Page 11

CHAPTER 11

LONELY

BELLA

August

“Are you sure you want to go to the party?” Jake stands behind me, hands on his hips, while I apply my makeup.

I meet his gaze in the mirror, rolling my eyes in annoyance. “You’ve already asked me that.” I put my eyeliner into my makeup case and turn around to face him. “If you don’t want me to go, then say that. Just say the word, and I’ll figure out something else to do with my weekend.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He runs a hand through his dark brown hair. His white T-shirt is so tight, it strains against his pecs, his long legs clad in slim black jeans.

“What did you mean, then? You’ve been asking me if I want to go for days. Honestly, it feels like you’re the one who wants me to stay home.”

He shifts, his attention darting away for an instant. My questions make him uncomfortable. It’s the only confirmation I need—he doesn’t want me to go.

He heaves a sigh. “I don’t like the idea of Meghan being there either.”

I barely keep myself from laughing. It’s an excuse. His problem has nothing to do with Meg.

“Xander invited her, not me.”

That’s a lie. Xander suggested inviting Meg to keep me company, and I agreed.

“I know.” He shakes his head, his mouth twisted into a scowl.

“Don’t worry. I won’t keep you on a leash,” I snap. “You can do what you always do when you go out: pretend I’m not there.”

His expression turns from confused to mischievous in a blink. “In that dress, there’s no way I can pretend you’re not with me.” He closes the distance between us and spins me around, sliding his hands to my ass. “You’ll be the most beautiful girl in the club tonight, babe. I should be on the lookout. What if someone tries to steal you away from me?”

An image of Xander flashes before my eyes. Fuck . I shouldn’t even be entertaining the idea.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I take a step back. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be ready to go.”

“You look ready to me.” He licks his lips, eyes burning holes into my body as he sweeps them over me.

My anticipation for tonight’s party has made me impatient, and the desire in Jake’s gaze only heightens my annoyance.

Luckily, I’m saved from turning him down when a knock sounds at the front door.

I take another step back, and he raises his eyes to the ceiling. With a harsh exhale, he stalks away, mumbling under his breath about Meghan always being on time.

Shaking my head, I return to the mirror. I check my reflection one more time, and a thrill shoots through me. This short black dress is effortlessly simple, with a darted bodice, cutout waistline, and a mini skirt. I’m wearing more makeup than I usually do, the dark liner around my eyes making my blue irises sparkle.

I stick my phone and my red lipstick into my clutch and secure the clasp. It’s too small to fit anything else. I blow a kiss to my reflection, then twirl around and head downstairs.

“Wow.” Meg whistles as I step into the living room. “You look amazing.”

“I could say the same about you.”

She’s wearing a red dress that barely covers her butt, showing off her long, tan legs. She’s dressed to impress, and I know exactly who she has in mind—Marco. Coincidentally, he is coming to the party alone. He and Kennedy “didn’t work out.”

“I’m gonna show up at the club with the two hottest girls in town.” Jake loops his arm around my waist as he sneaks up behind me. “No, not the town—the country.” He kisses my cheek. “Let’s go.”

* * *

As we walk across the street to the club entrance, I’m on the lookout for paparazzi or reporters, but it’s quiet. Strange.

“Walker rented VIP sections in two clubs,” Jake says, as if reading my thoughts. “One under his own name, the other under an alias. We’re at the second one. No one knows about it, trust me.”

“He’s a smart boy,” Meg comments. “You always make headlines when you go out.”

He grunts a response and tugs me toward the entrance.

The bouncer lifts his chin and gives Jake a “Hey, man,” as if they’re buddies.

“Do you know him?”

“Connor?” Jake purses his lips. “Yeah. He’s here all the time.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Meg says. “This is one of your favorite clubs, isn’t it?”

My stomach twists painfully. I didn’t know any of this, which shows how close I am with Jake.

“You could say that.” Smirking, he pulls the second set of doors open, revealing the dance floor. It’s huge and packed with people. “Damn! This ought to be good.”

Instantly, my anxiety kicks in, and my heart rate skyrockets. My hand goes sweaty in Jake’s, and I have to fight the urge not to shake him off.

