TroyOutside, the temperature had dropped further. Fiona immediately wrapped her arms around herself, shivering."Two blocks that way," I said, pointing.She took three steps, wobbling on her heels, before stopping. "I can't. My feet are killing me.""Are you serious right now?""These shoes weren't made for walking, Troy. They were made for standing around looking pretty at parties where everything you need is brought to you on silver trays."I couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or just brutally honest. Either way, it was probably the most self-aware thing she'd said all night."Fine. Take them off and I'll carry you again."
TroyThe diner looked different up close—older, grimier, with that particular smell unique to places that never close: burnt coffee, industrial cleaner, and decades of grease embedded in every surface. Through the windows, I could see a handful of night owls scattered among the booths, most hunched over phones or laptops.Fiona struggled with her shoes, trying to balance on one foot while sliding the other into a stiletto. She wobbled dangerously."Just—hold on to my arm," I said, offering it reluctantly.She hesitated only a moment before grabbing me, her fingers digging into my bicep harder than necessary. Once she'd managed to get both shoes on, we headed inside, the bell above the door announcing our arrival with a cheerful jingle that felt out of place at nearly 4 AM.
Troy"I'm hungry."I looked at Fiona sprawled across my couch, hair a mess, makeup smudged, dress wrinkled beyond salvation. The Kingston heiress reduced to this—a drunk, disheveled mess in my living room."Of course you are," I said, not bothering to hide my irritation.She stared at me with those unfocused eyes, waiting for me to solve this problem like I'd solved all her others tonight. Saving her from Jackson. Getting her out of the club. Bringing her somewhere safe. Now I was supposed to feed her too."Can you even stand?" I asked.She pushed herself up, swaying slightly but managing to stay upright. "See? Fine.""Congratulations. You've mastered
Fiona"Will you fuck me?"Troy looked at me for a long moment, his expression shifting from surprise to something like pity. "You're high.""And?""And no, I'm not going to fuck you." His voice was flat. "I don't like you enough to afford you that luxury."I snorted. "Do you like me a little?""I don't like you even in the slightest." He looked away, jaw tightening. "I can't like someone who's mean to my best friend."That made me laugh, the sound sharp and brittle in the quiet street. "Best friend? My sister is your best friend?"Troy's eyes flashed with frustration.
FionaTo be broken is to be sad.I blinked, trying to bring the world back into focus. The harsh fluorescent light of the bathroom made everything too sharp, too real. I turned to face the figure in the doorway, my vision swimming.Troy. Of course it was Troy.He stood there, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. The contrast between his crisp button-down and the grungy bathroom was almost comical."Why are you everywhere?" The words came out slurred from my mouth.Behind me, Jackson straightened, tugging his pants back up. "Who the fuck are you?"Troy didn't even look at him. His eyes remained fixed on me, something like disgust flickering across hi
I forgot to draw a line. Now, obsession and stupidity look the same.The warehouse throbbed with music so loud I could feel it in my chest, a physical pressure that made breathing different. Strobe lights cut through smoke, turning moving bodies into stop-motion silhouettes. The smell hit me first—sweat, alcohol, and something chemical that might have been drugs or might have just been cheap fog machine fluid.Dara grabbed my arm, pulling me through the crush of bodies. "Jackson said he's in the VIP section. Text him we're here!"I fumbled for my phone, the screen too bright against the darkness. My fingers felt clumsy as I typed.Here. Where r u?A reply came almost instantly: