Chapter Eighteen

I slump on my bed, groaning into the pillow. My parents literally sent me out of the living room just because they can’t keep their hands to themselves. So much for parent–child bonding.

A notification pops up across my screen. I grab my phone, log into I*******m, and it takes me directly to Sophia’s page. A photo loads—and the moment it does, I scoff in disbelief.

Here I was beating myself up, thinking I’d said something bad to Alice’s nerdy brother, and he’s out there with Sasha having the time of his life. They actually look good together… him with those glasses, gazing away, and her dipping her red, stinking lips on someone’s boyfriend’s cheek with a stupid tag: Having fun at KYT band.

I zoom in and my jaw drops. He’s wearing a see-through black shirt. Gosh. He dressed up pretty good—for her.

Even if it’s a fake relationship, Dominic has no right to do shit like this and post it online. What would people say? That a nerd dumped me right after Asher? God, no.

I push the sheets aside and stomp to my closet. My reputation is on the line tomorrow. People will talk, so I have to salvage this situation.

A white mini gown should do.

No.

No red—I’m not crashing there looking like a saint.

Grabbing a red dress instead, I change into it. Satisfied with my reflection, I tie my hair up, leaving some curls to fall free. I grab heeled boots and a choker, line my lips, swipe on a little mascara, then step out.

I take two stairs at a time, reaching the bottom in seconds.

"I'm getting dizzy from all that wine, Feed," Mom giggles. She’s sitting on Dad’s lap, blanket over them—and God help them, because I don’t want to imagine what’s going on down there.

"Mom, there's a reason we have bedrooms," I mutter, heading for the door.

"Hey woman, where are you going to?" Dad calls.

I sigh and turn back.

"To see Alice?" I lie.

"Dressed like that?" Mom cocks a brow.

I shrug. "Come on, Mom. I’ll be back soon."

She turns to Dad. "Baby, are we saying she won’t be back?"

Dad shakes his head slowly. “We are concerned about where you’re going.”

I bite my lip, trying to frame the words without sounding stupid.

"Fine! I’m going to a concert and will be back pretty soon."

Mom nods, and I smile, rushing toward the door.

"Stop!" Mom yells.

I freeze. "Don’t tell me your ex-boyfriend is at this concert, and now that Jennifer is out of the picture, both of you are getting back together."

"God no, Mom. I just want to apologize to Dominic. He’s at the concert."

"Apologize," she repeats, "or keep him in your manipulative hook, making him think you give a shit when you don’t? It’s better not to apologize."

"Mom… you’re supposed to— I don’t know—be supportive."

"I’m your mother, Catherine," she says softly, "but leave this kid alone if you don’t love him."

"You guys can continue with whatever you’re doing. I don’t need your advice on how to treat people." I yank the door open.

"Catherine," she calls, "things like this… they never end well."

"I’m not doing anything wrong, Mom."

And I shut the door.

Everything inside me feels jumbled—Mom’s words echoing in my skull like she slapped me with them. How am I the bad guy now?

I order a ride and hop in the moment it arrives, sinking into the seat as the city lights blur past my window. How can Mom be so insensitive? Leave that kid alone—like I’m some disgusting person who toys with people.

I just want everything to be in order. How is that suddenly a crime? Now she chooses to care, after months of being absent. I’ve been taking care of myself for as long as I can remember. I can handle this.

"We are here," the driver says.

I climb out, hand him the fare, and immediately realize how dumb this entire decision is. How exactly am I supposed to find Dominic in a field of over ten thousand people?

The field is bright, loud, electric—lights everywhere, the stage glowing with smoke and color. I’m not even a fan of the KYT band, but the crowd is completely hypnotized.

I make my way through the field, but there’s barely any space to sneak past anyone.

"Sing with me, guys!" one of the band members screams.

"Live as you want to…" he begins, and the whole crowd erupts, singing along like it’s a hymn.

I pull out my phone again, recheck the photo. My stomach tightens. They’re near the front—right next to the protective bars by the stage.

Great.

I grip my phone and start squeezing my way through people, muttering apologies every time someone glares at me for bumping into them.

"Life is too, too short to think about someone else as you walk this path…" the crowd sings back.

I bump into a girl, she shoots me a look sharp enough to cut through steel. I bow quickly in apology and push past her, heart thudding harder with every step as I fight my way toward the front… and toward him.

Finally reaching the very front—and getting shoved around by the dancing crowd—I spot Dominic only a few steps away. Sasha’s arms are draped over his shoulders, her voice blending into the music as she sings into his ear.

He’s smiling.

They’re looking at each other.

I take a step forward just as Sasha slides even closer, her fingers hooking under his chin like she owns him. My whole body freezes. God, please don’t let him kiss her.

She leans in…

And Dominic turns his head away, saying something I can’t hear.

A smile breaks over my lips before I can stop it. Warm, ridiculous relief rushes through me. Maybe I shouldn’t feel happy—but I do.

The crowd shoves again, closing the space between us, and I reach out, grabbing his arm. He jerks like he’s about to pull away—

—then his eyes land on my face.

“Catherine?!” he shouts, shocked.

Sasha turns too, glaring as I wink at her.

“Hey! I needed to talk to you!” I shout back over the drums.

He glances between me and Sasha. “We can talk tomorrow!”

“Now!”

Sasha scoffs dramatically. If jealousy was blood, she’d be bleeding out on the grass.

I tug him away from the barrier. He doesn’t fight it until we’re completely out of the arena and the music dulls behind us. Then he yanks his hand free.

“Seriously, Catherine—what are you doing here?” he snaps, breathless and angry.

He doesn’t look happy to see me.

Which hurts more than I want to admit.

“I know you heard what I said,” I start, “and you’re pissed—”

“I’m not pissed you called me a nerd,” he cuts in. “I’m not. It actually gave me a reality check. Because it reminded me you don’t even see me as a person with feelings.”

“Come on, I do. I was just— I don’t know—blabbering and—”

“This whole relationship—fake or not—doesn’t give you the right to talk about me like I’m some—”

I don’t let him finish.

I rise on my toes and press a quick kiss to his lips.

He freezes, eyes wide.

And over his shoulder, I spot Sasha at the exit, staring like she just swallowed a lemon.

I step closer to him, heartbeat wild. “So, Dominic,” I say softly, “are you going to stand here and sulk because I called you a nerd… or are you going to compliment my beautiful red dress and kiss me like you’re supposed to?”

His lips part. “Catherine?”

It’s insane, but I think I actually want to give this a real shot.

He leans in.

I tilt my head, breath mingling with his.

My eyes flutter shut as his lips brush mine—light, careful—

This is it.

I angle my mouth to kiss him properly—

—and my phone erupts with a sharp, vibrating ring.

My eyes snap open. Dominic stumbles back like someone poured ice water on him.

I’m panting, cheeks burning. “Oh, for the love of—”

I fumble for my phone. “One minute,” I mutter breathlessly, forcing a laugh as I check the caller ID.

My eyes widen at the name flashing across the screen, "Asher."

Dominic chuckled, "The boyfriend."

"He's my ex. We are not together anymore."

"Then end the call, turn off your phone.."

I turn to look at Dominic, "Maybe he has something to say."

"Really Catherine..."

"I don't know but I just want to hear him out not because.."

"You came to apologize to me and I'm asking you not to answer him please.."

"Just a minute Dominic. I swear, I'll be back."

I take a step away and swipe the call button.