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Holland

“ I ’m sorry, he did what ?” Ava’s coffee cup freezes halfway to her mouth, her eyes wide. “Bridger actually accused you of posting those anonymous messages online?”

“Yup,” I say, shrugging with an indifference I don’t feel. “Apparently, I’m living rent-free in his head. Evil plan accomplished.”

Willow bites her lip, giving me one of her careful looks, the kind that makes me want to squirm. “So, what really happened with you two anyway? Because the daggers you shoot at him aren’t exactly subtle, and now he’s accusing you of, what, cyberstalking?”

I roll my eyes as a slight twist of unease settles in my stomach.

“Nothing happened. At least—” The words stick in my throat. “Nothing that matters.”

They continue to stare.

“Fine.” The admission feels like glass in my mouth. “Freshman year we hooked up. Once. And before either of you say anything, just know that it was an accident and totally meaningless.”

“An accident?” Ava’s eyebrow arches. “Did you trip and fall on his?—”

“Don’t.” My lips twitch despite myself.

“Are you sure it was meaningless?” Willow’s voice softens. “Because from where I’m sitting?—”

“Trust me, it was nothing.” The words come out too sharp, too fast. “He’s an egotistical asshat who thinks I’m obsessed with him. Like I have time for that.”

“Or maybe,” Willow ventures carefully, “you’re both still a little hung up on each other?”

I turn my glare on her. “The only thing I’m hung up on is how he ghosted me like I was some random puck bunny.”

Shit. I didn’t mean to say that.

“Hold up.” Ava straightens. “He ghosted you?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I glance at the clock, and relief floods me. “I need to go. Mom stuff.”

“Holland—”

“Say hi to Vivienne,” Willow calls as I grab my bag.

Guilt twists in my stomach as I meet her eyes. For a second, I consider spilling everything. About the club, about Ice, about how that night with Bridger meant more than I’ve ever admitted to anyone.

Instead, I run.

The Envy Room is already packed when I arrive, the parking lot full of expensive cars belonging to men trying to buy what they can’t have. Rocco gives me his usual chin lift as I pass, which I return. We’re both people of few words.

The dressing room thrums with conversation and the muffled bass from the club, but I barely notice. My mind keeps circling back to Bridger. To the hurt in his eyes before he masked it with anger. To the way he’d pressed me against those library shelves like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to kiss me or kill me.

“You look ready to commit murder.” Jade drops into the chair beside me. “Bad day?”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Something like that.”

“Let me guess... Boy trouble?”

“You’re two for two.” I open the tube of lipstick, hoping the physical action will shut down the mess raging in my head.

“Holland.” Randi’s voice cuts through the chatter. She stands by the door, all sleek power in stilettos, her gaze locked on me.

When she crooks a finger, I follow.

“Is everything all right?” she asks once we’re in the hallway, her tone softer than her expression.

I blink. “Yeah, why?”

She leans against the wall, arms crossed. “Because you’ve got that look I see right before girls start making mistakes. The one that says their head’s somewhere else entirely.” Her eyes narrow. “I’m not in the business of letting my girls look lost on stage. Ruins the fantasy and kills the tips.”

I open my mouth to deflect, but something in her expression stops me. “There’s just... a lot going on. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Listen.” She steps closer, voice dropping. “The day you walked in here, you had purpose. Pay your bills, take care of yourself, get where you need to be. Don’t let anyone, especially some boy, mess with that.”

My throat tightens.

She sees way more than I want her to.

“You’ve got something special, Holland. You’re smart and driven.” A small smile plays on her lips. “In a lot of ways, you remind me of myself at your age. Don’t lose sight of your goals because some guy’s got you twisted up inside.”

I swallow hard. Randi built this place from nothing and turned judgment into power. She’s everything I want to be. Strong, untouchable, and in control.

“Thanks,” I manage. “I won’t.”

She gives me a long look before nodding. “Finish getting ready and then get out there and kill it.”

As she walks away, her words linger, rooting themselves deep in my brain.

She’s right. I can’t allow myself to get distracted. Not by life’s curveballs, and definitely not by a certain gray-eyed hockey player who keeps finding his way into my thoughts.

Even though I don’t want it to, Bridger’s face flashes through my mind. The way he looked at me right before his lips crashed into mine. The feel of his muscular body pressed against me, pinning me to the bookshelf. Instead of allowing my brain to trip down that path, I shove the memories away and paste a smile on my face.

Back in front of the mirror, I apply my makeup, each brushstroke a layer of armor against the turmoil in my head. By the time I’m done, the person looking back at me is one I barely recognize. She’s bold and untouchable. Every inch the woman who can handle anything, even Bridger Sanderson and his accusations.

Just as I’m about to get up, my phone buzzes, and I glance down at the screen.

ColdAsIce17.

I’ve come to look forward to these messages more than I ever imagined, and tonight, they help ground me. Bridger might think I’m out to ruin him, but Ice sees past all that. He gets me on a level that most people never will.

ColdAsIce17

Sorry for not responding right away. You know I’d never leave you hanging. Rough day?

A small smile tugs at my lips, and for a moment, I let myself relax. I type back before I can overthink it.

Me

Unfortunately. Let’s just say it’s been one of those ‘who needs enemies when you’ve got assholes in your life’ kind of days.

His response is quick.

ColdAsIce17

Sounds like someone’s giving you trouble. Need me to break some kneecaps?

A snort escapes from me.

ColdAsIce17 has that way about him. He’s sarcastic, sometimes blunt, but there’s always an undercurrent of sincerity and protectiveness that’s impossible to ignore.

Me

Not sure anyone’s worth that much effort. Just some arrogant prick who thinks he’s got me pegged.

ColdAsIce17

Ahhh. One of those. Annoying.

Me

Exactly.

There’s a pause before his next message rolls in. It’s a question that makes my pulse skip.

ColdAsIce17

So, what’s his issue?

I stare at the screen, my stomach tightening as memories flood back.

The night Bridger and I spent together, along with the way he ghosted me afterward. All the hurt, confusion, and bitterness come rushing in, and for a second, I want to confess everything.

Instead, I chicken out.

Me

No clue. Guess some people just need a villain. Always happy to oblige.

There’s a pause that feels heavier than usual.

ColdAsIce17

Funny. I know exactly what you mean. But, hey, sometimes people only see what they want to.

His words hit deeper than they should, like he knows exactly what it feels like to be misunderstood, to be judged before you’ve had a chance to explain. I have the sudden need to know more. Who he is and why he gets what no one else seems to.

Me

Exactly. Doesn’t matter what you do or say, they’ve already decided who you are. Makes life exhausting.

“Holland, you’re up.” Randi’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

I set my phone down and let my eyes fall shut, pulling in a deep breath to steady myself. Whatever I think I want, whatever emotions threaten to surface, none of it changes the truth.

Not with Bridger.

Not with Ice.

Nothing will alter the reality of where things stand.

As I step out of the dressing room, a faint flicker of hope sneaks in. And I wonder, just for a moment, if there will ever be a time when I let myself believe in something more.

Something real.