Jennifer's bright pink lips freeze into a victorious smile as MILK//BLOOD are called up on stage – their band has just won another award, this time for Best Rock Breakthrough of the Year. The stage lights momentarily blind them as they ascend under a storm of applause – Travis, as always, in a leather jacket over his bare, sculpted torso, all honey thirst trap in human form, Eric towering over them in his eccentric coat, and finally, Joel.

Jennifer's heart does a little sprint at the sight of him – as always. He's so good-looking it's impossible not to stare – pale, tattooed fingers clutching the award as he brings the mic to his lips to thank the fans and everyone who's helped them along their musical journey – that low, slightly husky voice paired with that smile fills the entire venue, and Jennifer swears her knees start to give out. She can't help it – she grabs his arm, practically draping herself over him, standing on tiptoes to reach the mic.

"Yes! Thank you for listening us! We love you!" she shouts cheerfully while the crowd loses its collective mind.

Joel freezes under her sudden attack, and Jennifer feels how he wants to pull away – but she grips tighter.

You won't go away.

The blonde tilts her head up at him, smiling, just to see his face – a perfect mask over a shitty hand. His expression is completely empty, like he's physically restraining himself from shaking her off like a parasite.

Whatever. He'll realize soon enough that he needs me, not his useless little wife.

At the thought of her, Jennifer's throat tightens like she's swallowed a razor blade. That bitch stole her Joel. It was so unfair she wanted to break something. Her fingers dig deeper into Joel's forearm.

She was the one who had been with him all these years. She was the one – not her – who saw Joel when no one else did – when he was a pimply teenager drowning in an oversized Metallica t-shirt, when he was training that velvet voice of his, when he was just him. Who could've known he'd fall for her like an idiot? What did she have that she didn't???

Jennifer pressed her lips into a thin line. It didn't matter. Her love for Joel would be enough for the both of them. He'd see, he'd understand – no one else would ever love him the way she did. The childhood-friend-to-lovers arc would pull through.

---

The awards ceremony was in Vegas, which felt like a gift from the gods.

Travis had already disappeared – obviously, completely wasted with three groupies in his arms like some Xanax-fueled Eros. Eric had given her a lazy salute with two fingers to his temple before heading off to celebrate their latest win in the poker lounge. Jennifer, however, looked around to make sure their dressing room was empty before striding confidently toward the clothing trunk. She stripped off her clothes and underwear, slipping into a thin black dress without bothering to put anything back on underneath – she wouldn't need it tonight. She spun in front of the mirror, checking herself from every angle – this was an outfit designed to kill.

After fixing her lipstick and dabbing perfume on her collarbones, she exited the dressing room with purpose, heading down to the first floor of the hotel their label had booked for them. The polite guy at the reception desk smiled at her as she gifted him with one just as sweet.

"Heyyy, hi there." She drummed her fingers on the counter. "I'd like to make a small adjustment to my band's room assignments. Is that possible?"

The man nodded, his hands already flying across the keyboard. "Of course, Miss Little, our hotel wants to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. What would you like to change?"

Jennifer leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Please move me to Joel Morrison's room. My current room can be freed up."

The man raised an eyebrow, maintaining his professional smile. "Uh... Is Mr. Morrison okay with that? Per policy, we have to confirm that all parties agree to such changes..."

Jennifer frowned, deliberately pulling out her phone. "He's fine with it. I'm literally texting him right now. I thought your hotel was dedicated to making our stay as smooth as possible, but if I have to bother Joel and our manager over such a basic request, I don't think we'll be staying here again next time..."

The administrator gulped, clearly envisioning the scandal if MILK//BLOOD decided never to return because of him. He nodded quickly, already handing over a key card.

"My apologies for the inconvenience, Miss Little – I hope there are no hard feelings. I just had to confirm... Please enjoy your stay."

Jennifer smiled triumphantly as she took the key card and headed toward the elevator. Everything was coming together perfectly. Tonight? Would change everything. On the way up, she snagged an expensive bottle of champagne from a side table and jabbed the elevator button impatiently. She'd tell Joel that the label had reassigned their rooms – lie about everything being booked up or some other bullshit. They'd drink, reminisce, talk about the good old days – and she'd end up in his bed. Easy. Simple. And once she got her hands on him, she'd show him pleasures that would make sure he never even thought about going back to his boring wife who probably bored him to death after all these years.

A sharp sting of jealousy stabbed right through her chest – she would take back every single year she had stolen from her.

The blonde pressed the plastic key card against the scanner and stepped into the room. Now or never. Her final move.

"Jooooel!" she called out, layering her voice with sugar and amusement. "Where are you? I hope you're in the shower because you better be fresh for tonight!"

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she reached for it to silence it – or turn it off entirely. Nothing and no one was going to interrupt them tonight. But then her finger hovered over the screen when she saw what it was – a notification from their shared chat with their manager. Snorting, she opened it just to type a quick 'give us at least one night to rest' before she froze.

The message made her narrow her eyes.

`Guys, sorry for the urgency – the office screwed up the tour dates and lost all of Joel's documents – this is literally a red-level emergency. Joel, I'm so sorry, but you need to come down to the office ASAP.`

Joel's response followed immediately after.

`Okay, I'm heading over. Keep an eye on her for me while I'm gone, okay?`

Jennifer lifted her head just in time to hear footsteps inside the suite – and she understood.

Joel had obviously – obviously – brought his dear little wife along to celebrate their win. And now he was gone because of course those dumbasses at the office just happened to lose his documents tonight. And now she was stuck here with his fucking wife.

With a loud clunk, Jennifer set the champagne bottle down on the glass table before turning to face her with a blatant once-over, planting a hand on her hip.

"So," she drawled out her name like an insult. "Why am I not surprised to find you here? Too insecure to let Joel out of your sight for even a minute? Afraid that... he'll realize he's better off with someone else? Or just away from you?"