Chapter 2: Rivalry Goes Prime Time

Turns out, both Autumn and Tyler would be there too.

The dating show was streamed live, and all the guests were high-profile. As soon as I showed up, the comment section blew up:

[Why won’t this chick go away? I bet no one will pick her as their crush.]

[I’m betting Tyler will end up with Autumn!]

[Madison is so shameless. When no one picks her, let’s see what she does!]

I took my seat. Autumn ran over, flashing a sweet smile:

“Maddie, what a coincidence!”

She clung to my arm, pinching me hard—right where the cameras couldn’t see.

I winced and instinctively shook her off. Autumn immediately put on a wounded look.

The comments tore into me:

[What’s wrong with Madison? No good deed goes unpunished.]

[Heard she’s jealous of Autumn. If she treats her own sister like this, imagine what she’s like in private. So petty!]

[Ugh, my poor Autumn.]

As the comments scrolled by, the other guests arrived. When Tyler Grant walked in, everyone gasped.

Before the show, the guest list was top secret—I had no idea he’d be here.

All eyes were on him, looking sharp as ever.

Seeing him all dressed up made me even angrier. Great, just what I needed.

Seriously? We haven’t even made up and you’re already out here flirting? Unbelievable.

The host told Tyler to take a seat. Autumn, blushing, called out sweetly:

“Tyler, there’s a seat next to me.”

I shot him a glare and moved toward the corner.

But Tyler ignored Autumn and walked straight over to me.

He sat beside me, tugging gently at my sleeve.

I shot him a warning look. “Don’t touch me.”

Tyler, looking hurt, pulled his hand back.

You could feel the shock ripple through the studio. His move stunned everyone. Autumn and Tyler’s shippers couldn’t handle it:

[??? Did I see that right? Tyler didn’t sit with Autumn?]

[He was going to sit next to her, but then that woman shot him a look and he went over? She’s so shameless.]

[You think you’re in Tyler’s head? I didn’t see him wanting to sit by Autumn at all.]

[If you’re sick, go see a doctor! I don’t care, Tyler & Autumn forever!]

The other guests trickled in. Jordan Lee waved at me:

“Hey, Maddie!”

I looked at him in surprise and waved back:

“You’ve come a long way, kid.”

I hadn’t seen Jordan since college. Back then, he was an unknown singer-songwriter; now he’s a top rapper.

I was about to go chat when Tyler, sitting beside me, grabbed my hand tightly.

He scowled. “You two know each other?”

“Yeah.”

He frowned deeper. “Are you close?”

“Of course.”

His face darkened even more:

“You’re not allowed to go.”

“I’m going.”

I shook off Tyler’s hand and walked over to Jordan.

Seeing us chatting happily, Tyler’s face stayed cold the whole time.

Once I left, Autumn slipped into my seat, whispering to Tyler:

“Tyler, my sister and Jordan look pretty close, huh?”

Tyler shot a dark look at us, lost in thought.

The first game was Truth or Dare.

Tyler’s luck was terrible; he lost the first round and picked Truth.

The host asked:

“Mr. Grant, you never do reality shows. Is it because someone important is here tonight?”

The audience had been dying to know.

As soon as the host finished, the comments exploded.

Tyler glanced at me and answered, “Yes.”

Now the comments went wild:

[Guys, did Tyler look at Autumn before answering? Ahhh, I’m shipping this so hard!]

[Exactly! I knew they were real! When are they going public? I can’t wait!]

[Pretty sure he looked at Madison, not Autumn. They’re sitting together, so it’s not certain he meant Autumn.]

[You’re just jealous! There are more rounds to go—get ready to be embarrassed!]

The host pressed on: “Are they here on set?”

Tyler smiled. “That’s a second question.”

The game continued. Bad luck for Tyler—he lost again.

The host repeated the earlier question.

Tyler looked at me again; I avoided his gaze, feeling guilty.

He said, “Yes, she’s here.

“I’m here because I made her mad and I’m trying to make it up to her.”