I watch him manhandle Livvy and can hear his words slurring even if I don’t know what he’s saying, and all I feel is pity for the whole table.

“Take me home, newbie?” I ask.

“Whatever my sexy bunny wants, my sexy bunny gets,” Mason replies a little too loudly.

As we pass by Brad’s table, he hollers for Trick. It was a pipe dream to think we’d avoid a confrontation anyway.

When we stop in front of the party group, Brad shoves Chloe, or whatever her name is, into another chair and drags the newly emptied place closer to him.

“Come sit with me, Izzy.”

“No thanks. We’ve just finished the most amazing meal and are headed home.”

“Sounds boring. Join the party.”

“You seem to have plenty of entertainment.”

The girls cheer, and he leers at me like he knows he struck a nerve, but I’m suddenly so very tired.

When I pivot to leave, Mason threads his fingers with mine and Brad explodes. He tosses his phone onto the center of the table, and it clanks against several water glasses.

“Still touching my girl, little league,” he spits.

“Done way more than touching, my man,” Mason says over his shoulder.

Brad jumps to his feet and the table shifts several inches. Silverware crashes and a glass topples over.

Mason whirls around, but Trick is there to catch him with a hand on the chest.

“Take Izzy to the car,” he demands. “Now.”

“How is your car?” Livvy calls out.

When I don’t respond, she gets to her feet as well. She always has to get in her parting shot.

“Not surprised you aren’t bothered by a slutmobile. You were spreading your legs for anyone who wanted it the whole year you were with Brad.”

Oh hell fucking no!

It’s one thing to be a bitch to me, but to openly trash my reputation like that?

“What the actual fuck are you yapping about? You’re like a chihuahua, always squeaking at anything bigger and better than you.”

“It bothers you because you know it’s true. I’m sure it’s easier for you to keep track of your partners now that you’re trying to limit it to three.”

Rage flares in my mind.

This bitch... This bitch really insinuated I’d not only been unfaithful to Brad but to my guys too.

Oxygen barely registers in my system while all blood flow is redirected to my fists and aching toes.

By my third step in her direction, with my ire ready to slap the sober into her, I’m yanked off my feet.

Trick wraps his arms around me and lifts me into the air. He marches toward the door while I wriggle and curse her in his hold.

Livvy’s and the other girls’ cackles haunt me until we get to the elevator.

And the deafening silence once we’re inside fuels my anxiety all the more.