she was alive, I retreated back to my spot at my kitchen island and continued to stew.