Farrah's lips curl. "I admire you Camilla. Not everyone can pull off the bargain bin chic look as well as you do."

Camilla's grip tightens slightly, but her voice stays cool. "Sweetheart, my headband costs more than your hooker earrings do. And Farrah, if you're going to insult me, at least do it right."

"Jesus, Camilla, you should really come with a warning label," Jake laughs as he appears with Ollie and Mia, diffusing the tension.

Farrah's smirk falters and she turns away, clearly frustrated.

As we walk off, Camilla leans close. "Farrah's just salty 'cause Nate blew up at her last night. Big drama, but who knows the full story with those two and their fucked up situationship."

"They fought? Over what?"

She gives me a knowing look. "She's probably pissed because Nate's been avoiding her, or maybe because he played hero to you at the party."

"It wasn't like that. He just—" I trail off, unsure how to explain. The Nate who protected me felt like my Nate, the one I grew up with. I push that thought aside. He's not my anything anymore.

"What's even their deal? Why hang on to whatever they have?"

Camilla shrugs, watching the flames. "I mean, you know him better than I do. But Nate's not the type to play by anyone's rules, especially not Farrah's."

True.

"Wait, have you guys ever...?" Her question hangs.

"What, Nate and me? No. No way."

"Just asking. I mean from what I saw last night..." She studies the fire thoughtfully. "It was like the moon watching the sun."

Her words leave me speechless. I hadn't realized anyone could see the currents between us amid the shit show that was happening.

The longer I linger, the more displaced I feel, fighting the urge to pull my shirt down or wrap my arms around myself. I scan the crowd for Jake before turning to Camilla. "Hey, I think I'm going to bail."

"Don't leave because of that witch. Seriously, fuck her," she says fiercely. After being abandoned by a supposed friend when things got tough, her loyalty moves me deeply.

"I appreciate it, but I'm not feeling it anymore. I'll see you around." I give her a grateful look. "Call me tomorrow and we'll grab brunch or something, yeah?"

"Sure. Thanks, though. Really."

"For what?" She shrugs it off.

"For having my back."

"It's you and me now. Plus Marcus, too."

Jake jogs up, slightly winded. "You're leaving? I'll come with you if you want."

I shake my head. "Stay, have fun. I'm just tired, and honestly, I'll be out like a light. Plus, someone needs to keep an eye on Ollie." I nod toward where he and Mia share a blanket, lost in conversation.

"He's got it bad, huh?" Jake chuckles.

"He's a goner. And it took him what? A whole two days?"

He looks torn but hands over the keys. "Just text me when you get home, okay?"