Chapter 2

Cassie’s POV

"Thanks for the shot.” I burped, ignoring his question. 

The bitter sting of vodka which I had consumed still lingered on my tongue as the weight of betrayal curled around my spine like a vice. 

I already had too much damage for one night. 

My pride was tattered, my heart stomped on like Ledger had said, and now, all I wanted was to escape, to go home, crawl into bed, and pretend none of this had happened.

Gripping the edge of the bar counter, I slid off the stool but before I could take a step, he pulled me back.

He was behind me, his hand firm but not rough around my wrist. 

I turned, ready to shove him off but he leaned in so close that his breath brushed the tip of my ear. 

He smelled like whiskey and trouble.

“My place is three blocks from here,” he whispered. “Apartment 9B. My door’s wide open... if you want.” He said, and then released me.

Rolling my eyes, I let out a scoff, my face getting hot from the outright invitation. 

“Just like that.” I muttered, watching him walk away without looking back. 

Shoving his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans, he continued his walk, disappearing into the crowd like he hadn't just thrown me an offer. 

Rolling my eyes, I scoffed, shifting my gaze away from the arrogant and cocky Ledger. The guy who wore confidence like cologne, strong, intoxicating, and the kind that stuck to your skin long after he was gone.

God, I detested him.

He was the kind of guy my mother warned me about. The kind who didn't believe in “the morning after,” just “the night of.” 

And yet, every girl on campus had a story about him. The hockey captain with a bad reputation and sinfully good hands. 

He was a walking red flag with bedroom eyes and a smirk that could cause permanent damage.

I wasn’t going to be one of them or at least, I wasn't supposed to be.

But then, they popped into my head; Otto and Jade in the bathroom. Her nails on his back, and his lips on her neck. 

The two people I loved most stabbed me in the back without hesitation.

That instant, I felt something hot and dangerous rise in me. 

If Jade wanted to play dirty, I would roll in the mud and if Otto wanted to betray me with my best friend, then maybe it was time he felt a taste of what that betrayal felt like.

“Apartment 9B,” I muttered under my breath, grabbing my phone and keys and then walked out.

***

Just like he said, the building wasn’t far and the streets were quiet. The only people littering the street were a few drunk students stumbling home. 

The fresh air sobered me up just enough for me to question what the hell I was doing but not enough to stop myself.

I found 9B easily and the door was indeed open and without a second thought, I stepped inside and closed it behind me with a soft click.

When I stepped in, I saw him leaning against the kitchen counter. He was shirtless and sipping from a glass of water. 

Tattoos sprawled across his chest and shoulder and the look on his face showed he wasn’t surprised to see me.

“You change your mind,” he said softly.

I didn’t answer, instead, I walked up to him and then kissed him. It was hard, messy and desperate. He didn’t ask questions, he just took everything I was offering with his hands, mouth, and body.

Our clothes disappeared as our breaths tangled.

When we fell into his bed, I wasn’t thinking about the consequences, I wasn’t even thinking about what this meant or what it would cost me in the morning, I just wanted to forget about Otto and Jade and so I did with Ledger.

***

When I woke up, the sun had barely risen. Soft light filtered through his window blinds, casting a pale glow over the room. 

He was still asleep, one arm slung lazily across his chest, and his face was calm and almost innocent.

I sat up slowly, my head pounding furiously and my throat was patched. 

Right now, all I felt was shame.

What have I done? — My eyes burned with tears as I felt dirty all over. 

Slowly, I slipped out of bed quietly, picking up my things without waking him. And when I was done, I gave him one last look and then tiptoed out of his apartment.

Back in my room, I slammed the door shut and then collapsed on my bed.

My fingers curled around my pillow and for a long time, I was just staring at the ceiling. 

My skin still smelled like him, my lips still tingled from his kiss and my legs ached from what we did. 

The revenge I wanted was gone. It had burned out like a cheap candle and now it was a hollow ache.

You’re so stupid. — My thoughts screamed as tears rolled down my eyes. 

This wasn’t me, I wasn’t the girl who slept with someone out of spite nor was I the girl who threw her morals into a burning dumpster just to feel something again.

I curled myself up, trying to push everything away but my phone chose to buzz on the nightstand.

Rolling over, I was expecting a text from Jade or even Otto with some pathetic excuse but it wasn’t from either of them.

It was Ledger. 

I have a game tonight, come watch me play. — The message read. 

Stunned, I blinked, reading the message three more times. 

Another message popped up a few minutes later. — And don’t ghost me, I know where you live.

I sat up slowly, my phone clutched in my hands, as my heartbeat doubled. 

Was he serious?

I stared at the texts like they were sent in a foreign language. He didn’t seem angry or irritated with me, he didn’t even sound like the smug bastard I knew. 

It wasn’t what I expected from Ledger Rivers, the renowned playboy. He didn't show the morning after awkwardness, and he didn't pretend like it hadn’t happened. 

Instead, he was inviting me to his game.

Why?

Why wasn’t he acting like all the other rumors said he would?

I bit my lip, typing, then deleting and then typing again.

Finally, I replied. — Is this a joke?

Three dots appeared that instant, he was going to reply to my message.

No, I liked having you there last night, I want you there tonight, too. — The response was immediate. 

For the next few minutes, I stared at the message until my vision blurred. I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel but for the first time in hours, I didn’t feel like crying.

“What are you doing to me, Ledger Rivers?” I muttered, my thoughts fuzzy as I darted my eyes around. 

Taking a deep breath, I was going to put a call to Jade, informing her of the latest development. 

But then, the betrayal came rushing in. Crashing on my bed, I hugged myself tightly, my eyes burning with tears.