I watch her relax by degrees as the night unfolds. Her posture loosens. Her voice steadies. She’s still alert—but no longer bracing.
Until her whole body locks. The air shifts around us. I turn my head to follow Amy’s gaze. I immediately realize why her whole demeanor has changed.
Brielle Winters stands just inside the entrance next to her wealthy father. Wearing a predatory smile, she meets my eyes across the room. Her phone is already in her hand like a weapon she refuses to relinquish.
I murmur to Amy, “The snake has just been unleashed into the wild.”
Amy’s too busy tracking Brielle’s movement with her eyes to respond.
I hold my position next to her. Being where I should have been all those years ago—by her side. Supporting the woman I love not just in words but in deeds.
Brielle approaches with practiced ease, eyes glittering with intent. “Well, Amy, it’s sogoodto see you. Weallwondered what happened to you,” she mocks.
Amy’s fingers tighten once around my arm before she taps her finger against her jaw. “Did you really, Brielle? Because as far as I’m aware,you’rewhat happened to me.”
My blood pressure spikes when Brielle presses her hand to her chest, as if shocked. “Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Amy doesn’t back down. “Really? Then what brings you right to us?”
Brielle’s voice drips with sweetness. “I couldn’t miss the chance to say hello to Brennan. You know, after you…left school, I kept an eye on him.”
The implication hangs there—territorial, smug. Amy doesn’t rise to the bait. “Since I know Bren doesn’t date piranhas, what exactly are you trying to imply?”
Brielle maintains her camera-ready smile even as she hisses, “He was always too good for you.”
The temperature in my bloodstream spikes. But Amy? Amy doesn’t give her an inch. “You think you’re better, Brielle?”
Brielle lowers her voice. “Let’s not pretend, Amy. Everyone knew what you were willing to do for attention.”
Every muscle in my body locks but Amy’s already handling it. “No. We know whatyouwere willing to do when you weren’t getting it.”
The smile on Brielle’s face flickers.
Amy inches closer before she lays her out in a voice so terrifying, I have chills. “You posted an illegal image of me. A photo taken without my consent. You forged documentation.You hid behind anonymous accounts. And you encouraged people to believe I destroyed my own reputation.”
Brielle scoffs. “You can’t prove?—”
“I can,” Amy cuts in. “I’ve had the evidence for years.”
Brielle’s jaw tightens. “You’re delusional.”
Amy’s eyes go cold in a way I haven’t seen since she threw me out of her dorm room. “You wanted him and when he didn’t pick you, you decided to try to ruin me. But I have news for you—you failed.”
Brielle snaps, with a last grasp at superiority “You were never on his level. You were a small-town math nerd. He was going somewhere.”
Amy doesn’t even blink. “Yet, he came back to me. Not because he had to. Because he chose to. Brennan choseme. But here’s the part you never understood.”
Brielle glances at me pleadingly, as if I might save her from her well overdue evisceration.
I wrap my arm around Amy, showing exactly who I support. Who I love.
Amy destroys Brielle in a way she’ll never recover from. “You approaching me? Spewing baseless accusations about the photoyouuploaded on DormLust? You just opened up a slander case where I have evidence to bury you.”
Now, I’m certain everyone’s looking in our direction as Brielle’s face drains of color. “You don’t have…you wouldn’t…”
Amy smooths the front of her dress down. “I can…and now? I will.”
Silence descends around us. Brielle’s mouth opens. Nothing comes out.
