Mitch hesitated. He took another step away from me and I thought he was planning to ignore my question.

But then he stopped. And as his words drifted back towards me I wished like hell he had walked away without saying anything.

“Messing with my heart.” He took a deep breath and I held mine, afraid to make a noise. Wishing I could crawl away and hide forever.

He turned just a fraction and his sad, sad eyes met mine. “Just when I think it’s finally started to heal, you stomp on it all over again. And I keep letting you.” He sounded so sad. So tired.

I hated myself for making him feel that way.

Then he was gone and I was left emptier than I had ever been before.

I shouldn’t be here.

I really, really shouldn’t be here.

My head was pounding and I wanted a drink. It would be so easy too seeing that we were in a bar and all.

I could just go up to the cute bartender and flirt a little. Smile and show him some cleavage. Then I could order a gin and tonic, my favorite. Maybe ask him to put an extra lime in it. I could be finished with it before anyone realized I was gone.

“Earth to G, where’d you go?” A hand waved in front of my face and I clamped down my mind on all thoughts having to do with drinking binges.

I gave Vivian a smile. “Sorry. My mind just wandered a bit.”

She wrapped her arm around my waist and bumping my hip with hers. “How can you think about anything else when they’re up there? I mean, look at him,” she breathed dreamily, staring up at her boyfriend who was currently dry humping the mic stand.

I chuckled. “Yeah, he’s a sight to behold.”

“I just wish more people were here to see them,” Maysie said sadly, coming up beside me.

I looked around at the half-empty room and it made my heart hurt. Because Maysie was right, Generation Rejects were an amazing band and the room should be full of fans.

The room may be only half-full but at least the people who were listening seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“Well, that just means more room for us to do our thang ,” I yelled over the music, grabbing Vivian and Maysie’s hands and pulling them towards the stage. “Come on, Ri, show your man that you’re having a good time!”

The four of us stood in a group just in front of the stage shaking our asses with everything we had. Riley bobbed on the balls of her feet, pumping her arms above her head. Viv and I moved our bodies together and I noticed how Cole watched her the entire time. She grinned up at him and pulled down her dress just enough to give him an eyeful of what he’d be getting later.

Cole dropped to his knees on the stage and crawled to the edge. Women around us started to squeal and shriek and Vivian glared at each and every one of them.

“I swear to God if they touch him, I will cut a bitch,” she growled.

I shook my head. “I don’t think he’s bothered about anyone else, Viv. Chill out.”

And it was true. Cole’s eyes were fastened on his girlfriend, sweat dripping from his face. He leaned down and cupped his hand around the back of her head, pulling her forward.

During a break in the music he planted his lips on Viv’s and kissed her like they were all alone. Or in public. They kissed the same either way.

“Get a room!” Riley yelled once they had parted and Cole was back on his feet, singing to the crowd.

Vivian made a show of licking her lips and casted some serious stink eye in the groupies’ direction.

“Hey, there’s Sophie, maybe we should go over and say hello,” Maysie said, indicating the petite woman standing just to the right of the stage.

“She could always come over here, you know,” Vivian pointed out.

“Yeah, but maybe we should make more of an effort to include her. It’s got to be hard hanging out with a group of people that have already been friends for years,” Maysie pointed out.

“It’s not like she tries to get to know anyone, though, Mays. Garrett says she’s glued to Mitch’s side and that’s it. No one really knows much about her, even after all this time,” Riley added.

Maysie scowled at the three of us. “Show some compassion, guys. If you don’t want to do it for Sophie, do it for Mitch, our friend. She’s his girlfriend after all.”

Damn. That hurt.

Vivian glanced at me and I tried to smile. I failed miserably.

“Okay. Yeah, let’s go talk to her,” I piped up. Talking to Sophie was the last thing I wanted to do. I’d rather walk over broken glass barefoot. Or swallow a mouthful of wasps. Or shave my legs with a dull razor.

But it seemed I was a glutton for punishment.

And Maysie was right. She was Mitch’s girlfriend. And if he was happy, I was happy.

I just had to keep reminding myself of that.

Vivian’s eyes widened in surprise at my suggestion and I quickly walked towards Sophie before my roommate could make any comments.

“Hey Sophie,” I said once I reached her.

Sophie looked my way with a smile on her face. When she realized it was me, the smile froze in place and then slowly disappeared. Huh. Interesting.

“Hi, Gracie,” she said after a few minutes.

“Hey, Sophie! Great show, right?” Maysie asked, joining me a few seconds later. Riley and Vivian soon followed.

Sophie tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “Yeah, it’s not bad.”

Vivian frowned. “Not bad? They’re amazing!”

Sophie shrugged. “If this is your type of thing, sure.”