By a Thread Read Online Free Page A

start law school in a week.”
    “How the fuck do you know when I’m suppose to start law school?” she yelled at him belligerently.
    Patrick put a plate of stir-fry and a beer in front of her on the table.
    “Just to warn you both, now that I’m out of my bed, you may want to run and get more alcohol. I plan to drink until I pass out. Ready... go.” Stella took the beer and swallowed it in two gulps.
    “Holy shit, I’m in love,” Billy exclaimed, eyes going wide.
    Stella ignored him and motioned for Patrick to get her another beer, which he did.
    “I guess functioning, even while drunk, is better than not functioning at all,” Billy said shrugging his shoulders.
    Patrick took in Stella, everything about her. She looked at him, “What are you looking at?”
    “Well, you are basically nude at the table with two dudes. What do you think I’m looking at?”
    “You’re the one who forced me out of my bed.” She threw a piece of chicken to Cooper.
    “So what’s your plan, you’ve been laying in your bed for four days. Certainly you have formulated a plan by now.”
    “A plan?” she asked with her mouth full of stir-fry.
    “A plan to get through this mourning and missing Jamie shit.” Patrick looked away and lowered his voice, “I mean… I understand this is hard for you and you loved him and all, but you have got to start getting back to life.”
    “My fiancé DIED LESS THAN A WEEK AGO, YOU ASSHOLE!” She got up and threw her plate at the sink, breaking it, food flying everywhere.
    Billy blew out the breath he’d been holding and Patrick pushed his chair out away from the table. “You’re acting like a child and you are not a child. Clean this shit up.”
    “No.” She said and walked back downstairs. She was almost back to her bed when Patrick grabbed her, threw her over his shoulder, and carried her back upstairs. As he put her down, she attempted to shove him. He didn’t move.
    “Clean it up now. We’re not your fucking maids. We weren’t put here on Earth to clean up after you. I know you are sad, mad, whatever...” Billy walked over and started sweeping up the pieces of plate that had fallen to the floor.
    “I’ll get it,” she sneered as she ripped the broom out of his hand.
    Patrick sat on the counter while she cleaned. “You need a plan, El. A plan will help.”
    She looked at him. “How do you know what the fuck will help me? My name is Stella.”
    “Everyone I know has a nickname,” Patrick shrugged.
    “What’s Billy’s?”
    “Billy.” Patrick looked at Billy. “His real name is William.”
    “My name is only two syllables. I really don’t need a nickname.” Stella was wiping the dustpan off into the trashcan. Billy handed her another beer.
    “I like El. Short and sweet.” Billy commented.
    “Just opposite of me...” Stella said.
    “I like you already, El, you are one feisty bitch.”
    “Watch it asshole, you don’t know me,” Stella fired back.
    Patrick jumped down off the counter and sat back down in his seat at the kitchen table. “Here’s the plan. First, we’re going to go through all his things. You keep what you want, we give the rest to his family. Second, we’ll drink with you until you don’t want to drink anymore. Third, you go to law school and immerse yourself in all things law and get through it until you can act normal. Fourth, you’ll do what I tell you to do.”
    Stella was staring at Patrick with her mouth open. “The only one of those I agree to is number two. We will drink. A LOT!”

Chapter Five
    Stella had been drinking since she got out of bed, which was around noon. It was five. She booted up her computer and went back to reading the comments people had left on Jamie’s website. All these motherfuckers, she thought . She knew Jamie was well liked and widely known in college, but since he died people had been coming out of the woodwork wanting to share how broken up they were over his death. No fucking shit. After guzzling another