“Mia... So, you're still hanging out with the Bardot Bitch?” She shook her head. “That girl will dump you the same way sooner or later, trust me.”

Snorting, I stood up. That had been too much. I wanted to leave, but Vivienna grabbed my arm.

“I was only joking.” She looked over at Amber with a silent warning, and I wondered why she couldn't just be honest like her friend. “Sit down.”

I sat down, even though all I wanted to do was leave.

“So, tell me. What do you know?”

Confused, I looked at Vivienna. Amber almost choked on her drink.

“Vivienna!” Amber hissed angrily, and I suddenly felt Hunter's gaze on me.

“I don't know what you mean,” I confessed, honestly confused.

Vivienna looked at her friends conspiratorially. “So, Nash didn't tell you about his little family secret? The reason he dumped you?”

I looked at her in shock.

What family secret?

“Vi, I don't think this is a good idea,” Amber continued with concern in her voice, as if Vivienna had planned something.

And then I knew that the Copelands were the only reason I was sitting here. I couldn't believe it.

“Did he tell you why your sweet little high school romance was doomed from the start?”

Something exploded inside me and I jumped up.

“What's wrong with you, Vivienna?” I snapped at her, because these games were enough for me. I'd played the nice girl for long enough. “I really thought we used to be friends.”

Vivienna put her head back and avoided my gaze.

Amber just laughed, stood up, and before I could do anything, she had my cup in her hand.

“Dream on, Campbell.”

She poured the contents of the cup over my dress, and I jumped back, startled. But the alcohol was already soaking the thin fabric.

Shocked, I stared at Amber, who was smiling devilishly, and then at Vivienna, who was still looking away. Only Kelly was giggling. Behind them, I saw Nash's guys staring over at us, but no one said anything.

Amber stepped closer and her smile intensified. “You'll never make friends in this town.”

On the verge of tears, I stormed out of the seating area and down the stairs, pushing countless people out of my way.

I had never been so humiliated in my entire life. And instead of fighting back, I felt paralyzed. As if Amber could have poured more cups over me, it would have taken me years to get out of there.

I had fallen for Vivienna and allowed her to mess me up inside. What had been her plan? Had it all been for her entertainment?

I was soaking wet, yet I couldn't make it out of the club. The queue for the toilets felt like it was miles long, and so I only had one place left: the bar.

“A Gin Tonic, please,” I called out to the bartender, and he disappeared, only to bring me the drink Amber had just ruined Mia's costume with.

I felt myself trying to downplay that moment, but the shock was still in me. Overwhelmed, I reached for the glass and emptied it to the bottom.

My phone rang at that second. I picked it up in surprise when I read the name.

“Julian, what...?”

“You took Mia to a club? What were you thinking?!”

Julian sounded upset, and then I remembered that we no longer had Vivienna's drivers to fall back on after all.

“I'll take her home.”

I would walk with her.

“Not necessary. I'm on my way. And we will talk later.”

Then he hung up.

I took a deep breath and then waved to the bartender.

“One more, please.”

“Every time I find you somewhere, you're in trouble,” someone laughed next to me.

I turned to the young man at the bar, who I recognized from the Midnights. One of the DeLoughreys.

“Miles, right?” I asked.

“At your service,” he said with a grin.

“My life is at an all-time low right now, and I don't think it can get any worse, so let me drink,” I sighed. Then I downed the second drink and groaned with narrowed eyes. I held the glass out to the bartender. “Definitely makes it better.”

“It doesn't make it better, Mady.” I looked back at Miles, who was looking around the club uneasily. I wondered if his brothers were here, too. “You just think the momentary intoxication will build you back up.”

He eyed the bar equipment as if he was considering ordering something too, but left it at that.

“What do you suggest?” I looked at him with a questioning look.

He grinned broadly. “That you dance and then go home as if nothing had ever happened. And the next time you meet these girls, you'll give them your middle finger.”

I stared at him. What didn't sound like me at all sounded like the most plausible solution.

I stared at my cell phone. I should probably call Mia and let her know Julian was on his way.

I looked at Miles again, but the bar stool next to me was empty. And I was alone. Just like I'd always been.