My mom.
"Brit? Young? They need you back for the influencer lineup. Where are you two?"
He stood, zipped up, turned to me and grinned.
I bolted out past him. My throat burned. My hands shook. I didn’t look at my mother. I didn’t say a word. I just walked. Walked until I saw Jasper near the drinks tent.
He smiled when he saw me. But it dropped as I approached.
"Brit? What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."
"I need the keys," I said.
"What?"
"I need the car keys, Jasper. Now. Please."
He hesitated, frowning. "Tell me what—"
"Nothing! Just give me the keys!" I snapped.
Sierra ran over, draping herself on Jasper. "Come dance with us! Ace just found this wild tent with fire dancers. Come on!"
I grabbed the keys from his distracted hand and took off.
He called after me. I didn’t stop.
The parking lot was a blur. I found his car, got in, and started driving. I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t care.
I just wanted it to stop.
The noise. The shame. The disgust.
I wanted silence.
I saw the tree before I hit it.
But I didn’t stop.
I closed my eyes.
Let go of the wheel.
And let everything go dark.
Chapter 10
Ace
The Past - Ace - Age 24
She thinks I never noticed her. That I never saw how the corners of her lips twitched upward when she read a good book or how she picked at her food when she was nervous. She thinks all I ever did was throw shade and play the villain in her life. And maybe I did—on purpose.
But God, Brittany was... luminous. She always had been. From the moment Jasper introduced her as his little sister years ago, with that shy smile and messy hair, I knew I was screwed. I pretended not to care. Played the older brother's best friend card like it was a shield. I memorized every detail of her. Favorite food? Pad Thai with extra lime. Movies? She hated horror, loved classic romance. She used to watch "Pride and Prejudice" every summer. And the way her nose scrunched up when something smelled off—it was so uniquely her, it haunted me.
The kiss ruined me.
That one damn kiss.
