The music was pounding through the walls, lights flashing as Becca, Arron, El, and you danced in the middle of Nick’s parents’ living room. Everyone was laughing, sweating, moving — it felt like one of those nights that would blur together in the best way.

Then, out of nowhere, a wave of screams and gasps rippled through the crowd behind you. The music still thumped, but everything else seemed to freeze.

You turned just in time to see Nick swipe the back of his hand across his mouth, a streak of red glistening under the lights. Blood. His eyes were blazing, his jaw tight — whoever hit him was going to regret it.

“You’re gonna regret that!” Nick snarled, his voice low and shaking with fury.

And then you saw who stood across from him — Max. Your stomach dropped. Max, your ex. His fists were clenched, his face twisted in anger, and for a moment, the noise of the party faded away. All you could hear was the sound of your pulse pounding in your ears.