Chapter 1

My A-list boyfriend, Sean Summers, flew in for a concert at my college over fall break.

Right before the encore, he picked ten "super-fans" for a quick photo-op.

I, Blaire Young, was the secret last name on the list.

Just as I stepped up, campus-queen Lily Jensen darted in front of me, bent toward Sean, and cooed, "Be a doll and hold my skirt. Wouldn't want a wardrobe malfunction."

He flashed his trademark grin and obliged, then handed the final slot to her like it was obvious.

I waited for the flash to die, walked straight over, and said, "We're done."

"Drama again?" He raised an eyebrow, smirked, and shoved a mic at me. "Go on; tell the whole arena if you've got the guts."

I grabbed it, flipped the switch to max, and let it rip. "I said, fuck you. We're OVER!"

My words were like dropping a bomb, and the whole arena fell dead silent.

But just a few seconds later, the noise exploded again, so loud it felt like the roof might blow off.

Sean's face instantly turned stormy.

He snatched the mic from my hand, slapping on a twisted smile as he called out to the crowd.

"Don't take it seriously, folks! Just messing around. Blaire likes to grab my attention like this. It's just our way of spicing things up."

Some fans laughed awkwardly, while others started to heckle and shout.

He grabbed me with a grip so tight it was almost scary, yanking me backstage like I had no choice.

The second we got behind the curtain, that fake smile dropped instantly. "Blaire! Are you fucking crazy?"

He shoved me hard against the wall, caging me in with his arms on either side.

"Do you even realize what you're doing? Are you trying to ruin me? My career, my shot at making it big. Does none of that mean anything to you?"

My back throbbed from the impact, but I just looked up at him. "I'm not joking, Sean. I mean it. We're done."

Sean snapped, "Seriously? Just because I didn't take a picture with you? Can you stop making such a scene? You're being totally childish!"

"Sean..." A sweet, aggrieved voice chimed in.

Lily hurried over, gathering her dress in her hands, and stood right beside Sean.

She said, "Blaire, how could you act like this? Today is such a special day, and Sean put it all together just for you.

"How could you lose your temper over something so trivial and nearly wreck the whole concert? That's really inconsiderate."

Sean cut in, sounding totally fed up. "You hear that? Lily's so chill about it! What's the problem with me taking a pic with her?

"She's the president of my fan club, you know. Do you even get how much she's done for me, helping me top the charts and sell out my stuff?

"Of course, I gotta give her some credit. It's just a photo. Why are you freaking out over one picture?"

I turned my head away and gave a cold chuckle.

He looked like he was barely holding it together. "Alright, alright, quit making a scene. I'll take a picture with you now, okay? Right now. We'll keep snapping until you're happy."

Lily snuggled up to Sean, looping her arm through his and flashing a sweet smile. "Let's take one together, Sean."

She cocked her head at me, giving me a look that was pure provocation, but her voice was so syrupy it could melt butter. "Sean, who do you think is prettier, me or Blaire?"

Sean's brow furrowed, but he still answered, "You're prettier."

The last bit of warmth in my chest turned to ice.

I grabbed a spare camera from the table and pointed it at them. "Alright, you want a retake? Fine. Look at the camera."

Sean and Lily both froze.

I said, totally deadpan, into the camera. "Yeah, just like that. Hold him tighter. Sean, give us a big smile. Weren't you all happy just now?

"Lily, weren't you worried about your dress slipping? Get even closer, that's right, stick to him so he can really keep you safe."

"Blaire!" Sean couldn't take it anymore. He knocked the camera out of my hands and exploded, his voice echoing through the backstage. "What the fuck are you trying to pull?"

The camera crashed to the floor with a dull thud.

He got right in my face, finger pointed at me, barking, "Right now, come with me! You're going out there and telling everyone it was just a joke. Apologize."

I gave a cold laugh. "Dream on. The only place you'll see me apologize is in your sleep."

Lily came over and slipped her arm through mine. "Blaire, what's the point of all this drama? You're making Sean look bad in front of everyone. Why not just take a group photo with the three of us and call it a day?"

"Shut up," I snapped.

I shoved her hand away.

I remembered how she sicced her fans on me for a cyberbullying spree.

And now she was pretending we were all besties? Please.

Sean's chest heaved, and the last shred of patience in his eyes was gone.

He jabbed a finger at the backstage exit and roared, "Get out! Blaire, get the hell out. Everything I worked so hard for, you just wrecked it all. You're impossible."

"Fine." I strode right past him without a backward glance and headed for the exit.

Back at the apartment he bought for me, a place he hardly ever came by, I threw my things together in record time.

I gave this cold, lifeless room one last glance, then shut the door behind me without a shred of regret.