Chapter 10 #6
“Look who we have here. Hey, Miller.” A feminine voice broke the spell. I immediately turned to see the gorgeous black-haired girl giving Neil a casual smile.
It hadn’t occurred to me that these two might have already known each other, and my shock was obvious.
She touched Neil’s side, and he did absolutely nothing to remove her hand.
“You’re here, too, Megan?” He heaved a sigh of annoyance and finally moved away from her touch. Megan checked him out just like every other girl in the club had, but Neil remained cold and apathetic.
“You remember Britney?” The beauty gestured to the small blond girl at her side, and as I examined her huge eyes, sensual lips, and long, light hair, I remembered precisely where I’d seen her before: in the pool house.
It was her. The same girl who’d given Neil a blow job right in front of me.
A sudden storm of emotions had me wobbling on my stool. I tried to project indifference, but the dark-haired girl saw how upset I was. Her gaze moved to me and immediately slid down my body. Was she actually checking out my legs? Embarrassment washed over me.
“I gave you my number. I thought you’d call.” Britney faced Neil directly, clearly disappointed. Neil, however, just kept wearing the same grim, uncaring expression.
He had already used this one. Once was enough for him.
“Must have lost it somewhere,” he answered vaguely. “Maybe in the toilet? Who can say?” He was truly sneering at her now. I couldn’t help but pity her even as I also felt relief. Neil hadn’t seen her after the pool house so they’d never slept together again.
I knew I was being irrational, but that discovery pleased me.
Fortunately, I couldn’t recall any of this girl’s specific gifts because I’d been trying not to look in the pool house specifically, so I wouldn’t have those obscene images burned into my mind.
Still, I felt a burning sensation in my stomach at the knowledge that this girl had touched Neil.
She knew his taste that we’d discussed earlier while I’d never experienced that particular intimacy with him. The very thought of it made me tremble with jealousy.
“See, Britney? Never put your faith in assholes, because this is what happens,” Megan cut in, shaking her head.
Neil stood up from his stool and managed to make them both flinch with the sheer imposition of his body. These women both feared and desired him, and it was frustrating to watch them become so enthralled with his presence.
“I can’t stand you, and I can’t stand these stupid theatrics,” he snapped at Megan.
“I’m going to the bathroom; I’ll be right back,” he said to me, his voice softening. The other girls furrowed their brows, perhaps wondering why Neil Miller was bothering to tell me where he was going. I just nodded and watched him walk into the crowd.
“Are you his girlfriend?” Britney asked me.
I turned to her and caught her watching me haughtily.
“You must be Selene. My sister has told me so much about you.” Megan, unlike her friend, stuck out her hand for me to shake. I gave her a puzzled look.
“Yeah, that’s me. Have we met?” I reciprocated her handshake, and she smiled at me.
“No, I’m Alyssa’s sister,” she explained.
Oh, so this was the famous Megan whom Alyssa had told me about so often.
I felt my attitude toward her shift immediately and become much more friendly.
She was my friend’s sister, after all. The only friend with whom I’d really established a close relationship here in New York.
“Oh yeah! We’re really good friends.”
“She told me.” She approached the bar and signaled for the bartender to bring her two beers. “You want something?” she added kindly.
I shook my head as she confirmed the two drinks with the bartender.
Her perfume smelled really good, and her green eyes were very appealing.
A little mole next to her Cupid’s bow caught my attention.
She didn’t look much like Alyssa. She grabbed the two beers the bartender handed her.
I was about to make conversation and pass the time while we waited for Neil to come back when an outraged Jennifer stalked toward me in her signature boxer braids.
Her skinny jeans were ripped at the knees, and her white shirt was cut way too low.
She looked as beautiful as she was dangerous.
She halted in front of me and stared wrathfully at me.
I hadn’t seen her since the night of Halloween, and I had been hoping to continue not seeing her for a long time.
“Where is he?” she burst out, not caring at all that she was interrupting a conversation. I sighed, determined not to let her steamroll me.
“Who are you talking about?” I asked, playing dumb. No way was I going to tell her where Neil was. The bitch would probably have followed him into the bathroom and offered him a BJ on the spot.
