Control ✔️

01| DRUNK

"You're wearing that?" Gwen crinkled her nose as she looked Valerie over. "You can't keep dressing like this, V. This isn't some frat party, it's my daddy's charity ball."

"No." Raina clucked her tongue. "You look like you're going to a club."

Valerie rolled her eyes and leaned on the edge of the mirror watching her two friends primp in the mirror. Two months ago, she might have agreed with them.

Wearing a black mini skirt and black tank top to a party would probably get her onto some "Worst Dressed" list on the front cover of people magazine . She'd tried to make her outfit more chic by adding some gold hoop earrings and a diamond necklace, but apparently it wasn't enough.

Funny how everything could change in just a day. A moment even. A phone call.

Two months ago, she cared about things.

Two months ago, she would've been worried about whether her lipstick shade complemented her darker hair or not.

But lately, she was having trouble giving two flying fucks about clothes or makeup.

"This is the biggest event of the year," Raina said, then turned to the mirror to apply her fake lashes. Like Gwen she could contour like a professional makeup artist. Not that it really made a difference at all.

Her complexion was perfect. The two of them didn't just dress trendy either—they created trends.

Gwendolyn's blonde hair hung in thick curls down her back, accented with a rose clip on one side.

Both of them wore tight dresses designed to draw attention. Today, Valerie seemed to look like their uncultured cousin tagging along as their charity project.

"Jax will be there for sure," Raina said with a smirk.

Gwen purred, "Mmm. Do you think he's got a sock down there or do you think it's the real deal?"

"Gwendolyn!" Valerie yelled, trying to cover her ears feeling offended for Jax's sake.

"What?" Her friend shrugged. "I know you've seen the bulge. How could you not?"

Raina laughed. "Too bad he's only got eyes for Miss Valerie Rosette over here."

Valerie didn't like his eyes. Or his bulge. Or his dead boring conversation, either.

They'd been out a few times and he'd drowned on and on about himself and his budding computer tech company, barely taking any breath between sentences.

Her friends called her a "chronic first-dater." She rarely went on second dates. Her mother was starting to ask if could possibly into girls. The guys she talked to called her a frigid bitch.

Neither was true. Even before her last high profile relationship, she'd found most guys boring. But now . . . Now she couldn't even imagine starting a relationship.

Not when her heart still felt so raw from her ex Ace's betrayal. He was the only person in the world she thought truly loved her. When she was in therapy for her alcohol issues he'd show up everyday to support her.

Her own mother had skipped out on visitation half the time after her parents had divorced.

Since her ex left her two months ago, her heart had been aching and Valerie hadn't been exactly the best person to be around.

She wondered if guys were coming on to her because they liked the challenge of it, not because they were actually interested.

She seriously needed to start re-evaluating her social circle.