Stepping inside the club with my two friends, I looked at all the hot guys who were busy either chatting up a girl or scoping their next one out. I knew I would be a spot on their radar within the next few minutes, so before that happened, I needed to get my drink on.

"What will it be?" The bartender asked behind the bar.

"A glass of red and two vodka cranberries, please," I said, knowing what my girlies preferred. They gave me a thumbs up and I winked back.

"ID?"

I handed him my ID and he gave it a swift inspection before he started mixing up the drinks. I wasn't much for illegal activity, but I had to hand it to Miles; He was an expert in forging ID's. Real art skills on that one. Too bad he spent them all on expert pranks.

Ordering the drinks for my friends was the least I could do, as a thanks for taking my mind off the whole Alexander thing. The truth was, I had lied to Alex when I had texted him and said Lola and Jen wanted me in on a girls night out. I just didn't feel like talking to him, especially after what happened in school today. He had crossed a line and he was smart enough to know that he had. That's why I needed some time to cool down, hence the reason I invited them out tonight.

"Red wine and two vodka cranberries," The bartender slid the drinks to me and I payed the man. I then walked back to Lola and Jen who were already jamming along to the tune playing in the club.

"You're the best!" Lola grinned as I handed them their drinks. "Thanks, babe!"

"No probs, thanks for taking me out. Let's get shitfaced," I said, and to that we all cheered in agreement. It wasn't long until the glasses were empty and the second batch was, too. We decided to move to the dance floor that was grooving with the smooth music. My mood was perking up, my worries were going down – that was until Lola and Jen suddenly stopped laughing and instead started staring at someone behind me.

I knew that look and I instantly closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. I smelled his enticing scent before he engulfed me in his arms, grabbing my ass in the process. Lola and Jen were putty by now.

"Hey, beautiful," His husky voice whispered in my ear. "Missed me?"

I pressed my lips tightly together before I opened my eyes, glaring straight ahead. "Get your hands off my ass, Stone. Don't think just because we're friends you get away that kind of behavior. What would that say about feminism?"

"That you should grope me back. Go ahead, knock yourself out, Soph. Nothing's off limits."

Rolling my eyes, I jabbed a sharp elbow in between his ribs and made him blow out a blunt breath. "Get off, Alex."

"Damn, what's gotten your panties in a twist?" He coughed, rubbing his chest. "I thought you would be happy to see me?"

"Happy?" I turned around to face him. He was dressed in a blue V-neck shirt and a pair of faded black pants that hung off his hips like it should be illegal. He knew that blue was his color and that V necks did something to enhance his chest and neckline. Behind me, I was pretty sure both Lola and Jen were trying to discreetly slip off their panties.

"Yeah, you know that thing that usually makes a person smile," Alexander replied. "You know, like this?"

He gave me a dirty little smile and now I was certain that Lola and Jen were taking off their bras, too. I, on the other hand, rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "I'm not falling for your charms tonight, Stone. Ever, actually. What are you doing here?"

Sighing, he rolled his eyes, too. "I came to get drunk, okay? I need a breather, my mom is... well, it's a long story."

"Yeah? Well what did she have to say about this?" I said and made a gesture into the club. "Oh no, wait. Let me guess; you didn't tell her."

"Nope."

"What excuse did you use this time?"

"I told her I was going to go get some peaches with the guys," He said, his smirk now returning to his lips. "And I wasn't kidding."

"Peaches?" I drawled. "And she fell for it?"

"Sure, she's so damn dumb I can't believe she's my mother."

"Alex!" I hit him over the arm and made him roll his eyes again. "Have some respect for your mother, she works nonstop to pay for your sisters and you! Give her a goddamn break."

"After today, no I won't. You wouldn't even believe what happened if I told you."

"What happened?" I automatically asked.

"Doesn't matter, I'll tell you later." He dismissed. "First though," His smirk returned once more and he cocked a brow at me. "You know any good peaches around here?"

Groaning annoyed, I turned away from him and headed back towards the bar. "You're disgusting."

He trailed behind me, chuckling lowly. "Come on, Soph. Can I taste your peach?"

His hands came around my hips and he leaned down to my neck, pressing small butterfly kisses to a vein that ran all the way up to my jaw.

"Alex, don't do that tonight," I said, hearing Lola and Jen squeal behind us. I bet they liked what they saw – only they were jealous it was me and not them. Well, they could have him. "Get off."

He sighed and took a step back. "Fine. Vodka straight, please," He said to a passing bartender who nodded. They never asked to see Alexander's ID, because he looked like someone who was old enough to drink. So unfair. "Come on, Soph, I'm just trying to have fun. Lighten up, will you?"

"I was having fun before you showed up," I replied, ordering a gin and tonic for myself. "Why did you have to show up tonight?"

"Because I missed you," He leaned down to me and whispered discreetly into my ear, "And I needed you to distract me."

I felt a nervous pull in my stomach and turned around to see his eyes, and as I suspected, they weren't humorous or smug anymore. They were serious and tainted with something dark – one of his demons.

"The thoughts coming back?" I murmured, reaching over to take his hand.

He exhaled heavily and closed his eyes for a long second. He then gave a single nod, before turning to our drinks that now arrived. "They started last night after you left. Don't leave me again, Sophie."

His eyes locked on me and nailed me to the spot. He was scared in that moment – scared of what would happen if he couldn't keep the thoughts at bay or keep all of his demons from resurfacing. He remembered what that had led to last time and I did, too.

And that's why I raised my glass. "Let's get shitfaced, then. To alcohol!"

Catching my drift, he slowly started smirking again, even if it seemed forced. "To peaches."

Rolling my eyes, I drank, and as did he. The night spiraled on and the drinks kept coming. Since I had already been drinking before he got here, I really was getting shitfaced and that led to some pretty embarrassing stuff.

Alexander couldn't stop howling from laughter as we stepped into a quiet corner of the club. I was still trying to stop my cheeks from burning from the incredibly unfortunate nip-slip that just happened out on the dance floor. I had been dancing to Madcon's 'Beggin' You', and while jumping up and down, my boob had decided to really 'put the loving out, baby.'

"I told you that dress was too low cut," Alex chuckled, still covering me from the rest of the club by shielding me in a corner as I tried to ward off the embarrassment.

"It's not funny," I growled, my cheeks still burning. "God, I can't believe it actually happened. I'm a regular Janet Jackson."

"Your boobs look better than hers," He assured me. "And trust me, I've seen many boobs so I know what I'm talking about."

"Right, you're the Lebron James of boobies," I chuckled. I wouldn't normally have laughed at my own pathetically bad joke if I wasn't this drunk. But I was, which meant my common sense was long gone.

Alexander chuckled back, though. "You're so damn perfect Soph, have I ever told you that?"

"You're drunk," I snickered, leaning up against the wall. Alex leaned up against me, pressing a hand on the wall besides my head. "If you go around complimenting me after I just nip-slipped, we both know you're wasted."

"Maybe I am, but so are you," He said, a hint of a smirk playing around his lips. "And that's why I'm going to attempt something you'd never let me do while sober."

"I don't let you grope me when I'm drunk eith—"

He pressed his lips against mine, mashing me up against the wall when his hands came around me. With gentle, yet firm lips, he kissed me and cupped my face and molded our lips together.

Me? I lost my breath. And why? Because I was kissing my goddamn best friend.

• • •

I kissed my best friend once, too. She reacted the same way.