She was going to leave me alone.
She’d told me she wouldn’t.
She’d promised me.
My throat closed over as a wave of nerves gripped me.
“Come on, you’ll be fine.” She nodded toward State, who was watching the young guy bring my new drink over.
What she didn’t seem to care about was that I’d only just met the man. State seemed nice, but… this place was new to me, these people were as well, and sometimes my anxiety got the best of me in unfamiliar situations.
It was a bad idea to come with her. I shouldn’t have. Lately, she’d been so different, but she’d talked me into going out with her, complaining that we hadn’t done it in a long time and she missed me. The guilt had gotten the better of me, which was how I ended up here.
“Isla, we’ll hang out here for a while,” Country said as he hooked the back of her skirt and dragged her close to him.
“But—”
“You can’t leave your girl in a place she’s not used to,” State put in, handing me my new glass. I sent the prospect a smile, and he nodded at me.
Isla’s laugh sounded fake, and so did her follow-up smile. She was annoyed, but I wasn’t about to give in. She’d wanted me to come with her because, apparently, she hated the distance that’d grown between us. But since all she wanted to do was ditch me, I was no longer buying it.
Honestly, it reminded me why I’d stopped spending time with her. She was headed in a different direction than I was. She still loved to party every weekend and spend all her money, while I wanted more in life than dealing with a hangover after a weekend of getting drunk. Why had she wanted me to come here in the first place? To show off that she hung out at a biker club?
Maybe I’d be better without her company for the night. I could have a couple of drinks and talk to whoever took pity on me. My heart skipped a few beats at the thought. But I also didn’t want to come across like I was worried about being alone in a clubhouse.
My hand shook a little when I lifted the glass and took a sip of courage. “Actually, Isla, you go do what you have to do. I’ll be fine.”
The change in her was instant. “Really? Are you sure you don’t mind?” She bounced on her feet.
I didn’t carenowas I’d never let her put me in this position ever again. Though, from the way Country’s upper lip raised as he looked at Isla, I had a feeling he was seeing her in a new light.
I nodded. “Go for it.”
She turned to Country but stumbled and fell into him. He quickly grabbed her arms, steadied her, and tipped her head up with fingers under her chin. My brows dipped in confusion as he studied her face.
“You high?”
My back shot straight, my eyes widening.
Was she?
Isla laughed like he’d said the funniest thing, playfully slapping his chest. “What? No, I’m just happy.” She went onto her tippytoes to kiss him, but he pulled his head back.
“Don’t fuckin’ lie to me, Isla. Are. You. High?” His tone had me taking a small step back.
“Country,” she whined. “You’re ruining my buzz.”
“Coke? Heroin? Ice? What did you take?”
She snorted, shaking her head. “I’m going to dance.”
She must have taken it just before I got to her house. The thought made me feel ill.
Country grabbed her upper arm, and he focused on State. “I’m takin’ her to lie down.”
Isla cheered. “Bedroom fun.” She curled herself around Country as he led her off.
I highly doubted she was going to get the fun she thought she was. Would it be better if I took her home instead? I was supposed to be her friend and save her from a ranting Country in the morning, right? I couldn’t help but think she deserved a good talking to, and I doubted I’d be the one to get through to her.