"You know Mom is going to slaughter you for wearing that dress, right?" Xavier stated, giving me a passing look as he sauntered into the makeshift dressing room, followed by Michael and Connor.

Their hands were occupied with bottles of champagne they must've swiped from the kitchen and glass flutes held upside down at the base between their fingers. The glasses clinked together as they walked. I winced inside. Mom would rip them a new one if they ruined any more of her crystal.

Xavier looked back at me again, examining my dress as he peeled the foil from the top of the bottle and threw it to the side.

When he turned away to pour the bubbly, I tugged the hem of my dress down a little.

"Will she be that mad?" Holly asked, walking up next to me. She looked worried.

"Fuming," Xavier answered as he handed me a glass. He still looked like he hadn't slept in days. "Normally I sure as shit wouldn't let my sister walk into the viper pits with her tits and ass out for all to see, but I'll let it slide this time to see her reaction. It's going to be priceless."

"Gee, thanks, asshole."

"Even I know she's going to blow her lid," Connor added, passing out the rest of the champagne flutes. "Your mother needs to loosen the buttons of her cardigan. She's so fucking uptight."

"I can work that right out of her," Michael said with a massive, sleazy grin on his face. His eyes gleamed as he wiggled his brows, and I cringed.

Xavier slapped him on the side of his head, then dropped his hips to the counter, leaning casually next to him. Michael didn't flinch. Instead, his grin reached his eyes.

"That's my mother, you sick fuck. Stop talking about her like that."

It was a known fact that Michael had a serious attraction to women who were older than him and already in relationships. It was like a prerequisite. The way he saw it, if he could make them sway even for a second, it wasn't solid. They were fair game.

"What? Can't stand the thought of calling me Daddy one day?" He chuckled.

"I guess you wouldn't mind if I fucked your sister, then, would you?"

Oh, shit. Xavier was out of line. Then again, he always knew which buttons to push.

"That's not even funny, bro," Michael growled, his gaze deadly.

I revolted at the thought of both scenarios and faked a loud gag. I didn't like the direction of this conversation.

"Michael, the last thing I want to think about is my mom, and your sister for that matter, having sex. Just stop."

"I think about it all the time," he instigated.

"Ew, you're fucking gross, Mike. You think about me having sex?" Avery shouted from the bathroom.

He didn't miss a beat. "No, you weird fuck! Not about you."

"Don't worry about anything Mom says to you, I'll take care of it," Xavier said, bringing the topic back to the center.

I glanced at my glass and swirled the contents. Little spurts of anxiety fizzed and popped inside me the way they did in the glass.

I looked up. "She shouldn't have embarrassed me in front of my friends."

I had no idea where my balls came from.

A little smirk tugged at one corner of Xavier’s mouth. "A little freedom has made you a bit rebellious, I see."

I smiled, a little nervous, a little confident. I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I was worried to see her response.

"Defiant looks good on you," he added.

"I think she looks amazing."

Xavier whipped his head toward Avery and I swear his eyes dilated. "Ave." He dipped his chin, his intense gaze deliberately scanned the length of her body. "You look beautiful." He shot a quick look at Holly. "You too, Holly." But his eyes were already back on Avery while he loosened his tie.

"I look fucking amazing," Michael added, his arrogant tone made us laugh. He ran his hands down the front of his chest and smoothed out his shirt.

"Let's get this show on the road. People to meet, girls to do," Connor said, his voice a deep southern drawl.

I rolled my eyes. That dialect meant Michael would use the same one tonight. They once confessed they only used that voice when they wanted to pick up chicks. He thought girls loved a fine, southern gentleman.

Such pigs. What was funny was that southern girls could spot a fake a mile away. They just didn't know that.

We all raised our glasses, said a quick toast, and emptied the bottles of the remaining bubbly before heading down to the party.

---

The party was in full swing. There were guests everywhere dressed to the nines, music playing in the background, white gloved servers carrying trays of food and champagne. A proud smile slid across my face. I was enthusiastic about the night, especially since I got to spend it with all my friends I'd grown so close to.

A newfound attitude swept through me. It may have been the two glasses of champagne, but I felt free. I decided everything that had happened in the past was going to stay in the past. I wasn't going to dwell about how I could've changed things, or how I should've kept to myself and not engaged in a relationship with my coach.

What's done is done. New year, new me. New outlook, new goals.

Conner and Michael went in the opposite direction to do God knows what. Before they left, they told us if we wanted any alcohol to hit up the pool house, but I wasn't planning on drinking more, and neither were my friends. Possibly another glass of champagne when the ball dropped, but that was it.

Oh, God. Midnight. I could kill Avery. I had a sinking feeling Hayden was going to try and kiss me when the ball dropped.

