Sierra had sat next to Abby, and the two of them were chatting like they were long-lost best friends. I had told Abby about the bullies at my old high school and what I went through, but I never told her any names. So when I saw her being so lovely to Sierra, I wanted to vomit in my mouth. I was so scared, and I didn't know what to do; I didn't know how to get Abby away from Sierra.

I sat on the opposite couch, saying nothing. I couldn't even fake a smile. It felt like the walls were closing in. I was scared to breathe too loud or even speak in case I said something stupid. Being around Sierra again turned me into the scared 16-year old I used to be.

Warner was just as tense as I was; I was confused as to why he wasn't kicking her out. In fact, I was kind of upset he was letting her sit with us...what had she whispered in his ear? And why was she texting him? I had so many questions, and all I could do was sit there like a speechless idiot.

"Warner, come sit with me. I missed you," Sierra pouted. I expected him to laugh in her face or decline, but he just got up and sat next to her like some obedient dog. What the fuck.

What happened to not being a spineless coward? God, I was pathetic sometimes. After about ten minutes, I found my voice and got up.

"I'm going to go get ready then" I was the only one in the room not in a Friday night appropriate outfit. We were meant to go to Franks tonight, and the bar would not let me in dressed like this.

"Do you need help?" Abby asks, and I know she can sense something is up. "If you want," I mumble, but I was already walking out of the room.

I closed my door behind me, but Abby barged in and shut the door behind her two seconds later. "Okay, what is up with you? I thought making out with Warner would put you in a good mood, not a bad one."

I raised my eyebrows as to how she knew what we were doing. And she crossed her arms. "Winston and I could hear you, but don't worry, I'm not complaining; it sounded hot." My face went red at her admission, but I let out a little laugh.

"There's the Juliet, I know" she smiled back, and I relaxed a little bit.

Suddenly I felt very determined. "I want to look very hot tonight. Not cute, but HOT. Revenge level hot" I wasn't even looking at Abby anymore; I was looking through all of my clothes. Abby didn't question why and like the good friend she was, she sorted through my clothes with me.

We picked a black Oh Polly dress that was way tighter than I would typically be comfortable with, but I needed to show Sierra that I wasn't her old pushover friend. So just because I was an insecure mess on the inside did not mean I couldn't look like a hot, confident bad bitch on the outside. I did some winged eyeliner and a bit of a smoky eye to add to the look; I was shocked by the difference the makeup made to my face. Whereas normally, I went for soft glam, which made me look approachable and sweet. This makeup had gone full sultry, and I must admit I looked hot, and I loved it.

My dress stopped mid-thigh, I wore a push-up bra, so my cleavage is out to there. My smoky eye shadow makes my eyes look huge. My five-inch stilettos make my legs look impossibly high.

Abby beamed at me "Well, mission was successful, I don't know who we are getting revenge on, but you look hot!" I smiled at her, who was wearing a hot red Oh Polly dress.

"And you, Abby are looking like a snack; no I take that back. You are a full three-course meal" I smacked her butt, and she winked at me.

We walked out into the common room but nobody was there. What the heck? We hadn't taken that long. I checked my phone and frowned.

"Those assholes left without us!" Abby rolled her eyes looking at her phone. I guess Winston relayed the same message. I was so used to Warner being our personal designated driver that I hadn't taken an uber in time.

Also, Warner wasn't driving? That meant he was drinking... and he didn't drink.

I sighed. Abby seemed to notice because after calling our uber she grabbed a bottle of vodka from the freezer and I grabbed a water bottle. We poured the vodka into the bottle and headed down to our uber.

After a few minutes in the uber, I got a text that made my throat go dry.

I try not to freak out right away. He could've just been standing next to a blonde, it doesn't mean Sierra has her claws in him.

When we arrived at Franks it was already packed, Abby and I may have taken too many shots in the uber but we were annoyed that we got left behind.

I stepped out of the uber and reached for my phone. I made sure to text Adam and not Warner because I am petty like that.

