Chapter 2

Rain started falling as I stepped out of the club in Riverton.

My phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

Someone had dropped a video in the class group chat.

They'd edited the clip of me ripping up letter number one hundred with fake sobbing sounds and a caption:

[Damien, go get her. Your biggest fan just rage-quit.]

Then came a flood of laughing emojis.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds, then left the group chat.

I'd barely shoved my phone back into my bag when a black Cullinan rolled up to the curb.

The rear window slid down.

Damien frowned when he saw me standing in the rain. "Get in."

He'd done this before.

Senior year, when people cornered me in the stairwell and made fun of me, he'd stood outside the crowd and said, "Move."

Back then, I thought it meant I was special to him.

Now I knew better.

He'd just gotten used to owning my pathetic devotion.

Caleb Twain, the chauffeur, got out with an umbrella and opened the door.

"Ms. Martinez, Mr. Byford wants you in the car."

I stepped back. "No."

Damien finally got out.

He opened a black umbrella over me, then tilted it farther my way when he saw my soaked shoulders.

Half his sleeve was drenched in seconds.

"Your stomach just got better, and now you're standing in the rain." His voice sharpened. "Do you seriously need to end up in the hospital before you stop?"

I almost laughed.

He remembered my stomach problems.

But not that I could get hurt too.

Not that I could be humiliated.

Not that when everyone laughed at me, I wanted someone on my side.

I stepped out from under the umbrella and kept walking.

Damien finally snapped.

He caught my wrist and pulled me back under it.

"Mia." His voice was tight. "I've been more than patient with you tonight.

"You ripped up the letter in front of everyone, and I let it go. Then you stormed out, and I still came after you.

"What else do you want from me?"

Rain dripped from my hair into my eyes.

I looked up at him. "I want nothing to do with you."

Damien stared at me, then let out a cold laugh.

"Nothing to do with me?" He leaned closer. "Did you forget who got your apartment lease renewed?"

Rain slid from the ends of my hair.

Damien brushed the wet hair behind my ear.

His touch was gentle. His words weren't.

"So quit saying things you don't mean.

"You're playing for Shannon at tomorrow night's alumni gala."

I froze. "What?"

Damien held up his phone.

The program filled the screen.

[Shannon Drew—Solo Vocal]

And right under [Accompanist] was my name.

He watched my face go pale like this was totally normal.

"She's launching her music career. Tomorrow's gala is huge for her.

"You're good at piano. Don't waste it."

My nails dug into my palm. "I'm not going."

Damien looked at me like I was throwing a fit.

"You are."

Then he pulled up another video.

It showed me ripping up the letter and walking out of the private room.

The angle made me look pathetic. Unhinged.

Like I'd completely lost it over getting rejected.

The caption was already there.

[Martinez heiress melts down at class reunion after chasing the same guy for ten years—and getting rejected.]

Damien pocketed his phone, totally unfazed.

"Play tomorrow night, and nobody sees it.

"Keep fighting me, and I'll let all of Riverton see exactly how you spent the last ten years chasing me."

I stared at him.

My chest tightened. 'How did one look from him ever make me put up with everything?

'Why does looking at him just make me sick now?'

Damien took my silence as a yes.

He shoved the umbrella into my hand, his voice softening. "Go home. Take a hot shower.

"I'll have someone send you a dress tomorrow."

Then he paused.

"The beige one. You look the most obedient in that."

He turned and got back in the car.

The taillights disappeared into the rain.

I looked down at the black umbrella.

His initials were engraved on the handle.

I'd traced them in secret more times than I could count.

Now I tossed it into a trash can by the curb.

Then I walked away without looking back.