Chapter 2

Selena’s Pov

“Careful, so you don’t get drunk,” Cullen said, his gaze fixed on me.

I chuckled and downed another shot, the burn sliding down my throat. “That’s the aim,” I muttered, gripping the cup tighter. Tonight, I wanted to drink until I couldn’t feel anything anymore.

Cullen hadn’t objected when I asked him to have a drink with me, and I appreciated that more than I thought I would. It was like he knew I needed someone to lean on, and he just… stayed.

But deep down, I knew tomorrow would be different. Jasmine would probably suspect Jake and I had been together, considering how I reacted when I caught them tangled up in each other’s arms. And if Jasmine knew, then the whole school would know. Everyone would know that my boyfriend dumped me—on my birthday.

What a wonderful way to live.

I kept downing shots, ignoring the person sitting next to me. All I wanted was to forget everything, even though I knew that was impossible. If alcohol could erase memories, I’d gladly drink myself into oblivion.

“Do you really think getting drunk will make you forget everything?” Cullen’s voice broke through my haze.

I sighed, feeling the room blur around me. “At least for tonight,” I whispered.

He waved at the bartender. “Water,” he ordered.

I frowned at him. “Water?”

“One of us has to stay sober,” he said simply.

That earned a small, tired smile from me. “I probably look pathetic right now, huh?”

He didn’t say anything, which was answer enough.

I propped my chin on my hand, staring at him. “Tell me… what do you think of me?” I blurted out without thinking.

His brows furrowed. “What?”

I sighed, clicking my tongue softly. “We’ve never really talked before. We’re basically strangers. But now, you’ve seen me at my lowest, and the first real conversation we have is about my boyfriend cheating on me. I’m sure you don’t exactly have a good impression of me.”

Cullen tilted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips as his gaze locked on mine. “You’re wrong,” he said. “I do have a good impression of you. Walking away instead of causing a scene shows how strong you are. And honestly… it’s Jake’s loss for letting go of a gem like you.”

His words hit deeper than I expected.

“Don’t let what happened change you or turn you into someone you’re not,” he added softly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I froze. Subconsciously, I leaned into his touch, and his hand stilled against my cheek. The air between us shifted—thicker, heavier.

Cullen pulled his hand back slowly, inhaling sharply. “You look tired.”

I stared at the drink in front of me, swirling the ice around. “I am tired.”

He hesitated before asking, “Do you want to come with me? You don’t have to be alone tonight.”

My breath hitched. I knew exactly what that offer meant, and as tempting as it was, I couldn’t. I’d heard the rumors about him, whispers that didn’t sound good at all.

I shook my head lightly. “I’m okay.”

He didn’t push. “Just know I’m here if you need someone to lean on.” His voice was soft, genuine even—but after what Jake did, trusting any man felt impossible.

I nodded, looking away. “I should go.”

“Okay,” he said quietly.

And I left without another word.

My dorm was dark when I returned, but the second I opened the door, I froze. Ava was sitting on my bed, arms folded tightly.

“Where the hell were you?” she snapped, jumping up. “I’ve been calling and texting you, and you didn’t respond!”

I groaned softly, rubbing my temples. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

She stepped closer and cupped my cheeks in her palms, searching my face. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked softly.

I didn’t need her to clarify what she meant. I shook my head and pulled her into a hug.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden it from you, but… he asked me to. I thought—”

“Are you okay?” Ava interrupted gently.

I pulled back, forcing a small smile and nodding.

She sighed, brushing her thumb over my cheek. “Jasmine told everyone, Selena. The whole school knows now. Things won’t be easy for you.”

I’d expected that. But somehow, the thought didn’t scare me anymore. Maybe because Cullen’s words had soothed me more than I realized.

“I didn’t get drunk tonight for nothing,” I murmured, smiling faintly as I walked to the bed and lay down, pulling the duvet over myself.

“Don’t worry,” Ava said firmly. “I’m right here. I’ll make sure anyone who tries to mess with you regrets it.”

I chuckled softly at her protectiveness before wishing her goodnight.

Sleep didn’t come easily that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, my thoughts drifted back to Cullen—his words, his gaze, the way he looked at me. He seemed harmless, and part of me wanted to believe that he was genuinely trying to help. But the rumors… the things I’d heard about him… I couldn’t ignore them.

Still, I remembered when he told me his dorm number before I left. “Just in case,” he’d said.

And now, here I was the next morning, walking across campus with my hands shoved deep into the pocket of my hoodie. My fingers were freezing, but my mind burned with indecision.

I hadn’t thought clearly when I made this decision. Or maybe, for once, I was thinking perfectly.

I was going to Cullen’s dorm.

If I wanted to get back at Jake… this was my chance.

I stopped at his door, staring at it for a moment. I hesitated, debating turning around and pretending I’d never come here at all.

But then the door opened.

Cullen stood there—shirtless, rubbing his eyes, his messy hair falling slightly over his forehead. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed.

He blinked at me, clearly surprised. “Selena?”

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “I couldn’t sleep.”

His gaze softened. He stepped aside, opening the door wider. “Come in.”

His dorm was clean and simple. A desk tucked into the corner, a slightly messy bed, and his hoodie draped over the back of a chair.

I sat down as he handed me a bottle of water and took the seat across from me.

For a moment, we sat in silence before I whispered, “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did last night.”

He leaned back, watching me carefully. “It’s fine. You were drunk. Let’s just leave it at that.”

“No,” I shook my head. “You were just trying to help, and I—” I stopped, exhaling softly.

He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “How are you feeling?”

I met his gaze, and the silence between us grew heavier. “I don’t want to feel like this anymore,” I confessed.

“Like what?” he asked quietly.

“Like I’m not enough,” I said, my voice breaking.

Cullen rose slowly, stepping closer. He didn’t touch me at first, just stood in front of me, his piercing gaze locked on mine.

“You are enough,” he said softly, his voice deep.

My breath caught as my gaze dropped to his lips, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in. I didn’t plan to kiss him. It just happened.

His lips were warm against mine, soft yet firm, and when he kissed me back, my heart raced wildly in my chest.

The pain, the heartbreak, the anger—it all faded.

I deepened the kiss, my hands curling around the hem of his shirt. His fingers found my waist, tracing slow, steady circles against my skin.

Clothes slipped away, piece by piece. No rush, no hesitation—just raw, unspoken need.

Every touch sent a shiver down my spine. I wanted more.

Cullen’s lips were rough against mine as I pushed him back gently, lowering myself between his legs. I unbuttoned his jeans, sliding them down as my trembling hands touched him.

He caught my wrist, his gaze locking with mine. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low, strained. “We can stop.”

But the look in his eyes said he didn’t want to. And I didn’t either.

I nodded faintly, a soft smile tugging at my lips before I took him in my hand, slow and gentle. His low, guttural moan filled the room, and the sound alone made my breath catch.

He touched me like I was something precious—like I was everything. He pulled me back up, crashing his lips against mine, his hand slipping beneath my waistband. My soft moans filled the air as his fingers moved inside me, slow but deep, hitting every nerve.

Then, without warning, I felt him press against me—inside me—stretching me, filling me.

I gasped, clinging to him. “C-Cullen…” I whispered breathlessly.

He stilled for a moment, his gaze searching mine, as if waiting for permission.

I nodded, and he moved—slow, deliberate thrusts that made me bite my lip to hold back the sounds escaping me.

Every movement sent me higher, pulling me further into the fire between us until nothing else existed.

And for the first time since last night… I didn’t feel broken.