Chapter 2

Tyler's house is already packed when I arrive.. I edge past them, scanning the crowd for Ethan.

The living room is packed to the brim, everyone riding the high of the championship win. I spot Naomi by the makeshift bar and start to head her way when I heard Ethan's voice.

"You think you're so fucking special, don't you?"

I follow the sound to the kitchen, pushing through a circle of onlookers. Ethan stands with his finger jabbed against Luca's chest, his face flushed red in a way that tells me he's already had too much to drink.

Luca looks bored, one shoulder propped against the refrigerator. "Move your hand, Palmer. Now."

"Or what?" Ethan pushes harder. "You gonna hit me?”

"You wouldn’t want to find out.." Luca's eyes noticing my presence, then back to Ethan. "Trust me."

I step between them before Ethan can respond. "Hey! What's going on?"

Ethan's eyes narrow when he sees me. "Well, look who decided to show up. You tell him why this guy here was just telling me how I don't deserve you."

I whip my head around to glare at Luca. "You did what?"

Luca shrugs. "Just speaking facts. I didn't realize the truth would hurt his feelings so much."

"Stay out of my business," I hiss.

"Gladly." He moves to leave, but Ethan blocks him.

"No, let's hear it. Tell her what you really think, Archer. Tell her how you've been…"

"Back off, Palmer." Luca's voice has dropped to dangerous level. "This is your last warning."

I grab Ethan's arm, pulling him away. "Come on, this is stupid. We just won the championship. Can't you two…"

"There is no we," Ethan snaps, wrenching his arm free. "He is taking all the glory."

"That's not fair," I say, even though part of me knows it's true. Luca was really incredible tonight. "You also played great. The whole team—"

"Save it." Ethan turns away, then pauses to look back at Luca with a sneer. "Oh, and by the way? The only reason she defends you is because she feels sorry for you. Poor little orphan boy, shipped off because nobody wanted him."

"Ethan!" I shove him, hard. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

For a second, I think Luca's going to hit him. His hands curl into fists at his sides, and there's a tremor running through him. But then he steps around and walks away leaving Ethan, who looks simultaneously relieved and disappointed to avoid a fight.

Ethan turns to me, expectant, like I should be congratulating him.

"You need to calm down. I don't know what happened between you two, but that was cruel."

"Oh, so now you're really defending him?"

"Stop being a jerk."

"Whatever." He reaches for a beer on the counter. "I need another drink."

"Wait," I grab his arm. "Actually we need to talk. About earlier. About…"

"Not now, Lily." He jerks away from me, sloshing beer onto the floor. "I'm not in the mood for one of your discussions."

The way he says it, like my feelings are an inconvenience, like I'm being unreasonable for wanting basic respect makes my leftover patience snap.

"Fine," I say, stepping back. "Find me when you're ready to act like an adult."

I turn and walk away, ignoring the talks that follow me. I just need a minute to breathe and think clearly.

I wander through the party, accepting a cup of something strong from someone I barely know, then another. The alcohol burns my throat but eases the knot in my chest. Two drinks in, I decide to look for Ethan again. We need to clear the air. I need to ask him about that perfume.

I check the backyard, the den, the garage converted into a dance floor. No sign of him. Finally, I head upstairs, wondering if he's cooling off in one of the quieter rooms.

That's when I see them.

They're partially hidden behind a vending machine in the upstairs hallway, but not hidden enough. Ethan has Megan Davis,our cheer captain pressed against the wall, his hands tangled in her long blonde hair as he kisses her neck. She giggles, and the sound pierces through my soul.

"Ethan," she moans, loud enough for me to hear. "We shouldn't. What about—"

"She doesn't have to know," he murmurs, hands sliding down to her waist. "Besides, you're the one I want."

Time seems to stop as I stand there, watching my boyfriend; my boyfriend of almost two years with his tongue down another girl's throat. The same boyfriend who accused me of caring too much about someone else not fifteen minutes ago.

I don't remember moving or crossing the distance between us. But suddenly I'm there, Megan's eyes widening in panic as she spots me over Ethan's shoulder.

"Lily…" she starts, but I'm not interested in her excuses.

I tap Ethan on the shoulder. He turns, his smug smile fading as he registers my presence.

"Lily, I…."

The sound of my palm connecting with his cheek is so satisfying I almost want to do it again.

Ethan's face pales beneath his flush. "Lily I can explain…"

"Don't bother." I step back, surveying them both with a calm I don't feel. "You deserve each other. Hope she enjoys dating a loser who can't even win without blaming everyone else."

"You're overreacting," Ethan reaches for my arm, but I jerk away. "Come on, it was just…."

"Just what? Just a kiss? Just a quick fuck after practice?" My voice rises, and I don't care who hears.. "How long, Megan? How long have you been fucking my boyfriend?"

Megan's face crumples. "I didn't…"

"Save it." I look between them, disgust rising in my throat. "We're done, Ethan. Don’t ever call me again."

A crowd has gathered at the end of the hall, drawn by the commotion. I see the shock on their faces, the phones already recording.

I turn to leave, only to find Naomi pushing through the crowd.

"Lily!" She grabs my arm, pulling me away from the scene. "Come on, let's get you out of here."

She drags me downstairs and out to the back porch and only then do I realize I'm shaking.

"I'm so sorry," she says, rubbing my arms. "Are you okay?"

"You knew." It's not a question because I can see the guilt in her face. "You knew he was cheating."

Naomi looks away, biting her lip. "I only found out recently, I swear. Caught them last week…during night practice. I thought maybe it was nothing. I didn't know how to tell you. You were already so stressed. And you know, honestly? Most of these sports guys are like that. They are literally testosterone machines. You think they just save that energy for the court?"

"You're my best friend. You should have told me."

"I know. I'm sorry. I thought…"

"You thought what? That I'd rather be humiliated in front of everyone than hear it from you?"

I push past her, heading back inside. I need a drink. Several drinks. I need to forget the image of Ethan and Megan burned into my retinas.

"Lily, wait—" I walked away from her ignoring her calls.