The drive to the bar is silent and awkward.

I refuse to speak first, and I guess Hayden lacks the intelligence to think of something to say.

"Ready?" he asks, pulling into the valet section.

"No, please hold my hand. I'm scared." I roll my eyes.

He snaps when I reach to open my car door. "Stay."

"Excuse-"

He slams his door so hard, I flinch. Then I watch in shock as he moves around to open mine.

"You are so rude and chivalrous. It's confusing." I hiss at his face, well, his chest when I stand up.

He puts his hand on my low back, thumb brushing my exposed skin, and nudges me through the lobby doors. Like a bodyguard. A bodyguard that I would do unholy things with.

It's just an act. Just an act. We're putting on a show.

He clicks the elevator button that's supposed to take us to the bar on the roof. We're the only ones in it as the doors close, trapping us within the mirrored walls.

"How long were you two together?" I ask.

"I don't know, five months."

"Who initiated the breakup?"

"I did." He grumbles, guiding me out as the doors open.

Good answer. It means he has a backbone. Self-respect. He mentioned that she didn't cheat, but she was using him. Is that why he's so hot and cold? Does he have trust issues?

"Have you had a lot of girlfriends?" I ask as he leads me through the crowd. Loud music. Laughter. String lights hang like a canopy, along with electric heaters. Everyone is dressed nicely.

"No, not really."

"Why? Did starting a business take up a lot of your time?"

"You couldn't ask these questions when we were in the car?" His tone is a warning.

Unfortunately, we've reached a group of people in a booth who are staring at Hayden and me with startled expressions.

The friend group, huh?

"You asshole, you said you'd be here by now." A bald, short man with the kindest eyes hugs him. He's wearing a lavender button-down, has a beer belly, and something about him is immediately loveable.

"Thank God, we've been dying here." A taller, leaner man stands beside him. He gives me a young, cool uncle vibes. Someone who is not afraid to bend the rules and get in trouble.

"Where's the birthday boy?" Hayden looks around, nodding at the rest of the group. I guess they're not as important.

"He went downstairs to get Astrid." The bald one lights up as he looks at me. "Hi, I'm Harry. I'm Hayden's best friend."

"Are you?" I shake his hand, smiling back. "But you're so nice. Did he bribe you too?"

"What can I say? I like free stuff."

Hayden's lips curve at the corners, making it feel safe enough to laugh without being rude.

"We've been friends since high school." He explains, then gestures at the tall man. "This is Edwin, his fiance. They're getting married in two months."

"Congratulations." I smile, shaking his hand. "Hayden's been crying about how you're stealing his best friend."

"I know." Harry shrugs. "He needs to get a hobby. He's too obsessed. I have a life, you know."

"Trust me, I'm trying to help him get one." I nod. "A life, not a hobby."

"Good luck!" He snorts.

"Well, then." Hayden laughs, a deep laugh that flips my stomach. "Fuck both of you, I guess."

Maybe this party won't be bad after all-

"Hayden? Oh my God, it is you!" A woman's voice cuts us off. Harry grips his drink harder.

"You made it!" The birthday boy, a short man with bushy eyebrows smiles, but it's not a warm smile.

The woman next to him has to be Hayden's ex. My first reaction is that she's beautiful and she knows it. She's wearing light jeans with thin heels, a low-cut white top with an open back. Her stomach is flat like she eats air.

"Hi, how are youuu?" She hugs him, shocked, but it looks staged. "I didn't think you'd come-"

"Why wouldn't he?" Harry interrupts, polite but with an edge. "He's friends with Pat too."

I assume Pat is the birthday boy. Speaking of which, he is waiting for an introduction.

"Oh, this is Hazel. My date," Hayden says with ease.

Pat shakes my hand. "Nice to meet you!"

"You too." I hate their energy. No wonder Harry and his fiance were so relieved to see us.

"Hi..." Astrid studies me. I am delighted to report that she almost looks intimidated.

This is why I love dressing edgy, it makes me look more confident than I really am.

"I'm sorry, did you say your name is Hazel? Like a nut?" She wrinkles her face.

"Exactly like a nut, Ass-trid! It's nice to meet you."

"It's just Astrid," she drawls like I'm stupid.

"Ass-trid?" I cup my ear and lean closer. Harry behind me snickers.

"Astrid."

"Ass-trid."

"As-"

"Let's drink!" Hayden escorts me to the bar. Harry and Edwin tag along. As soon as we're far enough, they burst out laughing.

"The first round is on me!" Harry shouts, claiming the spot on my right. Hayden is on my left. We occupy the bar stools of the small bar.

"So is this one of those obligatory attendances?" I ask while we wait for our tequila shots.

"Unfortunately," Harry says, pointing at Pat in the booth. "He's my cousin."

"How is he friends with your ex?" I ask Hayden.

"College. Cheers, everyone." He lifts his shot glass. "Hazel, thank you for being here. It means more than you know."

I didn't expect him to say something so genuine. It makes me wonder what that woman is capable of.

"Yes, thank you." Harry adds. "I've tried to keep her away, but it doesn't work."

"The fuck? What does she do?"

"She just knows exactly how to act innocent while saying cruel things. She basically makes him look like the villain, when in reality-"

"Cheers." Hayden interrupts, drowning his shot.

We follow. Then we drink again. Then again. Then again after that.

