“I’ll be back,” Beth hissed, slipping away.

She was alone. Alone while her boyfriend and a famous DJ argued. She searched herself, trying to find Bunny Descent—loud, untouchable, fearless—but Bunny was nowhere. She was just Eden Jade, daughter, sister, bridesmaid. She was sitting in David’s car, watching the trees go by and thinking about everything getting better. Her parents were easing up, Sienna was far away, and she could drop out of school and play in David’s band.

“… fucking boundaries!”

Eden jolted back to reality, where Willow and Francis still stood arguing. She walked toward them as though in a dream. “Francis?”

Both men turned to look at her. Francis smiled. Willow scowled and Eden realised she hadn’t said his name. But that wasn’t her fault, Francis was the surprising one.

She looked from man to man. “What are you doing?”

Francis waved. “Hi, Edie. Sloan and I are having a little chat.”

“About what?”

Willow shot Francis a nasty look. “Don’t worry about it. He’s leaving.”

“Am I?”

Eden glanced at Francis. “What are you doing here? Did you crash?”

“Nope, I’m playing. Derek Hardiman hired me.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep.” Francis ran a hand through his freshly bleached hair. “Didn’t think I’d be getting into shit with one of my favourite footy players at the same time, but that’s life.”

Eden stared at Willow, wanting an explanation. He was weaving slightly, and she realised he was drunk. She grabbed his arm. “Let’s go outside.”

“Okay, baby.” Willow pointed at Francis. “Watch your step.”

“Whatever you say, granddad.”

Eden put herself between them. “That’s enough.”

Willow side-stepped her. “You didn’t hear what he said about you when you weren’t here.”

“I didn’t say anything! He’s just a jealous pussy.”

Willow seemed to grow even taller. He reached around her, grabbing Francis’ collar. “Say that again.”

In an instant, five huge men appeared at Willow’s back.

“What’s going on, Will?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Do you need a hand?”

Willow’s smile was cold. “Maybe.”

Francis ripped his hand off his t-shirt and took a step backward. “No disrespect, boys. I’m a fan.”

Not one man smiled.

Eden felt sick. “Willow, stop this.”

“Willow,” one of the guys barked. “You need this bloke to leave?”

Her boyfriend’s face was calm, almost dreamy. Of all the expressions she’d seen him wear, the characters he’d played, this was the most terrifying because the man she loved was completely gone. He rolled his head from side to side, neck clicking. “I dunno, Mikey. Maybe I do want him to leave...”