The university parking lot buzzed with the excited energy of students preparing for their weekend beach escape.
Matt's voice carried across the asphalt as he gestured toward the pristine matte-black Ford Bronco dominating the premium parking section.
"Derek, man, this thing is absolutely incredible!" Matt's eyes gleamed as he traced the vehicle's sleek lines with his fingers. "The craftsmanship, the attention to detail—it's like art on wheels! You've got to let me drive this beauty sometime!"
Derek Sterling accepted the praise with nothing more than a cool nod, his expression remaining carefully neutral. This kind of worship was familiar territory—the awe, the desperate flattery, the transparent attempts to get on his good side. When your family owned half the city's prime real estate, these reactions came with the territory.
His eyes swept across the assembled group with precision. When he spotted Chloe, and several other girls from their social circle, his expression brightened slightly. They were all dancers from the university's elite program—toned figures, graceful movements, effortless beauty. Of course they looked good.
But then his gaze landed on someone unexpected.
Holly Larson stood apart from the main crowd, her honey-blonde hair catching the afternoon light as she laughed at something her companion had said. There was something magnetic about her—not just her striking looks, but the confident way she carried herself. Independent, spirited, with mischief dancing in her emerald eyes.
Derek felt a flash of genuine surprise, followed immediately by irritation when he noticed who stood beside her. Jason leaned casually against a nearby car, the two chatting with an easy familiarity that made Derek's jaw clench.
"Who's that girl?" Derek asked, lowering his voice as he nodded toward Holly. "And the guy next to her—her boyfriend?"
Matt's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Holly? Nah, she's totally single. The dude? That's Jason. Been chasing another girl for like three years—absolutely zero luck. Kinda pathetic, honestly."
Derek's frown relaxed considerably. If Jason was just another lovesick fool spinning his wheels, he posed no real threat. Derek had resources, connections, and the kind of lifestyle that could make anyone's dreams come true.
He waved toward Alec, who was leaning against his own car in the next lane. "Alec, swap cars with Matt. He can take the wheel on yours. You ride with Kyle."
Alec clearly wasn't thrilled—his BMW was nice, but it wasn't a six-hundred-thousand-dollar statement piece—but he handed over his keys anyway. That was how their group worked: Derek made suggestions that weren't really suggestions.
Matt practically sprinted toward the Bronco's driver's seat like a kid on Christmas morning, but Derek stopped him with a raised hand.
"Hold on. Before everyone piles in, let's figure out who's riding where."
Matt nodded eagerly, puffing out his chest with newfound importance. "Everyone, gather up! Let's get the seats sorted!"
Maybe it was having custody of Derek's prized possession, or maybe Derek's presence had gone to his head, but Matt's tone carried way too much authority for a college student organizing a beach trip.
Aly, Chloe, Meg, and the others exchanged meaningful glances—the kind of look that passed between people thinking the same thing but too polite to say it. Still, they stepped forward without complaint. Social dynamics were complicated; sometimes it was easier to go with the flow.
Jason and Holly, however, remained exactly where they were, seemingly engaged in their own private conversation and completely ignoring Matt's increasingly authoritative proclamations.
Jason chuckled softly. "Now I get what you meant earlier—this guy just wants people to beg for a ride in his car."
Holly smirked. "Told you. Guy loves the attention." Then she tilted her head curiously. "By the way, what are you driving, Jason? I didn't ask last time."
"Nothing fancy," Jason replied with characteristic understatement. "Just a regular ride. You want a seat?"
Holly's eyebrows arched playfully. "Regular ride, huh? You didn't look too regular last weekend when I saw you at the marina."
She was the type who lived for adventure—jet skiing, off-road trails, beach bonfires that lasted until sunrise. A free spirit, sure, but she wasn't naive about the world. Fun cost money, and she knew it.
you're the guy who bought a boat, because you could not bother to wait.
"So just tell me what kind of car are we talking about? And can I drive it?"
Jason laughed genuinely. "We've met twice and you already want my keys?
"Come on," she said, gesturing toward the parking lot. "Show me this mysterious regular ride of yours."
"It's parked over there," Jason said, pointing toward a section partially hidden by oak trees. "Let's go."
Without a backward glance at Matt's organizational chaos, they began walking away. Their departure was casual, unhurried, and completely dismissive of the drama behind them.
Derek leaned against his Bronco, absently fiddling with his twenty-thousand-dollar Omega watch, preparing to launch into his standard bragging routine. But then he noticed Holly and Jason leaving, and his jaw tightened.
Matt, quick to react, shouted desperately, "Hey! Don't you want to ride in Brother Derek's car? We're heading to the beach, you know!"
Chloe frowned. "Matt, tone it down. They can ride with whoever they want."
Matt looked genuinely annoyed. "Derek's offering a ride in his Bronco—six hundred grand, top of the line. Show some respect."
Jason didn't even glance back. Holly waved cheerfully to Chloe, Aly, and Meg. "I'm riding with Jason!"
Before Derek or Matt could protest further, Aly and Meg exchanged a meaningful look, then jogged after the departing pair.
"Jason," Meg called out, "you got room for us too? We'd rather not ride with... them."
Jason shrugged with easy confidence. "Plenty of space. Let's go."
And just like that, most of the group headed toward Jason's mysterious vehicle, leaving Derek and Matt standing beside their expensive but suddenly very empty ride.
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