"How did it end?"
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Eve

The bar was packed, the air buzzing with energy as people laughed, danced, and threw back drinks like the night was endless. Katie was beside me, sipping on her cocktail, already scouting the room for potential entertainment.

"Your boyfriend's looking at you again," she teased, nodding in Carson's direction.

"He's not my boyfriend," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Katie just smirked. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

Carson stood across the room with his teammates, looking annoyingly good in his dark jeans and a black T-shirt that clung just enough to show off his build. He had that effortless confidence that made people gravitate toward him, and tonight was no different. A blonde cheerleader I vaguely recognized from campus had latched onto him, her hand resting on his arm as she giggled at something he said.

I tried to ignore the tightening in my chest, focusing instead on my drink. "She's harmless," I told myself, but the words felt hollow.

Katie noticed, of course. She always noticed. "You're jealous," she said, her tone light but knowing.

"I'm not jealous," I snapped, too quickly to sound convincing.

"Uh-huh," she said, dragging out the syllables. "So, you don't care that Carson hasn't taken his eyes off you all night, even with Barbie over there clinging to him?"

I glanced up, and sure enough, Carson's gaze met mine. His expression softened, his lips twitching into a small smile, but it only made me more annoyed.

Why did he always have to look at me like that—like I was the only thing in the room that mattered? And why did it make me feel so off-balance every single time?

The cheerleader leaned closer, saying something that made him laugh, and I felt my stomach twist.

My body tensed as the girl who had been flirting with Carson on Halloween—Lola, head of the cheer team and every bit the stereotype I'd expected after a little digging—chose that moment to appear at the bar. She slid up next to me, her expression a weak attempt at intimidation.

"Cute," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she glanced toward Carson and the cheerleader. "My cheerleaders know that they can try all they want with him, but at the end of the day it's me who gets him."

"It's my legs he'll be in between tonight " I shot back, though the insecurity at her words ate at me.

Without another word she strutted off, sipping her bleached blonde hair in my face on her way out.

Katie nudged me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I've got an idea."

Before I could protest, she grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the karaoke station.

"Katie, no—"

"Oh, come on," she said, her grin wicked. "Let's remind everyone exactly who you are."

The stage was small, tucked into a corner of the bar, but the crowd was lively, cheering for the current singer as they butchered a classic rock song. Katie flipped through the songbook quickly, her fingers flying over the screen.

"Perfect," she said, selecting a track.

"What did you pick?" I asked, dreading the answer.

Katie just smirked. "Trust me."

The opening beats of Beyoncé's Single Ladies filled the air, and my stomach dropped.

"Katie!" I hissed, but it was too late. She grabbed the second mic and shoved it into my hand.

"Come on," she said, dragging me onto the stage.

I hesitated, my eyes scanning the room, but then I spotted Carson. He was watching me now, his brow furrowed as the cheerleader continued talking to him. Something inside me snapped.

Screw it.

The music swelled, and Katie started us off, her voice strong and confident as she swayed to the beat. I took a deep breath and joined in, letting the lyrics flow through me.

If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it!

Fuck you cheerleaders! And a double fuck you for trying to get in my....Carsons pants!

The crowd erupted, cheering us on as we moved to the music. Katie grabbed my hand, spinning me dramatically as we danced, and I couldn't help but laugh.

For a few minutes, I forgot about everything—Carson, the cheerleader, the gnawing insecurity. It was just me, Katie, and the music.

But when the song ended and the applause died down, reality came crashing back. I glanced toward Carson, expecting him to be annoyed or embarrassed, but instead, he looked amused. Amused—and completely unfazed by the cheerleader, who was now glaring daggers in my direction.

I couldn't handle it.

The jealousy. The insecurity. The way Carson made me feel like I was both everything and nothing at the same time.

"I need air," I muttered to Katie, shoving the mic into her hand.

"Eve—"

But I was already moving, weaving through the crowd and heading for the door. The cool night air hit me like a slap, and I sucked in a shaky breath, my pulse racing.

Why was I like this? Why couldn't I just let myself enjoy the moment without overthinking it to death?

"Eve!"

His voice cut through the noise of the street, and I turned to see Carson jogging toward me.

"Leave me alone," I said, my voice trembling.

"Not a chance," he said, stopping a few feet away. His hands were on his hips, his expression equal parts concerned and frustrated. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I said, crossing my arms. "I just needed some air."

"Bullshit," he said, stepping closer. "Talk to me."

