Chapter 1

Ethan and I grew up together.

When I was grounded as a kid, he would sneak out to stay with me.

When I was sick, he would drive across town just to get me my favorite strawberry cake.

When I was bullied, he fought them until he bled, then looked at me with a bruised face and smiled.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I've got you."

Everyone said he loved me. I believed them too.

Until my twentieth birthday.

Tipsy and brave, I finally gathered the courage to kiss him.

But Ethan took a step back, his handsome brow furrowing.

He took Naomi's hand, who was standing right next to him, and said:

"Chloe, I have only ever seen you as a sister."

Our friends went dead silent, staring at us.

After that, I stopped crossing the line.

I stayed in my place as his "sister."

I watched him and Naomi go everywhere together.

I even smiled and gave him advice, teaching him how to make it up to Naomi when they fought.

But one night, Ethan got wasted. With bloodshot eyes, he grabbed my wrist.

"Are you really that okay with this? Can't you at least show some jealousy?"

I just smiled.

But I didn't want to cross that line anymore.