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The Tavern is a local pub Zach frequents regularly. It’s located close to the university, so it’s convenient for him and his friends. I’ve been here a couple of times with him to see some live bands play. But it isn’t my scene. It has always been my least favourite place to go with him because they let any dickhead in with an I.D. There’s nothing chill about this place. Even the owners are a mess. The place can get busy, but they drink so much of their own stock, I can’t see them making much money.
I throw my coat into the back of my car, and Hayden’s eyes widen. “Oh, the coat is coming off. She means business.”
I snort. “I’m just taking precautions. I can’t move freely in that coat.”
Hope presses her hands together. “Maybe we should call Landon. Have him meet us here. It won’t take him long.”
“And let him have all the fun?” Hayden remarks. “Fuck no.”
I shrug, because Hayden has a point. “She’s kind of right. Plus, since when did we ever let the guys sort our shit out?”
“I just have a bad feeling,” she returns, placing her hand over her stomach.
“I have a good feeling about this, if it makes you feel any better.”
Hope gives Hayden a pointed look. “No, it really doesn’t.”
“Sheesh, you were trying to get the blowtorch not too long ago to burn his house down,” Hayden argues. “But this is what you have a problem with?”
Hope pouts. “I could have made it look like an accident.”
I link my arm through hers as we begin our trek across the carpark. “It’s going to be fine,” I promise. “I’m not going to do anything that will get us arrested.”
“Because you have a plan,” she replies. “You do have a plan, don’t you?”
“Kind of,” I mumble. “Everyone remember what they need to do?”
“I’ll stand by you because I’m the one he’ll be watching the most,” Hayden grumbles, still unhappy about that.
“And I’ll snag his phone,” Hope adds.
“The one with blue nail varnish on the back,” I remind her. I accidently used his phone once as a table to do my nails. He never bothered to clean it off because he said it reminded him of me.I thought it was sweet. Now I think it’s creepy.
Hope nods her head sharply. “Blue nail varnish. Got it!”
Hayden fluffs out her hair. “Let’s do this, bitches.”
I blow out a breath as Hayden swings the door open, then breeze inside. As predicted, the place is crowded, but I know he’s still here. We parked next to his car.
There’s no band playing tonight, but the music has been turned up. Both of the owners are sat behind the bar, wasted. She’s barely keeping her head up and her husband is asleep, his face squashing a tray of peanuts. There’s a young waitress holding the fort, and she looks ready to scream at the punters waiting for their drink.
“Jesus Christ,” Hayden whispers. “This place is a shit hole.”
I spot Zach sitting in the corner with a group of friends. A gorgeous brunette is sitting on his lap, and she seems comfortable with him, so he’s definitely known her awhile.
“Ohh, that fucker,” Hope growls low in her throat. “Didn’t take him long.”
“As long as it’s not me he’s paying attention to, I don’t care.”
My strides are angry as I make my way over, my girls at my back. I’m going to use everything I have to my advantage. I know what makes people tick. I know what will make them question Zach and his motives. But more so, I know Zach.I know how he will react.
“You fucking prick!” I scream, making him look in my direction. The girl is immediately pushed out of his lap and into the empty chair next to him.
“Imogen,” he greets, warily glancing to Hayden’s hand.
Probably checking for weapons.
“Hey, guys, don’t cause a scene in here,” his best friend warns. Chad acts like a pompous prick, but that’s all it is. An act. He actually takes school seriously and hates conflict. I think the most he’s acted out was when he took a drag of a spliff. But he has never liked me. He doesn’t like my family. And the feeling is mutual. His dad is a fucking arsehole who thought I was a waitress at an event we all attended for the university.
