Chapter 2

After hanging up, I went to a local convenience store and bought a six-pack of beer.

I walked aimlessly down the streets, chugging one can after another.

My phone kept buzzing in my pocket. I pulled it out. It was my close friends.

"Ethan, you good? If you need a drink, we’re here for you."

"We did some digging on that Jasper guy. He’s just a leech living off women. Bro, a loser like him isn't worth your time."

I stared at the screen and slipped the phone back into my pocket without replying.

A broke boy toy had easily bedded the girl I had cherished for over twenty years. How pathetic.

She only took me for granted because she knew she was loved.

But why did I have to suffer for it?

I slammed a beer can onto the concrete. "Fucking trash!" I roared.

"Did they really think I, Ethan Hayes, was a pushover?!"

I screamed at the empty street, throwing the remaining cans. The beer splashed everywhere, but it was the only way to release the suffocating anger inside me.

"Hey, kid! You can't throw trash on the bay bridge!"

I turned around. A sanitation lady holding a broom was running toward me, cursing.

I bolted. I ran as fast as I could, only stopping when I had put enough distance between us.

If this were normal, a short run wouldn't have tired me out. But I was drunk, and crossing the street had me panting.

I looked down at the beer can in my hand. Most of it had spilled onto my shirt.

But honestly, I didn't care anymore.

I took another long gulp of the warm beer.

Suddenly, a shadow blocked the street light in front of me. A soft voice echoed in my ears.

I looked up. Under the warm glow of the streetlight stood a woman in a stunning red silk slip dress.

She was breathtakingly beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

It was Luna Davis, Chloe’s cousin.

She was two years younger than me. Back in college, she was the untouchable ice queen of Alpha University, wanted by every guy on campus.

What was she doing here?

She stared at the beer in my hand, her dark eyes glittering. "Drinking this much?"

I casually tossed the empty can into a nearby trash bin. "Just bored. Picked up a drink."

Luna arched an elegant eyebrow, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Right. Because the great Ethan Hayes would totally get chased down the street by a street sweeper over a couple of beers."

I looked down and stayed silent. The air between us grew quiet.

"It’s just a breakup. I didn't know you were such a romantic, Ethan."

Luna stepped closer, standing right in front of me. She stood on her tiptoes and gently patted my shoulder, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

I stared at her. The night felt hazy, and the alcohol was hitting hard.

Before I could think, my hand reached out and gently gripped her slender wrist.

"Luna... do you want to come home with me?"

"I just got a bottle of rare whiskey. I want you to taste it."

The moment the words left my mouth, regret washed over me.

Between adults, certain things didn't need to be said out loud. A look, a gesture, a simple invitation was enough to communicate everything.

But Luna was the legendary ice queen. Countless wealthy guys had spent millions trying to get her attention, and she had never given them the time of day.

Why would she agree to a reckless invitation from me?

More importantly, she was Chloe's cousin!

I opened my mouth to tell her I was drunk and to forget I said anything, but to my absolute shock, she gave a soft, quiet nod. "Okay."

The next morning, the bright sunlight filtering through the curtains woke me up.

I looked down and found Luna sleeping soundly on my chest, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

I rubbed my temples, memories of last night rushing back.

The moment we walked through the door last night, I had pinned her against the wall, kissing her desperately. Her warm breath had tickled my ear as she gently pushed my shoulder, her eyes hazy. "Ethan, I'm Luna. Are you drunk?"

At that moment, I saw a flicker of hope and vulnerability in her eyes.

"I know who you are. I'm sober," I had whispered.

Those three words felt like a spell.

I lifted her up by her waist and carried her straight to the bedroom.

I hadn't lost control like that in years.

Suddenly, my phone under the pillow began to vibrate loudly. Fearing it would wake the sleeping girl in my arms, I quickly answered it.

"Why did it take you so long to pick up?"

Chloe’s irritated voice blasted through the speaker. Before I could say anything, she continued, "I’m at the Plaza Mall. Send someone to pick me up. Oh, and I found this gorgeous diamond necklace. Have your secretary bring your black card over."

I frowned. Where did she get the nerve to ask for my money so casually?

"Chloe, are you daydreaming in the middle of the day?"

"Ethan, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I told you, the wedding is off. Whatever you do has nothing to do with me anymore. Stop calling me!"

Maybe because I was angry, my voice was a bit too loud. The girl in my arms stirred uncomfortably, mumbling for me to "be quiet."

Thinking of how exhausted she was from last night, a gentle smile crept onto my face.

"Ethan, what was that sound?" Chloe’s voice suddenly sharpened.

"None of your business," I replied coldly.

My words completely set her off. She screamed into the phone, "I heard a woman's voice! Are you sleeping with someone behind my back?!"