CHAPTER 1

WILLOW

Violet and I are returning from cheerleading practice when I decide to stop at the frat house.

“Just for a minute,” I hooked my arm around my best friend’s, tugging her into the Omega house. “I left my economics notebook at Theo’s last night and want to get it back.”

“Right.” Violet rolls her eyes, not believing me for one second. “You and I both know you’re dying to make out with your boyfriend. Just, hurry up. Try not to leave me hanging for too long.”

Violet waits in the foyer. The hockey frat house usually comes alive at night. In the mornings, it mainly comprises of girls doing the walk of shame and guys dragging their feet towards the kitchen for coffee.

I bound up the stairs, excitement blossoming in my chest at the thought of seeing my boyfriend. I’d been unable to attend last night’s party because I had to study for a test. After the test; there was cheerleading practice. The entire time, I’d been missing my boyfriend.

Now, I’m here.

I push the door open, expecting to see him playing call of duty. But he isn’t playing call of duty.

Right there, on the mattress, is Theo, ramming his cock into some blonde chick’s pussy. Her back view looks familiar. The sound of the door opening causes Theo to pause. When he sees who’s standing there, he yelps and pushes the blonde off his dick. She squirms, hitting the mattress quite roughly.

It’s Tessa. From the cheerleading squad.

She’d opted out of practice today, claiming to be sick. Is this what she was up to? Screwing my boyfriend?

“W-Willow,” Theo’s already getting out of bed, scrambling to put his briefs on. “It’s not what it looks like. I c-can explain.”

Is he for real? What is there to explain?

I grip the doorknob tightly, reeling in the urge to ram my fist into his face.

“I came here because I wanted to spend some quality time with you.” I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re cheating on me, with some cheap skank from the cheerleading team.”

“Hey bitch. Who are you calling a cheap skank.” Tessa pushes her weight onto her knees, gathering the sheets around her. “Listen closely—“

“Quiet,” Theo hissed, turning around to glare at her. “You’re not making this any easy.”

“Oh please,” Tessa rolls her eyes. “You’re the one who’s planning to break up with her any day now. What does it matter what I say?”

Theo visibly swallows. I don’t wait to hear anymore. I walk towards his desk and grab his PlayStation. I push the window open and hurl it out. It’s satisfying to hear it crack against the pavement. Next, I grab his laptop and fling it out the window as well. I’m reaching for his phone and tablet, when he seizes my wrist.

He spins me around and both gadgets go crashing to the carpet.

“Hey! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Theo glowers, looking like he wants to shake me. “I bought that PlayStation a week ago. Do you have any idea how much it fucking costs?”

“You should have thought about your precious PlayStation before you decided to fucking cheat on me.”

“So, I cheated. What’s the big deal?” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tessa getting dressed, slithering back into her skimpy dress. “For fuck’s sake Willow, you pull shit like this and yet, you wonder why I cheated.”

“Are you seriously trying to gaslight me right now? How is your unfaithfulness my fault?”

“Because you’re a fucking nutjob.” He tightens his grip on my wrist, enunciating each word for maximum effect. “Now, I’m wondering how in hell I dated you for so long.” He let go of me and I waste no time slapping him across his face. It’s obvious he wasn’t expecting it. Tessa gasps and I flip her off, kicking the door as I storm out of the room.

I make my way downstairs and I see Violet, lazing on the couch, waiting for me. She shoots up to her feet when she spots me. Her eyes widen as she stares at something behind me.

It’s Theo. He’s followed me.

“Willow. Let’s talk about this.” He grips my arm, spinning me around. His voice must have sounded too loud because some of his hockey brothers are already gathering around the foyer, listening in on our fight.

“There’s nothing to talk about. We’re done.” I twist my arm, trying to get away from his hold. “Let go of me.”

“I agree. I made a mistake. Are you seriously going to throw away our entire relationship because I fucked another girl?”

“Yes,” I grind my teeth angrily. “I thought we were going steady. You’re the one who said you wanted us to be exclusive. And now what? You go behind my back and fuck someone else?”

“I’m a guy,” he explodes, spitting the words in my face. “What the fuck am I supposed to do when you don’t put out as much as I expect you to?”

“What?” I stiffen, going cold all over. “What did you just say to me?”

“You heard me.” He lets go of my arm and points his finger in my face. At this point, we’ve got a full house listening in on our mortifying conversation. “You only want to fuck when it fits your schedule and when it does happen, it’s boring. Nothing about sexing you excites me Willow. And you wonder why I cheated.”

Fuck.

This is bad. I can’t bring myself to look at anyone. They are all probably laughing at me right now. Whispering.

Willow the prude.

Willow the boring lay.

Willow who can’t keep a man to save her life.

“You know what? Fine. Let’s break up.” Theo takes a step backwards, away from me. “I know for a fact I won’t be missing out on anything— definitely not your lackluster sexual skills.”

He’s smiling, mocking me with that condescending look. I feel Violet’s fingers slip into mine. I do not remember her leading me out of the Omega house. Do not remember getting home. All I can think of is my reputation.

Theo Spencer fucking cheated on me and ruined my fucking reputation, all in one go.