We lingered near the door as I debated my plan of action. I had filled Abby in on who Sierra was and she was mad I didn't tell her sooner. A couple of college guys popped out of the bar and both of them stopped to check us out. Their appreciative gazes were based solely on my makeup and fuck-me-silly outfit. But I needed the confidence.

Taking a breath, we walked inside and make our way through the crowd. The music vibrated on the floor beneath my heels as we passed the booths on the left and headed toward the archway where the main room opens onto the game room.

I Instantly spot our friends. The bar is packed full and I see Sarah and Amy sitting at one of the booths looking very close. We walked over and before I could get out a greeting Amy looked ready to fight "Okay who is this blonde bitch all over Warner. I almost pulled her away by her fake hair extensions but I figured I would leave her to you." Sarah put her hand on Amy's thigh and Amy seemed to ease up.

"It's okay she is not worth it trust me but thank you for the heads up" I smiled as Amy turned to Sarah and kissed her on the forehead. After some gossiping, I spotted Adam who was talking to a few guys from the soccer team with a pool cue in his hand. Holding a beer bottle, Winston was watching Adam line up a shot, his own cue resting on the wall beside him.

I finally caught a glimpse of Warner but my heart dropped. He was almost hidden from view in the corner, talking to Sierra who is in a low-cut bodysuit matched with a mini skirt.

I couldn't help but watch her figure and eye how her outfit looked on her. She always looked so much better than me. The bodysuit hugged her in all the right places and the skirt was the perfect length. I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling super uncomfortable in my clothes. My stomach squeezed and I felt sick.

I knew wearing this dress was a bad idea. I look horrible

I try to shake away my inner turmoil and the unwanted thoughts reeling around in my head but it's no use, they don't disappear. My subconscious continues to chastise me for the way I look, nitpicking every detail and every insecurity I have, continuing to compare me to Sierra.

I take a few deep breaths but Abby notices. She grabs my hand and squeezes it "You are the hottest girl in this bar, now show that bitch you are not to be fucked with". Her confidence is what I needed to shut up the voice in my head.

I unbutton my coat, slip it off and hand it to the coat check with Abby. Then I squared my shoulders and sauntered up to the pool table.

A wolf whistle slices through the music courtesy of one of the players named Max. "Je-sus", he marvels at me. "You look bangin" His blue eyes twinkle.

Adam also gave me a once over seeming to not have any words to say to me. I would take that as a success.

Abby snorts. "I think every dude in this bar just sprung a boner." I shrug because I only care about one boner in particular. I wonder if Warner has noticed me yet.

As if on cue Sierra saunters over but she isn't alone nor is she with Warner. Behind her was a guy I had not seen since Warner's pool party in high school. You know the one where my fat ass busted a chair in front of our entire class. He was Sierra's boyfriend at the time, the one who got his ass beat by Warner the same night so I was shocked they were in the same bar together.

"I told you I brought some more friends" her smile was so sweet it made me sick. I didn't let it affect me though I just smiled.

"Nice to meet you I'm Marcus" he shook Abby's hand and gave me a devilish smile. "Looking good Grayson".

I pretend to not be phased so I just join the pool game with the guys and ignore Sierra's stare which I can feel on my back. After a minute or so she saunters off and I wonder what she is up to, surely she didn't come tonight without some plan to cause trouble.

Marcus sticks around though and the guys not knowing any better let him join the game. I don't know what he was playing at but I wasn't going to back down. He stays close to me during the game and when I lean back on the wall to sip my drink he leans next to me. "Sierra told me you changed but had I known you looked like this I would have visited way earlier" he whispered in my ear and I wanted to throw my drink in his face.

He couldn't possibly think that was a compliment? All I could think about was how he was the one who took apart that chair and also one of the people who laughed their asses off at me. He was also the guy who slipped weight loss ads into my locker almost weekly.

