Chapter 2The Art Of Breaking A Toxic Quartet

She gave Jax a slight, injured side-eye. “I can’t believe Jax got snagged by you. You must have some serious moves, Sasha.”

I offered an ambiguous little laugh, pretending to be completely oblivious to the barbed compliment.

The server began bringing out the food.

I was acutely aware of Stella preparing her first move.

I held my breath, waiting for the first formal confrontation. I truly hoped her game was a high-level one. I didn’t want to be disappointed.

Stella’s shriek cut through the air. A plate of soup—lukewarm, thankfully—had spilled onto her dress and lap.

Her face was contorted in a mask of pain.

Before I could even offer a sympathetic hand to check her injury, Jax exploded, shoving me back onto the tiled floor.

Kian was instantly on his feet, spitting mad. “I knew it! I knew these women were all the same. Acting so sweet and mature a minute ago, and now the mask is off, right?”

Spencer adjusted his glasses, his face completely impassive as he laid out the accusation. “We promised we’d always protect Stella. No one gets to hurt her.”

“You’ve been here five minutes, and your girlfriend is already hurting Stella out of jealousy. Jax, you need to give us an answer.”

Jax’s face was dark with fury. “Sasha, apologize to Stella. Now!”

Stella was huddled in the protective arms of the three guys, and she shot me a tiny, triumphant smirk over Jax’s shoulder.

Any normal girl, faced with her boyfriend and his entire posse turning on her, would have flipped the table and walked out.

But I wasn't any normal girl.

The tears came instantly, filling my eyes and hanging perfectly on the ledge of my lower lashes.

My voice was thick with a calculated sob.

“I’m so sorry, Stella. I didn’t notice you were trying to offer me the soup.”

I turned my head slightly, presenting my most vulnerable profile. “I really love Jax, and I truly want to be your friend. You’re so kind, you’ll forgive me, won’t you?”

Stella’s expression and body language froze.

She managed a rigid smile. “Of course. Don’t blame Sasha, guys. It was just an accident.”

I threw myself into Jax’s arms, my face tear-stained and my eyes looking up at him with a mix of pained adoration and faint accusation.

For the first time, a flicker of guilt crossed Jax’s eyes.

He put an arm around me, just about to speak, when Stella jumped in urgently.

“Let’s go swimming! Jax, you said you’d teach me, remember? I even brought my suit.”

Once Stella gave the order, no one bothered to check if I’d finished eating. The others immediately dropped their forks.

“Let’s go.”

The three of them surrounded Stella, ushering her out of the room like she was the single most precious object on earth.

I followed behind, suddenly isolated.

Jax glanced back at me, but Stella instantly leaned closer, asking him some urgent, nonsensical question about proper swimming form.

Kian muttered unhappily from the side, “I’m a better swimmer than Jax. Let me teach you, Stell.”

Stella chuckled sweetly. “One at a time, guys. Next time, it’s your turn.”

The five of us soon arrived at the aquatic center.

Stella, already in a modest, floral one-piece, held Jax’s arm without a shred of boundary. The second her toe hit the water, she let out a theatrical yelp and leaped into his arms.

I emerged from the changing room, wearing the kind of bikini that demands attention, and caught the entire display.

“Jax,” I called out, making sure my voice carried. “I don’t know how to swim, either. Could you teach me?”

The three guys turned to look at me, and their eyes were instantly filled with undisguised appreciation.

To be a successful bitchy practitioner, the right hardware is essential.

I saw the lingering glances of other men in the pool area drift my way. Jax’s face darkened instantly.