Wasted by Suzy Spencer Read Free Book Online Page B

alligator. “Izod,” said Regina to Ynema. “From now on, I’m calling you Izod because you kiss like an alligator.” Score, friendship.
    Regina Hartwell was funny, and she was fun. She was powerful and intense. She had that strong, attractive build on the outside, but on the inside, Regina Hartwell was a little girl who was silly, immature and wrestled with personal demons of emotion, acceptance, and love.
    Ynema Mangum was a young, slim, sweet, soft-spoken, Native American woman bent on destroying herself. She sipped wine coolers for breakfast, and she often threw up.
    Hartwell loved to drink, too, but she never, ever seemed to throw up. It was just one more sign that on the outside, at least, Regina Hartwell was always in control.
     
     
    Hartwell arrived each night at Sadie’s looking drop-dead gorgeous with perfect hair, perfect makeup, and perfect clothes that all looked suave and sophisticated. She even danced perfectly.
    She had her own place, which she paid for. She had a great car, a great stereo, a fridge full of food—chips and salsa—and she constantly hosted great slumber parties, just as if she were still in high school.
    But Regina was a great chameleon. After she went home from Sadie’s, she always broke out the chips and salsa for the slumber parties, jumped into a pair of cutoffs and a T-shirt, wiped off her makeup, and spilled hot sauce and queso on her clothes. She then stayed in those dirty clothes for days.
    Hartwell’s home replicated her turmoil within. There were Cheetos under the couch, cigarette butts everywhere, and dog hair in the bed. She let her dogs sleep with her and lick her in the face. She was a lonely girl who continually took in strays of all sorts—dogs, cats, humans. She just wanted to love and to be loved, and she’d do anything to that end.
     
     
    Samantha Reynolds had short brown hair, was a bit butch, and was chubby. She didn’t stand out in a crowd, and she certainly wasn’t the type to attract the lust of Regina Hartwell. Regina loved brunettes—toned, athletic brunettes—who presented themselves well and looked nice.
    But Samantha Reynolds noticed Hartwell at Sadie’s many times and wondered who was that young woman who was always dressed to the nines. Regina wore a black skirt, tight blouse, pantyhose and heels while everyone else wore their cowboy honky-tonk garb. Everyone else but Regina and two of her friends.
    Still, Sam Reynolds never asked about Hartwell. It was Sam’s first year in college, and she was shy and involved. She just didn’t know she was involved with someone who was cheating on her. Everyone else in Sadie’s knew, including Regina. Finally, Reynolds found out. With tears streaming down her face, she ran out of Sadie’s.
    Hartwell ran after her. She stopped Sam in the parking lot.
    “Hi, I’m Regina,” she said, sticking out her hand. “Look, I’m really sorry about what happened, but this always happens.” Like an understanding and consoling mother, Regina shook her head. “Obviously, it wasn’t meant to be. You deserve better than that.”
    She comforted Reynolds for an hour and half. Then Sam went home, and Regina went back into the bar. But they were friends from that day on. Regina Hartwell made friends fast.

    Anita Morales noticed a Nissan 300 ZX parked outside of Sadie’s. She couldn’t help but notice it. Bright red and expensive, it was parked in the most prime spot. Morales and her college roommate, Sara, were out for a night of partying. They walked in and perused the bar.
    “Oh, I know that girl,” said Sara. “She’s from Houston.” She pointed to Regina Hartwell.
    Anita Morales watched Hartwell, who was wearing a bold-colored, cheesy Dallas TV-show-style suit with big, gold buttons. She had Texas big hair. Regina was never without her hairspray.
    “Who is she?” said Anita.
    “Some really wealthy girl from Houston. She used to have the biggest crush on me.”
    Hartwell tended to get crushes fast and went