Chapter 20
Samantha's POV
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hardwood floor as I carefully folded my cashmere sweater, placing it neatly in the drawer. The dorm was blissfully empty—my roommates all out doing whatever it is privileged girls do with their free time. The silence felt like a luxury I rarely got to enjoy.
I reached for my phone, scrolling through Instagram. A notification from Campus Whispers caught my eye—the "Halloween Costume Suggestions" poll had just been finalized. I tapped on it, curious what ridiculous outfits people had nominated Lucas for.
Jackson Wilson: Sexy Firefighter (342 votes)
Lucas Miller: Puppy Dog (229 votes)
My fingers tightened around my phone. It shouldn't matter—these stupid polls were just popularity contests anyway——but something about seeing Lucas's name below Jackson's made my stomach twist uncomfortably.
I clicked to see who had voted, and there it was: "Ellie Green" listed among Jackson's supporters for the sexy firefighter costume. The memory of yesterday's scene flashed in my mind—Jackson's arm protectively around Ellie, the way the crowd had cheered for them, the approving looks they'd received.
"Perfect little Ellie with her perfect new boyfriend," I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed. She thinks she's Jackson's girlfriend now, doesn't she? Everyone else was voting for these costumes just for fun, but Ellie was clearly trying to announce to the whole campus that Jackson belonged to her. As if Jackson would ever actually dress up as a sexy firefighter.
I'd voted for Lucas as a puppy myself—it was supposed to be a cute inside joke between us. At least Ellie hadn't voted in that category. But seeing her so publicly support Jackson still made my blood boil. The puppy thing was meant to be sweet—Lucas would definitely dress up as one for me if I asked. He'd do anything for me. At least I still had that.
I caught my reflection in the mirror and paused, studying myself. Blonde hair carefully styled, makeup flawlessly applied, designer clothes that Lucas had bought for me during our last shopping trip. I looked good—I knew I did. But somehow, it never seemed enough.
Those pitiful, damsel-in-distress tactics that worked on teenage boys in high school weren't necessary anymore. I'd learned that beauty was a much more powerful currency in college. No need to fake tears when you could turn heads with a smile. Lucas responded so much better to this version of me anyway—the polished, pretty girlfriend who made other guys jealous.
Not when Ellie existed. Ellie with her natural beauty, her easy confidence, her mysterious allure that drew people to her without even trying. Ellie who had everything handed to her on a silver platter—family money, academic success, athletic ability, and now Jackson Wilson's attention.
The buzz of my phone interrupted my thoughts. A text from Lucas:
Coffee in 20? Need to talk about something.
I frowned. That didn't sound good. Had he seen the poll results too?
Sure. Usual place? I replied, already reaching for my jacket.
The campus coffee shop buzzed with afternoon activity as I slid into the booth across from Lucas. He looked tired, dark circles under his eyes, but still devastatingly handsome. He pushed a vanilla latte toward me—my usual order.
"Thanks," I said, taking a sip. "So what's up?"
Lucas fidgeted with his own cup. "Did you see the Halloween costume poll?"
So that was it. "The campus thing? Yeah, I saw." I kept my tone light, dismissive. "Those things are so stupid."
"Ellie voted for Wilson as a firefighter," he said, his voice tight.
I studied him over the rim of my cup. "And that bothers you because...?"
"It doesn't," he said too quickly. "I just think it's weird, that's all. She barely knows him."
"Apparently she knows him well enough to want to see him strip down to suspenders," I replied, unable to keep the edge from my voice. "And well enough for him to publicly announce he's pursuing her."
Lucas's jaw tightened. "That's what I wanted to talk about. I don't trust him."
"Because he's interested in your ex-best friend?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Because there's something off about him," Lucas insisted. "I've heard rumors."
"What kind of rumors?"
"Just... weird stuff. About his family. About where he disappears to sometimes." Lucas's eyes darted around, as if checking who might be listening. "I don't think he's good for Ellie."
I felt a cold knot form in my stomach. "And you care about what's good for Ellie because...?"
Lucas met my eyes, his expression softening. "Sam, come on. We've been friends since we were kids. Just because we had a falling out doesn't mean I want her to get hurt."
"A falling out?" I repeated incredulously. "Lucas, you destroyed her family heirloom. That's a little more than a 'falling out.'"
The memory flashed before my eyes—Ellie's face crumpling as Lucas ground his heel on the wooden pendant, the horrified gasps from onlookers, the way Ellie had knelt to gather the broken pieces with trembling hands. I had felt triumphant in that moment, watching my rival's humiliation.
Lucas winced. "I know. I shouldn't have done that. But that doesn't change the fact that Wilson is bad news."
"You sound jealous," I said flatly.
"I'm not jealous," Lucas snapped. "I'm concerned. There's a difference."
I took another sip of my latte, using the moment to collect myself. "Well, if you're so concerned, why don't you tell her yourself? Oh wait, she's not speaking to you anymore."
The barb hit its mark. Lucas's expression darkened. "This isn't a joke, Sam."
"I'm not laughing," I replied coolly. "I'm just wondering why we're spending our coffee date talking about Ellie Green instead of, I don't know, us?"
Lucas had the grace to look ashamed. "You're right. I'm sorry."
But the damage was done. As Lucas changed the subject to the upcoming basketball game, my mind drifted back to the past, to the decisions that had led me here.