“I can’t remember the last time I felt quite like this,” Brianne’s head rested against Ella Jane’s shoulder in the bright casino elevator.

“Is that good or bad?”

“It just is anymore.” The light dinged above them.

“That’s us,” Ella Jane smiled.

“It just is,” Brianne mumbled again, before setting her dented heel on the orange-striped carpet.

“You’re pretty spacey, aren’t you?” Ella Jane led Brianne down the hall a moment then let go.

“I’m most certainly something,” Brianne stumbled slightly before laughing upon arrival at their room.

“Okay,” Ella Jane quickly swiped the key card.

“Beep,” Brianne echoed the door as her friend turned the knob. “Beep. Beep, bitch,” she stepped past and collapsed onto the nearest bed.

“You’re gonna sober up before falling asleep,” Ella Jane declared.

“Who’s sleeping?” Brianne grabbed fists of comforter, rolling onto her back. “I’m ready for some nachos.”

“Check the top drawer,” Ella Jane removed her heels and earrings. “I think it’s in there.”

Brianne fidgeted with the dresser handle, groaning ever so slightly before grabbing the laminated room service menu and flinging it at her maid of honor. “Here! You always know what I want.”

Ella Jane grabbed the menu from the hotel carpet. “Yeah, it’s a curse,” she sighed.

“I gotta pee.”

Switching on the light and fan, Ella Jane wiggled out of her underwear and sat. It only took a moment of scrolling before her bladder emptied in the bowl. Maureen and Paula were still taking selfies at the slots. They’d been there all night, reapplying dashes of blush before sexy faces. Brianne’s bachelorette was a mere afterthought, an excuse to act unsavory.

Room service forced pleasantries through the receiver as Ella Jane ordered turkey clubs with fries and cheese. “You take care of it?” Brianne’s eyes were slits, watching TikTok’s when her friend exited the bathroom.

“Yeah, we’re good,” Ella Jane stepped over to the dresser and pulled out their pajamas. “You don’t wanna sleep in that dress, do you?”

“I think I’m okay with it since I’m not getting up right now,” Brianne replied. “Did you see Jed’s post?”

“Uh huh,” Ella Jane slipped into her pajama bottoms then tossed Brianne her set. “Here. In case you change your mind.”

“What’s wrong with him anyway? Why am I marrying this person?

“Because you love him, and because you told me to tell you that you said it was okay for him to go to strip club,” Ella Jane observed.

“Well I couldn’t let him know that it bothered me,” Brianne groaned. “Then he’d think I was naggy or something.”

“Ya gotta nag at some point.”

“When it’s necessary. Anyway, maybe we should get a manwhore to come to the room.” Brianne suggested.

“And do what?” Ella Jane fell to opposite mattress, exhausted by notions.

“I don’t know. Is it weird that I want to fuck at least one more person before I marry Jed?” Brianne asked.

“Getting married never stopped you from fucking other people before,” Ella Jane replied.
Brianne’s mouth went wide. “Wow, that was harsh, girl.”

“The truth has that effect sometimes.”

“Why are you giving me a hard time right now? Especially when this is my weekend. You’re here for me, remember?”

“How could I forget?” Ella Jane scrolled on her phone.

“So yeah, don’t go bringing up the past, alright?” Brianne scoffed. “It’s not doing me any good.”

“Maybe I’m just trying to get a point across here,” Ella Jane replied.

“Yeah, I know, okay?” Brianne stared her down. “I get drunk and wanna fuck sometimes. It happens, okay? Like you’re any better.”

“I’m not married . . . at least not anymore.”

“Is this about Anson?” Brianne asked. “Are you still mad about all of that shit?”

“I’m not mad about anything,” Ella Jane replied. “I’m just calmly sitting here, waiting for room service so you can sober the fuck up.”

“Yeah, it’s Anson, ain’t it” Brianne shook her head fiercely. “You’ve been holding that grudge since eighth grade.”

“He was my boyfriend first,” Ella Jane said.

“Yeah, and he only dated you to get closer to me.”

“Sure. That must be the only reason.”

“He was a shitty husband,” Brianne said. “You don’t know.”

“You’re right, I don’t,” Ella Jane replied. “And I’m not the one who brought him up in the first place.”

“It’ll be different with Jed,” Brianne’s tone subsided. “I just know it will be.”

“Definitely,” Ella Jane nodded. “I still don’t know if I wanna try and find another man. I’m finally at this point where I’m happy just being alone and not having to clean shit off the toilet seat every other day. Plus, it’s so hard getting to know anybody anymore, and these dates I’ve been going on have just been awful. Maybe I’m just not interested in the first place, but it’s been hard. Anyway, I’ll probably end up flying solo for your wedding.”

“Uh huh . . .” Brianne breathed into her pillow; eyes closed.

“I’m gonna go get some ice,” Ella Jane stood and slipped into her tennis shoes, before grabbing the key card and ice bucket. She walked on the tips of her feet and waited for the machine to vend, before dialing his number.

“Hello?” Anson answered.

“Hey, how are you?” Ella Jane whispered into the receiver.

“Awe hey there, babe. I’m good,” he said. “How’s the weekend going?”

“It’s going, baby,” Ella Jane sighed. “It’s going.”