“Don’t give me that shit, you snot-nosed little brat,” she hissed, and my eyes widened. I wasn’t going to let her attack me like she did before. If she tried to put her hands on me, I wasn’t just going to roll over.
“Where the fuck is Neil? I’ve been calling him for hours, and he hasn’t answered. He’s spent this whole night with you, hasn’t he?” she continued angrily. She sounded like a hyena. Apparently it still wasn’t clear to Jennifer that Neil was not with her—he wasn’t with anyone.
“You’re a slow learner, aren’t you, honey? Neil can spend the night with whoever he likes. You two are not together,” I needled her. Megan stood next to me, sipping her beer but watching Jennifer with the same level of animosity the blond girl had shown to me.
Jennifer shook her head and licked her lips, preparing her counterassault.
“While you were off in Detroit, he was with me. Want to guess what we were doing? Do you want me to tell you all the details?” She laughed with gusto, and I wanted to slap her so badly.
I’d been pretty confident that there had been more sexual encounters between the two of them—Alyssa had basically told me as much—but hearing it from the Queen Bitch herself had a cratering effect on my mood.
All my confidence wavered, and I could barely keep from crying.
Tears were the way I vented everything—love, disappointment, and anger—but I had to control myself just then.
“Miller only ever looks you up when he wants to get it wet. Doesn’t seem like much to brag about, does it?” Megan put in, coming to my defense. She brought the beer up to her lips and stared Jennifer down with a cocky grin. It was only then that Jennifer noticed the other girl’s presence.
“And where did you come from, Xena Warrior Princess?” she heckled. Megan set her beer down on the counter and moved toward her, cocking her head to one side, and she scrutinized Jennifer carefully.
“Play nice, you little bitch. Or else you’re gonna go home with these pretty little braids shoved right up your ass,” she said in a menacing whisper, grabbing her by one of those same long braids.
For the second time since I’d met her, I saw Jennifer look afraid.
Megan loomed over her. “I don’t give a shit whether you run with the Krew or fuck Miller or play the queen fucking bee.
I’m not afraid of you or your little gang.
So piss off!” she snapped, releasing her abruptly.
Jennifer stumbled back, and Megan continued to shield me with her body as she stared the other girl down fearlessly.
Jennifer straightened up and glowered at both of us.
“You’re going to pay for that. Both of you!” She pointed threateningly at us and left.
I got up from my stool, finally able to breathe again. I just wanted to go home. Jennifer wasn’t the type to give up easily, and her being in the club made me feel unsettled.
“Thanks,” I murmured. Megan turned back to me and smiled, grabbing her beer and taking a drink.
“Don’t mention it. You’re not like her; that’s why she’s jealous,” she told me, sitting down on my stool. “Plus, you’re beautiful. The beautiful ones always want assholes like Miller, and Jennifer is obsessed with the guy,” she continued, looking up at my face.
“We’re not together,” I clarified quickly. Neil hadn’t given Jennifer up, after all, just like he hadn’t chosen me. Jennifer’s jealousy was unfounded.
Megan was about to answer back, but someone interrupted her.
“Selene!” called a male voice.
I whirled around to see Luke hurrying toward me, looking concerned.
“Are you okay?” he skidded to a stop in front of me, panting. He even had to lean on the bar for a second to get his breath back.
“She’s fine, Parker. But do try to keep your poodle on a leash. She’s very annoying,” Megan answered for me, shooting me a grin.
“Fuck, I told her to just let it go, but Jennifer…” Luke sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “She loses her shit when it comes to Neil,” he explained.
Over-the-top charisma, sexual dominance, magnetic stare, beauty—everything about Neil was unusual. Unusual enough to attract the obsessive interest of women, and I was no exception.
The pattern was simple: Neil used a girl, she fell in love with him, and then she paid the price in unrequited feelings.
What about me? Was I going to pay as well?
“Oh, there you are.” Megan’s green eyes looked over my shoulder. Instinctively, I turned to find Neil’s marble chest right in front of my nose. How good did his sweater smell? How good did he smell?
I lifted my chin and met his eyes, which were already aimed at me. He observed me in that unknowable way that always muddled my thoughts.
“Everything okay?” His voice—his lovely voice—caressed my senses. Every fear and worry melted away in the face of the ardor he made me feel.