Maybe they were just friends? Okay, friends don’t kiss each other quite like that; friends definitely use less tongue. Had they broken up? I quickly skimmed the group: Dion, Jake, Jess and Nicole were here – the virtual heart and soul of the LA Family – minus their Queen Sienna. What was going on? And why the hell was this girl sitting on Leon’s knee?

I had no time to ponder what was unfolding in front of me. Jake and Dion were the first to slam into the bar, shouting over the music to each other, drumming on the counter with their hands. Their bloodshot, hazy eyes looking straight past me to the shelves behind, on a mission to hit it hard.

‘Hey, babe, make it a triple shot of what you got. D-Man, you want one of the same?’

‘One? I’ll take five – line ’em up, sugar.’

I had no idea what any of that meant, so I opted for five shots of tequila, and they didn’t seem to object. Providing the salt and lime for each made the scene feel more frat house than exclusive lounge.

‘Hey, sweets, you gonna join us?’ Dion winked, saluting me with his shot.

‘Yeah, come on, batter up!’ called Jake.

Babe, sugar, sweets … oh my God.

They had no idea who I was.

I had styled my hair into two long boxer-braids which hung down over my shoulders, but surely it wasn’t the ’do that did it. I was dressed in the customary black skirt and Saloon Bar top that everyone wore a little too tight – that must have been it. They expected a bar wench so they saw a bar wench, end of story. I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

‘Oh, boys, I totally wish I could, but my boss would kill me,’ I said in the best American accent I could muster. Ray would have been so proud.

‘Aww, don’t worry about the bossman, we won’t tell.’

‘Yeah, it will be our little secret.’

Ugh, they think they’re so smooth.

‘Abby! Floor, now!’ Deedee slammed a tray on the counter, shooting me a look that said, in no uncertain terms, to stop consorting with the customers. Geez, I couldn’t be friendly and I couldn’t spit in their drinks? I really couldn’t win.

Deedee brought in some recruits from downstairs, which was a welcome reprieve. Trent and Jax actually knew what they were doing, and the boys didn’t flirt with them. Deedee sent me out for a drink run, tray in hand; it was the last place I wanted to be, circling around the lounge where Leon was being straddled by a flailing blonde octopus. I was swarmed immediately, the drinks taken at lightning speed, leaving my tray empty.

‘Hey, I know you.’ My heart stopped as I turned towards the voice. Nicole Towney looked at me with her head tilted, stirring her drink. ‘Abby?’

The jig was up.

‘Hey, Nicole.’

‘What are you doing here?’

I lifted up the drinks tray and shrugged. ‘Living the dream.’

I thought I might have received a head nod of pity, or a look of derision; instead, the reaction I got was somewhat surprising. ‘Oh, cool. I have a gig at the Green Olive near my house – amazing breadsticks.’ She chewed on her straw thoughtfully.

I shifted away from Leon’s group. ‘Hey, can I ask you something?’

‘Yeah, sure.’

‘Where is Sienna?’

Nicole’s eyes shifted behind me and I knew exactly what she was looking at. ‘Ah, she had to go out of town, for work.’

So, she hadn’t lied to me.

‘Okay … and have she and Leon broken up?’

Nicole chewed her straw more intently, her eyes darting over my shoulder again as she shook her head.

No.

I felt a deep-seated anger rise within me.

‘Then who is that girl?’

Nicole grimaced. ‘She’s just someone he met before we came here. You can’t say anything to Sienna – it will break her heart.’

I shook my head, looking at Nicole in complete disbelief. ‘What happens in the VIP room stays in the VIP room, yeah?’ I scoffed.

‘Look, it’s none of my business.’

‘Sienna is your friend.’

‘I know, but I’m trying to make my way in this town, and it’s hard enough without making an enemy of someone like Leon.’

‘Oh, fuck Leon!’

My voice echoed, bouncing off the walls of the lounge, loud and clear, because the universe, in its infinite wisdom, provided a dip in the music, so that my angered declaration could carry to each and every ear. All eyes were now on me. Dion’s, Jake’s, Deedee’s and, as I slowly turned, Leon Denero’s.

Noticing me for the first time, he was not happy.

Deedee was beside me in two seconds flat. ‘Abby, take your break now!’

‘But I’ve only just started …’

‘It’s not up for negotiation – downstairs.’

Deedee ripped the tray from my hand, and I had to endure the long walk of shame, skimming past Leon’s entourage out to the hall. The last thing I heard was from the astute Jake, asking, ‘What happened to her accent?’

I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. I walked a long, determined line past the other VIP room, where one woman was in tears outside the door, being comforted by two friends. ‘Don’t you listen to her, Dianne, she has no right to tell you and Ronnie how to live your lives …’

All of a sudden I was actually envious of the Housewives; at least Dianne had someone on her side. I paused near Jay’s door, torn between wanting to confide in him and to keep the whole ugly mess to myself. I would take my break, clear my head and ready myself to be reassigned downstairs, but first I needed a quick pep talk.

I knocked on the door, hoping to hear Jay’s familiar voice, but there was no sound. I twisted the handle, but it wouldn’t give. The office was locked and there was no sign of him. It was clear I was on my own. No Jay, no Billie – no ally.

I continued down the stairs, moving past the crowd and weaving my way to the exit. I was almost home free when someone grabbed my arm, stopping me in place. I turned around to see the same angry eyes I had linked with only moments before.

Leon.

He started pulling me towards the exit. ‘We need to talk.’