Locking lips with him again wasn't on the list for the night—or year. An alligator walking on to my lawn was a higher possibility than that. My lips tingled at the memory and I brought my fingers to my mouth, curious as to what was on his mind. Hayden was a good kisser, but then again, I didn't have many kisses to compare it to.

I lifted my eyes toward Hayden and found him taking in the scene in awe. My home looked like something fresh out of a movie, and the more I studied him, more questions crowded my head. We'd kissed once before when I first moved to the west coast, a memory long forgotten, and nothing I'd thought would ever, in a million years, happen again.

But it did tonight. I didn't resist. I didn't pull away. I didn't question it. The slow caress of his lips said way more than what I was prepared for. Even though he'd been there for me at the drop of a hat when I needed him the most, I assumed he was disgusted after everything that went down with Kova.

I'd been wrong. So, so wrong. Friends don't kiss friends for the fun of it.

Stopping just before the steps to the deck and against my better judgement, I skimmed the crowd of Wonder Breads looking for one person. Wonder Breads. I laughed to myself at the use of Avery's phrase to describe fake, full of shit kind of people.

"Stop," Avery whispered in my ear, and clutched my forearm. I dragged my attention away from the crowd and frowned at her. "Don't make it obvious."

Recognition dawned on me and I gave a subtle, appreciative nod.

"Ana? Ana!"

Glancing over my shoulder, our eyes locked long enough between the flurry of people for Mom to get a glimpse of me. My heart froze when her eyes widened. Despite the rosy blush she'd dusted onto her cheeks, she looked like her oxygen had been cut off.

"I'm sorry your mom is such an asshole," Avery said, only for me to hear. I nodded, chewing my bottom lip, careful not to smear lipstick on my teeth. Inhaling, I drew in confidence and plastered on my social event face she'd taught me so well to wear.

"Hey, Mom," I said cheerily. Her freshly dyed blond hair was perfectly coiffed, her appearance on point. I had to give it to her, she knew how to play the socialite part well.

"Mrs. Rossi, thank you again for allowing me and my sister to attend your party and stay in your home. It's very generous of you and we appreciate it."

"Hayden, what a gentleman." With a tilt of her head, she looked pleased. That was a plus. "You're more than welcome here anytime." Her voice was a perfect lilt of culture and wealth. "There's plenty of food and drinks, so make sure you help yourself to whatever you like. I know you guys are leaving early tomorrow, so if I don't see you, have a safe trip back and I hope to see you again." Just when I thought I was off the hook, she gave me the look. It was all I needed. "Excuse us, I need a word with my daughter."

"I'll see you guys in a few. Ave, keep them company for me, please?" She nodded.

Placing her hand on my lower back, Mom guided us until we were out of view of the wandering eyes and gossiping ears of Palm Beach, then she grabbed my arm and lead me straight toward Dad’s office. Just steps from the door, Xavier turned the corner. Our eyes locked and his face grew grim when he saw the grip she had on my arm. He knew. I tried to smile but my nerves got the best of me. I felt downright ready to vomit.

Two dainty, light taps, and Mom pushed open the door. In a saccharin tone, she asked, "Frank, may I have a minute with you, please?"

Dad nodded. A man I'd never seen before excused himself from the room as Xavier walked in and went straight for Dad’s private stash of liquor. They said nothing as he poured a glass of bourbon and dropped an ice cube into it, but I felt a hundred times lighter with him in there. I knew what was coming, as did he.

"Frank," she huffed, not bothering to disguise her displeasure.

"Joy."

"Tell your daughter to go change her outfit right now. I refuse to allow her to parade around in that scrap of material she calls a dress."

He squinted at me, a crease formed between his eyes. He looked at Mom. "What's wrong with her outfit?"

The white ring around Mom’s eyes glowed, her sharp cheekbones turned beet red. "What's wrong with it? What's wrong is that she looks like a slut!" Her eyes settled on Dad with determination.

Just as he'd brought the drink to his lips to take a sip, Dad paused. "Watch what you say, Joy." He tilted his head to the side and gave her a dark, scathing glare that made the hair on the back of my neck rise.

"Mom," Xavier growled, his tone deep and protective. He took a step toward her, his eyes a glossy shade of red. Fury like I'd never seen before exuded off him. I didn't move—I couldn't breathe. "That's your daughter you're talking about," he spat.

Mom stayed silent, a contemptuous look on her face meant just for Xavier. He didn't back down, neither did she, she didn't care that her comment hurt me.

Taking a sip from his glass, Xavier shook his head. "If you think I'm going to stand here and allow you to degrade and humiliate my sister, then you got another fuckin' thing coming." Xavier snapped his fingers at me. I thought he was going to crush the glass in his other hand. "Adrianna, let's fuckin' go."

