Life was a truly unpredictable thing. Less than a year ago, I wouldn't have believed my friend Ava who'd never dated would have a mega-famous rockstar wrapped around her finger. I wouldn't have thought I'd get to hang out with Rebellious Hearts, either, but here I was, following Ava and Jim O’Brien into Starlit, one of the best clubs in Emerport. 

Beside me, a star-struck Isla was glancing around, her eyes widening each time she spotted a celebrity. We crossed the vast dance floor lit by neon and fluorescent lights and headed to the back of the club. Jim smiled at the tall, muscular guy guarding the entrance to the VIP area and led us inside.

The music wasn't as loud here. Instead of rattling the walls, it enveloped the room, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Three guys sat on a black leather couch. As soon as they saw Jim, they rose to their feet.

"Guys, you've met Ava. These are her friends, Ivy and Isla," Jim said.

“I'm Nick.” A brown-haired guy stepped forward. He kissed my cheek and then greeted Isla in the same way.  His bandmate, a blue-eyed guy with messy dark hair, offered his hand for a handshake. “Finlay, but call me Fin.”

“Jason. Call me Jay,” a deep voice said. I swiveled my head, and…

Oh, no. 

Sharp jaw. Dark blond hair that seemed effortlessly messy but surely required twenty minutes in front of the mirror and at least two products. Toned arms covered in tattoos.

To put it briefly, a red flag, also known as my type. 

"Ladies, grab a seat." Nick smiled.

Isla sat first. Nick sat on her left, and I plopped on her right. 

Red Flag lowered beside me. 

Of course. I forgot to mention I was a certified red flag magnet. 

Finlay made himself comfortable in an armchair, and Ava perched on Jim's lap. He instantly wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled at her, his green eyes twinkling. The guy was in love, as he should be. He was dating one of the kindest and smartest girls I knew.

Red Flag reached for a button on the table in front of us. “Drinks?”

“Sure,” Isla said.

He pressed it. A moment later, a waitress walked in. Isla and Ava ordered margaritas.

"Ivy," Red Flag said. "What would you like? By the way, is it Ivy like the vine, or Ivy like the league?"

Everyone laughed. I glanced up from the cocktail menu. "Like the vine. I'll have Sex on the Beach."

A cocky grin lifted the corners of Red Flag's lips. "With me?"

God, he really was full of himself. 

Isla snorted. Jim chuckled lightly. I tossed the menu onto the low table. 

"Keep dreaming. I have a boyfriend.”

A boring, predictable, video games loving boyfriend who was too lazy to go out on most days and stayed in his room instead. 

I might have gone out without him, but I wasn't going to cheat or flirt with a guy who'd forget about me by morning.

Red Flag crossed his arms behind his head, showing off his tattoos. "Boyfriend's not a tree. He can move."

"And I have a brain. I can decide," I fired back.

"Yeah, duh." He shrugged. "The decision's easy. I'm here; he's...where's the dude, again?"

I glanced at Red Flag's smug face. He reminded me of Jared, who was convinced the world revolved around him and if he asked nicely, the Earth would stop spinning. Why was it so easy for guys to be so confident even if they had nothing to back it up?

"He's busy,” I said. 

Red Flag didn't seem to buy it. "That's not how it works, Ivy like the league. If your girl is meeting some rock stars, you tag along. Unless you're a tree."

Nick laughed. "Jeez, dude, and you're not even drunk."

Red Flag rolled his eyes. "Tell me I'm wrong."

"People can be busy," Fin spoke for the second time tonight. "Stop harassing the girl."

His protectiveness was cute, but I'd rather not be treated as a damsel in distress. I'd dealt with too many guys with inflated egos to be intimidated by someone like Red Flag.

I winked. "Don't worry. I can handle him."

Isla and Ava exchanged a look that said you go, girl. I giggled, shrugging.

The waitress reentered the room, carrying the tray with cocktails. I grabbed mine and leaned back on the couch, nursing it.

"Has he got tattoos?"

Red Flag was like a dog with a bone. Unfortunately for him, I didn't believe he really gave a damn about my relationship. He just wanted to test the waters and see how far he could go before I snapped.

I rolled my eyes. "No."

"Piercings?"

"None."

"So what's the appeal of...what's his name?"

"Jackson."

"Dammit. Almost like Jason. Jackson, Jason. Careful, Ivy, don't say my name in the heat of the moment. The tree guy might take it the wrong way."

Damn it. Red Flag's name started with the letter J, too. It was funny that I hadn't realized it sooner. Some people would say it was just a letter, but I didn't believe in coincidences. I was convinced the universe sent us signals to help us out, and ignoring them never brought anything good.

"You could use a cold shower with a sprinkle of reality," I  said, sipping my drink. 

Red Flag grinned, nodding at my glass. "Good?"

"Very." The company was obnoxious, but the cocktail was delicious.

"Not as good as real sex on the beach with me, you know?"

I glared at Red Flag, and the room erupted in laughter. At least we made everyone laugh.

"We're gonna dance," Jim said, standing and taking Ava with him. "Be right back."

Ava gave us a small wave. I left my empty glass on the table and nodded at Isla. “Let's go dance too?”

She hopped off the couch. We left the VIP room and joined the mass of sweaty bodies on the dance floor. 

I moved with ease despite wearing high heels. So did Isla, cute in her black dress with her bright auburn hair cascading down her back. 

In my peripheral vision, Red Flag was dancing next to Fin, who moved way too shyly for someone as handsome as he was.

Nick danced up to us. He said something in Isla's ear, and she laughed, shaking her head.

A slow song replaced the EDM track. Ava and Jim were locked in a hug, Nick danced with Isla, and I wasn't in the mood to sway to the ballad alone. 

I went to the bar and sat on a stool. After ordering a beer, I scanned the crowd. My friends were having fun, the place was amazing, and even the beer I was sipping was the best I'd tried. 

So why the hell wasn't I happy?

Because deep down, Red Flag was right. Jackson wasn't here because he didn't care. I wasn't naïve; I knew most guys Jackson's age wanted a girlfriend to have fun and sex, in either order. What we had wasn't deep. 

It used to be enough, but suddenly I wasn't sure it was anymore. Jackson's lack of attention started to feel like disrespect, and I didn't like it one bit.

I took my bottle and slid off the stool. Dodging the dancers, I set out for the club's exit. Fresh air would help me pull myself together and stop being a killjoy.

Only a few people stood chatting next to the entrance. Although the music coming from the club disrupted the quiet, the night was peaceful and beautiful. 

I took a drink, scanning the street. As my eyes paused on a building across from Starlit, everything I drank threatened to climb my throat.

Jackson was there. Laughing with his friends, about to enter a bar. 

He wasn't going to study on a Saturday, after all. 

“Who are you looking at?”

I jumped, startled. 

Isla rubbed my back, chuckling softly. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. So? Who are those guys?”

I forced myself to take a drink and put on what I hoped was a relaxed expression. “I've got zero clue. I was just people watching.”

“You could be people watching inside.” 

Isla smiled at me. She was too perceptive for her own good, but I didn't want to tell her that the guy who couldn't find the time to meet my friends had no problem going out with his.

“I just needed some fresh air,” I said. “You can go back. I'll join you in a few.”

“Don't take long.”

As soon as Isla left, I blew out a long breath. Jackson wasn't there anymore, and although I could text him and call him out on his lie, I decided against it.

Footsteps sounded behind me. My pulse picked up speed, and I turned around. 

Red Flag stood with his hands tucked in the pockets of his faded jeans.

“Guess we got off on the wrong foot, Ivy like  the league. Let's try again. My name is Jason, but please, call me Jay.”