Chapter 1
At the very last moment of the idol’s farewell concert,
the stadium camera swept across the crowd and zoomed in on a couple kissing.
The guy held up a diamond ring to the Jumbotron and screamed, “Marry me, Isla?”
Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes as she nodded. Ten thousand glow sticks surged around them like an ocean of stars.
Amid the deafening screams of the crowd, only my tears hit the ground in silence.
That man down on one knee, had promised me forever just yesterday.
After the show, I yanked off the cheap plastic ring he’d given me and tossed seven years of my youth into the trash.
“Do you think Vivian would actually believe the proposal was just some stupid dare from seven years ago? she’s so petty. She’d totally freak out on you.” []
Isia’s voice was sickly sweet. “Josh, was I being dumb? I feel like I’m always causing you trouble…“|
Leaning against a pillar in the shadows, I watched her little performance. []
Josh Smith pinched Isla’s cheek, murmuring,
“Don’t worry. I’ll fix this.”
My hand jerked. A burning piece of ash from my cigarette fell onto my skin, the sting bringing tears to my eyes.
I crushed the cigarette under my heel and stepped into the light.
They both froze.
When my gaze landed on their intertwined fingers, Isla snatched his hand away.
But the glare from the diamond on her finger still stabbed at my eyes.[]
“Vivian! Hey! Long time no see! Josh was just asking me to help pick out the ring, I was just getting him opinion!” [
Isla stammered, her eyes looking suspiciously wet.
Her damsel in distress act always triggered Josh’s hero complex.]
“I just had her try it on for you,” he said, shoving Isla behind him protectively. “Stop making a scene, Vivian..”
“Thanks.“[]
I snatched the ring
finger and slid it onto my
my own. I held it up for Isla to see.
retty, right?“]
sh’s lecture died in his throat. [
e just stared at me for a long moment before hissing.
Whatever.”
spun the loose–fitting ring on my finger, silent.[]
Lila’s sob broke the quiet.
This is all my fault. I just ruined everything by coming home.” [
She turned and fled. Josh immediately ran after her.
It’s too late. I’ll drive you.” []
He shoved her into the passenger seat of his car.
Glaring at me, he snapped.
Get in. Now.“]
During the ride, josh fussed over Isla like she was on life support, offering her tissues, cracking bad jokes to make her smile.
Their chemistry was so thick, even I, his actual girlfriend, had to admit it was sickeningly sweet. Staring at Josh, I realized. something: he only ever truly came alive when he was around Isla.
When Isla got out of the car, Josh followed. [
He lit a cigarette, staring up at her apartment window until the light on the eighth floor finally blinked on.[]
You can ride shotgun row,” he ordered when he got back in the car.
I didn’t move. Our eyes met in the rear–view mirror.[]
“Fine. Suit yourself.”
As the engine roared to life, I finally spoke.
Don’t you have anything to say to me, Josh?”
The car lurched to a stop.
www
Tam so done with your attitude!” He whirled around in his seat to face me. “You’ve been glaring at Isla all night! Just spit it out already!”
All the warmth he’d shown Isla was gone.
We’d been together for seven years, but the ice in his voice still sho
shocked ine.
A laugh bubbled up in my chest. Our whole relationship was a joke.]
“What kind of dare.” I asked quietly.
“Makes you propose to another woman in front of thousands of people?” |
“Who was this ring really for?”
“And why did you lie about working late when you had tickets to the concert?“]
The air in the car turned suffocating.
Josh rolled down the window and lit another cigarette.
“It was from a stupid drinking game seven years ago. Isla’s my childhood friend. I couldn’t just embarrass her like that.” |
The ring? It’s the real deal, to replace that cheap plastic thing I gave you. Isla has better taste.“]
And she flew all the way back just for this concert. I owed her that much.”
Every time he said her name, it was like a knife twisting in my gut.]
“So I’m just disposable?” My voice cracked. “Who is your fiancée. Josh? If you love her so damn much, why did you let her leave?”
“Jesus, Vivian! You sound insane!”
He slammed open the car door and leaned over the roof.]
“You think I’m the bad guy here? Fine. The wedding’s oft
Classic Josh, using our engagement to shut me up.
His cruelty stabbed at my chest, just like it always did.]
But this time, I didn’t inch.
“Good,” I said.
“We’re done.”
