Chapter 5: Mic Drops and Confessions

In the corner, almost forgotten—

The cameras panned, catching Mason at just the wrong moment.

Thud—a sound.

It was Mason's microphone hitting the floor. His eyes were already red, those beautiful stormy eyes misty with tears.

He looked shattered, like the world had just ended. The audience fell silent, the mood shifting in an instant.

This guy—when he cries, his nose gets redder than his eyes. Even now, the foundation couldn't hide the flush at the tip of his nose.

He looked like a little kid who’d lost his favorite toy. My heart twisted, old feelings bubbling up.

He almost choked as he said,

"Riley! That day, were you licking this?"

The words hung in the air, raw and desperate. The whole studio held its breath, waiting for my answer. I stared at him, stunned, realizing in that moment just how much we’d both tried—and failed—to move on.