I shook my head as she confirmed the two drinks with the bartender. Her perfume smelled really good, and her green eyes were very appealing. A little mole next to her Cupid’s bow caught my attention. She didn’t look much like Alyssa. She grabbed the two beers the bartender handed her. Iwas about to make conversation and pass the time while we waited for Neil to come back when an outraged Jennifer stalked toward me in her signature boxer braids. Her skinny jeans were ripped at the knees, and her white shirt was cut way too low. She looked as beautiful as she was dangerous.
She halted in front of me and stared wrathfully at me.
I hadn’t seen her since the night of Halloween, and I had been hoping to continue not seeing her for a long time.
“Where is he?” she burst out, not caring at all that she was interrupting a conversation. I sighed, determined not to let her steamroll me.
“Who are you talking about?” I asked, playing dumb. No way was I going to tell her where Neil was. The bitch would probably have followed him into the bathroom and offered him a BJ on the spot.
“Don’t give me that shit, you snot-nosed little brat,” she hissed, and my eyes widened. I wasn’t going to let her attack me like she did before. If she tried to put her hands on me, I wasn’t just going to roll over.
“Where the fuck is Neil? I’ve been calling him for hours, and he hasn’t answered. He’s spent this whole night with you, hasn’t he?” she continued angrily. She sounded like a hyena. Apparently it still wasn’t clear to Jennifer that Neil was not with her—he wasn’t with anyone.
“You’re a slow learner, aren’t you, honey? Neil can spend the night with whoever he likes. You two are not together,” I needled her. Megan stood next to me, sipping her beer but watching Jennifer with the same level of animosity the blond girl had shown to me.
Jennifer shook her head and licked her lips, preparing her counterassault.
“While you were off in Detroit, he was with me. Want to guess what we were doing? Do you want me to tell you all the details?” She laughed with gusto, and I wanted to slap her so badly. I’d been pretty confident that there had been more sexual encounters between the two of them—Alyssa had basically told me as much—but hearing it from the Queen Bitch herself had a cratering effect on my mood. All my confidence wavered, and I could barely keep from crying.
Tears were the way I vented everything—love, disappointment, and anger—but I had to control myself just then.
“Miller only ever looks you up when he wants to get it wet. Doesn’t seemlike much to brag about, does it?” Megan put in, coming to my defense. She brought the beer up to her lips and stared Jennifer down with a cocky grin. It was only then that Jennifer noticed the other girl’s presence.
“And where did you come from, Xena Warrior Princess?” she heckled. Megan set her beer down on the counter and moved toward her, cocking her head to one side, and she scrutinized Jennifer carefully.
“Play nice, you little bitch. Or else you’re gonna go home with these pretty little braids shoved right up your ass,” she said in a menacing whisper, grabbing her by one of those same long braids. For the second time since I’d met her, I saw Jennifer look afraid. Megan loomed over her. “I don’t give a shit whether you run with the Krew or fuck Miller or play the queen fucking bee. I’m not afraid of you or your little gang. So piss off!” she snapped, releasing her abruptly. Jennifer stumbled back, and Megan continued to shield me with her body as she stared the other girl down fearlessly.
Jennifer straightened up and glowered at both of us.
“You’re going to pay for that. Both of you!” She pointed threateningly at us and left.
I got up from my stool, finally able to breathe again. I just wanted to go home. Jennifer wasn’t the type to give up easily, and her being in the club made me feel unsettled.
“Thanks,” I murmured. Megan turned back to me and smiled, grabbing her beer and taking a drink.
“Don’t mention it. You’re not like her; that’s why she’s jealous,” she told me, sitting down on my stool. “Plus, you’re beautiful. The beautiful ones always want assholes like Miller, and Jennifer is obsessed with the guy,” she continued, looking up at my face.
“We’re not together,” I clarified quickly. Neil hadn’t given Jennifer up, after all, just like he hadn’t chosen me. Jennifer’s jealousy was unfounded.
Megan was about to answer back, but someone interrupted her.
“Selene!” called a male voice.
I whirled around to see Luke hurrying toward me, looking concerned.
“Are you okay?” he skidded to a stop in front of me, panting. He even had to lean on the bar for a second to get his breath back.
“She’s fine, Parker. But do try to keep your poodle on a leash. She’s very annoying,” Megan answered for me, shooting me a grin.
“Fuck, I told her to just let it go, but Jennifer…” Luke sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “She loses her shit when it comes to Neil,” he explained.
Over-the-top charisma, sexual dominance, magnetic stare, beauty—everything about Neil was unusual. Unusual enough to attract the obsessive interest of women, and I was no exception.
The pattern was simple: Neil used a girl, she fell in love with him, and then she paid the price in unrequited feelings.
What about me? Was I going to pay as well?
“Oh, there you are.” Megan’s green eyes looked over my shoulder. Instinctively, I turned to find Neil’s marble chest right in front of my nose. How good did his sweater smell? How good didhesmell?
