Chapter 5

“What have you found so far?” Julian pressed, leaning forward with his elbows planted on the table, eyes bright with curiosity.  

Vegas shrugged casually, leaning back in his chair with that effortless, unbothered posture he had perfected over the years. “Not much yet. Scholarship kid. Architecture major.” Remmy gave him a pointed look, setting his drink down slowly. “So your plan is to punish him?”  

“Obviously,” Vegas replied, his tone flat but edged with something darker. “He ruined a gifted shirt.” He glanced upward as the server approached and began placing their food on the table: juicy burgers with melted cheese, crispy golden fries, and tall glasses of iced drinks that condensed in the cool cafe air.

The savory aromas rose around them, mixing with the scent of fresh coffee brewing nearby, but Vegas barely noticed. He picked up his iced coffee, taking a long, slow sip while staring out the large window at the sun-drenched campus paths outside. In his mind, Autumn was probably wandering around right now, completely oblivious to the target he had painted on himself. The thought made Vegas’s jaw tighten with dark satisfaction.  

Julian stuffed a handful of fries into his mouth, chewing noisily before wiping his fingers on a napkin. “It’s been a while since we had some fun. What’s the plan?”  

Vegas didn’t answer right away. He swirled the ice in his cup, the soft clinking sound blending into the lively hum of the cafe. He let the surrounding noise—chatter from nearby tables, occasional bursts of laughter, and the hiss of the espresso machine fade into the background as his thoughts drifted. He kept picturing those golden-brown eyes and the small mole just above soft, plump lips.

The image had burned itself into his brain like a brand. He wanted to see that face again, not under dim party lights, but in real time. Up close. Clear enough to watch every flicker of emotion when the boy realized who he was dealing with. The memory of Autumn being pulled away that night still stung, igniting a possessive hunger Vegas hadn’t felt in a long time. This wasn’t just revenge. It was about reclaiming control.  

He remained quiet for a long moment, the wheels turning in his head. A confrontation might satisfy the immediate anger, but it lacked depth. He wanted something slower, more calculated. He wanted to observe first, to learn the boy’s routines, his vulnerabilities, the people he trusted. Only then would he decide how to strike.  

Across the bustling cafe, Autumn followed Allison inside, still carrying the tension from his morning practice session like a heavy weight on his shoulders. His group project presentation loomed over him like an approaching storm cloud.

The thought of public speaking in front of the entire class made his stomach twist into knots. Their lecturer had been adamant about “equal participation for team building,” but the idea of standing up there, all eyes on him, filled Autumn with quiet dread.  

“It’s not that bad,” Allison said cheerfully as they claimed a small table near the entrance, the wooden chairs scraping softly against the tiled floor. “You’re just talking to a few people. They don’t bite.”  

“Easy for you to say. It’s my first time presenting like this,” he muttered, fidgeting with his keys, an old habit that always helped calm his racing nerves. He clutched the cool metal tightly in his palm while Allison went to order for them, the familiar weight grounding him.  

When their food arrived on a tray, Allison immediately dove into her burger with enthusiasm, the wrapper crinkling loudly. “Think about it, you’re starting the semester strong. First party, first big presentation, and a cute guy flirting with you.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, still riding the high from the bartender's story he had shared that morning.  

Autumn’s cheeks warmed with a blush he couldn’t hide. “I didn’t even get his number. Or his name.” He dropped his head into his hands, groaning softly. “Classic me.”  

“We can always go back,” Allison said with a casual shrug, wiping a bit of sauce from her lip. He sighed, doubt creeping in. “Wasn’t he supposed to ask for mine? Maybe he was just being polite.”  

Allison leveled him with a serious look, setting her burger down for emphasis. “Stop. You’re a total babe. Anyone with eyes can see that.” She refused to let him downgrade himself, a role she had taken on since the day they met.  

He smiled faintly, warmth spreading through his chest. She had been his personal hype coach from the very beginning, and he was endlessly grateful, especially now, with her dragging him out of his shell after her recent breakup. Lately, she had been spending even more time with him, almost as if she didn’t want to face being alone.  

His phone buzzed on the table with a text from his mom: Hey baby, how’s the new semester going? Just got back from my group retreat. Stop by the house tonight for some food, okay?  

Autumn’s face softened immediately, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. Is his mom finally making friends and going camping? That was new and heartwarming. He quickly typed back that he was fine and would stop by later, the simple exchange easing some of his anxiety. Then the feeling hit him like someone was watching.  

He tried to ignore it at first, keeping his eyes on his phone. But the prickle on the back of his neck grew stronger, insistent. Slowly, he lifted his head and scanned the room. Most people were lost in their own conversations, laughter ringing out here and there. Until his gaze landed on a table near the center window.  

A pair of intense eyes locked onto him. The moment their stares met, the stranger quickly looked away, pretending to focus on his friends. But it was too late. Autumn’s pulse spiked, a rush of confusion and unease flooding through him.  

“I must be losing it,” he whispered under his breath, turning back to his phone. He scrolled through old photos with his mom from a few months ago, trying desperately to shake the strange tension.  

When Allison returned from grabbing another smoothie, the sweet fruity scent trailing after her, she suggested they head back to campus. Autumn agreed immediately, eager to escape the strange atmosphere that had settled over him. As they gathered their things and stepped out into the bright afternoon sunlight, he couldn’t shake the feeling that those intense eyes had followed him out the door, lingering like a shadow he couldn’t quite see.