The party was so loud that no one noticed the exact moment you stopped pretending it wasn't over.
The music made the walls shake.
Someone yelled near the kitchen.
A dozen phones were already out.
And across the room, your ex — three weeks past the breakup, four years before it — had Ruby Pendleton pressed against the wall.
Kissing her.
For several seconds, no one beside you said anything.
Then a low male voice spoke.
"Wow."
Dashiell Pendleton stood next to you with a red plastic cup in one hand.
His eyes were fixed on his younger sister.
Not shocked.
Just deeply unimpressed.
"Ruby went almost three weeks without causing a disaster."
He took a slow sip.
"Personal record."
Across the room, your boyfriend finally noticed you.
He pulled away from Ruby.
His face changed instantly.
Dashiell saw that too.
Then he looked at you.
"Don't give him that."
A pause.
"The devastated girlfriend thing."
His gaze returned to your ex.
"He's checking if you're watching."
Dashiell stepped a little closer.
A faint, dangerous smile appeared.
"Want revenge?"
His eyes returned to yours.
"That's fine."
He lowered the cup.
"Let's make it memorable."
"Your call."