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"I’ll have to take your word for it," Sloane drawled

I didn’t get it This was a relatively new building and completely classy Granted the clientele was different than we usually hung out with, but it wasn’t like creepsville or anything I glanced at the bar and noticed Neck Tattoos from last time and took a breath of relief At least I wouldn’t have to explain my addiction to water

"Ivy!" a muffled voice called out from across the roo wildly at us He stood above everyone else in the room and surrounded by his fellow band h and I couldn’t stophim out

I quickly shook ht to try to find him here He wasn’t mine and I ith somebody else Ok, I was a cruel witch, but not a cheater I took another quick breath and then grabbed Exie and Sloane’s ar"

"What?" Sloane asked

I didn’t repeat h the thin crowd They so did not fit in here, with their four inch stilettos and designer outfits They were gorgeous, and drew every eye But they were uncomfortable which threw off their curse a bit Thankfully Although Sloane would be ht

"Sloane, Exie, these are Chase’s friends," I introduced by a general wave of my arhed a little atat each other, sizing the respective strangers up and that only built on the levels of aard stretching between the two groups

Kenna especially had the bitch look going on She was the only girl in the group though, so that could be understood I s to reassure her that they were as cool as

"Youa huge grin for my friends Immediately tension started to melt between everyone "Red, did you introduce everyone?"

"Yes," I save me

"No," Exie cut in, equally happy to see someone she knew "She said these are Chase’s friends We don’t even knohich one is Chase"

I flushed bright pink while Ryder laughed at me "Ok, let irlfriend Kenna This giant over here is Phoenix, this is Hayden, Hudson and Cole We’re all in the band together"

"Sugar Skulls," Phoenix piped up giving Exie an extra-long look

"Where’s Chase?" Sloane asked, clearly diset-vibe was her signature and so ingrained in every one of her actions I wasn’t entirely sure she knew she was doing it anyht," I explained before Ryder could take over for ain It seemed important that I kneheretest to"

"Bummer," Exie pouted

"Lame," Phoenix booed and then shot Exie a look like they had just connected over one word responses

"I thought he was in the band?" Sloane’s eyebrows dren in confusion

This brought out hysterical laughter from Ryder and Phoenix

Ryder explained, "Chase avoids this place as often as he can He’s cohed At the same time I realized Ryder knew more about Chase than me Which wasn’t that hard to believe, because I had known Chase for all of one week, still it was annoying co from Ryder

We all fell into an aard silence after that and it sees

"So this band is… good," Sloane commented dryly

Phoenix snorted like he was offended "Do you really think so?"

"Why do you know them?" Sloane asked carefully

"Yeah, they’re a bunch of tools Totally sold that they’re the next big thing," Phoenix shook his head with disgust

"So you’re better than them?" Exie asked slowly

"Well, Ias cocky as his band mates

"We’re better than the arrogant He appraised Exie with hungry eyes and I felt the strongest urge to step in front of her and sacrifice hts were happening in his head

"I guess we’ll be the judge of that," Exie sighed

I burst into laughter, knowing she was just kidding, but nobody else seeet the joke She shot Phoenix a wink and he kind of stumbled backwards, not sure what to do under the pressure of the flirtatious winky face fro," I explained to the group when they all just continued to stare at her

"No seriously I was," Exie agreed "I know you’re good Ivy hasn’t stopped talking about how aht"

"Really?" Ryder asked in true surprise He stepped back and cleared his throat as if he was as shocked by his question as everyone else was

I blushed a deep red and turned around to the bar I was first of all not used to blushing soto wait around to e how uncomfortable she was more than normal "Are you Ok?" I asked as we found a place on the bar

"Yes," she answered in a clipped tone

"What are you ladies drinking tonight?" Good old Neck Tattoos asked with a smirk

"The usual," I replied casually, careful to keep any tones of flirtation out of ht, water on the rocks," Neck Tattoos confirmed clearly disappointed "And for you?"

"I’ll have a vodka-"

"Uh-uh," I cut her off before she could continue "Rehab remember?" I hissed fiercely and pointed at ht" I caught her eye and held it, willing her toalcohol thrown at us Even in public we didn’t have trouble procuring said libations but these people thought the worst of me already and I didn’t want to add to the rumor mill