Chapter 1

Autumn Gene had to be the biggest nerd in the history of nerds. In three whole years of college, he had never once stepped inside a real college party. He had heard the stories of how they were loud, chaotic, and ridiculously fun, but they always felt like legends from another world.

He pressed two fingers to his forehead for the sixth time that night, silently willing a fever to appear and rescue him. Behind him, Allison suddenly spun around, planted both hands on his shoulders, and leaned in close.

“Don’t even think about faking a fever to get out of this one,” she whispered, her voice carrying a clear warning. Try something smart and I’ll end you.

Autumn sighed, accepting defeat. Pissing off Allison tonight was not an option. She had spent weeks planning this, even curating multiple outfits until she found the perfect one. In her words, he needed to look like “a cutie pie who’s ready to get down.” He stood up and moved to the full-length mirror in the corner of her luxurious bedroom.

The reflection staring back at him felt like a stranger. Instead of his usual oversized hoodies and baggy jeans, he wore a fitted black net top that showed off more skin than he was comfortable with, paired with sleek leather pants that hugged his curves. Light makeup, subtle eyeliner and gloss, completed the look. He actually looked like he belonged.

“Sweetie, you look absolutely breathtaking,” Allison said, stepping behind him and gently patting down a stray lock of his hair. “Isn’t it really late already?” he tried again, his voice sheepish. “We should probably sit this one out.”

Allison smirked. “The good parties don’t even start until nine, and the best ones? You don’t show up until eleven.” Her coy smile told him she wasn’t backing down. This was the first time she had successfully dragged him out, and she had come too far to quit now.

She tilted her head toward the door with a reassuring smile. Autumn gave himself one final look in the mirror, muttered a quiet “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” and patted his pockets: phone, emergency cash, house keys, lip gloss, and mints. He had already checked them nine times.

After locking up Allison’s apartment, they walked a short distance to where her chauffeur waited with the car door open. “After you, your sexiness,” she teased. The playful jab coaxed a genuine smile from him, easing some of his nerves.

The drive was short. Soon they pulled up to a sleek club pulsing with bass. One of the rich kids on campus had thrown the party, and of course, Allison had scored an invite. She was practically vibrating with excitement that her best friend had finally agreed to try something new.

Autumn took hesitant steps toward the entrance while Allison practically skipped ahead. Crowds didn’t scare him, but loud, chaotic ones packed with billionaire heirs? That was a different story. He had always kept his head down on campus as the poor scholarship kid, avoiding attention. It was ironic that his closest friend was loaded, though Allison wasn’t exactly a social butterfly herself. She only attended these events occasionally.

The moment they stepped inside, the heat hit him like a wave. A sea of young, wasted bodies moved under flashing lights. Sweaty skin, clouds of smoke, and the sharp scent of alcohol filled the air. Upstairs, couples danced and made out shamelessly. Downstairs, groups played rowdy drinking games while others ground against each other with zero shame. It was exactly what he had imagined.

“Great, Ally. You did it. My first party ever,” Autumn said, voice tight with nerves. “Can we go now?”

“Nope. We haven’t even gotten drinks yet,” she shot back, determination written all over her face.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the crowd toward the bar. “Two tequila shots, please,” she called to the bartender, whose back was turned.

When he faced them, his eyes locked immediately on Autumn, tracing the sheer net top with obvious interest. Autumn felt suddenly exposed, heat rising in his cheeks.

“That’ll be all for now,” Allison said, practically shooing the bartender away after he served them.

Autumn scanned the room while they waited. He spotted a few guys from his classes, people he had never spoken to. When the shots arrived, the bartender’s gaze returned, lingering. Autumn’s fingers tightened around the cold glass. Allison nudged his shoulder, urging him on.

He glanced back at the bartender, who was now serving a group of girls but still managed to flash Autumn a quick wink. Flustered, Autumn downed the shot in one go. The burn spread through his chest, quickly turning into a warm buzz.

Allison grinned, clearly proud of how the outfit highlighted his figure in those leather pants. “See? You’re already turning heads.”

He tried to play it cool, but inside, he was a mess, his stomach flipping, his heart racing. They took four more rounds in quick succession. The alcohol settled warmly in his veins, making the music feel louder, the lights brighter. He decided that was enough if he wanted to keep any dignity.

Allison had already started dancing with two girls she had just met, waving him over to join them. In his head, he was moving effortlessly as they did during their silly sleepover dance parties. In reality, he stood frozen, fidgeting with his rings and rubbing his fingers together.

He couldn’t keep up the awkward pose forever. The drinks were pressing on his bladder. “Be right back,” he mouthed to Allison, pointing toward where he hoped the bathrooms were.

Too nervous to ask for directions, he wandered on his own. Down a dimly lit hallway, he found only couples pressed against walls, lost in heated make-outs. No restrooms. With a sigh, he headed for the staircase, climbing robotically, one hand gripping the railing.

The music grew deafening upstairs. He immediately regretted not bringing earplugs. “Fucking great,” he muttered, leaning against the cool wall to steady himself. The alcohol, combined with the throbbing bass, left him dazed and flushed.

Then it happened. A whisper brushed against his ear, so close it felt real. He whipped around.

His heart slammed against his ribs. He stumbled backward, eyes wide with fear, lips quivering, hands shaking violently.

“Dad?!”