I sucked in a breath and regretted my existence. I'd never heard that tone from him before and it frightened me.

"Adrianna," Xavier demanded my attention, but I didn't move. He walked over, his eyes trained on Mom as he passed her, like a jaguar ready to pounce. He grabbed my hand.

"Xavier, wait," Dad ordered, then he looked at Mom. He stood up and prowled toward her, stopping less than a foot away, and pointed a finger straight down at her nose.

"If you ever call my daughter a slut again, I will ruin you. Do you understand me? Ruin you. You'll never be able to show your face in this town again." Dad’s voice was deadly calm. Xavier nodded next to me and I almost fainted. He squeezed my hand. He had so much more bravado than I ever did.

Naturally, it didn't tame Mom in the least.

"Ruin me? Not a chance. Not the way I could ruin you." She fought back with a sneer.

Dad glared at her with fire in his eyes. "Don't fuck with me, Joy."

She hesitated for a moment. "But I didn't call her—"

"Yes, you did. In so many words, you did. Don't try and retract your statement now. Did you forget who you're talking to?" Defiantly, she pursed her lips together and propped her hands on her hips. She should've been an attorney. "If I ever hear you call her such a derogatory name again, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"Is that a threat?"

Dad didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Mom lifted an arrogant brow and shifted her fiery gaze toward me. The tension between them was fierce. "Tell her to change her outfit…please."

"No."

"No?" she squeaked. Any minute now she was going to combust.

"I said, no. I don't see anything wrong with her outfit. A little revealing, maybe, but if she can live on her own, she can pick out her own clothes and live with her choices. Do I think she looks like a slut? Not at all, not even close. I'd never allow my daughter to walk around looking like trash. I think she looks like a young, beautiful woman."

Staring at the floor, I smiled on the inside.

"What will our guests think of us with her walking around like that?"

"I'll go change," I said, my voice barely audible.

"No, you will not," Dad snapped at me. I flinched at the bark in his tone. He looked back at Mom. "If I remember correctly, you used to dress very similar."

"It's not the same. I wasn't a child."

Dad swirled his glass. "Joy, I'm not going to entertain you. This discussion is finished."

Mom's nostrils flared. She pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin. If looks could kill, he'd be a pile of ash.

Hell, I'd have been one first.

"Ana?"

"Yes, Dad?"

"You're excused."

I hesitated, swallowing hard. I glanced back and forth between my parents. I didn't want to leave. More than anything, I was afraid of leaving because I had a sinking feeling she wasn't through with me yet.

"Go," he ordered. Xavier tugged me toward the door.

Turning the knob, I left my dad's office, and shut the door behind me with a soft click. I flipped my hair to the side, fighting back the tears that blurred my vision. Under normal circumstances, standing up for myself wouldn't faze me, I'd brush off their indifferences. But when it came to my mom, I couldn't do it. I couldn't brush it off because she was my mother and I loved her and I wanted to make her happy.

"Hey," Xavier said softly. I couldn't look at him. I was too embarrassed. I wasn't as strong as I perceived myself to be. He crouched down to get in my line of view, and I chuckled sadly. "We may live miles and miles apart, but I'll always have your back. Don't ever let anyone speak to you like that, not even Mom. Stand up for yourself."

I nodded. Easier said than done.

"I'm almost sorry for encouraging you to wear that dress now," Xavier continued. "I didn't expect Mom to act that way. I mean, I knew she would flip a lid, but it never occurred to me she'd call you names and take it as far as she did. For that, I'm so sorry."

I looked away.

"Hey." He pushed, his voice full of concern. "She doesn't usually talk to you like that, does she?"

"She's never called me a slut, but you’ve seen how she treats me, how she’s picked on my weight, what I wear, how gymnastics is a joke to her and I should be doing what she does. I never do anything right in her eyes. I guess it was a matter of time before she took it a step further."

Xavier's gaze fell deadly. He stood and pulled me into a hug. He pressed a brotherly kiss to the top of my head.

"From now on, you better tell me when something happens, and I'll take care of it. Watching her insult you like that really has my blood boiling. It's wrong and I don't fucking like it."

I half-smiled against his chest. My big brother being protective was adorable.

"I can take care of myself, you know."

"I know you can, but you're my little sister, and that's what I'm here for."

I nodded and pulled back, drawing in a comforted sigh, and stiffened when that all too familiar scent drifted past me.

I knew that smell. I knew it well. Too well, in fact.

My stomach quivered, anticipation rose inside me. Kova was nearby, and as much as I wanted to find him, I knew deep down I couldn't. Avery's words echoed like a blow horn in my head. "Don't make it obvious." My chest tightened, but I heeded her advice. I had to. He'd be with Katja.