Fighting the Inevitable

The next morning, I told myself I would be normal.

I would wake up, drink my coffee, go to class, and pretend like I hadn't spent last night pressed against Ethan Carter in a dark hallway, hiding from his father.

I would ignore the fact that he had looked at me afterward, his voice low, telling me I don't know how to stop.

I would keep my distance.

I would fight this.

And for the first few hours, I almost convinced myself that I could.

Then, of course—he showed up.

Because Ethan Carter was a walking test of my self-control.

And I was failing.

I saw him between classes, leaning against his car like he had all the time in the world.

Waiting.

For me.

I stopped short, gripping the strap of my bag like it was a lifeline.

I had two choices:

Walk away. Prove to myself that I had control over this.Walk toward him and admit that I didn't.

I barely lasted three seconds before my feet betrayed me.

Ethan smirked as I approached. "Didn't think you'd show."

I scowled. "I wasn't planning to."

"Yet, here you are."

I huffed. "What do you want?"

Ethan tilted his head, studying me. "You've been avoiding me."

I crossed my arms. "You told me to stay away, remember?"

His jaw ticked. "That was before last night."

The air between us shifted.

Because we both knew—last night had changed things.

But I refused to let it.

I shook my head. "Ethan, this is dangerous."

He took a slow step forward. "I know."

"And we're playing with fire."

Another step.

"I know that too."

I exhaled sharply; my heart stupidly weak against his presence.

"You told me we had to stop," I reminded him.

His voice dropped. "I don't think I can."

My stomach flipped.

And just like that, I knew.

I was losing this battle.

Ethan didn't touch me.

He didn't have to.

The gravity between us was enough.

I knew I should walk away. I knew I should say something cutting, something final.

But then—

His fingers brushed my wrist.

A small, fleeting touch.

My breath hitched.

And in that moment, I snapped.

I closed the space between us, my hands grabbing the front of his jacket, pulling him down to me.

Ethan didn't hesitate.

His hands gripped my waist, his lips crashing into mine.

It was fire. It was reckless. It was everything I had been trying to fight.

But in that moment, I didn't care.

Because kissing Ethan Carter felt like the most inevitable thing in the world.

A throat cleared.

We froze.

I yanked back so fast, I nearly stumbled.

Ethan's grip tightened for a split second before he let me go.

And when I turned—Tessa was standing there.

Staring at us.

Oh. Oh, no.

Tessa blinked.

Then she blinked again.

Then—her eyes narrowed.

"Are you kidding me?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

She turned to Ethan. "Tell me this isn't what it looks like."

Ethan said nothing.

Which was worse.

Tessa exhaled, shaking her head. "Unbelievable."

I took a step forward. "Tess, I—"

She held up a hand. "No. Don't."

My stomach twisted.

Because this was it.

This was the moment everything started to fall apart.

Tessa didn't say another word.

She just turned on her heel and walked away.

I watched her go, my chest aching.

Ethan sighed beside me. "Well, that could have gone worse."

I whipped around. "How?"

He shrugged. "She didn't kill us."

I glared. "This isn't funny, Ethan."

His smirk dropped. "I know."

I ran a hand through my hair. "God. I screwed up."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "We both did."

Silence stretched between us.

Because this was the truth we didn't want to admit.

We had fought this. We had tried to stop.

But it didn't matter.

Because some things are inevitable.

And me and Ethan Carter?

We were one of them.

I walked away from Ethan, my mind spinning.

Because now, everything was in free fall.

Tessa knew something was up.

And if Tessa knew?

It was only a matter of time before the rest of the world found out too.

I had been fighting the inevitable.

But now?

Now, I wasn't sure I wanted to fight anymore.

Tessa catches Liv and Ethan—things are unraveling.

Ethan and Liv both admit they can't stop.

The secret won't stay a secret much longer.

Next chapter: The confrontation no one is ready for.