When I was getting ready for the barbecue earlier, I put a little more effort than I normally would for an evening of eating brisket and grilled corn. As I stood in a small sea of T-shirts and jeans, I felt awkward in my full face of makeup and not-so-casual dress. At least, I did until Maddox arrived. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. I was instantly happy with my added effort. I knew I shouldn't feel that way, but I couldn't help myself.

Because he was with Sophie.

Just as my vision had predicted, he drove here with her in his car. Talking and laughing all along the way, I was sure. Well, I mean, I had seen it myself, but some part of me had been holding out that this time my vision would be completely and utterly wrong. The future wasn't always fixed in place, and I frequently got things wrong anyway. I hoped that this was one of those times I misinterpreted things somehow. I don't know why I entertained those thoughts, but I did. It only made their happy-faced arrival that much worse.

I had to wonder how he was going to break things to me when he finally realized his mate was standing right beside him. Was he going to introduce us? My stomach churned again, a feeling I was really, really starting to get tired of today. When was he going to end my torture and figure out Sophie was his mate? Had he figured it out during the car ride here?

Maddox's eyes finished roaming over my outfit and I saw him smile but I shielded my face and turned around, at war with myself. I was pleased he had responded as I had hoped, yet I was still furious that he had arrived with Sophie.

"I'm such an idiot," I whispered to myself. "I need to let it go."

I couldn't believe I felt so strongly about this. Or maybe I could. I’d known it was coming but ignored it. I told myself I was prepared for it, but that was obviously such a lie. I was going to be the one crying in the corner as he waltzed off into his happily ever after. I felt like a giant fool for never even considering that could happen.

"What was that?" Alex asked.

I winced from embarrassment. I had completely forgotten that Alex was standing right next to me. I wasn't being the most stellar person lately, I had to admit. My constant distraction really lost its charm at times like this.

"Muttering to myself," I said with a forced smile.

I knew I had already been rude to Alex, but I still wanted nothing more than to turn around and see what Maddox and Sophie were doing. I was so tempted to try and see what I could glimpse of their future, to see for certain if she was his mate. I wished my gift worked that way. My grandmother could direct her visions, sure, but not me. Instead, I was left with random and mostly out of control visions.

Even if Sophie wasn't his mate and I had it all wrong, which I doubted, Maddox and I both knew this thing between us was always going to be temporary. Two adults having fun. It worked well for so long, but it couldn't last forever. I gnawed on my lip for a moment, then finally looked back up at Alex as an idea wormed its way into my mind.

Alex was a flirt and, frankly, as petty as it might be, I wanted to show Maddox that I could move on, too. Alex and I were friends, so I was sure he wouldn't mind

I didn't even realize I had seriously made up my mind to flirt until I was already making eyes at him. Maybe this would help take my mind of Maddox and help my body realize he was no longer my guy.

"I didn't thank you nearly enough for those pansies," I said as I took a step closer to Alex.

He arched a brow as he looked down at what little space was left between us and picked up on my cues quickly and with gusto. He circled a hand around my waist. I jolted and tensed slightly for a moment. That was a little more than I expected, but oh well. I was in it now. This was it. I was going to shamelessly flirt and move on from Maddox. Yep. I was going to do it.

The first thing I did, however, was look around for Maddox. I wanted to make sure he was watching. He needed to know that I was perfectly fine with moving on. Even if I wasn't. I gulped deeply, not certain I was doing the right thing. It felt less and less right the more I tried to convince myself otherwise.

"I was going to ask what brought this on," Alex said with a soft chuckle, "but I think I have my answer."

I stiffened slightly, then forced myself to relax. There was no way he knew it was Maddox. "I don't think you do."

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Maddox and Sophie made their way around the party, stopping to chat with people here and there. Sure, Meghan was with them too, but Maddox and Sophie stood so closely together.

I resisted the urge to mimic one of Maddox's snarls when I saw him smile at Sophie and she put her hand on his arm. I turned my head away to hide my expression. She was so elegant, so perfect for someone like Maddox. She didn't check out in the middle of conversations or blurt out people's futures at inopportune moments.

I brought my eyes back to Alex's and noted the way they sparkled with mirth. Crud. Maybe he did know exactly what my problem was. Not that I was doing a stellar job of hiding it, what with all the staring.

I was surprised when, in the next moment, Alex leaned forward with an indulgent smile. He nearly brushed his lips against mine as he whispered, "Lucky for you, I'll play along."

My kneejerk reaction was to deny everything, but I knew the jig was up.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered back as I dropped my forehead to his shoulder with a groan. I was so embarrassed. I didn't know what had come over me these days. Well, I did, but still. I was acting ridiculous.

He chuckled again, then pulled me in even closer. "It's okay. I've been there before."

"Yeah, right, like you've been in a secret relationship with someone for six—" I clapped a hand over my mouth. I was spouting off our secret like it was nothing and at quite possibly the worst time. I needed to keep my mouth shut.

