Chapter 6

That night, Jace returned to the apartment with his head wrapped in bandages. "Ave? You're back already? I thought you'd stay and rest at the hospital," he said, as if he'd never said those things on the phone. Avery swallowed back the ache and disgust in her throat. "I was up all night, and I'm tired. I needed some rest." Jace crossed the room and tried to pull her in. "Look what I did for you," he said, angling for credit. "Don't be mad at me anymore, okay?" His hands slid the way they always did, and he leaned in to kiss her. Avery shoved him away again. His face darkened. "Avery, how many times do I have to coax you? I keep trying, but you push me away every time! Haven't you had enough?" "Is that all you think about when you're with me?" she asked, her voice breaking in despair. "Of course not!" he shot back, already putting on an act. "I like you for you!" Avery looked at him and suddenly laughed, tears spilling down her face. She said nothing more, only staring at him with a gaze that was cold and full of grief. He shifted under her look, irritated for reasons he couldn't name. Then, he snorted, snatched up his jacket, and slammed the door behind him. Avery knew that he wouldn't be back tonight, and she finally let out a sigh of relief. … The next day, Nora Olson, president of her student society, caught Avery outside a lecture hall. "Avery, we're having a team-building this weekend. We booked the grill place. You have to come!" Avery wanted to decline. "Nora, I—" "Don't turn me down," Nora said, catching her sleeve and lowering her voice. "And can you ask Julian to come too? Many seniors are desperate for internships, and his family's company is a great opportunity. We have no other way to reach him. You have to help us." Avery doubted Julian would reply, but the student society had always been good to her. So, she typed a message and hit send. On Saturday, Julian actually showed up. But he didn't come alone. Tessa came in with him with a bright smile on her face. Julian glanced at Avery and said flatly, "You texted while I was with Tessa, so we came together." The line stung. Avery nodded and said nothing. Through the entire meal, Julian's attention never left Tessa. He grilled the meat, cut away the fat, and laid the best pieces on her plate. Then, he unwrapped a straw before handing her a drink. When a smear of sauce touched the corner of her mouth, he wiped it away with a tenderness Avery had never once received from him. Avery couldn't stop noticing the contrast. For two years, she had walked on eggshells around his moods, learned his every preference, and bent herself to fit his routines. She had thought he was just naturally cold. But it turned out he knew exactly how to be warm. He had just chosen someone else to melt for. Then, Avery saw Tessa put the garnish she didn't want onto Julian's plate. He frowned for half a second, then ate it without a word. Avery remembered how Julian used to refuse anything that had touched another's plate. Once, she had accidentally served him from her plate, and he set down his fork and never touched it again. So, rules didn't apply when it was someone he cared about. After dinner, the group started playing truth or dare. Tessa lost the first round and was dared to take three shots of strong liquor. She barely had time to hesitate before Julian picked up the glasses. "She can't handle it. I'll drink for her," he said, downing them one after another without blinking. Later, Avery lost. Her dare was to eat a skewer drenched in spicy sauce that should have come with a warning label. The spicy sauce made her eyes water, and she kept coughing. Instinctively, she looked at Julian, but he was leaning close to Tessa, whispering something into her ear. He didn't even spare Avery a glance. Avery's heart went completely numb from being ignored like that. After the game, everyone swarmed Julian with questions about internships, leaving Avery and Tessa sitting across from each other. Tessa looked at Avery, smugness written all over her face. "Avery, you're Julian's girlfriend, but he's been sitting beside me all night and hasn't looked at you once." Avery took a sip of water and stayed silent. "I don't even know why he dated you." Tessa sneered. "You're not good enough for him. If I were you, I'd have left him for his own good. "Your private photos are everywhere, and your background means nothing in our circle. Being called the campus belle doesn't count for anything in real life. What makes you think you're worthy of him?" Avery stayed silent, as if she hadn't heard a word. Tessa looked ready to twist the knife again when a server approached with a tray of hot coals to refresh the grill. His hand suddenly slipped, throwing the tray off balance. Red-hot coals spilled across the table toward them. Tessa shrieked and flinched. The next second, Julian lunged, pulling her into his arms and turning his back to shield her from the hot coals.