Chapter 1

I was Trix, the wild child everyone in Ammara City knew about. I once burned through 3 million dollars street racing, just to make my childhood friend Cole Hubbard smile.

The internet was flooded with posts. [Trix loves Cole more than life itself. She learned to race for him, and even tried to fix her temper for him.]

My dad, Randolph Preston, was pissed off. He sent me to a swap-life reality show, where I spent half a year digging potatoes in the middle of nowhere.

When I finally crawled home, covered in dirt and exhausted, I found out Cole had fallen for the underprivileged girl who'd traded lives with me.

At the welcome party, Cole stepped protectively in front of that girl, his brows drawn together and a cold edge in his voice. "Trix, that's enough. I love her."

A nosy reporter shoved a microphone right in my face.

He asked, "Ms. Preston, everyone in Ammara City knows you're crazy about Mr. Hubbard. Now that he's fallen for someone else, are you really as heartbroken as the rumors say?"

The whole internet was having a field day, just waiting for me to go off the rails.

But I couldn't help it. I snorted with laughter.

"Love him more than life itself? When did that ever happen?" I retorted.

As soon as I said that, the crowd went completely silent.

The reporter shoved the mic right up to my face. "Ms. Preston, was that just you venting?"

I grinned. "Nope, that's the truth."

"And what about Mr. Hubbard and Ms. Hayes's relationship?" the reporter pressed.

I said, raising my champagne glass toward them, "I wish them all the best. They really suit each other."

Cole's face darkened.

He probably never expected me to react like this. In the past, I would've thrown my glass, made a scene, and demanded to know why he'd changed his mind.

Kara said quietly, "Trix, please don't be mad. It's my fault..."

"Don't blame yourself," I cut her off, turned on my heel, and headed straight for the dessert table, helping myself to a piece of cake.

My phone buzzed.

An unknown number popped up with a text. [Enjoy the show?]

I deleted it.

I didn't even need to guess. It was Ryan Martin.

He was my real boyfriend, the one I'd been hiding from everyone for three years.

He knew what kind of event today was, and he knew exactly how I'd be feeling.

My parents saw Kara's eyes go red and immediately pulled her into a hug, feeling sorry for her. "Poor thing, you've been through so much..."

Randolph clapped Cole on the shoulder. "Your parents talked to me. Make sure you treat Kara right."

Only then did they turn to look at me.

My mom, Andrea Preston, said, her voice complicated, "Trix, cut Kara some slack, okay? She's had it tough, and you know what her family's been through..."

Randolph sighed. "Come home, alright? Let's not make a fuss."

Kara shuffled over and tugged at my sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "Trix, let's go home together..."

I pulled my hand back. "You go ahead. I've got stuff to do."

Cole blocked my way. "Where are you off to now? Street racing? Drinking? Trix, don't be reckless."

I said while holding up my phone to show my calendar, "Work. I've got a meeting about an investment."

He snorted, like I'd just cracked a joke. "Investment? What investment? Weren't you out in the middle of nowhere for the past six months..."

I echoed, locking eyes with him, "Digging potatoes? That was just the start. I've done a lot more these past six months."

Down in the underground garage, Cole came running after me and blocked my way.

"Trix, what the hell do you want?" he demanded.

I hit the unlock button on my key fob. "Nothing."

"What's with the act?" He grabbed the car door, stopping me from closing it. "Don't come crying to me tomorrow, chasing after me and asking why..."

I laughed out loud, "Cry? Cole, people grow up."

He froze, like he'd never really looked at me before.

But he'd seen this face for ten years.

I grew my hair out just because he once said, "Girls look better with long hair."

I tried to rein in my temper because he said I was embarrassing.

Even when he had his new girl in his arms and told me not to make a scene, I just stood there, eyes red, asking him why he did that.

He said, "You're always so immature."

I said, sliding into the driver's seat and buckling up, "Kara's great. She's sweet, always listens, and treats you like you're her whole world. Honestly, you two are a perfect match."

His face darkened. "What are you getting at?"

I said as I started the engine, "It means I'm tired.

"Pursuing you for ten years has gotten pretty pointless."

As I drove off, his figure grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

I dialed the number I'd memorized ages ago.

"You done watching the drama?" I asked.

Ryan chuckled softly on the other end. "We're just getting started, Trix.

"Are we sticking to the plan?"

I said, "Yes.

"Let them have their fun a little longer."

I hung up. That night, when I got back to my family's place, I found my old room had been turned into Kara's piano room.

Andrea grabbed my hand and tried to explain, "Trix, you're hardly ever home, and Kara loves playing piano. This room gets the best light..."

I didn't say anything. I just dragged out the box I'd stashed under the bed ages ago and started packing up my stuff.

When I took the photos off the wall, the backs were already yellowed.