Alex laughed. "I would hate to see you being interrogated."

"There's no need for interrogation if you just blurt it all out." I smiled weakly. Nothing like a bit of mocking yourself to take the edge off things.

His smile faltered for a moment, then he slid his hands from my waist to the middle of my back. It felt comforting, friendly.

"He's got you all sorts of messed up," he said softly, his voice full of sympathy.

"It's not his fault," I said with a sigh. "Well, I don't know. It's our fault, I suppose."

My eyes found their way to Maddox again. He was watching us, and he seemed furious. I caught the telltale green of his cat peeking out of his eyes as they glinted in the sunlight. I hated how good it made me feel to know he was jealous. I wanted him to be, even if I was destined to lose him.

"You're going to have to play it a lot cooler than that," Alex said, softly brushing his lips against my earlobe. Good God, he was good. If he had actually said something flirty, my knees would've turned wobbly.

"It's a little more complicated than playing anything." I plastered a smile on my face for the show we were putting on but knew my eyes held my sorrow. "I can play all I want, but I can't win. The deck is stacked."

He gave me a curious look, still smiling faintly. "What have you gotten yourself into?"

"You don't even want to know," I replied with a shake of my head.

He eyed me in silence for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I think I know just what you need."

Steering me with his arm around my waist, Alex turned us around and walked me toward the booze table. We came to a stop in front of it and exchanged a look. Alex raised a brow, I raised one back. Why not get a little messy at a neighborhood function?

I looked over my shoulder as if to survey the crowd, but I searched for Maddox. He still stood with Sophie. I bit down hard on my lip as my stomach gave an upset heave. It was in that moment, for some reason, that I realized he hadn't even come over to say hello.

A small voice in the back of my head reminded me that we were in a public place and I hadn’t gone over to say hi, either. I ruthlessly pushed it back. So what if we were in public, we were still friends, weren’t we? And why did I have to be the one to go over there? It wasn't like I wanted him to sweep me off my feet and kiss me in front of everyone. We were still allowed to talk, right? Friends talked. Friends.

I turned back to Alex with a smile pasted in place. "Let's get drunk and eat some chicken."

If I were honest, I really wanted the smoked brisket but chicken would have to do. Maddox's dad made the brisket, and I loved it, but there was no way I could deal with the memories of chowing down with Maddox and his family at a time like this.

"My kind of girl. We really should hang out more," Alex said with a laugh as he handed me a drink in a plastic cup. I didn't even bother to ask what it was before I downed the whole thing in one long gulp.

Alex handed me another cup, then slung an arm around my shoulders with a grin. I smiled even as the liquor burned its way down my throat. I was lucky to have a friend like him. If it wasn't for Alex, I would be sulking in a corner somewhere. I tipped back my drink for one long gulp as he cheered.

Unfortunately, the downside to normally being such a happy person is that you never develop any healthy coping mechanisms. I emptied plastic cup after plastic cup and watched as Alex matched me.

As soon as the bottoms were up, we went back for more. It was about five drinks—maybe more—and a couple hours later that I realized I was trying to drown my sorrows. Then I decided facing your problems was for schmucks and took another bite of chicken.

"I love barbecue chicken," I said with a mouthful of meat, my head resting on Alex's shoulder. It was the only way to keep the world from spinning around me too much. "It's my favorite. So much better than brisket." That was a blatant lie.

"You sure do love chicken." He patted me awkwardly on the cheek, his motor functions suffering just as much as mine. "Hey, where'd the guy with the face go?"

I looked up at him in confusion. "Which guy with what face?"

"The guy you're replacing with chicken."

"Oh, I dunno." I lifted my head from his shoulder and threw my hands up in the air. Risky move, considering how much the world tilted around me. "Something, something . . . happily ever after."

"You poor thing." Alex took both of my cheeks between his hands and smooshed them together until I felt like a fish. "He's with someone else?"

I nodded, unable to use my squished lips to reply.

"Do you—Do you want me to sing you a song?"

I nodded again.

"Okay. Here goes nothing." Alex took a big, long breath and started to shout-sing, "Shot through the heart and you're to blame—"

I clumsily pushed away Alex's hands so I could jump in.

"Darlin'," we sang in unison, then raised our hands to the sky and shouted, "you give love a bad name!"

We both stopped at the same time and his expression was as blank as mine. I couldn't remember what came next.

"Okay, new song," I slurred, "You never close your eyes when I—" Alex joined in, and we sang together at the top of our lungs, "kiss your lips, but baby, baby, baby . . ." I trailed off as something plopped from my head and into my lap.

Alex’s gaze followed mine as we studied the piece of chicken suddenly sitting on my thigh. I picked it up and popped it in my mouth.

"Where did that come from?" I asked, looking up at the sky as I waited for more gifts of chicken to rain down.

