ALEX.
The moment I saw Derek across the room, my heart dropped straight into my stomach.
I turned immediately, pretending I hadn’t noticed him, weaving through the crowd with my head down. Music thumped around me, laughter filled the air, glasses clinked, but none of it mattered. I just needed to leave. I shouldn’t have come to this party in the first place.
“Alex.”
His voice followed me. I didn’t stop.
“Alex, wait.”
I picked up my pace, and suddenly a hand caught my wrist.
I flinched and spun around. “Don’t touch me.”
Derek frowned, clearly irritated. “Can we talk? Just for a minute.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said, pulling my hand free.
“You can’t keep avoiding me,” he snapped. “You owe me that much.”
“I don’t owe you anything,” I replied coldly.
People nearby were s
