All Chapters of BAD REPUTATION : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The bass hit first. Deep. Heavy. Vibrating through the soles of her boots and straight up her legs.The dance floor was packed… bodies moving under flashing gold and crimson lights, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and something electric.Derek didn’t pull her too close at first. He gave her space. An invitation. Silently letting her know she was in charge here, and he was willing to just follow her lead, which made her relax even further, knowing that whatever happened here would happen only because she allowed it to. Olivia didn’t hesitate. She grinned at him and turned around, letting the rhythm take over. The alcohol had fully settled now — warm and humming beneath her skin. The music drowned out thought. Drowned out doubt. Drowned out Jack, and right there on the dance floor, she moved without thinking.Her hips rolled to the beat, slow at first, testing. Derek’s gaze followed every movement, not hungrily, but with intent. He didn't want to scare her away or make her uncomfort

“You’re very quiet.” Jack’s voice cut gently through her thoughts.She blinked and turned her head toward him. “Are you alright?” he asked, glancing at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road.She studied his profile for a moment, and the guilt doubled. She'd asked for this. She wanted flowers and romantic gestures and he'd done it. Clearly he wanted to try, but why did she still feel like something was missing? “Yeah,” she said quickly, forcing a small smile. “I’m alright.”He didn’t look convinced.“Just tired,” she added, softer this time.It wasn’t entirely a lie. She was tired. Tired of overthinking and tired of the tension. Jack reached over then, his hand settling on her knee in a casual, possessive gesture. She didn’t flinch or move away, but she didn’t lean into it either.“You should’ve told me you were going out,” he said lightly. “I would’ve joined you from the start.”Olivia turned her gaze back to the window. The city lights flickered past again. Maybe that w

He was trying to get in her head again, Olivia thought, and she couldn’t let him. Her throat tightened, but she held his gaze. “Imagined what, Derek? We danced. We talked. That’s it.”He stepped even closer. “You looked at me like you wanted me to kiss you.” He said hotly, “Hell, I believe if I'd tried that night, you wouldn’t have resisted. You'd have let me,” Her breath caught as the accusation hung heavy between them. “That’s your interpretation,” she said, though her voice had lost some of its steadiness.He let out a short laugh, disbelieving. “My interpretation?”“Yes. You’re being dramatic.”“I’m being dramatic?” His voice rose slightly before he forced it back down. “You let me think you were single. How long have you been with him?”“I didn’t let you think anything,” she shot back. “You assumed.”“Yet you knew and you didn’t correct me, and I think we both know why,” Her silence lasted half a second too long, and his body tensed, on high alert, an effect of her closeness and

By the time Olivia finally came downstairs, the house was alive.Music pulsed louder now—something upbeat and warm, bass vibrating faintly through the hardwood floors. The fairy lights Tessa had strung along the banister cast a golden glow over everything, softening sharp edges and turning Isabella’s new home into something almost magical. Laughter overlapped with the clink of glasses. The scent of wine, perfume, and whatever candle Tessa had insisted on lighting blended into something heady.Isabella stood near the kitchen island, flushed and radiant, accepting hugs from two women Olivia vaguely recognized from her office Christmas party. Tessa was already in the center of it all, recounting some exaggerated story with wild hand gestures while a small crowd hung on her every word.Olivia took a slow breath and stepped fully into the room. Derek was leaning casually against the far wall, drink in hand, dark jeans and a charcoal button-down rolled at the sleeves. He looked relaxed, com

“What do you think about Olivia helping me find a place of my own?” Derek asked casually one afternoon, stretching out on Isabella’s new sofa as though the thought had only just occurred to him when he'd actually been nursing the idea for a while now, “You know… like she did for you. Despite how I still feel about the bathroom, I admit it is a lovely place.”Isabella, who had been scrolling through something on her phone, went very still. Slowly, she lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at her brother.“What?” Derek asked, all innocence, folding one arm behind his head.“You know what,” Isabella replied flatly as she stood and walked toward the kitchen.Derek followed immediately, because of course he did. “I genuinely don’t,” he insisted. “I was complimenting your taste. I have no idea what you mean.”She opened the fridge, pulled out a bowl of chopped vegetables, and set them on the counter with more force than necessary. “I know exactly what you’re doing, Derek.”He leaned against