We walked down the bleachers toward the sand pit. Fairy lights hung from the rafters, casting romantic shadows all over the space. There was a bar set up in one of the three rings. Snacks in the one on the right. And the middle ring was raised. A spotlight was hitting it, but there was nothing on it. Maybe there would actually be a show.

“This is seriously cool,” I said. “So much better than a house party or some lame club.”

“Right!” Sophie looped her arm through mine. “And I see Axel and Jacob!”

My eyes gravitated to them. And my heart started pounding.

“We’ll catch you guys later,” Liam said. “We gotta go get ready.”

I didn’t have time to ask him what he needed to get ready for because Sophie was pulling me toward Axel and Jacob.

Axel’s eyes locked with mine. And they didn’t move at all. He wasn’t taking in my sexy dress. Or my heels. He was practically just glaring at me. Maybe he was mad that I wasn’t wearing his jacket? But he hadn’t asked me to. I didn’t know what he wanted from me. It just seemed like he didn’t want…me.

“I see you broke out,” he said and downed whatever was in his red cup. “I need a refill. I’ll be back.”

I pressed my lips together. I tried to brush off his reaction to seeing me, but I could tell my smile faltered.

“What’s eating him?” Sophie asked and stole Jacob’s cup from him.

Jacob laughed. “Who knows. But I’m really glad you made it, Scar. You look gorgeous tonight.”

“Thanks, Jacob.” He really could sense whenever I was a little down. And he knew exactly what to say.

“I’m not sure if Axel meant a refill for just himself or if he was getting you guys something too. But what do you want to drink?”

Sophie scrunched up her nose. “Something fruitier than this,” she said and handed him back his now empty glass.

“Not beer then. Scarlett?”

“Um…” I looked over at the ring where the bar was set up. Axel was standing next to Gigi. She was wearing a ridiculously slutty ringleader outfit. If you could even call it that. It was more just lingerie. Apparently she’d known it was a circus party. Axel laughed at something she said.

And Gigi looked over at me.

Were they laughing at me?

I expected that from Gigi. It would have been weird if I made it through a party without her making fun of me. But Axel?

She turned back to him and said something. He laughed again.

I bit the inside of my lip so I’d feel something other than the ache in my chest.

“Scar?” Jacob said and lightly touched my elbow.

“Hm?”

“What can I get you to drink?”

“Something strong.”