Page 68 of The Bitter Words

Chapter Fifteen

LIVIANNA/LILY

Then

Class-Cut Smile & Borrowed Skin

The powder burns clean, but the mirror insists I’m wearing someone else’s face.

“Hey, vixen. You’re killing me again, being so sexy.” Callum strolls up, wiping blow from his nose. He leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Get up. You’re in my seat and you can sit in my lap. That way I can feel your body all over me.”

I want to scream because of his lack of acknowledgment that I haven’t heard from him all day, but it won’t do any good. It never does. At least he still seems to want me when we see each other.

I stand. “Were you going to tell me you planned to hang out with the guys all night?”

“Sorry, love.” He sits and pulls me onto his lap. “I lost track of time.”

“You always…” I take a breath and glance around the table.

All the guys are watching us, waiting for a fight to break out between Callum and me. They’re on edge as much as I am when we’re all together.

We tend to get into arguments or full-blown fights lately, so I can’t say I blame them. I never know what side of Callum I’m going to get.

It appears I’m getting the affectionate side tonight. I should be grateful, but I’m almost at the end of my rope.

Cooper motions to the server who Bren screws from time to time. “Livianna, you want anything?”

I address Bren. “How are you getting home?”

“You. Unless I go home with someone else.” He scans the room and his gaze lands on his fallback.

She smiles and winks. He tips his chin to her. Yeah, I’m on my own, but I want a drink and this is the only place where I get served.

It’s a members-only club where we pay cash at the door. They don’t ID anyone, but your name has to be on the list. Until they get caught serving underage people, this is the place all of us young stars hang out to party.

It’s a little secret. You don’t find out about it unless you’ve been deemed worthy and not someone who would let too many people know about it.

The staff checks to make sure none of us are driving if we’ve been drinking. If we have, they demand we get a ride service.

I’ve even seen them pay for someone before. I guess they don’t want the lawsuits.

“Yeah, Cooper.” I slide my arm around Callum’s neck. “Order me a double vodka soda with a twist of lime. I need to catch up to all of you.”

“Consider it done, beautiful.” Cooper glances at Callum, who seems unfazed by the comment.

He either trusts Cooper or he doesn’t care. In the past,someone calling me beautiful in front of Callum would’ve ended up with a stern warning to stay the fuck away.

He squeezes my thighs. “I’ve got some coke if you want it.”

I give myself a few seconds to decide. It’s Saturday night and I don’t have to work tomorrow.

“Please.” I stand and point to the bathroom. “Lead the way.”

He gets up, takes my hand, and guides me into a unisex bathroom with his head held high. At least he’s still proud to have me on his arm.

He waits until I’m in, then locks the door behind me. “How much do you want?”

“How much do you have?”