Chapter 1

The bell above the door of "Book Nook Brews" chimed softly, a familiar sound.

I was supposed to meet Janine, another third-grade teacher, to go over lesson plans.

The air smelled of coffee and old paper, a combination I usually loved.

Then I saw him.

Ethan.

My Ethan.

He was supposed to be at band rehearsal across town.

He sat at a small table by the window, not with his bandmates, but with Chloe.

Chloe, the band' s new intern, young, barely out of her teens.

He was laughing, a deep, genuine laugh I hadn't heard directed at me in months.

His hand was on hers, resting on the worn wooden table.

Chloe leaned in, her expression adoring.

He' d always told me places like this, public, quiet, were bad for his image.

"Too domestic, babe," he'd said. "The Wandering Echoes need to seem a little wild, a little unavailable."

My stomach twisted.

This wasn't about his image.

This was about her.

I stood frozen near the entrance, the warmth of the cafe suddenly feeling cold.

Janine wouldn't be here for another ten minutes.

I watched them, my heart pounding a sick rhythm against my ribs.

He said something, and Chloe giggled, tilting her head back.

He looked so relaxed, so happy.

A version of Ethan I missed, a version I thought was just stressed from the band's growing popularity.

The betrayal was a sudden, sharp pain in my chest.

I turned and walked out before Janine arrived, the bell chiming again, unnoticed by them.

My hands were shaking.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers fumbling, and texted Janine.

"So sorry, something came up. Can we reschedule?"

I didn't wait for her reply.

I just needed to get away.