Girl's Night: Disco Night

By Franchot

In the second Girl’s Night, Tamara’s good friend, Cindy is about to marry Brand LaRoche, the handsome man of her dreams. She invites the girls to her 70’s themed bachelorette party, unaware that she has become the target of Brand’s ex-girlfriend, an unstable woman that has plans to carry out a deadly act of revenge at the party.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Franchot
• Release date: Dec 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463100066

Franchot

Storytelling is in my DNA. Having been a closet writer for many years, I favor short fiction and that's primarily what I write. Just published, 'The Lip' and soon to come is, 'Living Right' and my short story series, 'Girl's Night' and 'Romance Imperfect'. I love writing about contemporary life in an urban setting, about things that impact us emotionally whether it be love, family or crime. I was born and raised in Chicago which is where I live now, but have lived in New York City and Boston. Find out more about me and what inspires me to write the stories I write on my blog at: franchotinspired.com.

Book preview

One

She kept saying her name to herself in her head, like it would make her feel like herself, but it didn’t. Karrie Rogers….Karrie Rogers, Karrie? She thought she knew who she was until five years ago, when he ended it all. It might as well had been yesterday. She couldn’t let it go; it was destroying her, eating her up inside. She loved him, but she hated him. The five year anniversary date had come around. The anniversary of the text he sent her that ended everything. A text, a fucking text he sent to call off our relationship after two and a half years! Karrie thought he was going to marry her. She saved the text, never deleted it:

-i can’t do this anymore karrie please don’t call or text me anymore. i’m changing my number and email. i really wish you the best-

Wish me the best?! The asshole just ripped out my heart and squashed it with his foot, twisting it like a cigarette on the ground. I hate him…..I hate him and I’m going to kill him!

The whole five years was a nightmare for Karrie. She suffered so much and didn’t see a way clear. She felt the only way to end the pain was to make him pay. She had to find out where he was. Is he still working at the same place? She knew it would be easy to find out. Brand LaRoche. What a fucking sexy name! It trapped her. His handsome looks trapped her, his great job, his worldly life and beautiful friends. All of it trapped her. She couldn’t see herself continuing to live without him. I have to have him! He has to take me back! Yes! Brand is going to take me back. We’ll live happily forever and I’ll have a lot of his babies! Oh god please!

She was about to look him up online until she heard her mother knocking timidly on the bedroom door.

Karrie, Karrie? You awful quiet in there.

Her mother annoyed the hell out of her. Karrie was sitting at her computer desk in her bedroom. She typed Brand’s name into Google and a Linked In page appeared.

Karrie? Karrie you in there?

I’m busy mother please leave me alone!

Are you okay in there?

I’m fine just go!

Karrie I’m worried about you.

Stop it mother!

Karrie….I know what today is and what it means to you.

Karrie jumped up and ran to the door. Mother get away from this door now!

Karrie let me call doctor Briggs.

Go! Karrie screamed. Fucking go mother!

Alright, alright Karrie I’m gone.

Karrie stood at the door a minute longer, making sure her mother was gone. I never should’ve moved back here. I’ve got to find another place!

She sat back down at her computer. Brand LaRoche’s Linked In page showed that he still worked for the same company. She’d find him easily. She was prepared. If he won’t take me back, I’m going to kill him!

Two

I have to run out a minute, Rita said, with slurred speech.

Why, now why? Tamara said, only short of yelling. The Shake lounge was at its Thursday night capacity. They were seated, a few drinks in. It was 8:21pm.

Lisa started giggling at the table.

She’s drunk, Tamara said.

Lisa protested with her hands in the air. No I’m not!

Tamara laughed and checked the time on her phone. I guess Mel ain’t coming.

Fuck her! Rita said, and then stood up.

Lisa raised her martini glass, Fuck her!

Rita laughed. You are drunk.

I am? Lisa said.

Rita really, where are you going? Tamara said.

Just outside a minute.

You don’t smoke, Tamara said. Not cigarettes.

They laughed. Lisa was laughing so hard it looked like she was crying.

I’ll be right back, Rita said, walking away.

Tam what’s going on with her? Lisa said.

A man I suppose.

Really?

Who knows?

You think it’s D? Lisa said.

Lord I hope not, Tamara said.

• • •

The red Ferrari J50 was parked curbside, across the street from The Shake. Rita ran out into the street, loving the spectacle. She was aware of the oncoming traffic, knowing she was attracting attention. Dressed in hip hugging black pants, platform shoes and a black leather jacket, all black except for a purple tank top underneath, she felt young and powerful. Her black hair was freshly colored, cut short and spiked with gel. She leaned in toward the passenger’s side window of the Ferrari. He was so fine to her, but she was afraid to go any further, just liked the attention.

What up baby? he said. Damn you look fine!

Rita laughed. I didn’t think you’d call.

I was with my boy down the street, at his crib, but man it’s nice out, wanted to hang.

I know! she said.

How long you gonna be with your girls?

Not long, she said. We all have to work. Come on in.

He smiled, showing all of his dimples. His brown skin was baby smooth. Naw baby, don’t wanna cramp your girl’s night thing.

She thought he was sweet, but still didn’t know what he wanted or what they were doing. They met at the Shake two weeks ago. It was just Rita and Tamara. Rita bumped into him at the bar. They talked, laughed a bit and exchanged numbers. He reminded her of D, but was more put together. She could tell he had money, but from where she didn’t know. She didn’t think it was drugs. All they did was text each other small talk. I just invited him in and he’s not coming. When will we really talk? Do I even want to talk to him?

Well I won’t keep you, he said. We’ll hook up.

He put the car in drive and smiled again. He had a beautiful smile and almost perfect teeth.

Thanks Chase, Rita said.

His smile got wider, Chaze, he said. With a Z…you pronounce it, not like somebody’s running after you.

Rita laughed. Oh that’s right…sorry.

No prob, he said, smiled again, and then drove off.

Rita stood there smiling, and then realized she was still halfway in the street. She crossed quickly, heading back into the lounge, walking behind a woman that was attractively dressed in a pink skirt suit that looked like an expensive leather material. The woman had a sexy, confident stride that made Rita feel self conscious. She couldn’t see the woman’s face, but saw all of her long blonde hair with highlights.

Wait….

Excuse me, Rita said.

The woman stopped in her tracks and turned around. It was Melissa.

I thought that was you, Rita said. The hair.

Oh, hey, Melissa said. Rita you just getting here too?

No I’ve been here, just ran out for a second.

Again? Melissa said with her eyebrows raised.

What does that mean? Rita said.

Nothing, Melissa said. Let’s get inside.

Three

Rita and Melissa had to squeeze their way through the rowdy crowd to get to their table. Thursday night at the Shake was $4 martini night and it packed them in. The Shake was famous for their martinis. Tamara, Lisa and some other woman they didn’t know were doing a selfie when Rita and Melissa made it to the table.

Who is she? Melissa said, leaning in toward Rita’s ear.

Must be Cindy, Rita said.

Tamara jumped up from the table. Hey, you’re here…come on and meet Cindy!

Cindy stopped in the middle of another selfie she was about to take with Lisa and stood up. Tamara noticed Melissa staring at Cindy. Melissa snapped out of it quickly and composed herself.

Hi! Cindy said, looking down