Breaking Sin by Teresa Mummert Page A

the full college experience before going out into the world and settling down. My life had been perfectly planned out in my head since I was sixteen. I would meet a man who was work driven and kind, have two children and raise our family in a quiet suburb somewhere on the east coast. My mother would come and live with us, serving as a babysitter and of course, my best friend.
     
    “One drink?” I asked over the rim of my dark glasses.
     
    “Yes!” She squealed hugging me enthusiastically. She held me back at arm’s length and looked me over. “We have to do something about your hair first.” She said with mock-disgust. I smacked her playfully on the arm, tugging the hair-tie from my hair, letting long brown tendrils cascade down my back. I did my best to stick my chest out, mocking her playfully.
     
    “Better?” I asked, waiting for her approval.
     
    “Getting there” she nodded with a playful grin. I grabbed a small mirror and put on some mascara and lip-gloss. By the time we left the sun was just beginning to set.
     
    Filly’s Bar overflowed with college students out for a good time and a cheap price. I tugged at my tank top, wishing I had changed before coming out, not that anyone would notice me next to Taylor. The girls around me wore short skirts and tops that barely contained them. I made a face at Taylor, pleading with her silently to take me home.
     
    “You look fine.” Taylor said, grabbing my glasses from my face and shoving them into her purse. I tried to protest but she held up her hand to stop me. “I’ll give them back I promise. Let everyone see your green eyes. They’re so pretty!” My mind flashed to the boy in the elevator. My green eyes did not hold a candle to his.
     
    We made our way through the cramped dance floor to the bar. Taylor had to shout over the music to order us drinks. She turned around, handing me a beer as we studied the people around us. “It’s not so bad.” she shouted. I took a long swig from my beer bottle and nodded.
     
    “Could be worse but I guess that depends on your definition of bad.” I agreed, and she smiled triumphantly. I drank another large sip, holding up my bottle and peering inside. “Almost time to go.” I warned, and drank the last few sips of my beer. She frowned and turned back to the bar.
     
    “Two more beers and two shots of vodka!” She yelled to the bartender. I glared at her, slamming my bottle down on the bar. “Live a little” she said, holding up a shot glass for me to take. I drank it down, the harsh liquid burning my throat. I quickly slammed back my beer, trying to soothe it. “Let’s mingle” She grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the bar. I pulled back against her, but she tugged harder.
     
    “I don’t know anybody here.” I protested.
     
    “Exactly my point!” She called back at me as she made her way into a circle of people. She let go of my arm and I rubbed my wrist. They greeted each other, giving hugs as I slinked into the background. I sipped at my beer slowly, taking in the scene. A group of girls hollered from the doorway as three guys walked in. They laughed and made their way straight to the bar. The first was smaller, with sandy blonde hair, followed by a much larger man with the same color hair. They could have been brothers. The third had dark, messy hair with tattoos scattered over his arms. I recognized him immediately from the elevator.
     
    “Taylor” I called, trying to get her attention, but she had her arms wrapped around some burley guy’s neck and he was whispering into her ear. The green-eyed hottie glanced my way, a hint of a smile on his lips and I looked down at my feet, blushing.
     
    “Can you grab us some drinks?” Taylor yelled over the music. I nodded and made my way to the opposite side of the bar, trying not to look over at the group of guys that were now surrounded by woman.
     
    I held up my fingers to the bartender, signaling for two more drinks. He opened them and