Chapter 2

2.

My heart skipped a beat.

I pushed down the shock and disgust and tried to sound casual.

“So who’s this girlfriend? Someone from school?”

Maddox raised his chin, all smug.

“Ever heard of the Sterling family? They donated a whole library to this school. She’s the youngest daughter. Real estate and investment banking ― top tier on Wall Street.”

He flashed a bragging smile and showed off his wrist.

“For our anniversary last month, she gave me a Cartier watch. And she said when I graduate, she’ll take me to meet her parents.”

Sawyer was gaming but snorted anyway.

“Juliette Sterling? The rich girl with the sports car? Wow... I guess she has... unique taste.”

Maddox’s smile froze, then turned purple.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Sawyer? She loves me for my soul!”

His voice went sharp, like a cat with its tail stepped on.

“She says I’m funny and I understand her loneliness! You shallow idiots wouldn’t get it.”

The dorm went quiet.

Awkward as a Monday morning calculus class.

I glanced at my phone.

Juliette was still posting.

“I want to surprise him. Just show up outside his dorm. What kind of guy do you think he’d like?”

I looked up at Maddox’s red nose and asked carefully, “Have you two ever met in person? Or is this... totally long distance?”

My other two roommates turned to stare at him too.

“Maddox, don’t tell me she’s never even seen you for real.”

“Dude, I know it’s a free country, but catfishing will get you destroyed online.”

It was supposed to be a joke.

But Maddox went pale.

His lips pressed into a thin line.

A second later, he grabbed his hoodie, mumbled “My advisor needs me,” and slammed the door on his way out.