Free Hard To Love by Sabrina Ross Page B

isn’t influential enough to pull that shit off. Why
would you do that?” He shook his head in disgust.
“I—I—” I was at a loss for words. As much as Mason made me
feel insignificant, this guy made me feel worthless. I choked back
my tears and tried to defend my actions. “The bouncer didn’t
remember me, and Cassie, my friend, was not answering her
phone.”
“So you resort to sexual favours just to get into a club,” he
scoffed shaking his head.
“Wow, I’m sorry—who the hell are you?” I shouted, getting in
his face.
“Oh, so you do have a backbone. Good to know,” he said with a
wink followed with a smirk, an awfully familiar smirk. As I glared
at him, I suddenly realized who he reminded me of—Mason.
“You must be Mason’s brother.” I scoffed and stepped back,
folding my arms across my chest.
“In the flesh.” he grinned, holding out his hand, but I didn’t take
it. “But let’s keep that between us, wouldn’t want that getting
out.” He grinned again. My eyes fluttered in anger. Nick grabbed
his drink, leaving a fifty-dollar bill on the bar. “Take care now,” he
said, walking away. Feeling the sting in my cheeks, I turned away
embarrassed, catching George’s eye. He winked and lifted a pink
bracelet up for me. With a shake of my head, I declined and
ordered a martini that I would have to nurse for most of the night.
What surprised me most was the cost of the martini. With my
expensive glass of vodka in hand, I slithered my way through the
bouncing bodies to the VIP staircase and made my way up, only to
receive a hard time again.
“Seriously,” I huffed, glancing over the bouncers shoulder,
giving me a clear view of Cassie sitting with Charlie. “That is my
girlfriend right there.” I pointed, but he wouldn’t turn to look. “Just
get her, please.” The bouncer continued to ignore me. Then I
noticed Cassie get up and head in my direction. I waved anxiously.
She was pulling her phone out of her purse when she glanced up
and finally spotted me, waving as she opened the door.
“There you are.” She let out a sigh, relieved.
“I was given a hard time,” I snarled and glared at the bouncer,
who just shrugged it off. “I have been trying to call you for a half
hour.” Complaining was not something I did often, but it was a
little annoying being the outsider.
“Sorry, babe, but it is hard to hear my phone ringing in here.”
She tugged my arm, pulling me through the door.
“Oh, careful, this drink cost me an arm and a leg.” I joked.
“Didn’t George remember you from last night?”
“Oh, he did, surprisingly”—my brow arched—“but I declined
the offer.” After taking a tiny sip, I explained, “I drove tonight. I
have to nurse this drink for as long as I can.” My tone went up in
annoyance.
“What’s wrong,” she asked, stopping and turning to face me.
“Nothing.” I let out a tired sigh. “I just want to get on with the
night.”
“Okay, want to dance in a bit?” she asked, and I nodded. “Grab
that seat by the wall.” She pointed.
“It’s glass, hardly a wall.” I chuckled.
“Drink if you want to drink, babe, because getting you home
won’t be a problem. I’ll arrange a pickup for your car tomorrow,”
Cassie said, sitting on the arm of the chair that I was in.
“I’m fine,” I replied, crossing my legs. I leaned over the arm of
the chair, watching the crowd below move to the beat of the music.
Watching the people dance made me thing of Matt and all the
places we used to go to. Places where I was recognized at the door.
Thinking of him filled me with sadness. I blinked the tears away
before anyone noticed.
Cassie then pulled me out of my thoughts with her comments.
“I love your dress, by the way. Very sexy.” She flipped my hair
over my shoulder to get a better look. “The black belt is a classy
touch, makes you look thinner than you already are.” Her lips
pursed.
“I don’t feel sexy.” I shrugged and