Alex looked around, then shrugged. "I dunno. Think more will drop? I don't wanna get up to get more. Hey, y'know, I think we missed something in that song."

"Probably," I said as I swallowed my unexpected snack. "Hey, watch what I can do."

I tried to show Alex my amazing headstand, but I had some problems. Either my skirt fell in my face, or I fell over before I even got my legs in the air.

"What the hell do you two think you're doing? Rose, you're flashing your underwear to everyone."

I knew that voice. I fell to my side and blinked up at the person until her face finally came into focus. I waved, then frowned.

"Meghan, I'm mostly an adult," I slurred out. "I can do what I want."

"Oh my God, you're completely wasted, aren't you?"

I squinted up at her. "What's your definition of wasted?"

"I'm looking at it."

I giggled and put my head on Alex's shoulder. "You're so funny. I love you."

"This isn't like you. What's going on?" Meghan’s irritation grew even more apparent. Her eyes narrowed and flicked to Alex. "You left The Peach without even saying bye earlier today."

"I'm really sorry. I've got some things going . . . not okay, I s'pose." I skirted a line with that one and I knew it. I hadn't meant to say even that much, but my filter was struggling to keep up. The last thing I needed was for Meghan to find out I'd been keeping a huge secret from her. Especially because the secret was that I’d been having sex with her big brother for years.

"You're making a fool out of yourself," she said with a sigh.

"Alex and I are having a great time," I replied, "thank you very much."

"Rose," she drew out my name in a warning tone.

"Y'know, that disappointed look on your face is going to work super well on your kiddo someday," I told her.

She huffed through her nose and I realized she hadn’t appreciated my comment. I instantly felt like a goober, all sprawled out on the ground next to Alex. I turned to look at him, but his eyes were elsewhere.

I followed his gaze and saw it was fixated on Sophie. He stared up at her like he had just found his new religion.

I blinked. I hadn’t even noticed she was there until now. But, of course, she would be there to witness my downfall. The world had decided it didn't like me anymore and this was my punishment.

I sighed and flopped back into the grass. Today sucked. Even my fake boyfriend wanted Sophie.

"Nope, nuh-uh, you get up right now," I heard Meghan say. "Joseph, could you get her? I would happily haul that drunk mess around if I wasn't carrying your bowling ball of a child in my stomach."

"Want me to take her straight to the car?" Joseph asked in his usual unassuming tone, completely unaffected by Meghan's annoyance. I smiled. He was so nice and calm. I liked him. He was a good mate for Meghan, just like Sophie would be for Maddox. Because, apparently, everything is easy and awesome when you're a shifter.

"Good idea," Meghan replied. "Let's get her home so she won't embarrass herself anymore."

"I just want to eat chicken in peace," I protested as Joseph bent down to scoop me up into his arms. Normally, I would've put up more of a fight for my independence. But the world started spinning at approximately ninety miles per hour the moment I was off the ground. Maybe they were right. I couldn't even remember how many drinks I'd had.

"I hope things get better for you, Rose," I heard Alex say.

"Thanks for being my rock, buddy," I said as I tried to look around for him without making the world spin again. I finally managed to find his blurry outline as he got to his feet. He started to fall over and Sophie darted over to steady him. She was so freaking lithe and agile, like a cat or something. I snorted to myself as I remembered she was a shifter. Duh.

"Sophie, do you want us to take you home too or . . .?" Meghan asked as Joseph hauled me to the car. I propped my head on Joseph’s shoulder and watched them as he carried me away.

"Careful now," Sophie said to Alex, her arm around his waist. "You guys go on ahead, I can't leave this guy like this. He's going to hurt himself."

"Alex actually doesn't live that far from you," Meghan said. "Would you take his car and drive him home?"

"Sure, that wouldn’t be a problem," Sophie said.

"Sound good, Alex?" Meghan asked in a gentle voice. I frowned. I got all the exasperation, yet Alex got the nice voice. Not fair. I would take that up with Meghan when I could form coherent sentences again.

Joseph opened the car door and got me seat-belted into the back seat. Time blinked, and the door closed. I was shut off from the world. I blearily stared out of the car window as they all smiled and chatted. Alex looked toward the car and smiled and waved. I smiled back before I slumped over.

I must have passed out at some point around then because I couldn't remember much of anything after that. The next thing I knew, Joseph carried me upstairs to my room.

He and Meghan snuck me through the house like teenagers out past curfew. Somehow, they managed to stay quiet, so as not to wake my grandmother. He slipped out of the room, and Megan helped me out of my dress and into my night clothes.

"You’re going to be such a good mother," I said. The world was fuzzy and my ears were stuffed full of cotton. Her face came in and out of focus, and she seemed to be saying something important.

Finally, she shook her head and gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead. As I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, all I could think about was the fact that I was about to lose Maddox to a supermodel with a heart of gold.