I faked a smile at him and sipped my drink. Where the hell was Warner? I scanned the room and sure enough there he was with Sierra of course. She was way too close to my liking, sure I was just as close to Marcus but I did not want to be. I pushed off the wall since it was my turn to shoot, I bent over lining up my stick with the ball but before I shot I realized why so many guys had joined our table and game.

Every time I bent down to take my shot the guys had a full view of either my cleavage from my push-up bra or if they were behind me my ass bent over the table. I looked up and saw I had the attention of Max, Adam, Marcus as well as almost every man in our vicinity. I felt very uncomfortable now. Especially when I looked over at Warner and Sierra and she was whispering in his ear pointing at me. I know how it looked but he had no place to talk.

I took my shot and stood next to Adam trying to get away from Marcus. After a few seconds, I tensed abruptly, feeling Warner approach before he even slides up to me. "You look unbelievable", he says lightly in my ear and I feel my body heat up. But I hear the edge in his voice, and his displeasure is unmistakable. Which is preposterous because what does he have to be peeved about? I am not the one who was in a private corner with Sierra.

"I am going to get a drink." I push away from the table.

"Great idea," Warner says in an overly cheerful voice. "I could use one too."

I clench my teeth as he follows me. It's damn hard to run in these heels, so I settle for a speed-walk and hope I lose him in the crowd.

A squeak flies out of my mouth when I'm suddenly tugged backward.

Warner's lips brush my ear as he growls, "Let's leave, I don't like our company. And if you are trying to mess with me it's working."

My jaw stiffens. I spin around and level him with a glare. "Contrary to what you believe, the world doesn't revolve around you and I am not trying to do anything. But you are the one who seems to be enjoying our company, not me."

I approach the counter, where the throng of men there slide closer. I guess that's one benefit of looking like sex on stilettos. I order a porn star martini and when I open it to get some money, the man next to me puts a bill in the air "I got this--"

Warner rumbles out an annoyed sound. The next thing I know he is yanking out his own card and shoving it at the bartender. "On me, he says sharply. He glares at my other suitors, who all avert their gazes.

"Are you going to pee on me now to mark your territory?" I hiss at him.

His eyes flash. "I don't know -- should I? What the hell is going on tonight Juliet?" Oh no, him cutting the nickname means he is serious. If anyone should be annoyed it is me.

"Nothing" I take the drink the bartender hands me and swiftly duck away from the counter.

Warner stays hot on my heels so I walk faster, and then we are with our friends again and I breathe in relief. I was glad to see Amy and Sarah had joined too and Amy was sending Warner daggers. Good.

Sierra immediately rushes over, and my spine stiffens when she latches her talons onto Warner's bare forearm. The black t-shirt he is wearing stretches across his perfect chest and shows off his perfect arms. He has a drink in hand but I notice he hasn't taken a single sip, throughout the night it has stayed at the same level. It seemed he was keeping it more as a prop.

I swallow a mouthful of my drink and turn to where the rest of our friends stood. Unfortunately, Marcus slides next to me and puts his arm around me. I try to shrug it off but I am too distracted watching Sierra who is whispering something in Warner's ear.

In his defense, he doesn't appear to notice that Sierra is glued to his side. His gaze is fixed on me, and it's growing cloudier by the second, especially when it flicks to Marcus's arm.

"Juliet and I have been besties for years, I have so many photos of us. In fact, I have some funny photos of us from high school on my phone do you guys want to see them?" Sierra's question got my attention real quick.

I felt panicked and Abby gave me a look from across the group her eyes showing her own panic.

Winston not knowing any better nodded his head and grinned "I would love to see some embarrassing photos of those two."

He had no idea just how embarrassing they were

I still didn't know how to react. I was seconds away from everyone in Franks seeing me popping my pimples and getting spinach out of my braces. Both moments I know Sierra had captured in her phone. And those were the flattering ones.

Before I could panic any further Warner brought his arm out and gently grabbed Sierra's wrist that held the phone. "I already told you that won't be necessary" His tone was playful but the look Sierra and him shared was not. Was this what they were discussing before?