I looked away, staring at the sidewalk as tears pricked the corners of my eyes. "I told you, I don't know how to do this, Carson. I don't know how to be... enough."

"Enough?" he repeated, his voice softening. "Eve, you're more than enough. You're everything."

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "Then why does it feel like I'm always competing? With the cheerleader. With Lola. With every other girl who looks at you like you're the best thing that's ever happened to them."

"Because you're scared," he said simply.

My head snapped up, and I glared at him. "I'm not scared."

"Yes, you are," he said, stepping even closer. "You're scared because this is real. Because I see you. And because you know that no one else even comes close."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and before I could think better of it, I blurted, "I don't want to be one of many, Carson."

"You're not," he said, his voice firm. "You've never been."

I stared at him, my heart pounding as he reached out, his hands cupping my face gently.

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, soft and insistent, pulling me into him like he was afraid I'd disappear.

When we finally pulled apart, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my skin.

"I-um, do you want to stay over at my dorm tonight." I offered, looking down as I played with my fingers nervously.

Carson's eyes softened as he studied me, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a small smile. I could feel the weight of the moment, the vulnerability I had just bared, and I hated how exposed I felt. His gaze never wavered, though, his expression unreadable for a beat too long.

"You sure?" he asked, voice low and teasing, but there was a hint of sincerity behind it. "I mean, I thought you needed air, not more of me."

I didn't look up, my eyes still focused on my hands. "I—yeah, I just... I don't want to be alone. It feels like everything's too much, and I think I need the distraction."

His hand reached out, gently lifting my chin until our eyes met. "I get it. And you don't have to explain it. I'm not going anywhere."

A sigh of relief escaped me before I could stop it, and I nodded, feeling something heavy in my chest lift. His touch lingered, like he was silently reassuring me that this wasn't just some casual thing. It felt... deeper.

"I'm just saying," I added, trying to keep it light, "Katie's probably going to keep company with her band friends or something. So it's just gonna be me and you."

Carson's grin widened. "Just you and me, huh? Sounds promising."

I rolled my eyes, but I could feel the warmth bubbling in my chest. "Yeah, well, don't get any ideas. I'm not that easy."

His gaze softened, and he took a step closer, closing the distance between us until he was right in front of me. "I don't need to make you anything. I'm happy just being with you, Eve."

"You're not nervous about me being there?" he asked, his voice suddenly low, like he was genuinely curious.

I swallowed. "Maybe a little," I admitted, letting out a breath. "But I trust you. I wouldn't invite you over if I didn't."

There it was—the truth, spilling out before I even realized it. And when I said it, it sounded like more than just a casual invitation. It felt like something real, something I wasn't ready for, but couldn't take back now.

Carson's expression softened. He leaned in just a little, so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. "Well, in that case, I'll take you up on it. But don't think this means I'm not expecting a little more than just 'hanging out.'" His voice was teasing, but there was something else in it. Something that made my heart beat a little faster.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't hide the smile tugging at my lips. "Of course. I'll make sure to meet your expectations."

"Do you want to go now?" he asked, his voice tinged with hesitation, as if unsure if I was ready.

"We'd be terrible friends if we just bailed on them," I replied, glancing back at the door to the bar.

"It's only ten o'clock," I said, trailing off as we shared a moment of silence. Our gazes locked, and in that quiet space, we just stared at each other. I could feel the warmth of his attention, like it was pulling me in. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and I couldn't help but mirror it.

"It's only ten o'clock." I said, trailing onto a moment of silence where we both seemed to stare at eachother in the eyes. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, mimicking my own.

"You grab our stuff, and I'll meet you at the front with my car?" he suggested, his tone casual but still holding that undercurrent of something more.

"Deal," I said, giving him a fist bump that felt oddly intimate for such a small gesture.

I turned to head inside, but just as I was about to go through the door, his hand reached out and gently tugged at my wrist, pulling me to a stop. Before I could ask him what was going on, his firm grip spun me around so I was facing him. The next thing I knew, his lips were on mine—slow, deep, and filled with everything I'd been holding back. My heart skipped, and all I could think was that I never wanted to pull away.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I stared up at him. His lips were still close, a whisper of air brushing against my skin as he spoke.

"I'll see you in three minutes," Carson said, his voice low and almost teasing.

"Three minutes, and no more," I replied, grinning at him. "Or I'm faking a heart attack." I winked playfully before rushing past him toward the bar, my pulse still racing.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but smile to myself. The night was still young, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

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