"By the way, these two know the truth," Hayden says to me. He leans closer to speak over the music, and I feel his body heat from his chest radiate on my side.

"T-they do?" I refocus.

Harry smiles. "Yeah. He said you're also a part-time bank teller and a college student."

"Is that so?" I bat my lashes. "What else has he gossiped about me?"

"Nothing," Hayden says.

"That was quick." I raise a brow.

"It was quick." Harry's grin is evil. It makes me laugh.

"What else did he say?" I scoot closer-

Hayden grabs my arm. "I said you don't know how to clean. She also bought me the most vibrant clothes today, when I told her I only wear black."

"They were warm tones!"

"Good for you." Edwin defends me. "He dresses so boring."

"I'm simple!" Hayden argues.

"Simple my ass." I scoff. "He almost made me cry on my first day. You know what he did?"

Edwin's and Harry's eyes sparkle. "What?"

"The moment he entered his house, he marched into the kitchen, crossed his arms, and said that not only did I do the bare minimum, but I failed at that too."

They gasp dramatically. Harry looks angry on my behalf. "You said that to her?"

"She forgot the part where I cooked her dinner."

Edwin smirks. "Did you? She must've left quite the impression, then."

"Yes, she looked like she was going to pass out. I felt bad."

"He said I looked like shit." I study my nails.

Hayden chokes. "I didn't!"

Harry smiles at me carefully. "You shouldn't skip meals, though. He's right."

"I skip meals all the time. I'm starving right now, it's normal." If only they knew I live in my car. They think I'm sooo delicate. I'm tough. Who looks this good while living in a car? Who?

All the humor strips from Hayden. "Why haven't you eaten?"

"Oops, did I interrupt something?" Ass-trid stops by.

Hayden ignores her and waits for me. All I can do is shrug, not wanting to argue in front of his ex.

He breathes through his nose, his voice quiet. "Stay here, I'll be back."

"Oh, can I come?" Edwin asks. "I have a question about the tacos."

"Wait, I have a question too," Harry says, then turns to me. "Let's go together."

Except I know Ass-trid came for a reason, and I'd like to hear her side. "No, I'll save our seats. You guys go."

Hayden looks like he might argue, but I warn him with my eyes to listen. He does.

Judging from the glossy shine in Astrid's eyes, she's drunk. But most of all, she's sad.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Hm? Y-yeah...why?" She slurs.

"Here." I push my water towards her. "It's cold. It feels amazing."

"You don't mind?" She gives me doe-eyes, wrapping her acrylic nails around the glass.

I wonder if Hayden has a type. Girls who look like they need to be taken care of.

She drinks quietly, like she's lost in her thoughts. I don't know what to say.

"Are you his soup?" she mumbles.

"Am I his what?" I lean closer.

"Newspaper."

Am I too drunk? "Huh?"

"His new sub!"

Ain't no way. My pulse is pounding. "You mean submissive?"

"Yeah."

"No." I laugh. Holy shit. This is insane. "Why?"

"I was just wondering." She sucks on her straw, an unsettling smile taking over her features. "He sounded like he was controlling you. I used to be abused like that. His family knows."

My scowl deepens. There are so many things wrong with what she said, I don't know where to start. And she looks so smug, so confident. Where did all that innocence go?

"I don't know if you're just drunk or uneducated and ignorant..." I say calmly. "But there's a difference between being abusive and being a Dom. And I highly doubt that Hayden doesn't know the difference."

"I'm not uneducated or ignorant! I-I dated him! You don't know him like I do, alright? I know Hayden better than you."

"Alright. Tell me three unique facts about him." I fold my arms.

"What?"

"Tell me three unique facts about him. Go."

She opens and closes her mouth, then laughs. "No. I'm not going to do that."

"You're not going to answer a normal question?" I tilt my head. "Would you rather act immature and spread gossip?"

She turns red. "Stop being a toxic bitch."

I touch my invisible pearls. "Do I look like a mirror? Dude, have more water."

"What's going on?" Hayden stops beside me.

"Your girlfriend is a cunt!" Astrid snaps.

I grin, because she's completely lost control and that's exactly what Harry told me she did to Hayden. Acted all innocent, then made him look like a villain.

Well, I'm sitting here, minding my business and she's screaming at me. Who's the villain now?

"Can she get more water?" I ask the bartender like she's a friend I'm concerned about. "Sorry, she's a little drunk." I grimace at the staring people. "Apologies."

"Let's go." Hayden guides me off the stool. Pat comes to Ass-trid's rescue.

I gasp at the plate of carne asada tacos in Harry's hands and without asking, grab one and take a bite. I let out a satisfied groan and close my eyes.

"What did you do to her?" Harry whispers as Astrid is carried away in tears.

"A taste of her sweet medicine." I take another big bite.

"How?" Hayden's entire focus is on me, more specifically my mouth murdering this taco.

I cover my mouth to not spray him with food particles. "With my excellence."

Edwin chuckles. "I love her. We're keeping her."

"Am I adopted?!" I shout.

"Yes, you're adopted. Let's take you home."

"Seriously," Hayden says. "I don't think Pat wants us here anymore, thanks to someone."

"You're welcome." I sass back.

I'm expecting an eye-roll or another half-hearted insult from Hayden. But this time, he just smiles.

A/N
He smiles, huh? He smilessss
I'm smiling rn just thinking about you pushing that vote button