Chapter 2

Isable's POV

Rhea told funny stories from her ski trips, and everyone listened intently.

Johnny kept piling food onto my plate until it was a small mountain. I didn't touch any of it, and he didn't notice.

After dinner, Rhea suggested checking out a new bar. Naturally, everyone followed.

She rode in Johnny's car and sat in the back, expecting me to pass her whatever she needed. "That's what the passenger seat is for, isn't it? Waiting on people," she said.

Johnny said nothing and let Rhea's dig slide.

She kept talking to Johnny about things from their childhood. I couldn't get a word in.

In the past, I would have asked who went by the nickname Tiger or what had actually happened by the river they were talking about. I used to ask questions about everything, trying to remember everyone's stories so I could feel like part of the circle.

But this time, I just sat quietly in my seat, barely reacting to anything.

When we got out of the car, Johnny ruffled my hair. "You did well this time. You learned not to interrupt. I'll give you an extra point."

My hand froze on the seatbelt buckle. "Johnny, I must have looked pretty ridiculous all those years, asking question after question, huh?"

Johnny's expression darkened. "I just praised you, and you're doing it again. Don't upset Rhea like you did at dinner, or you're getting a zero next year."

At the bar, Rhea seemed to be in a good mood. She told me to sit beside her in the middle of the sofa.

I didn't want to, but Glenn Burton pulled me over. "Rhea told you to sit here, so just sit down. Stop standing there looking so miserable. You're making it look like we're bullying you."

Rhea smiled and raised her glass. "Here's to Isabel. I hope she gets a perfect score next year and finally becomes one of us."

Nick Daly snorted. "Absolutely. Hopefully we'll be toasting at Johnny's wedding next year. Rhea already picked out her bridesmaid dress."

She hadn't just picked out her bridesmaid dress. She had even chosen my wedding dress.

Without telling me, she'd already drawn up several wedding plans and dragged Johnny along to rehearse the ceremony with her.

I had objected, but Johnny saw nothing wrong with it.

"Rhea thinks planning a wedding is fun, so what's the harm in letting her enjoy it? I told you, I care a lot about my friends' opinions. If you can't accept that, then forget it," he sneered.

I was naive back then. I thought a boyfriend who valued his friends so much had to be a good thing. If he treated his friends well, surely he'd treat me well too.

But I was wrong. Johnny only cared about his friends. I didn't matter to him.

I hadn't touched my glass, and Rhea looked a little hurt. "Isabel, did I say something wrong and upset you?"

Johnny quickly poured me a drink. "Come on, apologize to Rhea."

The glass was too full. Wine sloshed over the rim and onto my dress. The dress I'd planned to wear for our wedding photos was ruined.

I stared at him. "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?"

Johnny furrowed his brow. "Does that even matter? Just say something nice and apologize to Rhea. Then it'll be over."

Rhea sat with her eyes lowered, smiling faintly. She said nothing, just waiting for me to give in.

I didn't move. Johnny leaned toward me and whispered, "Just play along. Don't ruin everyone's mood."

Every eye was on me. It was hard to breathe.

My hands shook as I downed the whole glass. The alcohol burned all the way down my throat.

I clutched my stomach and doubled over. "I'm sorry," I forced out.

Only then did Rhea's expression relax. When she was happy, everyone else was happy too.

Glenn even praised me for being a good sport. "I'll give you a few extra points next year. I won't let you get a zero again."

In the past, I would have been thrilled to finally get their approval. Now I couldn't even manage a smile.

They went back to drinking and chatting, quickly forgetting the whole incident.

Nick shoved me aside to make room for Rhea, and my back slammed against the marble counter. My face went pale, and I sucked in a sharp breath from the pain.

He raised an eyebrow without a hint of apology. "Rhea needs room. Deal with it."