Kayden: The Past by Chelle Bliss

was able to look around. The entire bar had erupted into a fight. People were punching each other all over the room, and the girls were ducking under tables and heading for the doors. 
    I knew my body would be sore, and I’d feel every simple movement tomorrow. Every stab of pain would be worth pouring that pitcher of beer over her head. How dare that whore blame me for literally fucking up our happy ending; she was the one with her legs spread – not me.
    My life was like an inescapable black hole. I worked hard and played harder, needing to lose myself in booze, women, and drugs. I wanted to dull the pain, escape reality, and just forget everything. The problem with my method is that it’s only a momentary Band-Aid for the scar that stays with you a lifetime or eventually bites you in the ass.
     
     

 

    Don’t Shit Where You Eat or Fuck Where You Work ~ Jessica
    Seeing Bridget only made things worse, drove me farther down the tunnel of despair and deeper into my addictions. I went from booze to smoking weed almost regularly. The mixture was the only thing that allowed me any rest; without it, I laid in bed almost in a catatonic state. I used cocaine to help me get through the day, giving me the buzz and energy I needed.
    All I wanted to do was to take a couple of weeks off work and drown myself in liquor and drugs, but I couldn’t. We were opening a new store, and everything had to be set up for the grand opening. I’d climbed the proverbial ladder of the retail world and made it to assistant store manager. Jessica, the manager, and I had the sole responsibility to make sure everything was perfect and ran smoothly for the big reveal. It was a prime spot on a busy street, and everyone was chomping at the bit for it to open. They all saw dollar signs with the potential for increased sales and a larger customer base.
    We had less than twelve hours until the doors opened to the general public. Jessica and I were the only ones left in the store; we had a bigger stake in the success or failure of this store. Everyone else worked their eight hour shift before walking out the door and leaving us behind.
    “I’ll be right back, Jess.” I needed another bump of coke, something to get me through the countless hours of prep ahead of us. I snorted a small amount, not wanting the effects to be too noticeable to Jessica. I looked at myself in the mirror and the person staring back was almost unrecognizable. I rested my hands on the sink and gave the soft white powder time to work its way through my system and fill every ounce of my being.
    “What do you want to work on next?” I asked as I walked back into the main showroom.
    Jessica was bent over with her ass in the air stocking a shelf with cellular accessories. I never really paid much attention to her sexually, but in this moment, it was the only thing I could think about. She was my boss, and I never crossed that line, but for once, I didn’t give a fuck. Maybe it was the coke in my system or my ‘who gives a fuck’ attitude, but I wanted her. She didn’t move to stand up when I asked her the question but continued stocking. I stood there and stared at her ass without shame or remorse.
    “What are you doing?” Jessica must have noticed I wasn’t moving.
    “Just looking at something.”
    “Grab that box and move your ass, Kayden.”
    “Bossy much?” I liked her sassy mouth.
    “I just want to get out of here, Kayden. We’ve been here all day, and tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier.” She stood up and turned around catching me staring at her. “Do I have something on me? What are you looking at?”
    “There’s nothing on you, Jess.” I grabbed the box off the counter and moved it to an empty shelf for her to unpack. “I’ll move all the boxes where they need to go, and we can cruise through the rest.”
    “Doing anything is better than staring at my ass,” she laughed.
    Jessica’s a smart girl; you don’t make it to the top without brains. She