The conversation shifted to the guys' soccer game this weekend and I was glad for the subject change. I needed some space from Sierra so I started walking out to the back of the bar to get some air. Like an idiot, I couldn't get the emergency door open so I just walked into a backroom where they store drinks.

I don't bother turning around to see if Warner is following me, because I know he is.

I lean on the back wall "Go away," I tell him crossing my arms but all that did was make him glance down and clench his jaw.

His nostrils flare. "No" Warner snatches my phone from my hand.

"Can I please have my phone back?" I demand.

"No. Not until you tell me why you are pissed at me"

"You seriously have to ask that? I started my night getting a text from Amy saying how cozy you were getting with Sierra. We aren't exclusive or dating so I don't care who you talk to" That was certainly a lie "But SIERRA of all people? Are you kidding me?"

"The only reason I have been talking to Sierra is so she doesn't bother you. I knew that if I kept her attention she would have less time to direct that attention toward you. Yes I know it might look like I was being cold or avoiding you but I thought you would know what I was doing. Especially after I poured my heart out to you not even 24 hours ago". He let out a groan of frustration as if It was so obvious.

And maybe to some it would be but with the voice in my head constantly telling me I wasn't good enough for him it was hard to think anything but the worst-case scenario 24/7.

I don't say anything.

"If anyone should be pissed right now it's me."

My jaw drops. "How so?"

Before I can blink, I'm against the brick wall, and his mouth is inches from mine.

He edges close, and my breath gets trapped in my lungs. His eyes are on fire, his chiselled features twisted into a feral look. He looks so angry and it's hot I can't lie but now is not the time for that. "You seriously have to ask?"

I don't answer

"Do you know how fucking jealous I am right now? Do you think I like seeing every guy in the bar drooling over your tits and standing behind you while you play pool so they can stare at your ass? To watch you with Marcus? I want to rip his eyes out just for looking at you. Especially when you look like that tonight" his eyes roam my body in a way that makes me clench my thighs together.

"Geez, it's 2022 Warner I can wear what I want" my reply was weak but I didn't want him to know how he affected me.

"I don't care how you dress. I want you to wear what makes you feel and look hot because you are. Plus I know how to fight so if anyone did anything I would personally beat the shit out of them and enjoy it. I enjoy having the hottest girl at the bar as my girl but not when she avoids me and spends every second of the night making me watch her with other guys."

My girl

Our faces are so close our lips are almost touching. Is it wrong to say that him being angry turns me on? My virgin ass needs to chill. As if he knew exactly what I was thinking he put his thigh between my legs against the wall. "Don't look at me like that." His lips brush over my ear, eliciting a flurry of shivers.

The hard ridge pressing into my belly distracts me from replying. I can feel my panties dampening. And my nipples are suddenly incredibly sensitive, aching wildly as they pucker against the lace of my bra.

He eases the hem of my dress up and my eyes widen as I look at the door. Sure we were enclosed in a room but we are in public, but Warner doesn't seem to care. Even though it's cold in the room his fingers are surprisingly warm as they dip under the crotch of my panties.

Chuckling, he rubs the wetness pooled there. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

I can't even speak because I have never had a guy touch me where he is touching me. Don't get me wrong that doesn't mean I haven't done it, I have a pink vibrator named Stefan in my drawer at home. But having a guy who looked like Warner touch me there was a whole new experience.

His thumb brushes my clit. I almost fall over. "Warner" I let out a breathy moan but the next thing I know he pulls my dress down and removes his hand. I feel cold and empty now without him but he is grinning at me with a devilish smile.

"It's too bad you weren't nicer to me tonight" he shot me one last smile and walked out of the room leaving me there against the wall out of breath. I didn't know whether to be mad or to jump him. I should be mad but I couldn't help but smile to myself.

Although one thing is for sure, I would get him back for leaving me like this.