I can’t believe it! How could he just…and how could I? Why didn’t I stop him from—ugh!

I groan, stomping my foot as I head out of the bar slash library and into the sitting room. It’s a lot busier than it was when I first arrived. Lily was right about the starting time, it seems.

Oh, gosh, Lily. I can’t leave without her. We came together. I might not know much about parties, but even I understand that. Girls don’t dump each other in the middle of a party. I mean, technically she left first. But I’m sure she would have been back.

God, what if she did come back and saw me…doing that. Letting him touch me, like some tramp?

But no, I see her around Cross and his friends, looking like she’s seconds away from snapping.

“You can’t just remove my clothes with some dumb program and post that!” Her voice is so loud, not even the music playing around the room drowns it out. “I could sue you!”

“You can’t afford to, darling,” I hear Cross retort, as I wade through the throng of bodies jumping, twisting, circling to the sound of a deep beat.

On instinct, I grab my phone and start recording them.

“Plus, my lawyers can take you. And let’s face it. It wouldn’t stop the world from seeing the picture.”

Is every guy in this place a huge dick?

On instinct, I grab my phone and start recording them.

“You’re vile!” she screams in his face.

“Yeah, yeah. But you can kiss me or become the newest porn star in Thorn Falls. Up to you.”

Yep. They’re all cut from the same cloth.

I don’t feel even a little bit sorry as I turn my screen so it faces him. “You sure about that? Because even a shitty lawyer can nail your ass after a recorded confession, not to mention some blackmail on top.”

Lily turns to me, gaping in shock.

“Oh, isn’t this interesting?” Cross says, his voice turning so light and sweet. “We have ourselves a little snitch in the house.”

“She didn’t mean it,” Lily promises. “Claire, please delete that. It’s a private house; you can’t film people.”

Oh. I’m shocked, and feel beyond foolish at her reply. I thought she’d be pleased I helped.

“Maybe he should delete that fake picture first,” I grit between my teeth.

“No. I’ll kiss you later,” Lily tells Cross, making it sound like a threat. “Just taking my roommate home. She’s tipsy. The video will be deleted. Don’t make a fuss, understood?”

Cross’s eyes slowly leave mine to settle on Lily. “Get her under control or I will.”

My roommate nods. I’m thoroughly confused as she grabs my hand and practically drag me out of the house, as fast as she can.