"Avina..." Zera trailed off, now standing in front of me with a shocked look. "I didn't expect to see you here."

With the alcohol buzzing through me, I couldn't help but feel caught off guard, overwhelmed, and more importantly, like I could throw up at any moment.

I recognized Sophie and Harrison from when I last met them, but I could tell they were a little standoffish by the way they stood on either side of Zera, waiting for my next move. Luckily, Jade stood beside me almost mimicking the energy that Sophie and Harrison gave off.

"Me either," I said, not exactly knowing what to say.

I mean, what do you say to your girlfriend's ex, who used to be your friend—or is still your friend?

Ugh, I don't know.

Zera sighed, "I'm still a little upset with how things went."

Wait, what?

I think that was the last thing I expected her to say. And the fact that she sounds genuine—like it's killing her to even admit it, only makes me more confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked, not understanding her viewpoint. How did things go?

Zera furrowed her brows, "You knew I was Cayd's—Cayden's ex and you still befriended me."

I felt jealousy shoot through me at the nickname she used—even if she corrected herself, I didn't like the idea of her unconsciously calling her that. I didn't like the idea of them together—or Cayden with anyone else in the first place.

Cayden's mine—and I know that. She makes it undeniably clear, but standing in the same club face-to-face with her ex still feels incredibly humbling.

"I didn't know you were her ex Zera," I said, and I meant that. I honestly didn't know she was her ex, although, I knew they had some kind of connection—I just didn't know the exact details.

Zera laughed, but I could tell it was forced. "You expect me to believe that?" she asked. "The irony of us meeting and becoming friends is extremely slim."

Is she serious right now? Who would even do that? Purposefully befriend someone's ex?

"You sought me out, Zera. Remember?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "Who's to say you didn't befriend me because you knew about Cayden and me?"

I could tell the alcohol was still pumping through me by the anger mixing within it. Zera's presence along with her allegations wouldn't normally have this big of an effect on me, but I'm way too far from being sober and I can tell Zera is too, which scares me. This situation could go one of two ways.

"Look we don't have to do this—I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding," Jade bargained, trying to be the middle man, which I knew killed her. Jade is usually the wild and unpredictable one, but I'm guessing she knows that's me in this scenario and someone has to be the calm one.

Zera tucked one of her curly strands behind her ear, contemplating something that I'm so desperately trying to figure out. "Yeah... you're right. I technically did come up to you first Vina. I guess I didn't really think about that," she said, nodding slightly. "I just... people can be weird sometimes, so I just thought—"

"That I was? That I would go out of my way to do something like that?" I asked, my tone still sounding irritated. I knew I needed to calm down but I was already angered by her intentions with this conversation—and the alcohol swirling in my system wasn't helping me calm back down.

Zera hesitantly nodded. "Yeah, I guess I was just trying to find a way to place my hurt feelings elsewhere instead of acknowledging them," she said. "I was delusional honestly, Cayden was really distant and cold but even then, I still kept trying."

I tensed slightly, knowing the side of Cayden that she was referring to. Luckily I don't see that side anymore, but it's weird to think that Zera experienced the same thing.

"Look..." Zera trailed off, unsure of whether she should say what she was thinking. "I'm sure you know how Cayden can be... hot and cold. She gets bored after a few months and then she's back to that same cold nature. So for your sake, I wouldn't get too comfortable."

I stayed silent, for some reason anger was roaming through my warm body at an alarming rate. Even if she seemed genuine, it felt extremely backhanded. Or maybe I was internalizing it a bit?

"You guys probably won't last past the summer," Zera said, smiling weakly at me.

Even with her gentle and kind tone—her statement completely contrasted it. Suddenly before I could shut down the impulsive thoughts—I was throwing my red-colored drink on her, turning her white dress a faded red. Gasps were heard from not only her, but her two friends standing beside her and anyone else who got splashed in the process.

"What the fuck!" she exclaimed, shivering.

My eyes widened when my thoughts finally caught up to my actions, realizing I actually just threw my drink on her. She definitely deserved it, but I probably shouldn't have escalated the situation that far.

"Time to go," Jade said, guiding me away from Zera, whose friends are now pulling her away toward the bathrooms before she can say or do anything else.

