Chapter 1

The Super Bowl party was loud.

Our Austin apartment was packed with people I barely knew, mostly Chloe' s friends.

I was on a beer run, and when I got back, the noise was gone.

The entire party was silent.

Everyone was staring at the bathroom door.

It opened.

Blake, Chloe's ex, walked out. He was carrying Chloe.

She was wrapped in nothing but a white towel. Her hair was wet.

Blake was a former college football player, built like a truck. He held her easily.

He saw me standing there, holding two cases of beer.

A smirk spread across his face.

"She slipped," he said, his voice loud in the quiet room. "Figured I should help since I know how to carry her without hurting her."

His eyes challenged me.

I looked at Chloe. She was draped over his arm, looking right at me.

There was no shame on her face. No apology.

It was a dare.

My hands tightened on the cardboard beer cases. For seven years, a scene like this would have made me explode. I would have screamed, thrown things, made a fool of myself.

But tonight was different.

Something inside me was just... quiet.

I walked past them, my face calm.

I opened our bedroom door.

I turned back to them, to the whole silent party.

"Well, don't let us stop you," I said, my voice even. "It's more private in here."