Chapter 72

Kayla stepped back into the private lounge where Marley and the others were gathered. Everyone was waiting for Zoe to come back.

The room pulsed with whispers. "Is she actually bringing Jeremy in here? Seriously? Could be all talk.Maybe she's bluffing."

Marley gave a lazy shrug. "Let's just wait. We'll know soon enough."

Kayla made for the door, but they blocked her path.

Still steaming from earlier, Marley strutted over in her stilettos, a bitter smirk on her lips. "You must be the sad little sister Zoe's always talking about. So what if you overheard us in the bathroom? You think Zoe's going to take your word over ours?"

Kayla shot her a bored glance, her eyes drifting over Marley like she wasn't worth a second thought. Trash always had a way of sticking with its own kind.

"Whether she believes me or not doesn't matter,"Kayla said coolly. "I heard everything."

Marley crossed her arms, her smug grin widening. "No wonder Zoe's always complaining about you. Your mom was a bitch, and you're just like her." The mention of her mother snapped something inside Kayla. Her fists clenched tight, her expression hardening like stone.

Another girl chimed in, barely hiding her grin."Zoe said her mom cheated. That's why her parents divorced."

Marley added with a smirk, "If her mom was like that,what do you expect from her?"

Kayla's fury ignited in a flash. She stepped forward and slapped Marley so fast. The loud crack echoed through the room.

Everything froze.

Marley stumbled back, grabbing her cheek,eyes wide."Did you just hit me?"

Right then, Zoe walked in with Jeremy. She rushed to Marley and threw her arms in front of her like a shield."Kayla! How could you hit my friend?"

Kayla didn't hesitate. She turned and landed another slap-this one on Zoe. Harder.

Zoe stumbled back a few steps, eyes glistening as tears welled up. She stared at Kayla, stunned. "Why would you hit me like that?"

She took a shaky step back, staring at Kayla like the injured lead in a drama, then turned to Jeremy, silently pleading.Jeremy stood still, hands in his pockets, not saying a word.

"You talk way too much." Kayla grabbed a throw pillow off the couch and hurled it straight at Zoe. Her aim was sharp-her so-called friends caught some of it too.

Screams erupted as chaos broke loose.

Kayla didn't stop. She charged, cornering in seconds,swinging the pillow over and over again. Makeup smeared, someone's contact lens popped out,and the room turned into a mess.

Jeremy watched from the side, clearly uneasy.

Kayla looked like a storm set loose. Whatever strength she had, it surged now. One by one,the girls backed down, slinking to the floor, begging her to stop.

Finally,Kayla stopped herself-remembering the baby.She grabbed a wine bottle from the table and smashed it against the floor in front of them. "Say one more word about my mom, and next time, it won't be a pillow. It'll be your face."

She turned, walking straight past Jeremy without a glance. Zoe staggered to her feet, hair tangled, dress torn,sniffles loud and pitiful. She limped over to Jeremy,eyes glassy. "Why is she acting like this? She hit me so hard."

Jeremy didn't have all the facts, but he knew Kayla.She wasn't reckless. If she lost it, something must've pushed her too far.

He looked at Zoe without emotion. "If you came here.to have fun, then stick to that. Don't drag drama into it. I'm covering the tab tonight."

Then he turned and walked away, never once glancing back.

Zoe stood frozen, her mouth slightly open, watching him disappear.

Marley rushed over, still holding her face. "Wait, I thought you said he was your boyfriend! Why didn't he help us?"

Zoe's expression twisted, rage bubbling up. "Because of you idiots! Why would you start something with Kayla? This was my chance to talk to him, and you blew it!"

Marley stared at her. "We ruined it?"

Remembering Jeremy was hanging out with his friends next door, Zoe took a long breath to calm down."Fine. Whatever. It's my fault. Kayla's been losing it lately. She's unhinged. Don't mess with her again."

Outside, under the glow of the club sign, Jeremy stepped out and spotted Kayla waiting by the curb for a ride. He walked up quietly behind her, hands in his pockets."Want a lift?"