Chapter 5

Liam Walker.

I knew him, of course.

Ethan Cole's best friend.

Always there, in the background of Ethan's glittering, chaotic life.

Wealthy family, like Ethan's, but different. New money, maybe. Sustainable energy, or some innovative software. More philanthropy, less corporate raiding.

He was quieter than Ethan. More observant.

I accessed the ReLife archives in my neural interface, pulling up every interaction, every fleeting glimpse I'd had of Liam across my five previous lives.

I needed to understand him. His preferences. His patterns.

If I was going to survive, I needed a plan. A real one.

The first life. I was "Amy." St. Augustine's Prep School.

Ethan was the king, and I was one of many, many girls desperate for a glance from him.

I'd tried everything. Good grades. Cheerleading. Feigning interest in his terrible taste in music.

Nothing worked. He barely knew I existed.

Liam was there. Always with Ethan.

I remember one afternoon, in the crowded school cafeteria.

Ethan was holding court, laughing at something one of his cronies said.

I was sitting alone, picking at my food, miserable.

Liam caught my eye. He was leaning against a pillar, watching Ethan, a faint, unreadable smile on his face.

He saw me looking.

He winked.

Then he walked over to Ethan, clapped him on the shoulder.

"If you're not serious, Cole," Liam had said, his voice carrying just enough for me to hear, "I'm stealing her."

He'd grinned, then glanced back at me.

"Amy," he'd called out, making me jump. "He's not worth it. I'm much better company."

Ethan had just scoffed.

I'd blushed, embarrassed and flustered, and quickly looked away.

It was just a joke. A throwaway line.

But I remembered it.