Chapter 1 The Night Everything Broke

LEAH

I still couldn't believe he would do it.

"I told you, Leah," Isa said through the phone. Her voice was careful, but there was an edge under it. "I saw them hanging around more than usual. You just didn't want to believe me."

"I'm not in the mood for lectures right now," I said. My voice cracked. A tear slipped down my cheek and landed on my shirt. "I can't stay at my place tonight. Can I come to yours?"

There was a short pause. "Of course you can. But I'm not home."

"Where are you?" I wiped my face with the back of my hand. "I can come to you."

"I'm at a bar with Leo. I'm outside right now. When I saw your message I got worried. I don't think a bar is the best place for you tonight."

"No, it's fine," I said quickly. I was already reversing the car out of the parking lot. "I think that's exactly what I need. I'm okay. Really. Just send me the address."

"Are you sure? I can leave right now and meet you at home."

"I'm sure, Isa. Please just send it." I was tired of talking. Tired of hearing my own shaky voice.

"Okay. Drive safe. Please."

I didn't answer. I ended the call and dropped the phone on the seat beside me. For a few seconds I just sat there with my forehead on the steering wheel, trying to breathe. My chest felt tight. Every time I closed my eyes I heard Ashley's voice again.

Fuck, Jeremy, we have to be quiet.

And his laugh right after. The same laugh he used when he was trying not to get caught doing something stupid. I hadn't even seen them. I had only heard it. That almost made it worse. My mind filled in everything I didn't want to see.

My phone started vibrating again. Jeremy's name lit up the screen. I didn't pick up. I just watched it ring until it stopped, then started driving.

The bar wasn't far. By the time I parked, my hands were still shaking a little. Inside, the music was loud enough that it pushed against my ears. The air smelled like alcohol and perfume. People were laughing, dancing, leaning into each other. I stood near the door for a second, suddenly unsure if I wanted to be there at all.

"Leah!"

Isa's voice cut through the noise. She was already moving toward me, her long blonde hair swinging behind her. When she reached me she pulled me into a hug so tight it almost hurt. I didn't pull away.

"I was scared you changed your mind and went back home," she said, pulling back just enough to look at my face. "What took you so long?"

"Traffic," I said. It was easier than explaining that I had sat in the car for ten minutes trying not to cry.

She studied me for a second, then her mouth twisted. "I can't believe he actually did this to you."

"I can't either," I said.

Isa stared at me for a moment. "Actually, no. I can."

"Isa!"

"What? You want me to lie to you?" She crossed her arms. "That man has been collecting red flags like they're university credits."

"I'm serious."

"So am I. At this point I need to know what you see in him, because his personality isn't doing the heavy lifting."

I looked away

Isa's expression softened. "You know I'll never lie to you, if something isn't good for you, you should believe I'll let you know."

I shook my head, but the corner of my mouth stayed up. She took my hand and started pulling me toward the bar.

"Come on. Let me get you something to drink."

I snorted. We sat on two stools side by side. Isa ordered for both of us.

"Alcohol isn't going to fix my problems."

"No, but it might convince you to stop checking your phone every thirty seconds."

I looked down. I was still holding my phone. I hadn't even realized it.

"I'm not checking for him."

"Of course not. You're just staring at your screen with the intensity of a woman waiting for a lottery result."

"You're a terrible friend."

"I'm an excellent friend. That's why I'm about to introduce you to alcohol and my questionable taste in men."

When the drink arrived I took a sip. It burned going down and left a sweet-sour taste on my tongue.

"Speaking of questionable taste," I said, "how's Leo?"

Isa glanced over her shoulder toward one of the couches. Leo was sitting alone, phone in his hand, looking bored. "Pretty face. Terrible conversationalist."

"So what's the attraction?"

She gave me a look. "Leah, darling, some talents don't require conversation.Most talents actually require a good mouth, amazing hands and a breathtaking dick"

I stared at her. "You're disgusting."

"And yet, you're smiling."

I was. It felt strange on my face. Isa took a drink and watched me carefully.

"I was going to ask you to tell me everything in detail," she said, "but I don't think I want to hear about him tonight."

"Good," I said. "Because I don't want to talk about him either."

My phone buzzed on the bar. Jeremy's name lit up the screen again. I didn't reach for it, but my eyes stayed on it longer than they should have.

Isa noticed. "Don't answer it."

"I wasn't going to."

"Leah."

"What?"

"You have that look."

"What look?"

"The look you get right before you forgive him for something he hasn't even finished apologizing for."

The words stung. I looked away. "You're making me sound pathetic."

Isa's expression softened. "No. I'm making you sound like someone who's been in love with the wrong person for too long."

I didn't answer. She was right, and we both knew it. That was the part that scared me the most. If I went home alone, I might answer the next call. I might let him talk. I might believe whatever he said.

Isa bumped her shoulder against mine.

"I'm sorry for showing up like this." I said

"Don't be. If you need a distraction tonight..." She grinned. "Leo's terrible at talking, but he's really good at other things. Important things and you know I love to share."

"Isa."

"What? I'm just saying."

"You're insane," I said, but the corner of my mouth twitched again.

She laughed and stood up. "I'll be right back. Don't disappear on me. And don't answer that phone." She kissed the top of my head before she walked away, her short dress swaying with each step.

The second she left, the heaviness came back. I watched couples dance and wondered how many of them were lying to someone. The music felt too loud. My head started to spin. I finished the rest of my drink too fast and still didn't feel better. My phone stayed face-down on the bar. I didn't flip it over.

I needed air. Or silence. Or both.

I asked two girls near the hallway where the bathroom was. They pointed, and I followed the narrow corridor until I found the door. It was a small room, barely big enough for one person. I locked it behind me, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water on my face. My reflection looked tired. My lip gloss was gone. My hair was a mess.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out. Jeremy had stopped calling. There was a new text instead. I didn't open it. I could already see the first few words.

Baby, I'm sorry. You know I would...

I locked the screen and shoved the phone back in my pocket. Another text came in from Isa. She was ready to leave.

I unlocked the door and stepped out. I barely made it two steps before I walked straight into someone.

"Shit-sorry," a low voice said.

Hands caught me before I could stumble. One settled on my waist, the other on my arm. I looked up. He was taller than me, dark hair falling a little over his forehead, and he was watching me with a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't name yet.

"It's fine," I said. My voice came out quieter than I meant it to.

I shifted, expecting him to let go. He did, but slowly.

"Kai!" a woman's voice called from somewhere down the hall. She sounded angry.

His expression changed in an instant. The easy look disappeared. His jaw tightened.

I didn't have the energy to ask questions. "Excuse me," I said, trying to move past him.

He looked at me again. The anger faded just as fast as it had come. His eyes flicked down the hallway, then back to me. Something calculating settled in his face.

"Can you do me a favor?" he asked, voice lower now.