"She deserved it," I murmured and I meant it from the bottom of my heart. Why would she even say something like that?

Jade nodded, grabbing both of our coats from our section and leading me out of the club. When we slid into the Uber, I noticed Jade smiling slightly.

"I'm sorry," she said, holding her hand to her lips. "I shouldn't be condoning this behavior, but that was so fucking funny."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I really can't believe I just did that."

"Me either," Jade said, laughing more. "Did you see her face?" she asked, which made me laugh harder.

The entire drive, Jade and I kept laughing over the situation—mostly because we were still drunk. Either way, I found it to be hilarious and I couldn't wait to tell Cayden about it. I also couldn't wait to change into comfortable clothes—preferably Cayden's—and fall asleep in her arms.

When the Uber arrived at the familiar condominium, my heart bursted in my chest with excitement. Even if my body felt intensely tired and my head was pounding, I still couldn't wait to see Cayden. But I definitely knew I'd be hitting the bed within the next ten or fifteen minutes. I said a brief goodbye to Jade and headed into the warm building and rode the elevator up.

When I made it into the familiar condo, I noticed Cayden was now seated on the couch, wearing the same outfit except her glasses were now off.

She held her iPad in her hand using her apple pen to sketch some new designs for her brand. She instantly looked up, hearing my presence due to my heels, which I was currently sliding off.

"Baby," I said, smiling as she put her iPad and pen down, making her way over to me. God, I'm so tired. I could literally collapse into her arms right now. Dancing for hours in heels and a few shots of alcohol will do it to you.

Cayden chuckled. "I assume you had fun."

She looks so good right now, and her hair looks so soft now that it's dry.

I nodded. "You look so good even when you don't try," I said, pulling her closer to me by the band of her sweatpants. I wanted her.

Right now.

Cayden chuckled. "Vi, I know you're incredibly drunk and probably tired," she said, basically saying that sex was off the table for right now. "Are you hungry? Thirsty maybe?"

I suddenly noticed how uncomfortably dry my throat was. "Water," I said, making my way over to the fridge.

Cayden followed me, "I'll make you some water... you go get ready for bed," she said, grabbing a glass from one of the cabinets. "Can you do that? Or do you need help?"

My insides grew warm at how caring and patient she was being with me. "I can do that," I said, a smile growing on my face.

"And you aren't hungry?" she asked.

I shook my head, knowing I definitely couldn't eat right now. I'm tired and I honestly think I had too much to drink. "Not really," I said.

Cayden nodded, filling the cup with water as I made my way into the bedroom. I first peeled my clothes off, pulling on one of Cayden's oversized t-shirts with nothing else on underneath except for my underwear. Next, I took my makeup off and washed my face to the best of my ability before brushing my teeth.

By the time I finished, Cayden was back in our bedroom, plugging up her iPad and setting her apple pen beside it. I noticed my glass of water was on the nightstand along with some ibuprofen. I smiled at her thoughtfulness, climbing into the bed before impatiently grabbing the water and drinking it.

After drinking some of the cold water and taking the pills, I felt satisfied, especially with Cayden climbing into the soft bed—wrapping her warm arms around me.

We laid in silence, but as I neared the verge of falling into a full-on deep sleep, I remembered that I never told Cayden about what happened with Zera.

"Cay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I tried my best to stay awake.

Cayden lazily hummed. "Yes?"

"I saw your ex at the club," I said, and I realized right after I said it that it was a bit straightforward. I'd probably regret waiting to tell her until the morning due to my current state, but I just couldn't wait.

"You did?" she asked, her raspy voice soft and low.

I nodded, my eyes still closed. "She was being really mean so I threw my drink on her."

Cayden pulled back fully. "Avina what?" she asked. "Why would you do that?"

I furrowed my brows, confused with her tone, but I was too tired to even question it at this point. "Because she was being mean."

I heard Cayden let out a stressful sigh, retracting her arms from around me and pulling away fully. I groaned, hating the loss of warmth she previously provided.

"Where are you going?" I asked, keeping my heavy eyes clamped shut. I wanted to wake up and ask more questions—see why she seemed to be acting upset over the matter, but I seriously couldn't find the energy.

"I'm not tired right now, but I'll be in here later," she said, and seconds later I heard her footsteps recede out of the bedroom.

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