Chapter 4

I dropped the fragile little act. Last life, I'd dealt with every kind of person there is, and guys like Knox only respected you if you pushed back.

"Jealous? What the hell are you talking about?"

His ears flushed red. His hands curled into fists.

"I'm warning you. Stay away from Elliot."

I looked him over, all that fury, and laughed. "What are you, his guard dog?"

He stepped in fast and backed me against the lamppost, his breath hot on my face.

"You got a death wish?"

[Warning! Knox Calloway | Affection -5 | Current: -15/100]

I didn't flinch. I went up on my toes and put my mouth by his ear. "You care an awful lot about who Elliot spends time with. You sure it's not me you're into?"

"Shut up! He's been my best friend since we were kids, and I can't stand girls like you trying to sleep their way up!"

It would've sounded scarier if his ears weren't bright red.

Seriously, why were both of these guys so innocent?

I took my time smoothing the wrinkles out of my sweater.

"And what's the Calloway heir doing, cornering a girl on a dark path at night? How do you think that would look for your family if it got out?"

He froze.

I slipped past him. He caught my wrist.

"Wait!"

He shoved a hand through his hair. "Did somebody hit you?"

"None of your business."

I tried to pull free. His grip only tightened.

"Goddamn it."

He dug a small tube out of his pocket and pushed it into my hand. "It's from some French pharmacy. Your face won't scar. You girls freak out about that stuff, right?"

"You've got it wrong." I had to tip my head back to look at him, but I didn't give an inch. "My face is the least important thing about me."

He frowned. "Then what's important?"

"My self-respect. My freedom. And being able to live with myself."

His hand loosened. Some of the hostility went out of his eyes.

Then he snorted. "Oh, please. Don't act all holier-than-thou. You girls all get by on your looks."

"So that's how your mom ended up running the Calloway Group? Her looks?"

Last life, his mother had been the woman I wanted to become.

[Warning! Knox Calloway | Affection -25 | Current: -40/100]

[Special Event Triggered: Knox's Sore Spot]

His eyes went black. He grabbed my jaw, hard enough to hurt.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You don't get to talk about my mother."

I fought through the pain to get the words out. "I'm saying women can be stronger than you think. You really believe your mom runs that whole company by keeping men happy?"

His hand shook. Then he let go.

He took a step back. His voice came out rough. "Go."

I rubbed my aching jaw and walked away.

I'd only gone a few steps when he spoke again, low.

"What's your name?"

"Josie Foster."

[Knox Calloway | Affection +35 | Current: -5/100]

[Points +250]

[Achievement Unlocked: Poked the Bear and Lived]

[Hit a target's sorest spot and walked away in one piece.]

[Reward: 100 points]

Watching his affection jump like that, I knew I'd picked the right road. Juliet had gone after these two with her body. I was going after them with who I actually was.

Lust burns out. People who genuinely like you stick around.

The good mood lasted right up until I got home. Juliet was sobbing on the couch and my parents looked like a thunderstorm. Tonight was not going to be quiet.

Dad shot to his feet and pointed at me. "Josie! What did you do to your sister?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"Don't you dare talk back!" Mom had both arms wrapped around Juliet. "She says you threatened her and took her allowance! How can you be so cruel?"

Juliet's lips curved for a split second, her eyes gleaming.

Here we go. Another performance.

Dad stormed across the room and swung his hand at my face.

With the system's boost, I ducked out of the way without even trying.

"You're not even going to ask me what happened? You've already decided it's my fault?"

I looked at them coldly. My voice shook with how angry I was.

"Juliet is crying her eyes out, and you're still making excuses!" Mom shrieked, like I was the worst person alive.

Juliet sniffled right on cue and looked at me with wet, red eyes. "Josie, I know you don't like me, but you can't treat me like this. All I want is for us to get along."

She'd gotten better at this. She could cry on command now, and every tear said she was the most wronged girl in the world.

"Get out," Dad said. "Come back when you're ready to admit what you did."

He was always going to take her side. I couldn't stay in that house another night.

I packed a bag with clothes and the things that mattered and walked out without looking back.

The door slammed behind me. Whatever was left between me and my family went with it.

Campus housing had been full since August. I was standing on the curb, scrolling for the cheapest motel within bus distance, when my phone buzzed. It was Elliot.

You left your notes in my office. Come get them tomorrow.

I stared at the screen, and an idea came to me.

I can't come in tomorrow, I wrote back.

Sick?

My family kicked me out. I have nowhere to go.

His answer came in under ten seconds.

Send me your location.