Xander said this would be a small gathering, but the VIP section is almost full.

Jake drags me along behind him, chin lifted as he scans the crowd.

“Man, this party is fucking amazing!” His voice booms over the music as we climb the stairs to the roped-off area.

Xander is at the top of the stairs, shaking Jake’s hand. When he focuses on me, the back of my neck goes hot. His hair is mussed, his forehead covered in a thin sheen of sweat, like he’s been dancing.

“I’m glad you like it.” Xander tips his chin to the dance floor. “Does the King of Parties approve?”

“You bet I do,” Jake laughs, finally letting go of my hand.

I force myself to take a deep breath. The air is thick and warm, and already I’m itching to get out of here. This club, the loud music, the alcohol—it’s so not me, even if I loved it in the past.

“It’s good to see you again.” Meg smiles at Xander as she steps up beside me. She gently brushes my hand, as if to give me reassurance. “Thank you so much for the invite.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiles warmly at her, then shifts his gaze to me. “Hey, Bella.”

His deep voice sends shivers down my spine, as if he’s whispering in my ear. All it takes is my name on his lips to get me all excited.

Dammit.

“Hey.” I take in the VIP crowd. “Nice party.”

“I hope you enjoy yourselves. The bar up here is open, and the crowd is full of very cool people.”

“Isabella doesn’t like crowds.” With a chuckle, Jake wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“Why?” Xander eyes me, the corners of his mouth drooping.

“I just feel more comfortable with fewer people around.” It’s the truth. After what happened in New York when I was thirteen, I’m not the biggest fan of crowds, but I’ve learned how to live with my dislike. Honestly, crowds allow anonymity. Being a faceless person among many others means I can be myself, especially here, where I don’t have to worry about paparazzi popping out at any moment.

“Then it’s a good thing we’re up here and not down in that madness.” Xander studies the dance floor then zeroes in on me, his ever-intense scrutiny a physical caress.

A fluttering sensation in my stomach makes me dizzy. I look away from him and catch Meg’s gaze.

She puts a hand on my arm. “Wanna get a drink?”

“Sure.” I glance at Jake. “Are you coming?”

“There are a few guys I want to catch up with.” He pats my shoulder, but his attention is fixed on a group of guys across the room. “Go ahead. I’ll join you in a bit.”

“Okay.”

I entwine my fingers with my best friend’s and let her lead me away, her warm skin comforting me. As the bartender brings our drinks—a few shots of tequila for me and a cosmopolitan for Meg—Marco appears, his focus trained on Meg.

My best friend is totally oblivious to his attention. This is half the reason I took Xander up on his offer to invite her. It’s her chance to get to know Marco better.

“Hey.” He gives me a polite smile, but when he turns to Meg, the expression shifts into a lopsided grin. “Hi, Meghan. It’s nice to see you again.”

“You too,” she chirps, turning to get a better look at him. “How are you?”

They launch into easy conversation, and after a few minutes, I tune them out, focusing instead on the music. I nod my head to the beat as I survey the VIP section. Only then do I realize Jake is no longer here, and neither is Xander. Where did they go? I swear they settled on one of the couches with a few other guys just a few minutes ago.

I pick up one of the two shots of tequila on the bar and toss it back. I don’t have a particular plan for tonight, other than to have a few drinks and dance and sing. I haven’t done anything like this in months, not since my relationship with Jake went public.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond happy for him, and I’m happy to be his cheerleader once he steps onto the field. He deserves all the praise he’s getting from sports journalists, agents, and coaches.

But I loathe all the photoshoots that make women crazy about him. Even worse are the paparazzi who follow us. Staying in the shadows suits me better, and I’m fine with it, at least most of the time.

Tonight, I want to let loose a little. I want to feel like my old self. Not that I’ve ever had much of a chance to be carefree, thanks to my dearest mother and stepfather. Though I told Jake he could pretend I wasn’t here, I secretly hoped we could spend the night dancing and having a good time together. Yet he slipped away the first chance he got.

And now I’m here. I’m surrounded by people, my best friend by my side, but I’m even lonelier than usual. How pathetic is that?