Chapter 1

My husband Derek has been sleeping with my best friend Jade. This time, I called her husband, Shane.

Shane almost killed a man over her once. Did eighteen months for it. Later he carries a blade everywhere he goes. And right now, he's on his way here.

Ten minutes ago, I was standing outside Venom Lounge, shaking, listening to a room full of people place bets on whether I'd file for divorce.

"Avery would never leave him. Derek makes too much money."

"Honestly, it's her own fault. If she weren't so pathetic, Derek wouldn't have cheated."

"Hey, Derek, tell us. Is your wife gonna make a scene about this or what?"

Through the crack in the door, I watch Jade sitting on my husband's lap. She kisses him, slow and deliberate, like she's performing.

"Avery won't leave him." She pulls back with a grin. "She's a parasite. She wouldn't dare."

Derek stubs out his cigarette, grabs the back of her neck, and pulls her into a deep kiss.

The whole room cheers.

They told me to come here on purpose. They want to watch me break.

And I'm even more pathetic than they think. I can't even walk in.

That's when I pulled out my phone. Not to call my mom. Not to call a lawyer.

I called Jade's husband.

"Jade's been drinking too much. She's at Venom Lounge. You should come get her."

"Who's she drinking with?" Shane's voice was already cold.

"A bunch of guys. They're getting handsy. You should hurry."

"On my way."

I hung up and walked away from the door.

Now, I'm standing at the front entrance when my phone buzzes.

Derek.

His voice is lazy, almost amused. "Ave, you're already here, right?"

I don't answer.

"The waitress said you were standing outside for a while. You heard everything?"

His voice is soft. Gentle, even. Which makes it so much worse.

I manage a quiet "Mm."

Derek laughs.

"Pathetic."

Yeah. Everyone knows that's what I am. I've been following Derek around since high school. If he hadn't protected me back then, I probably wouldn't have made it to college.

"Wait, you didn't even come inside? You just stood there?" He sounds entertained. "Burying your head in the sand is boring, babe."

I hear people laughing in the background. Loud. Shameless.

Then Jade grabs the phone. I can hear the smile in her voice.

"If I knew you were this scared of losing him, we wouldn't have bothered hiding it. But honestly? Sneaking around behind your back was half the fun."

She pauses. Then says again, "Your husband is great in bed, by the way. I've been test-driving him for you. Every department checks out. So thanks. I'll be keeping him."

Someone in the background whistles. "Careful, Jade. She's gonna cry."

"Yeah Derek, you gonna go comfort her or what?"

Derek's voice cuts through the noise. Serious for once.

"Enough. If she starts crying again, I'll have to deal with it." A pause. "Ave's not like you. She's way easier to handle. Don't mess with her."

Then he takes the phone back. His voice is clear now, close.

"Where are you? I'll come find you. This place is a nightmare for cabs."

I look down the hallway and see him step out, phone still pressed to his ear. He spots me and hangs up.

The look on his face makes my stomach turn.

He's satisfied. Almost entertained, like this whole thing is a game and he just won a round.

He walks over and ruffles my hair like I'm a kid.

"She's not you. You're Mrs. Mercer. The real deal. So why are you crying?" He tilts my chin up. "Relax. I'm not gonna divorce you."

He says it like he's tossing me a treat.

Like I should be grateful.

Then Jade stumbles out of the room, clutching her head.

She staggers forward and crashes right into Derek. Right in front of me.

His hands go straight to her waist. His palms press against the bare skin where her top rides up.

She tilts her head onto his chest and peeks at me through half-closed eyes.

"Baby, my head is killing me. They kept forcing drinks on me." She pouts up at him.

"Take me home? Avery already knows now anyway. No point hiding it." She turns to me. "She won't mind… right, Ave?"

Her eyes are pure challenge.

My phone buzzes. Shane.

[Where's the bar?]

I send him the location.