Chapter 24

The world had frozen around her. Everything around her faded away, and the only thing she could see was Vivian’s hands rubbing all over Will. And she had no idea why it affected her so much. She wanted nothing to do with Will, and even less to do with Vivian. And yet a vile mixture of anger, hatred and jealously swirled around within her. Emma’s heart slammed against her ribs, and it felt like there wasn’t enough air in the club.

​ “I need to leave,” Emma said, turning around to get out. All she could think of was how she needed to escape for her own sanity. Nothing good would come of any conversation with those two.

​ “Emma!” Vivian called in feigned enthusiasm. “Why on Earth are you leaving? Come over and bring your friends and join us for a drink!”

​ “Counterfeit bitch,” Sabrina muttered. “Don’t run from her. It’s what she wants.”

​ Sabrina was right, and Emma had promised her father that she wouldn’t let anyone bully her anymore. She plastered on a fake smile, and turned back around. Sabrina and Emma walked towards Vivian and Will. Alex was close behind.

​ A server from the club came by, asking if anyone wanted to place any drink orders. Vivian ordered a bottle of something for the table, and glasses for everyone. Emma couldn’t hear passed the thumping of blood in her ears.

​ “Emma, darling!” Vivian waved as the server retreated to fill the drink order. “Hello, Sabrina. Who is your friend? He’s very handsome.”

​ Sabrina’s hand tightened around Emma’s briefly. They shared a short look, and Sabrina stepped towards Alex. He put his arms around her shoulders as though he was her shield. Emma felt a quick stab of envy. There was no one to shield her.

​ “This is my boyfriend, Alex. Are you going to try and steal him too?”

​ Alex and Will nodded at each other in lieu of outward greeting. Vivian was someone he would expect to Will with. Emma was too sweet for Will.

​ “There is no need to be mean!” Vivian pretended to be hurt by Sabrina’s comment. “I was going to say how lovely for you, but apparently you just want to insult me.” Vivian simpered.

“You make it so easy,” Sabrina answered. She was doing her best Vivian impression. Speaking with fake pleasantry and dramatics.

“I’m happy for you anyway. And how are you, Emma? Here with no escort, I see?”

​ “I’m doing well, thanks,” Emma answered through clenched teeth, choosing to ignore her second question. “How’s your boyfriend? You know, Matt? Shouldn’t he be here with you?” Bile rose in her throat. *None of this would have happened if you didn’t steal him from me, you vile wench.*

​ “Oh, didn’t you hear?” Vivian asked wickedly. “Matt and I have broken up. We just weren’t compatible, you know? We wanted different things. You aren’t still hung up on your ex, are you?” Emma wanted to pull her hair out.

​ Will’s face grimaced slightly at the mention of an ex, but otherwise he was expressionless. He looked at Emma, and leaned back further. The ultimate picture of comfort and ease. If any of this was affecting him at all, it never showed. His eyes never broke contact with hers. It was like he was enjoying a show play out in front of him.

​

​ “Why would I be hung up on someone I dumped?” Emma sneered refusing to play into Vivian’s game. Will shifted in his seat, and caught Emma’s eye. His face showed distaste for Emma’s comment, but his body language spoke with languid relaxation. Emma was unable to take her eyes off of him. He was in a suit, as usual. The fabric hugged his body in a way that made Emma feel very warm. Something inside her boiled over, and she chose not to hold back.

​ “Your taste sure seems to have changed,” she said to him, fighting to hold back her aversion to seeing Vivian touch him. His eyebrow raised in response. “I thought you wanted your *things* to be clean and only touched by you. That shameless slut has touched, and has been touched by everyone. Her preferred targets are other people’s boyfriends. In fact, boyfriend stealing is her favorite thing to do. You’re essentially getting the entire college campus’s sloppy seconds.”

​ “You little bitch!” Vivian jumped up, shaking with anger. “How fucking dare you?” She raised her hand to slap Emma. Emma caught it, and shoved it away pushing Vivian back into the plush velvet lounger. Vivian shot back up, ready to slap Emma again. Emma stepped up to her with anger of her own. Vivian was taller, but Emma did not care. The levels of her rage were astronomical. Vivian brought it out in her, but this was a new high. She wasn’t sure where it came from, but she wasn’t going to back down.

​ “Drop the act, Vivian. Everyone knows what you are. You may have been able to fool an idiot like Matt to believe in whatever lies you fed him. But I don’t you’ll be able to fool someone with more experience at it than you. Wouldn’t you say… Mr. Stewart?”

​ Will raised his eyebrows, and smirked at Emma. He wrapped his arm around Vivian’s waist and pull her tight against him.

​ “I don’t see how that’s any of your business… Miss Wells,” he answered, licking his lips. Vivian smiled triumphantly, and leaned against Will.

“You’re right, baby.” Vivian said, sounding wounded. She was dangling Will in front of her like bait. Emma wouldn’t take it. She couldn’t. “It isn’t any of her business.”

“You could use some lessons in minding your own business, Vivian,” Sabrina said with venom in her voice. “Or you could just stay out of our lives completely.”

“You’re not going to let them talk to me like that, are you?” Vivian pouted, rubbing her hands all over Will’s chest. He didn’t seem to notice.

“A slut, you say?” He hooked a finger into Vivian’s neckline and pulled it down, exposing even more of her very ample cleavage. If he had pulled a centimeter lower, her breasts would have popped out for everyone to see. Emma had reason to believe that neither one would care.

​ “She may be a slut, but that just means she was more seasoned than you. After all, she was much tastier,” Will purred, taking a nip at her collarbone.

​ Vivian giggled.

​ “Oh my gosh,” she tittered. “Willie, you are so bad. You can’t do things like that with people around.”

​ “I can do whatever I want,” he answered looking at Emma.

​ That was enough for Emma. The entire scene was maddening and repulsive.

​ “That’s amazing for you. I’m glad you found exactly what you wanted. Have a great night.”

​ As Emma turned to leave, she felt someone grab her arm. It was a touch she had known. It sent shockwaves and fireworks through her skin. Her eyes closed for a second, and their time together flashed in her mind. She hated him. But she wanted him so much. William Stewart’s body called to hers. And she wanted to answer that call. He pulled her to him, and she crashed into his chest. Emma felt immobilized. She couldn’t move if she wanted to. His reckless gaze pinned her in place. She stared up at him, and he down at her.

​ “Let go,” Emma breathed.

​ “What’s wrong? Are you afraid, Emma?” he uttered. “Are you afraid that I’m going to fall in love with her?”