To make up for bailing on Frankie to spend the evening before with Jake, I’d agreed to go into town. I thought she’d meant to the pub, or maybe even that new cocktail bar that opened next door to the Salvation Army. Not Illusion—the only club in town that allowed anyone and everyone in. I’d only been there once and that was because Frankie had made out it was the place to be.

Once we were through the door, I shook out of my leather jacket and headed straight to the first free table I saw. Frankie squealed, tucked her clutch bag under her arm and held out a hand. “I love this song. Come dance with me?” Her dark hair swished back and forth as she shook her head.

“We’ve just got here. At least let me grab a drink first?” I whined. Fuck, it was hot.

“Fine. Grab us some drinks. I’m gonna use the loo before anyone throws up in there.”

I scrunched my nose up and headed towards the bar. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long to be served. “Two rum and Cokes!” I yelled over the music, earning a nod from bartender guy.

“And a Peroni,” a voice called out from behind me.

I spun around to find a very handsome, maybe even a little drunk, Jake.

“Are you stalking me again?” I teased. I couldn’t hide how happy I was that he was there. I wished I hadn't have given Frankie a hard time now.

“Would you freak out if I said yes?” he asked, his tone playful.

“Nah,” I said flippantly. “Happens all the time.”

The bartender came back, handed the three drinks over, and took the note from my hand. “What are you doing here?’ I said, holding his drink out.

Jake took the beer from my hand, took a swig and shrugged. “Riley had an argument with Aubrie. Think he’s trying to rebel against her.”

I snorted. “Well, good luck with that one. I wouldn’t wanna be him when she finds out.”

“You and me both,” Jake agreed, and set the glass down on the bar. “So, what brings you out tonight?”

“Ah, making up for blowing Frankie off last night. She likes to torture me,” I said, rolling my eyes playfully.

“You blew her off last night? Sorry. If I’d have known…” He frowned, trailing off.

“Don’t worry…” I shrugged. “You saved me a hangover from hell this morning, so I should be thanking you for that. Anyway, where is Riley?” I frowned, looking behind him.

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

I nodded, unsure what to say. Riley was an arse. We’d had a thing a couple of years back and I’d done everything in my power to avoid him ever since. Aubrie was convinced I’d done it on purpose to get back at her. The truth was, I hadn’t even known they were an item. We were both pretty wasted, and I was so mad at Taylor for blowing me off for some other girl that I wanted to get back at him. Not that I achieved very much. He didn’t care that I’d slept with one of his closest friends. He only cared that I was no longer forcing myself on him and that I was someone else’s problem. Yeah, I guess you could say I was pretty desperate to get his attention. Fucking Riley while Brie was with him only added to the hatred she already felt for me. In a way, I felt sorry for her. Riley couldn’t keep it in his pants if he tried. And unfortunately for Aubrie, it was just a matter of time before he screwed someone else.

I pulled the straw between my teeth and glanced up at Jake. He was eyeing me over the pint glass that hovered at his mouth. “What?” I grinned.

“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head.

I frowned just as Riley appeared out of nowhere with Tia pressed against him. Figures, I thought to myself.

“Mate, we’re heading to Jinx. You coming?” he asked Jake. He had that glassy look in his eyes that said he was already wasted. I wondered how Jake felt about him being with another girl, but when I looked back at him, he didn’t seem at all fazed.

“Hey, Mel,” Sadie sang as she came up behind Jake. Layla was trailing behind her, looking furious.

“Hey, Sadie,” I sang back sarcastically, waving my fingers at her.

She turned her attention to Jake, tugging at his shirt until he focused on her. He was still staring back at me until Sadie waved her purse in his face to grab his attention. “Did Rye tell you we’re headed to Jinx? You’re coming, right?” she asked, her face filled with hope.

“Yeah, go ahead. I’m just finishing my beer,” he told her. She seemed to be pleased with his answer and followed Layla, Tia, and Riley towards the exit. Now I understood why Layla looked so annoyed. Being the third wheel sucked arse.

I tried to appear as though I was looking for Frankie, cocking my head to look beyond Jake as I sipped my drink.

Jake downed the rest of his drink, set the empty glass on the bar and lowered his mouth to my ear. I could smell his aftershave and tried not to appear affected by the way it filled my lungs, making me dizzy.

“You look beautiful tonight, by the way,” he said, his breath tickling the sensitive spot behind my ear.

I swallowed and watched him follow his friends.

I was still burning holes into the back of his head when Frankie reappeared. “When are you going to tell him?” she asked.

“Huh?” I forced my eyes away from Jake. Was she still talking about the conversation we’d had this morning? If she was, she seriously needed to stop. I would tell him when I was ready. And if I didn't, so what? It was my business. No one else’s.

“That you’re in love with him?” she deadpanned.

I had just taken a sip of my drink when it came back up, spluttering all over Frankie.

“You’re crazy,” I coughed out, swallowing the remaining liquid in my mouth.

“No, you’re the crazy one. Crazy in love with Jake.” She grinned and shot me a knowing look. Why was she grinning? Nothing about what she’d just said was funny.

“I’m not in love with Jake. I’ve already told you, we’re friends. Nothing more. Whatever little fantasy you have in your head of us being together, forget it. It’s not going to happen.” I shook my head, turned away from her and ordered another drink. A large one.