“By not helping you, I’m teaching you to achieve things on your own. That way, you’ll never need anyone,” my father used to say. I didn’t realize how much that shaped me until today—when someone cared for me in the smallest, simplest way. And it isn’t just because it’s her job. Lauren did it because she cares about me. She always has.
“So, why is Lauren Green working in your office?” Luca interrupts, taking a sip of his second glass of wine. “And don’t pull that stunt you did this afternoon again. We need to know what we’re up against.”
We’re sitting in the middle of this French place Oliver suggested, the kind of spot with dim lighting, Lo-Fi music humming in the background, and couples murmuring around us. The round table is large enough to seat eight, but it’s just us four—me, Luca, Killian, and Oliver.
I don’t know why I even agreed to come here.
I sigh and respond, “When was the last time you told me who your assistant was? If I’m not mistaken, you go through them every three months or whenever you need to explain that ‘you’re just screwing around.’”
This time, I don’t even crack a smile. I’m serious. Killian and Oliver laugh like it’s some joke, but Luca’s expression stays locked on mine. “So, have you fucked her yet?” he asks, blunt as ever.
I look away, focusing on some random couple at another table. Yeah, it’s childish, but trust me, my feelings for Lauren are anything but childish.
Luca takes my silence as confirmation. “I’ll take that as a no, which makes it worse.”
“Why?” I snap, turning back to him, irritation rising.
He leans in, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper. “Because she’s not just any woman. She’sLauren Green. The girl who had you by the balls all through high school. And since you couldn’t stand it, you treated her like trash so no one would notice how much it tore you up that you couldn’t have her.”
I scoff, a small, sarcastic smile tugging at my lips. “Stop seeing things that aren’t there, Luca.”
He sighs, smiling in that knowing way, one that reminds me of our mother. “Even a blind dog could see it, brother.”
Back Then- Willow High School.
The gods of fate must be seriously bored because Miss Bell had the brilliant idea of pairing me up with Bunny for the English project.
Yeah—Lauren Green and me, stuck together for the next two weeks. Naturally, everyone in class laughed like it was the funniest joke in the world. Lauren just stared at her pencil, and I sat there, not showing a single emotion. Why? Simple. I didn’t know what the hell to feel, and no way was I letting anyone see me sweat over this. Now that it’s been almost twenty-four hours, though, I’ve had time to think it over. I’ve concluded: this is going to be a lot of fun—for me, at least. As for Bunny? Yeah, not so much.
To make this work, I need to set up some kind of communication, and since Lauren doesn’t have a phone (she’s not one of those “popular kids” flaunting the latest tech), I decided to fix that problem. I sent a brand-new cell phone to her house. Yeah, I know, a little extreme—but whatever, it’s done. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for her to turn it on and read the message I sent.
Game on.
Silas W:
If you want to do the project with me, use this.
The next day, I watch Bunny like a predator stalking its prey—like a sharp, calculated fox, ready to pounce. She moves through the school like she always does, pretending to be this happy, well-put-together girl. Smiling at her sister, who’s yapping away non-stop, taking notes like she’s the teacher’s favorite. But I see through her act. She’s just going through the motions, keeping up appearances. By the time the final bell rings, I’m practically fuming. No response from her. Not a word. My frustration boils over, and I decide I’ve had enough. I intercept her in the locker room when no one’s around. She lets out a small scream, so I quickly cover her mouth with my hand.
“Why don’t you respond?” I growl, my voice low. When her eyes finally register that it’s me and not some creep, I pull my hand awayfrom her lips. They’re softer than I remembered. I push that thought out of my head.
She frowns, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Did you send that cell phone?”
I roll my eyes so hard it’s a miracle they don’t pop out of my skull. My patience is already hanging by a thread.“Yes, Bunny, who else would do something like that for you?” I say, my words dripping with sarcasm, but there’s an underlying compliment buried in there somewhere. Of course, she’ll only hear the insult. No one else at this school catches my attention like she does. No way would I go out of my way to send a phone to anyone else. Just her.
“I don’t want a cell phone, Silas. Let me do the project alone,” she says, trying to brush me off like this is nothing.
I exhale sharply, feeling my patience slipping. “Don’t even think about it. No way am I letting my project be aboutMother Earthor whatever you’re planning. We’re doing thistogether. That’s why I got you the phone—use it, damn it.”
“You want to do a project over text? That’s absurd and expensive,” she counters, her voice laced with defiance.
“It’s exactly what we need to not—” Ending up tangled in each other, making stupid decisions, I think, but I stop myself from blurting it out. “Don’t argue with me,” I snap instead. “I’ll send you a message tonight. RESPOND.” I point a finger in her face, laying down the law.
I need to get out of there before I say or do something even more reckless. Without another word, I turn on my heel and leave the locker room, practically running to my car like something’s chasing me. Maybe it’s my own damn thoughts.
Silas
Igo ahead and grab the coffee this morning. When Bunny arrives, she’ll find it sittingon her obsessively organized desk, next to a note that reads,
