Page 143 of Feed Your Fiends

“I’m doing what I do best, showing everyone the best fucking time they’ve ever had. Come to the club and I can show you too. I can make you forget everything for one night.”

Squeals of girls in the background seem to agree, but only one face comes to mind.Stassi’s. I’d only really seen Hale with Stassi, despite hearing of his past, and now, his past is resurfacing by the sounds of it.

Still, forgetting sounds irresistible…

“While you’ve been playing house, I’ve been branching out. I’m hosting a private event tomorrow night that’ll bring the club a lot of revenue. Maybe even enough to buy you out with profit if that’s what you want.”

I shift my phone to the other ear. I’d pressed it so hard against my skull to hear him that it's throbbing in tune with my heart. “Did the Beaumonts bring on this revelation? That you should stick to what you know?” I ask, remembering Alistair’s words on the cricket pitch, but is it Stassi’s coldness that drove the point home?

“They did, just as Bart’s arrival probably showed you yours. You don’t belong there, Elle, but you can belong at the club. That’s the good part about places like Pierrot’s. Everyone, including all the freaks and rejects, is welcome. Work the floor tonight with Rie. Get your investment back, and figure out the rest later. Gant doesn’t want to play with you any more, but Libellule does, and you made a commitment.”

A commitment that’s trumping his friendship with Gant by associating with me? But what did I care? I wasn’t just shelved, I was given away. Besides, where did I have to go on my last night before Beaulieu anyway?

Not to Jaime and Jarett’s, and now that I had money, I could book a hotel, but the thought of being alone with my thoughts terrifies me. Rin’s leaving the flat because Bae’s flying into Èze tonight, but even if she weren’t, I couldn’t bear being beneath Gant’s feet for a second longer.

“I’ll be there soon,” I say finally.

“You won’t regret it.”

I make it halfway to the exit when a voice stops me.

“Elle?”

Elle

Aria is sitting in the sunshine, looking like a rain cloud with her watery eyes and puffy hair that’s unusually frazzled like she skipped wearing her satin bonnet overnight. She’s tucked into an alcove at the edge of the beautiful café.

“Aria…” I trail. I don’t know what to do or say. She’d obviously seen the Beaussip article. She must hate me for backstabbing her friend, right? But she’d called out to me when she could’ve let me walk out the door.

“What are you doing here?” I ask tentatively, then I pause, my eyes flickering up to the penthouse, and I swallow. “On your way to see Gant?”

“I live here. In the opposite tower.”

“Right, of course, you do.”

“Are you just leaving Gant’s?” From the tone of her voice, it’s clear she doesn’t believe it. Not with Beaussip’s timing.

“Not exactly.” I don’t elaborate as she eyes my duffel bag that’s a fraction lighter after Rin’s cut. I swear those blue-green eyes can see through the fabric. “Where’s Etienne?” They’re always glued together.

“Out of town visiting his mother.”

I forgot about that.

“That’s nice.”

“Etienne never visits his mother,” she says, smearing more cream cheese onto her bagel. From the looks of it, she doesn’t plan to eat it. She’s just repeating the motion as if on a loop. “We always eat here.” She nods at the counter. “Etienne likes the sesame seeds on the bagels.”

Seems on brand for Etienne.

“I haven’t been since he’s left.”

Is this her opening for us to talk? For me to sit? So she doesn’t hate me for playing her friend? I tentatively slide onto the stool beside her.

“Feeling nostalgic then?” I ask as she grabs another chunk of cream cheese.

“No. My mum and Eli are in town.”

I knew about her mum. Eli must be Etienne’s father.

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