Chapter 2

Imani’s POV

I was about saying what I felt at that money when June slowly pinched me and I sank into my seat.

Just one night.

The music hit first, coursing through the awful silence that was in the car.

A low, thrumming bass that made the walls of the house vibrate— the pre-homecoming was already alive when Jackson's car rolled up the driveway, and I could feel the energy pulsing even from the passenger seat.

Lights flashed through the front windows, red, blue, gold. All cutting across silhouettes of bodies pressed too close together.

June squealed beside me, adjusting her sequined top in the mirror while I tried to avoid meeting glances with Jackson. He had been apologizing since forever but his sight still irritates me.

“This is it, babe! Welcome back to college social life. I feel so fulfilled that you're here!”

“More like voluntary sensory overload,” I muttered, half under my breath.

She laughed, unbothered. “It's going to be fine. You've got me, and Jackson's just being Jackson. It's not new that you two bicker. Settle it tonight, yeah? He loves you.”

I wanted to believe her.

But as I stared at the crowded front porch, at the glimpse of a hockey stick logo on someone's jacket, something strange settled in my chest.

The hockey team was here.

“June…he is here?” I asked, a frown settling on my face.

“He is— I am sorry I didn't inform you. I knew you weren't going to bulge. But I am here, Imani.”

And he was here.

Nicolas Jamieson— the famous hockey player.

I hadn't seen him since his fight with my brother Trique’s final game in high school, when their friendship shattered like thin glass.

Nicolas had been Trique's ride or die since they were twelve — brothers in everything but blood. And then came the scandal, the fight, the silence that came after.

I had told myself I didn't care about Nicolas anymore. That the tightness in my chest when I thought I'd him was just nostalgia, nothing more.

But now, the idea of running into him, of seeing those beautiful eyes of his, made my stomach knot. I had done a good job in staying away from his path… this party was a small one and one way or the other I was going to run into him.

June nudged me gently. “Don't over think. We'll stay for an hour, tops. Just breathe, okay?”

I nodded, even though my pulse was already racing.

Yeah, I have got the best of friends!

Jackson came around to open my door with that same grin that usually meant trouble. “You two ready to make an entrance?”

June whooped, looping her arm through mine before I could answer.

The noise doubled when we stepped inside and music boomed from every corner. Someone has turned the living room into a dance floor, while the kitchen looked like a war zone filled with red cups and spilled wine. The air was filled with perfume, sweat, and that particular brand of college chaos that never seemed to die.

And then, just like I predicted, I felt every pair of eyes following me as I moved.

“Who's that with Jackson?” Someone whispered.

“Didn't know he had a girl.”

“She's gorgeous but she's way out of his league.”

Jackson noticed, of course. He thrived on attention. Anything, just anything that would get him into the Spotlight and he could grab it. With one arm causally draped over my shoulders, he leaned in, grinning at his friends.

“See this?” He announced to no one in particular. “Told y'all I had taste. My girl is so perfect!”

I stiffened under his touch, feeling uncomfortable with the heavy attention he had suddenly given me. Oh God, I hate this. “Jackson, stop.”

“What? Can't I be proud of my best friend?” He winked, his breath warm against my ear. “You look too perfect tonight not to show off. Once in a blue moon perfection!”

I sighed, rolling my eyes in dissatisfaction. June caught my expression across the room and frowned, mouthing, “You good?”

I forced a nod, but inside, I could feel a bile of panic rising in my chest. But was I always the killer joy? No, I didn't want to be.

The music changed and Jackson tugged me toward the dance floor, but I dug my heels in.

“Come on, Imani,” he said, his grin wide, his voice too loud. “You're not gonna stand in the corner all night, are you?”

“I don't dance!” I shot back.

He rolled his eyes, already half drunk, the smell of whiskey clinging to his breath. “Everyone dances tonight. Don't be different, Mani.”

“I said no.”

For a moment, he looked at me, then really looked like he couldn't quite understand the word. Then he laughed it off, raising his cup in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. No fun police.”

His hand lingered too long at my waist before he let go.

The night blurred after that and June walked up to me with a pout.

“You don't feel comfortable dancing with him? You two bicker too much.”

I bit my lips. “Well, I said no.”

Just then I caught Ryan, one of Nic’s team mate trying to catch Junes attention and judging from the way she was fidgeting… she knew.

“You want him too?” I asked, and she immediately turned bright red.

I have never seen him move around with campus girls despite being best friends with a man whore like Nicolas.

“I think he wants to talk to me but I shoved him off because I couldn't possibly leave you by yourself. I promised to be by your side.”

I shook my head, holding onto her hand. “No, you can't push him away because of me. Now move.”

I pushed her off before she could say any other word and I winked. “Have fun girl!”

Now I stood near the back porch, nursing a cup of soda I didn't even want, watching the chaos around me.

Jackson reappeared a few minutes later, eyes glassy and grin loose. “You need a refill?” he asked, pointing to my cup.

“I’m fine.”

He frowned. “You’re not drinking. Loosen up, Grayson.”

I looked down at the untouched soda. “I don’t need to.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “You used to be fun.”

“I’m going to get some air,” I said, pushing past him before he could respond. I wasn't ready for talks tonight. No arguments.

He grabbed my wrist lightly. “Come on, don’t be like that—”

“Just let go, Jackson.”

He froze, then released me with a sigh. “You’re overreacting.”

Maybe I was. That's his usual word.

I slipped through the back door into the night. The sudden quiet felt like relief , the music fading away behind me and the cool air washing over my skin.

The backyard was huge, free from noises and so soothing. I leaned against the rough back of the oak tree, exhaling.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

June: Where'd you go?

Me: Outside. Needed air. Don't worry. Have fun with your guy. I'll call Ty to pick me up.”

My thumb hovered over my brother's contact. Trique hated when I went to parties like this, especially alone. He still carried guilt from freshman year. Perhaps for not protecting me.

I was about to hit “call” when a familiar voice cut through the stillness.

That cold, low, rough, dangerous and unmistakable voice.

Nicolas.

He was resting against a car behind the tree I was standing resting on.

“I told you, Brittany, I don’t know who she is.,” he said, frustration hanging at every word.

A woman's voice followed, sharp and mocking. “ Oh, please. Don't act like you're some Saint. You knew so fucking well she was my cousin and yet you went in your way with her! How horrible can you be! Cheating on me with my cousin!.”

My breath seized. Brittany, one of the hockey team’s groupies. I remembered her, always on Nicolas’s arm after successful games.

I should've walked so far away, given them privacy. But here I was, eavesdropping. I had nothing to lose anyway and of course, June loved things that involved Brittany.

Nicolas's voice came through. “You need to go home,”

“I need to go home?,” she said, her voice rising. “That’s all you've to say? You're a cheat! A lying cheating bastard!”

He breathed. “I said, go home. You're drunk because if you weren’t you’d remember we aren’t even a thing.”

Then, a brief silence came, followed by a sound that cracked the air.

A slap — loud, clear, sharp.

My eyes widened in shock and disbelief.