Chapter 3

After I got home, I blocked Amanda everywhere.

Then I packed up everything she'd left at my place.

Her dresses.

The game console she liked.

The cheap stuffed animal she'd bought me on a whim.

Looking at it all, I slipped into old memories.

Sophomore year, I forced myself into a finance minor I didn't even want, just so we'd have something in common.

Junior year, her stomach issues flared one night, and she called me in pain.

I ran through the rain for medicine, stayed by her bed all night, and made her chicken soup.

The next morning, she woke up, found me asleep beside the bed, and only said, "Thanks."

Later, we got together.

Even as her secret boyfriend, I was happy.

I learned to cook for her, burning my hands again and again, all because she once mentioned craving homemade food.

I stayed up until three helping her sort company reports, then dragged myself to work the next day with dark circles under my eyes.

She took everything I gave without blinking.

But whenever anyone asked, she'd say, "Ryder? He's like a little brother to me. That's it."

I thought if I was good enough, patient enough, I'd eventually get through to her.

Then she agreed to that setup date without even hesitating.

That was when I realized some people don't have a heart to reach.

I shoved the last of her coats into a box and taped it shut.

Then I called a delivery service and sent everything straight to the front desk at Amanda's office.

When it was done, I let out a long breath.

Like I'd finally cut off the chains I'd dragged around for seven years.

Late that night, my phone lit up.

A text from an unknown number.

But I knew that tone instantly.

[Ryder, why were you with Nora today?]

[Don't get too close to her. She's not a good person.]

I almost laughed.

Classic Amanda.

She controlled every part of my social life and never let me get too close to another woman.

But she'd never actually let me into hers.

To her friends, I was just her handy little brother.

I didn't reply.

I blocked that number too.

***

The next morning, I walked into my boss's office.

"Mr. Lowell, I'd like to request a transfer."

I set the application on his desk.

Mr. Lowell looked surprised.

"Your department is easy and stable. Why jump to the core project team? They're known for brutal hours and nonstop travel."

So I could always be there for Amanda—

So I could run to her the second she needed me—

I'd stayed in the company's cushiest admin role, making okay money while my actual skills rotted.

I majored in architectural design.

I'd once been a top student on a full scholarship.

But for Amanda, I'd turned myself into someone whose whole life orbited hers.

"I want to push myself while I'm still young." I smiled, steadier than ever. "I heard they're building a team for the Merritt Hospital bid. I'd like a shot."

It was the company's biggest project of the year.

If we won, it would be the perfect career reset.

Mr. Lowell studied me for a moment, then nodded.

"All right. I'll give you a chance. Don't disappoint me."