Chapter 1

Audrina’s POV

When my father died, he told me everything I needed to know about life and I decided I wouldn't give a fuck about it.

That was what attending this party was about. Not giving a fuck.

“Hey, Audrina," Max's voice pulled me back to the loud music echoing in the room. "Come back to me.”

His warm hands slid around my waist, turning me to face him.

His grin was easy, everything a girl was supposed to want. "You good?”

"Yeah. I'm fine,” I said, nodding quickly but if I was going to be damn honest. I wasn't.

Even here, surrounded by the noise and people and distraction, my mind kept going back to one person. The least person I should be thinking about.

Ethan Cole.

My stepfather… though he only came into my life when I was already grown, long after I no longer needed one.

He didn't know where I was tonight. He must be thinking that I was in bed sleeping.

My chest tightened at the thought.

Because if he knew where I was… what I was doing… my grip tightened around my glass.

He would go crazy and well, I knew enough about what would happen.

“Are you worried about Ethan?" Max asked.

I shook my head, lifted the drink to my lips and took a long swallow. The alcohol burned going down.

Good.

Maybe it would burn everything else away too.

Max's eyes roamed my face. “Relax, babe. You're overthinking. You're allowed to have a life, you know."

I scoffed.

Another drink appeared in my hand, I didn't even remember asking for it. But I took it anyway. Tonight, I wouldn't think about Ethan.

I wouldn't think about how he ignored me for days. About how my chest ached whenever I thought about him.

It was pathetic

So instead, I focused on Max.

Max, who was right.

Max, who was normal.

Max, who didn't make me question everything I felt.

“You're mine tonight," he whispered, pulling me closer and I let him. I placed my hands on his shoulders, letting myself sway with him. Letting myself pretend.

This could work.

It should work.

He was everything I was supposed to want and yet… as he leaned in slightly, smiling down at me, it felt off.

Like something was missing.

Like I was forcing myself into a story that didn't quite fit.

“Smile," Max teased. “You look like one of your relatives just died."

“Shut up"

“Not kidding."

I rolled my eyes, but this time, the smile on my face widened. Maybe I just needed time. Maybe feelings could be built.

Maybe…

“Hey, isn't that the girl with the scary stepdad?"

My hands stilled on Max's shoulder as his friends gathered around us, drinks in hand, laughing like they had just heard the world's best joke.

One of them, Daniel, I couldn't remember his name clearly, nudged Max with a smirk.

"You know, the one who looks like he could buy this whole place and shut it down just because he's bored.”

Max laughed.

My throat tightened as I pulled my hands away from him.

“Yeah," Max added. “That's him."

I felt something twist in my chest. I couldn't believe he was joining them to talk about my stepfather like that.

Daniel grinned. “Man, I'd be scared to even breathe wrong around that guy."

“Trust me," Max said, his tone light but carrying something sharper beneath it. “He already acts like he owns her."

The group laughed. My stomach dropped.

“What does that mean?" I asked, facing him.

Max turned to me, still smiling. “Relax, it's a joke"

“A fucking joke?" I shook my head. “Well, it didn't sound like one."

“Oh, come on, Audrina… don't be like that."

"Like what?” My voice sharpened. "Like someone who doesn't find it funny when you talk about my family like that?”

His expression faltered. "I wasn't talking about your family. I was talking about him.”

I raised my brows. "Oh really? And that makes it better?”

Max lets out a breath, clearly irritated but I didn't care.

"You're overreacting,” he said.

"I am not.”

The air surrounding us thickened. His friends exchanged nervous glances, suddenly very interested in their drinks.

“It's not that serious,” Max continued, his jaw tightening. "The guy's just… weirdly controlling, okay? Anyone can see that."

I clenched my fists. " You don't know him.”

"I know enough.”

"No, you don't,” I snapped.

Max blinked, surprised at my tone. I had never used that tone for him before.

"Okay, wow,” he said slowly. " Didn't realize you'd get this defensive. “

"I'm not being defensive. I'm asking you to respect him.”

Max laughed under his breath. "Respect? For what? The way he treats you?”

My heart skipped. “What's that supposed to mean?"

He hesitated… just for a second but I caught it.

"Max.”

He sighed. "Look, I just don't like the guy, alright? The way he looks at you sometimes… it's…”

"Stop,” I mumbled, my tone higher than what I intended. The music, the crowd, everything just faded into the background.

"Don't finish that sentence,” I said, glaring at him.

He raised his hands slightly. "Fine. Whatever.”

I stepped back, carrying my bag. "I want to go home. “

"What? Already?”

I ignored him as I walked past him. He grabbed my wrists, disbelief flashing across his face. "You're seriously leaving over this?”

"I said I want to go home”

He opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "You're drunk. I'm not letting you go alone.”

"I don't need you," I said, yanking my hands away from him.

****

I leaned against the window, focusing on the city lights rather than the stiff being beside me.

The alcohol in my system buzzed in my veins but it still wasn't enough to calm the storm inside me.

Max gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles turning white. “You're really mad, huh?"

I didn't answer.

“You know, I didn't mean anything by it."

Still nothing.

“Audrina"

“Look, you don't get to decide what you meant," I said softly. “I'll decide how it feels."

He lets out a breath. "So what, I'm the bad guy now?”

I closed my eyes, steadying my breath. "I just want you to respect him.”

He laughed bitterly. "Yeah, right, maybe he should give me a reason to.”

I sighed, turning my head back toward the window. I couldn't continue the conversation with him. He kept on talking but I barely listened.

The moment the car pulled into the driveway, my breath caught.

It was one in the morning and the house was lit… like every light. My heart began to beat fast.

No no no no no

“He's awake," the word came out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

“What?"

Max grabbed onto my band which at the time I didn't notice as he pushed the door opened.

And there he was.

Ethan.

Standing in the doorway like he had been waiting. He was putting on a jeans trouser, just that, he wasn't putting on any shirts.

His grey eyes locked on mine, burning with anger.

Max tried to recover his usual confidence. “Uh…”

But Ethan didn't look at him as his gaze remained on me, my legs shook.

"Where were you?" Ethan asked.