Lasting Damage Read Online Free Page B

get all the human interaction I can stand.”
    “I
notice you didn't call it healthy interaction,” Chloe laughed and poured a
healthy dose of shrimp fried rice on her plate.
    “Oh,
come on,” Jane huffed. “You, of all people, know that the average Saturday
night at work means dealing with wall to wall stupidity, hormones and alcohol.
I dare you to find a speck of meaningful or healthy human interaction in that
fucked up mess.”
    “That's
a sweeping statement.” Lily looked up from her pills and smiled.
    “Yes
it is. It's a broad, sweeping pronouncement on the state of my existence at
work right now and I'm standing by it.” Jane set her chopsticks down on her
plate and crossed her arms over her chest. “And can you please explain to me
why I’m friends with either one of you? I'm starting to forget.”
    “Because
we’re the only people who put up with your stupid crap?” Chloe reminded her.
    Jane
had to press her lips together to keep from saying something snarky. Her mood wasn’t
going to take a sudden, miraculous turn for the better because she’d unleashed
her inner demon upon her friends so she decided to do something productive. “You’re
roots are showing. You want me to clean that up for you?”
    “Is
that a peace offering?” Lily asked.
    “Yes.”
She admitted freely. “Am I doing it right?”
    “Not
really, but I'll order a fresh bottle of Manic Panic and a bleach kit. You can
do my whole head.”
    “Sounds
like a plan,” Jane agreed. “When we get the bleach processing I'll try out a
few new drinks on you.”
    “Oh,
hell.” Chloe’s voice was flush with anxiety since they’d had their share of bad
things happen when the two of them mixed hair dye with cocktails.
    “Oh,
come one.” Jane reassured her. “It's not like I'm going to get out the clippers
and shave the back of your head,”
    “I'd
rather we didn't repeat that one.” Chloe lets out a long, mournful sigh. “I
still can't look at gin and not miss that chunk of hair.”
    “Hair
grows back.” Jane snapped. “And that bottle of Hendrick’s was amazeballs and
you know it.”
    “Why
is it Chloe never gets to do anything to your hair?” Lily asked.
    “Because
there's nothing to do with my hair. It's straight. It's brown. End of story.
Chloe’s hair, on the other hand, requires a lot of upkeep and since she refuses
to spend any real money on getting it taken care of properly she’s stuck with
me.”
    “If
you were a real friend you’d offer to pay for her to go to a salon.” Lily gave
her customary eye roll as reached into her purse and pulled out a handful of
bills. “So? You gonna text that girl or what?”

 
     
    3.
    It was half past ten when
Jane caught sight of Harper standing at the far end of the bar. She was wearing
a faded Sex Pistols tee-shirt and a pair of those hipster glasses Lily mentioned.
    The
band was in full swing and the place was packed. As profitable at the night was
going to be for everyone it wasn’t the good for socializing unless you were
drunk and horny and didn’t give a crap what people were talking about.
    “You
up for a bit of the hard stuff tonight?” She shouted over the noise.
    “I’ll
take whatever you’ve got.” Harper pulls out a crisp hundred and holds it out
for her to take.
    “Why
do I get the impression you’re not talking about drinks,” she teased and
slipped the cash into the front of her apron before hopping up on the
stepladder. There was a bottle of Midleton Irish Whiskey she’d been dying to
crack open for the longest time and Harper seemed like the kind of customer who
would appreciate it.
    “Three
bartenders?” Harper motioned to the two other women working behind the counter.
“Band must be pretty good.”
    “I
wouldn’t say there were good, but it's Saturday night and people need somewhere
to go.” Jane answered. “Seems like you’re out of luck again.”
    “I
got your text.” Harper shook her head.
    “What
are you talking about?” Jane