I couldn't stop staring at the message Hero had sent. 

"Fuck!" I hissed under my breath. 

He said he was coming to get me.

How would he even know where I was?

I hadn't told him what club we were headed to.

"What's wrong?" Josephine asked. "Was it that bad?"

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. 

"No... I... Hero... he just texted me."

Brendan laughed at this. "What? Bad boy can't seem to stay away from you for five minutes? I love that possessive shit."

Josephine giggled along with this private joke, but I wasn't finding this very funny. Who in the hell had taken that photo?

Who did I know was crazy enough to do that? 

Well, Kylie, Ellie, or even Annie for that matter weren't exempt. Maybe it was time to visit the frat one more time. 

"He's not happy with me," I frowned, feeling an intense headache hit my skull, "Someone sent him a picture of Cole giving me a hug... he thinks we had a night out I think..."

Jo must have sensed this night was going downhill fast because she voiced her concerns. 

"I can see where that might look bad. Just tell him that wasn't the case- I'm sure there is an explanation."

"Jo," I began, "You know it isn't simple with how he makes everything worse than it actually is... but there is an explanation.. I'm not sure if you've seen the headlines, but there was..."

I looked back at Brendan knowing I'd be judged for this. 

"There was a sex tape taken of me when Hero and I... you know.."

Jo clapped her hands to her mouth. Brendan looked mystified. 

"Hero didn't-" Josephine began, but I interrupted. 

"No. I mean... he did, but... those friends of his at the frat blackmailed him into doing it. It's a long story. But... I think one of them may have followed us here."

Brendan held up a finger, waggling it.

"Oh no, that's some messed up drama. Here's what I think; let Hero get here and have his bitch fit. But if he loves you, he'll get to the bottom of finding who followed you here, mark my words."

I nodded, hoping that he was right.
 
About ten minutes passed and we didn't see any sight of Hero. 

I began to feel pressure push on my bladder as I sat waiting for him. Without another word, I rushed to the bathrooms, glad to see that there wasn't a line congregating outside.

I instantly felt relief as I finished, quickly exiting the stall. 

After washing my hands and face, I stood staring at my face for the longest time. Why was I so dang nervous?

I looked sick and pale. This definitely wouldn't help my case. 

When I entered the bar once more, the floor was emptied, though I was shocked at what I saw.

Hero was bursting through the doors of the bar, yelling at the bartender. 

"WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?"

The poor bartender shook in his boots, sounding like a scared little puppy. 

"I-I'm not sure what you mean-"

"My girlfriend!" Hero shouted. "She has red hair! There was some motherfucker with his hands all over her! What do you fucking run here, a brothel?"

The bartender began sobbing. "I don't know, man! I only joined this joint to get money for my mother's surgery!"

I now noticed that every patron in the bar was now staring, not quite knowing what to do. 

"Hero, stop!" I screamed running right for him. "He's only doing his job!"

He laughed callously.

"Where were you? Fucking Cole?"

I gasped, embarrassed at his jealousy.

"Why are you acting like this? Cole was here for five minutes, tops. He gave me a hug, that was all."

Hero tugged at his hair. "A bit convenient that you two were here together don't you think?"

I glowered, already feeling weak. "Let's take this outside. I will not let you ruin anyone else's night."

As I made my way out the doors, I heard Hero's footfalls right behind me. I was surprised to see that Josephine and Brendan had followed. 

"Come on," I went on, "You really think I would cheat on you? With him? How did you even get that photo?"

Hero scoffed. "It doesn't matter how I got it... what matters is you being unfaithful..."

"Unfaithful?" I exclaimed. "You of all people want to talk about being unfaithful? I could stand here accusing you of going around town with Kylie but I don't."

At this, Hero's face fell.

I didn't stop scolding him. 

"You don't think this is a little odd? After that horrid sex tape leaking, you don't think someone still has it out for us?"

Hero took a deep breath.

"I know it wasn't Kylie."

"How do you know?"

He swallowed harshly. 

"Diedre sent me the photo. Said she overheard you two flirting it up."

I stood with my mouth wide open not knowing what else to say. 

Brendan looked clueless from the side. 

"Who in the hell is Diedre?" He asked. 

I ignored his questioning, giving Hero the darkest look I could muster. 

"Your grandmother? Your grandma was stalking me and my friends tonight?"

Hero looked up from under his lashes. "She was trying to protect me..."

I tried to refrain from lashing out, but I couldn't help myself. 

"You're really okay with this?" I shouted. "I swear to god, she has everything against me! That woman will do anything to tear us apart! Clearly, it won't take much..."

"If it helps," Josephine said hurriedly, "We weren't expecting him. He showed up out of nowhere."

"I second that," Brendan piped in, "Trust me, If my girl was cheating on you, she wouldn't see the light of day."

This seemed to be too much for Hero. He groaned, storming out of the bar. 

"Fuck this! Fuck all of you!"

It grew silent for the longest time until Brendan broke the ice.

"Are you okay? Should I drive you home?"

I shook my head. "No. Hero can sulk and think. If you could give me a ride somewhere else that would be nice."

Screw all this.

I was going to head to Dorinda's house.

If anyone knew where her mother was, it was her. 

I was going to get it through to Diedre that she wouldn't get away with this.

I feel bad for the bartender 😂

Love you all

Had to give you some drama 😭