Well fuck that!

“You are evil bitches.”

“Excuse me?” Monica demanded in a haughty tone. Gods, her soul was ugly when she got that look on her face, as if she thought she was better than everyone around her.

“I said, you are evil bitches.” My gaze went to the clone sitting beside her, letting Ariana know that I was including her if she hadn’t gotten that message yet. “I don’t know what your problem is and, really, I don’t give a fuck. You are one of those women that get off on making others feel less than they really are so you can feel better about yourself because you know that you will never be beautiful.”

“I am beautiful.” Monica sounded so sure of herself as she gave me a sneer in disgust.

“Sure you are. It only takes a gallon of paint and a few grand of designer clothes to make you that way. Meanwhile, your daughter has true beauty. She doesn’t need the makeup, or hooker perfume, or clothes to make her stand out. You only wish you were that beautiful, and that’s why you can’t stand it. So you bring her down so that she thinks that she can’t compare to you and Miss Thing over here.”

“I’m a model!” Ariana argued.

“Who the fuck cares?” The tables around us grew quiet and I realized I had spoken louder than I had intended, but I didn’t care. “You’re a model, good for you. I’m a rock star, bitch.” 

Chapter 15

Emmie

After getting a text from Shane, I wasted little time. Leaving Mia with Layla and Jesse, I grabbed Nik and pulled him out the door.

It had taken ten minutes to get to the restaurant by taxi. When we walked into the exclusive eatery, I ignored the hostess and headed for the table that I’d reserved for Shane earlier that day. From the look of the other patrons, Nik and I were severely underdressed in jeans and T-shirts. I hadn’t known what Shane had planned, only that he was meeting Harper’s mother. Of course, Lana had told me a few hours ago that Harper and Mommy Dearest weren’t exactly a happy match.

Nik was right behind me as we walked through the dining room. I heard the murmurs of other diners, mostly the females, as they realized who Nik was. Sighs and giggles reached my ears, but they didn’t bother me like they once had. I was more confident in Nik’s love for me these days.

I spotted Shane at his table and could tell right away that there really was a problem. Shane was running his mouth, his face almost purple with his temper as he spoke loudly to the two women across from him. Meanwhile, Harper was just sitting there like a statue. She looked pale, and there was something in the set of her shoulders that told me she was less than amused. The way she was looking off in the distance made me wonder if she was even aware of the conversation going on around her.

“…I’m a rock star, bitch!” Shane’s words filled my ears and I rolled my eyes. Whatever was going on, it seemed more like a pissing contest than anything else.

“You’re trash,” came the retort of the older woman at the table that I assumed was Harper’s mother. She looked nothing like the sweet girl I had met just a few days ago, so I had to make a guess.

Hearing that old biddy speak to my friend like that did nothing for my own temper. I stopped just behind Shane and glared down at the older woman that smelled like a perfume factory and looked like an advertisement for clown school with all the makeup she was wearing. My mouth opened and I wasn’t even sure what was about to come out when a strong hand covered my lips.

I shot Nik a glare, but he just grinned down at me. “Sorry, baby girl. We want to stay and your mouth will get us kicked out.”

Of course he was right, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“High paid trash, actually,” Shane informed the older woman with what sounded like a smirk in his tone. “With big connections. One phone call and that cushy modeling contract you have will no longer exist.”

Oh, I liked that idea. I didn’t know if Shane was bluffing or not, but I planned to follow through on it. Mentally, I rubbed my hands together in glee. Nik, seeing the wheels turning in my eyes, laughed and released me.

Before I could step forward, Harper stood. She murmured something about the ladies' room and hurried away. Shane started to follow her, but I put a hand on his shoulder. I felt some of the tension leave him when he realized that I had arrived. He knew I had his back and would always do so.

“Hey.”

I grinned down at him. “Hi. I would ask how your evening is going, but I caught the last five seconds of your conversation.” My gaze went to the two women seated across the table. “Why don’t you show these two delightful ladies to the door while I go talk with Harper?” I suggested with frost in my tone.

“She’s so upset…” Shane’s voice cracked ever so slightly, making my heart squeeze for him.

“I’ll be gentle,” I promised. After everything that had happened with Lana, I had learned my lesson. It didn’t matter that I had only been looking out for Drake. I should have treated Lana better. Unfortunately, it had taken her nearly dying for me to realize that…

Pushing those thoughts away, I followed after Harper.

The bathroom was empty except for the beautiful girl standing by the long sink frowning at her reflection. Shane had told me so much about her over the last month or so. I hadn’t really believed him about her self-esteem problem until now. I mean really? She was gorgeous with her thick, silky caramel hair. And that body? Fuck, I would kill for that ass. And those eyes? I had to spend a good ten minutes on makeup to get that wide eyed, soulful look even behind those kick ass chic glasses.

“No offence, but your mom is a bitch,” I told her.

She stiffened at the sound of my voice, and I watched her eyes fill with annoyance in the mirror. I didn’t blame her. She probably thought I had come to put my two cents in. I was sure that Lana had vented to her friends about me, and I only respected Harper more for being loyal to Lana.

But instead of sounding annoyed, Harper’s tone was just tired when she agreed with me. “Yeah, she’s always been like that.”

I sat down on the little sofa. I still couldn’t understand why there was one in the ladies’ room at these snotty ass restaurants but appreciated it in that moment. “I can relate. My mother was a real monster.”

Harper turned to face me. “She told you on a daily basis that you were ugly and would never compare to your incredibly beautiful stepsister?”