Chapter Three

SOLANA

As soon as I step inside the apartment, I shut the door and lean against it, closing my eyes for just a moment.

The silence is almost unsettling after spending all day with Tyler, but I don’t mind it. It’s the only time I can breathe.

I set my bag down and head to my room, but just as I sit on the bed, my phone buzzes.

Mom – Incoming Video Call

I hesitate before answering, taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile.

“Hi, sweetheart!” My mom’s voice is bright as soon as the call connects. The screen splits between her and my dad, both sitting in what looks like a hotel room with a huge window behind them.

“Hi,” I say softly. “Where are you now?”

“Paris,” my dad answers, grinning. “We just got here this morning. The view from our suite is incredible.”

Mom turns the phone around for a second, showing off the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

“That’s amazing,” I say, even though there’s a dull ache in my chest.

They’ve been travelling ever since I started college, jumping from country to country. It’s like they were waiting for an excuse to leave. Not that I blame them, Tyler made sure they never had to worry about me.

“How’s school, honey?” Mom asks. “Are you keeping up with your studies?”

I nod. “Yeah. Classes are good.”

“And Tyler?” My dad leans in, smiling. “He’s taking care of you, right?”

I feel my stomach twist.

They love Tyler. They always have. He charmed them just like he charmed everyone else. To them, he’s the perfect boyfriend—the guy who makes sure I’m safe, the guy they trust me with.

“He’s… yeah, he’s great,” I say, forcing another smile. “Busy with football, but he always makes time for me.”

Mom clasps her hands together. “Oh, we knew he would. He’s such a good boy.”

I nod, my face hurting from how hard I’m trying to keep my expression light.

We talk a little longer, mostly about their travels, their plans, and the new places they want to visit. They don’t ask if I miss them, and I don’t bring it up. What’s the point?

“Well, we should let you go,” Dad finally says. “Tell Tyler we say hi, okay?”

“I will,” I lie.

“We love you, sweetie.” Mom adds.

“Love you too.”

The call ends, and I stare at my screen for a moment.

I don’t know why I feel so hollow.

I should be used to this by now.

I set my phone down on the nightstand and stare at the ceiling. The apartment is so quiet that it almost feels unnatural—like something is missing. But maybe that’s just me.

My parents are in Paris, sipping wine and watching the city lights. Tyler is at practice, surrounded by people who worship him.

And I’m here. Alone.

I should feel relieved—should savour this rare moment of peace. But instead, there’s this ache in my chest, this overwhelming sense of nothingness.

I sigh and sit up, rubbing my hands over my face.

Wear something cute for later, yeah?

Tyler’s words echo in my head, making my stomach turn. I don’t want to change, don’t want to dress up just because he expects me to. But I know better than to ignore what he says.

I drag myself off the bed and walk toward my closet, pulling out a dress that I know he likes—soft fabric, tight around the waist, low-cut enough to keep him happy.

I set it on the bed and stare at it.

A part of me wants to throw it back in the closet, to wear my baggiest hoodie and jeans just to see what he’d do. But I already know.

My fingers curl around the fabric as I swallow the lump in my throat.

I don’t want this life.

But I don’t know how to escape it either.

I don’t know how long I sit there, staring at the dress like it holds all the answers I’ll never find. The room feels too quiet, too still, like the walls are closing in.

Eventually, I move. I change into the dress, fixing my hair the way Tyler likes it—soft waves, nothing too “messy.” A little mascara, a little lip gloss. Just enough to look put together.

By the time I’m finished, I barely  recognize the girl in the mirror.

She looks perfect. Like the kind of girlfriend a guy like Tyler Matthews should have.

But she doesn’t look like me.

My phone buzzes on the bed.

Tyler: Practice is done. Be there in 10.

I let out a slow breath, ignoring the tightness in my chest.

I force one last look at myself before stepping out of my room.

By the time I hear his car pull up outside, I’ve already convinced myself that everything is fine.

That this is fine.

That I don’t have a choice.

The front door swings open and he steps inside, still wearing his practice gear, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He smells like soap and cologne, his hair damp from the quick shower he must’ve taken at the locker room.

The second his eyes land on me, they sweep up and down, slow and deliberate. A smirk tugs at his lips.

“There’s my girl.” he murmurs, dropping his bag by the door. He walks over, fingers grazing my waist before settling on my hips. “See? This is what I’m talking about. You look good, Sol.”

I nod, forcing a small smile. “Thanks.”

He leans in, pressing a kiss just below my ear. “Better than that oversized crap you always try to wear.”

His voice is low, teasing, but there’s an edge to it. Like I should be grateful he approves.

I don’t say anything. Just stand there as he pulls away, stripping off his practice shirt right in the middle of the living room. His abs are glistening, his toned arms flexing as he tosses the shirt aside.

Tyler knows he looks good. I know he looks good.

And seeing him naked—half or fully—used to make me feel... things but now....

He catches me staring, and his smirk deepens. “See something you like, baby?”

I shake my head quickly, looking away. “Did practice go well?”

He shrugs, stepping into the bedroom to change.

“Yeah. Caleb, Nick and the guys wanna celebrate before the game. Pre-game party at his place.”

I hesitate. “Do I have to go?”

A beat of silence. Then, his voice from the bedroom:

“What kind of question is that?”

I swallow hard. Wrong thing to say.

A few seconds later, he steps out in a fitted black T-shirt and jeans, running a hand through his damp hair. His expression is unreadable, but I already know I messed up.

He walks over, slipping his hands around my waist again, pulling me close. His grip is firm, his fingers pressing just a little too hard.

“You’re my girl, Sol,” he murmurs, tilting his head. “So yeah, you have to go.”

I nod quickly. “Okay.”

His lips curve into a smile, satisfied. “Good.” He releases me and grabs his keys. “Let’s go.”

The car ride to Caleb’s place is filled with Tyler’s music—loud bass, heavy beats, the kind of songs that match his energy.

He drums his fingers on the wheel, humming along, completely at ease.

I sit quietly, staring out the window, my hands folded in my lap.

I don’t know why I even asked if we had to go. The answer was always yes.

Tyler loves parties. Loves the attention, the way people gravitate toward him. The way girls look at him, knowing they can’t have him because he’s mine.

Except… it never really feels like I have him.

Because Tyler Matthews belongs to himself.

We pull up to Caleb’s house, and it’s already packed. Cars are lined along the street, music thumping from inside.

People are gathered on the front lawn, red cups in hand, laughing, shouting.

Tyler parks, then turns to me with a smirk. “You gonna be fun tonight, or are you gonna sit in a corner like last time?”

“I—” I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. “I’ll try.”

His smirk fades slightly. “Try?”

I force a small smile. “I’ll have fun.”

His eyes search mine, as if testing whether I mean it. Then, after a beat, he nods. “That’s my girl.”

He leans in, kisses me quickly then steps out of the car. I follow, smoothing my dress, reminding myself to keep up the act.

The moment we step inside, Tyler shifts. His arm is around my waist, but his focus is already on the party. He’s greeting people, dapping up his teammates, cracking jokes.

And just like always, the second we walk in, everyone notices him.

Girls glance over, whispering to their friends. His teammates cheer, calling his name, clapping him on the back. Caleb hands him a beer, and Tyler takes it with a grin, raising it slightly before taking a sip.

He fits in here so effortlessly.

Whereas I fade into the background.

No one greets me. No one acknowledges me.

Because I’m just Tyler’s girl.

And that’s all I’ll ever be.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