About Last Night

Chapter 1

November 16, 1997

Life doesn't always go the way you plan.
Sometimes, you think you're steering the ship, but life has this habit of tossing storms your way. Lying on my bed, staring at the cracks in the ceiling, I let my thoughts spiral. My parents' messy divorce, the heartbreak that shattered me, the eating disorder that consumed me, and the loneliness that followed—it all played on a loop in my mind. Yet, somehow, I thought I'd clawed my way out of the chaos. My life was supposed to be better now. Wasn't it?

I sighed and let my arm fall over my eyes, trying to picture myself in a different life—one where I wasn't haunted by memories. But that fragile moment of escape was shattered by a loud, persistent banging on my door.

"Cassie! Mom's been yelling for you!" Jaxon's voice sliced through my thoughts.

Groaning, I rolled off the bed and tugged at the hem of my rumpled shirt before yanking the door open. There he was, my annoyingly perfect older brother, leaning against the frame with a smug grin.

"Tell her I'll be there in a minute," I snapped, slamming the door in his face.

Jaxon and I used to be close—thick as thieves, some would say. There was only a year between us, so growing up, we were more like best friends than siblings. But that was a lifetime ago. Now, at twenty-three, I was buried in the relentless grind of med school residency, and Jaxon was living the Hollywood dream. We'd drifted apart, like strangers who only shared the same childhood.

I caught my reflection in the mirror and straightened my shirt, running a hand through my hair. As I headed toward the kitchen, I passed a photo hanging in the hallway. It was us—Jaxon, me, and our friends. Rebecca, Taylor, Andy, Oakley, and Paul. The sight of Paul's face tugged at something deep in my chest. He was more than just a friend; he was the guy I had secretly fallen for, my best friend's brother, the one who used to make me laugh until I cried. But that was before things went horribly wrong.

"Cassie!" My mom's voice pulled me back to the present.

I found her in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. "Sweetie, it's summer. Are you really going to spend the whole day cooped up in your room?"

I leaned against the counter, feigning indifference. "I've got a huge exam coming up. I need to study."

Mom gave me her classic look—the one that said she wasn't buying a word of it. "You can study tomorrow. Tonight, I want you to go out. With your brother."

Before I could protest, Jaxon swooped in with his usual flair for drama. "Mom, no. I'm not taking her. She'll just ruin the vibe."

Mom turned, one eyebrow arched in that terrifyingly powerful way only mothers can manage. "I didn't ask, Jaxon. I'm telling you. Your sister is going with you. End of discussion."

I smirked, unable to help myself. "Guess I'm your plus-one."

"Shut up, Cassie," Jaxon muttered, storming out of the kitchen.

I turned back to my mom, hoping for a last-minute reprieve. "Really, Mom, I can just invite Rebecca and Taylor over. We'll hang out here."

"Nope. You're going." She crossed her arms, unyielding.

"Fine," I muttered, retreating to my room. But Jaxon's words hung in the air: Paul.

The party was for him.

My heart sank. I hadn't seen Paul in years—not since everything fell apart. I missed him more than I cared to admit, but facing him again? I wasn't sure I could do it.