Chapter 2

“What? You saw Silas kissing someone in the locker room earlier and didn’t bother to tell me right away?” Mitz scoffed through the phone, her voice so loud I had to hold the device away from my ear.

I groaned and fell back onto my bed. “It wasn’t exactly breaking news, Mitz. And why would it matter anyway?”

“Because it’s Silas Rennick,” she shot back. “Come on, Aiden, you don’t just keep that kind of thing to yourself.”

I stared at the ceiling and sighed. “He can kiss whoever he wants. It’s none of my business. Honestly, the less I know about him, the better.”

“You’re full of crap,” Mitz said immediately. “I saw how stiff you got when he sat beside you today. Don’t even try to pretend.”

“I wasn’t stiff,” I muttered. “I was cautious. You know how people at this school are. Sitting next to Silas is enough to set off a thousand rumors, and I have no interest in being the subject of anyone’s gossip.”

She went quiet for a beat, and I could practically hear the smirk forming on her face.

“Let me guess,” she drawled, “you think he’s attractive, but you’re in denial.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, forcing a dry laugh. “I’m not in denial, Mitz. I just don’t care. And no, he's not my type.”

“You’re dancing around the question,” she sing-songed.

“Whatever,” I cut her off, annoyed. “If you really need an answer… fine. He’s not hard to look at. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Oooh, now we’re getting somewhere,” she teased.

“Stop twisting my words,” I said flatly. “All I’m saying is, whenever he’s close, I feel… different. Like my body’s on edge, and I don’t like it. That’s all.”

“Sounds like an attraction to me.”

“It’s not,” I said firmly, though I could even hear the edge in my voice.

Mitz chuckled on the other end. “Keep telling yourself that. I can’t wait to see how long you last.”

Hours after we ended the call, her teasing still echoed in my head. But I forced myself to shut it out. Whatever this was, I wasn’t about to let Silas Rennick mess up the quiet life I’d built.

The sun was already streaming through my window when I finally opened my eyes the next morning. I dragged myself out of bed, showered, and threw on a plain shirt with my worn-in jeans and sneakers.

The smell of bacon and maple syrup greeted me as I stepped into the kitchen.

“Morning, Mom,” I said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Her tired eyes didn’t go unnoticed. “You really need to rest more. Three jobs are already killing you.”

“Make that four,” she said with a weak laugh. “Picked up a part-time shift at the coffee shop down the street.”

I clenched my jaw. “Mom…”

She cupped my face before I could say more. “Don’t start. Just focus on school, Aiden. We’ll be fine, like we always are.”

“I can pick up a job,” I offered. “I’ve got free time—”

“No,” she said sharply, and the finality in her voice made me stop. “It’s safer for you to focus on your studies. Please.”

I nodded, biting back what I wanted to say. She’d been fighting for us ever since Dad died, and the last thing I wanted was to add to her stress.

After finishing breakfast, I grabbed my bag and decided to walk to campus to save on fare.

Halfway down the street, a car horn blared behind me. I stepped aside, but the honking didn’t stop.

I turned—and froze.

Silas was leaning casually out of his car window, expensive sunglasses glinting as he looked straight at me. A slow smirk tugged at his lips.

“Headed to school?” he asked. “I could give you a ride.”

I didn’t even break stride. “No thanks,” I said, shoving my hands into my pockets and continuing on.

My pulse was already picking up, and I hated that.

Footsteps followed, then a strong hand closed around my arm, pulling me to a stop.

“What the hell, Silas?” I snapped, yanking free. “Don’t just grab people like that.”

He stepped in closer, calm but unreadable. “Relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Then quit acting like you own the sidewalk,” I shot back. “Go bother someone else.”

“Funny,” he said slowly. “I don’t remember being the one staring yesterday.”

I glared at him. “You’re imagining things. Whatever you think you saw, forget it. You can kiss whoever you want, Silas, but I’m not interested.”

“Really?” he murmured, his smirk deepening.

Before I could move, he stepped closer, his arm snaking around my waist like it was nothing.

“Back off,” I warned, shoving against his chest, but he didn’t budge.

His voice dropped, softer but sharper. “From the second I saw you, I couldn’t stop watching. Don’t even try to tell me you don’t feel it too.”

I forced a short laugh, even as my chest tightened. “You’ve got the wrong guy. Whatever you think this is, it’s not happening.”

Silas leaned in, his breath brushing my ear. “There’s no turning back now, Aiden. Whether you like it or not, I’m not letting go.”

And just like that, he released me, walked back to his car, and drove off.

I stood there for a long moment, jaw tight, heart hammering in my chest.

Damn it. Why did he get to me like that?