Brookie has an arm around Kelsey’s shoulder. The two of them are belting out the lyrics to whatever song is blaring through the speakers. Strobe lights flash around the room, and I feel like an outsider looking in. Watching strangers have a great night. Not a care in the world.
“Get over here,” Brookie calls out to me as I linger against the wall behind them.
As much as I don’t want to go over there, I’m not left with much of a choice. I don’t have anyone else here and I’m not sitting at the bar alone like some social pariah with no friends.
Here goes nothing.
“Have you lost weight?” Kelsey asks. Not hi, how are you, but have you lost weight?
“Only Alex.” I smile sickly sweet at her. Fake bitch. I’d love to slam her face down on this table and tell her what a backstabbing, conniving, dirty cunt she truly is.
“Well, whatever your secret is, it is working wonders.”
Brookie elbows her in the side, but the damage is done.
I know I’m not the prettiest girl, but at least I’m not fake. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Want me to come with you?” Brookie asks. I know she can see the hurt on my face. I’m too mentally exhausted to try to hide my disappointment.
“No. I’ll get us another shot.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m fine, really.” As I walk away, I can hear Brookie asking Kelsey what the fuck is wrong with her. Then the low blow really comes.
“As if you sleeping with Alex wasn’t bad enough.”
“You fucked him, too.”
My heart cracks. My best friend. All this time and she played me. Pretending to care about me. Is there anyone Alex hasn’t fucked?
My stomach lurches. I think I’m going to be sick. I need air.
I make my way to the hallway where the bathrooms are. The line is ridiculous. Static rings in my ears. Now is not the time for a freak-out. My heart beats faster as the bass of the music thumps inside my head. I step out of the line for the bathroom and look for the closest exit.
“Let’s go,” a deep and throaty voice tinged with a gritty timbre says as a large, rough hand wraps around mine.
I don’t have to see his face to know it’s Theo.
My stalker.
My crush.
Why is he here?
He pushes a secret panel in the wall to the side. It opens to a dark set of stairs.
I hesitate to move, but his hard body presses into the back of mine. And even in this crowded and smoky bar I can smell his cologne.
“I don’t give orders twice, sweetheart,” he warns.
CHAPTER SIX
Theo
I swirl the ice in my drink as I stare down at the crowd looking at my prospects for the night. Mostly I’m looking for Cassie so I can toss her out on her bony ass the minute she decides to show her face in my club.
Bitch must have a screw loose if she thinks I’d ever stick my dick in her again.
