I wake up with a pounding headache, shifting around in bed before I open my eyes.

Then, panic sets in.

I'm not in my bed. I'm not in the sorority house.

I'm in a trailer.

Throwing the blanket off me, I realize I'm not wearing my clothes. Instead, I'm dressed in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of boxers.

I jump out of bed and head toward the door when I hear the sound of running water. Someone is in the shower.

A quick glance at the living room tells me someone slept on the couch. Then, I spot a leather jacket draped over a chair. I pick it up, scanning the name stitched onto it.

SIN VICE PRESIDENT

You have to be fucking kidding me.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," I whisper frantically, scrambling around for my shoes and clothes. But there's nothing. That's when the bathroom door opens.

I freeze.

For a brief moment, I find myself staring, admiring the sight in front of me—broad shoulders, toned muscles, water still dripping down his chest.

I quickly shake my head, forcing myself to look away.

"Oh... hey." I give him a nervous smile and a small wave, willing myself not to glance down.

He wraps a towel around his waist, his eyes locked onto mine. "Why am I here?" My voice comes out quieter than I intended, uncertain, unsteady.

He tilts his head slightly. "You really wanna know what happened?"

I nod.

He steps closer, poking me lightly in the chest.

"You—" poke. "Got really drunk last night, wandered off from the club, and fell into the damn pond. You're lucky I was there, or you would've fucking drowned. And now you owe me a fuck because you ruined mine."

My eyes widen, and I instinctively press my legs together.

I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. He smirks and disappears into his room.

Without wasting another second, I bolt out of his trailer before he can return.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

By the time I reach the clubhouse, a few of the girls are still passed out. I shake them awake and help them toward the van. Upstairs, I start knocking on doors, searching for Sarah and Brooke.

All I find are unconscious men.

Just as I'm about to knock on another door, I hear a whisper. "Avery?!"

Brooke stands there, disheveled but clearly satisfied from the night before.

I finally find Sarah, but she's tangled up in bed with Austin. Before Brooke can peek inside, I quickly shut the door.

Deciding to leave her, I take the driver's seat since I'm the only one sober enough to handle it.

Back at the sorority house, Brooke and I—well, mostly me—drag all the girls inside, tucking them into their beds. Once everyone is settled and Brooke is fast asleep, I head home on foot.

The morning air feels nice, the sun already beating down but not uncomfortably so. The peaceful walk gives me time to clear my head.

When I finally get home, I don't even feel tired. Instead, I take a long, hot shower, change into a pair of ripped jeans and a white V-neck, then pop four Advil before settling in the kitchen with a cup of tea, scrolling through Facebook.

"You're up early for someone who was out all night," my grandfather comments as he pours himself a cup of coffee.

I lower my phone and focus on my tea. "Guess I'm an early bird."

He raises an eyebrow. "I suppose that's what happens when you live in the city that never sleeps for eight years."

I smile into my cup, glancing at the newspaper.

"You find a job yet?"

I shake my head, circling another ad. "Still looking. With all the college kids flooding in, options are limited."

He nods thoughtfully. "I'm heading out to see Mr. Johnson—he needs some help around the farm. Pretty sure he'd pay you if you're interested."

I smile. "Yeah, let me grab my bag and shoes."

"I'll be in the truck."

••••••••••••••••••••••

Half an hour later, we pull up to the Johnsons' farm. Their house is massive, sitting on a stretch of beautiful land.

I should probably mention—Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are Everest and Austin's grandparents on their mom's side. No one's heard from their mother since Lincoln died. That's when Gary stepped in.

"Well, I can't believe my eyes. Ava's all grown up!"

Mr. Johnson embraces me warmly. The Johnsons and my grandparents have been close since before I was born.

My grandfather drives off toward the barn, and Mr. Johnson gives me a tour of the horse stables. I'm surprised to see more horses than I remember. He explains they took in a few strays over the years.

After showing me the ropes, he leaves me to work.

Caring for horses was something I loved as a kid. My dad and Lincoln used to bring us here all the time.

When I reach the last stall, I stop, my heart swelling.

Selena.

A stunning black horse with one green eye and one blue. She's just as beautiful as she was eight years ago.

I take my time cleaning and brushing her, savoring every moment. Then, I saddle her up for a ride.

Checking my phone, I see it's already 7 PM—perfect timing. The sun is beginning to set, the air cooling just enough.

I guide Selena toward an old tree by the pond, watching as the sunset reflects off the water.

This exact spot, this exact view... this is where Everest asked me to be his girlfriend.

The bittersweet memory fades as a sharp pain stabs through my lower abdomen.

Shit.

I know exactly what's happening.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

After putting Selena away, I find my grandfather inside the Johnsons' house. Mrs. Johnson has just woken from a nap, and Mr. Johnson hands me cash for the day's work, offering me a job if I want it. I gladly accept.

On the way back, I ask my grandfather to drop me at my aunt's place.

She's my mom's other sister—the one I've always been closest to. The one who actually supported my relationship with Everest.

Unlike my mother, who hated him.

I ring the doorbell, and within seconds, I hear the buzzer. When I reach the top of the stairs, she's already at the door, arms open wide.

"And where the fuck have you been!?"

We laugh as she pulls me inside.

"I got here last week," I explain. "Just been busy looking for a job and a place to stay, you know?"

"You still could've come to me sooner. And by the smell of you, I know you've been at the farm. But I have to ask—"

I cut her off with a sigh. "Let's not. Right now, I just... I need help."

————————-

"You were almost a month along."

My aunt Teagan wipes the gel off my stomach, setting the ultrasound aside.

"I was so stupid," I mumble, wiping away a stray tear. "I was drinking—I don't even know how much—but I swear, I didn't know."

She tosses her gloves into the trash. "Are you going to explain?"

I take a deep breath. "I came back for a reason—to get away from New York."

"So, you came running home."

I nod. "When I started college, I met this guy... Tall, handsome—every girl's dream. He was three years older than me, had just taken over his father's business."

She listens intently as I recount how we met, how we fell in love, how he made me forget Everest.

"We got engaged at a gala during my fourth year of college. Then we got married. It was great... at first. But after I graduated, things went downhill fast."

Her expression softens as I blink away another tear.

"I tried so hard to be what he wanted. I quit my job. Joined the country club scene. The whole nine yards. But it wasn't me. And he changed. He cheated. And then... he hit me."

She pulls me into a tight hug.

"No one should ever go through that," she murmurs.

I lean into her warmth, closing my eyes.

I'm not a religious person, but after losing so much, you learn how to pray.

"Your parents would still be proud of you," she whispers. "Your mother would be proud of you for following in her footsteps."

A small smile tugs at my lips as she kisses my forehead.

We spend the rest of the night curled up on the couch, watching Netflix, lost in the comfort of just being together.

Cleanse

Detach from what destroys you.