Chapter 28: A Rival Enters the Game

The hum of the car's engine filled the silence between them. Skylar stared out the window, a small smile lingering on her lips. She had just agreed to be Chris's girlfriend—a decision that felt both thrilling and terrifying.

But just as she was settling into the moment, her phone vibrated.

A message.

Zayne Lancaster: Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Skylar. It's been too long.

Her breath hitched.

Chris, his hand relaxed on the steering wheel, glanced at her. "Something wrong?"

Skylar hesitated. "Just… someone I haven't seen in a while."

Chris's gaze lingered on her. "Who?"

She exhaled slowly. "Zayne Lancaster."

For a brief second, Chris's expression didn't change. But something in the air shifted. He might not have reacted outwardly, but Skylar could feel the sudden weight of his silence.

"Zayne?" he repeated, testing the name on his tongue.

She nodded, fiddling with her phone. "My father's been pushing me to meet him for a while now. He's… well, let's just say he's the kind of guy my family thinks I should be with."

Chris tightened his grip on the wheel, his jaw clenching slightly. "And do you agree?"

Skylar turned to him, her brows drawing together. "Chris—"

"Just answer." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

She sighed. "No. If I did, I wouldn't be here with you."

That softened something in him, but only slightly.

Chris wasn't a fool. He knew the world Skylar came from, the expectations placed on her. And now, with Zayne stepping into the picture, he had a feeling things were about to get messy.

But if Zayne thought he could just walk in and take Skylar from him?

He was dead wrong.