“It’s okay. Blake made sure to spread it around, so no awkward conversations came up.”
“Like the one weare having now?”
“I’d call this a genuine conversation. One where I ask how you’re doing.”
“It’s silly. Damien and I haven’t been anything in, like, six months. But it’s finally hitting me. Deep down, he didn’t trust me enough. He made his decisions without me. I wasn’t the one for him and it hurts. I know I pushed him away, but this entire time, in the back of my mind, I had hoped that he would fight for me and make it better.”
Liam crossed his arms. “It’s my understanding that he did.”
“But it didn’t make it better.”
Liam threw his arm around my shoulder. “Don’t tell anyone this, but out of all our friends, you’re my favorite.”
I leaned my head onto him, and even though I realized he was just saying it to say it, the words warmed my heart. “Thanks.”
“Shots!” Erik yelled behind me as he handed everyone a small glass filled with Lord only knew what.
“We haven’t even eaten yet. Isn’t it a little early for this?” Wes asked, looking uncomfortable next to Olivia, who was too involved with her phone to realize what was going on around her.
“Don’t be such a wuss.” Erik thrust the small glass at him. “Just take the shot.”
“I’m always down for a shot.” Jamie looked back at Blake and winked.
She rolled her eyes but smiled. “You know how much I love drunk Jamie.”
Jamie handed Blake a glass and pulled her into him. “You love all the Jamies. Don’t put on a front for our friends.”
He placed a quick but steamy kiss on her lips.
God, they made me sick. They were still so in love.
I was caught between being inspired by their story—howthey found each other again after so much heartache—and being jealous that they had everything I wanted.
To be loved and cherished.
If they made it through their suffering, so can you.The stupid voice in the back of my mind reminded me.
Liam leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Barf. Someone should tell them to get a room.”
I giggled and looked over my shoulder at Jade.
But she had disappeared.
I turned out of Liam’s arms and scanned the crowd again, trying to find her, but she was nowhere in sight.
“Bottoms up!” Erik shouted as he held up the shot glass.
Everyone tipped their heads back, followed by coughing and groans. The clear liquid burned as it went down my throat, and that familiar heat made its way through my veins.
“What the hell was that?” Wes asked.
Erik grimaced. “No idea. Just had Kyle give me something cheap and potent.”
“Kyle’s working? He should know better,” Wes said. Kyle was our favorite bartender at Stadium Club and he was always sliding us extra shots.
“You’re an idiot,” Liam said. “That was probably the worst vodka I’ve ever had in my life.”
“Not all of us can afford top shelf. Besides, there are like eleven of us.”
