Chapter 63

It didn't take long to settle into upper-middle class life. Our house became the group hangout-either Collier's friends were here or mine or both, and often when we weren't. I loved the sense of family and even more that they felt welcome here. But financially, I was stressed. I hated not contributing equally, and every time another bill came in, the strain got harder. When Ronnie, Roxie, or Beck came over, I felt like it was my responsibility to pay for the things they used or the food they consumed...and those bitches were eating me out of house and home. For thin women, they ate like men, and we won't talk about the copious amounts of wine they chugged by the pool. I'd never realized what lushes they'd become.

"Babe?" Collier called into the house from the porch where he was grilling for our friends.

"Yeah?"

"Can you go run pick up some more beer? I can't leave the meat."

My shoulders slumped, and I let out a sigh. I hadn't thought he could see me from where he stood...I was wr