I can't tell her I never stopped being aware of her. That she's been a constant hum under my skin since we were kids. The pull ebbed during freshman year but never truly faded. She's always there, a persistent rhythm in my chest that I can't shake.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask, trying to decode the mystery in her eyes.

"I'm just trying to figure out which Nate I'm getting now. The considerate one or the arrogant one.”

"I just thought you'd have standards when it comes to company," I bite out, fury and frustration tangling in my throat.

"That's rich coming from you. I thought you had taste." She nods toward Farrah downing another shot. "Guess we were both wrong."

Silence stretches between us, thick with unspoken words. She takes another long drink.

"You need to slow down," I say, concern bleeding through my anger.

She leans against the railing, and I force myself to meet her gaze. Even in the dim light, she's devastating—all forest-green eyes and quiet defiance. It's like playing with matches in a room full of gasoline.

"Are you keeping tabs on me now?"

I ignore her question, holding out the water bottle. "Drink it."

She accepts with an eye roll, taking slow sips. "You don't need to babysit me, Nate. I'm not five anymore."

"I'm not trying to babysit you, I just—" The words tangle in my throat. "My mom would kill me if she knew I let you get wasted and hang out with that dickwad."

"Well, Nate," she steps closer, confidence radiating from her like heat, "I'm not your problem or a chore you need to handle, so you don't need to worry about me."

I study her, thrown off balance by her certainty. Her eyes catch me, pulling me in like they always have. "I don't see you as either of those things."

The music fades to white noise as we lock eyes. Having her this close soothes an ache I've been carrying so long I forgot it was there.

"Whatever. I'm not here to play whatever twisted games you're pushing. We can just go back to ignoring each other." She turns to leave, but instinct makes me reach for her arm.

She flinches.

The reaction hits me like a physical blow. Fear flashes across her face as she wraps her arms around herself, staring at the floor.

I release her immediately, stepping back to give her space. When she finally looks up, the sadness in her eyes makes my jaw clench with guilt. There's something else there too, but she looks away before I can name it.

Connor's arrival shatters the moment.

"Got that drink you asked for," he says with a smug grin that makes my fists itch, balancing two cups in his hands. My jaw tightens as he drapes an arm around her shoulders.

"Farrah's been looking for you, man," he adds, nodding toward the bar where she's shooting daggers at me.