Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 105

Richie laughed and pointed at some of the girls gathered around the pool.

"I’m not exactly playing Smash Brothers, am I?"

"True," I said with a grin. I turned to look at the guy standing with him. He looked about the same age—dirty blond hair, an easy tan, dressed in neatly pressed khakis and a color-coordinated polo. The shoes matched, too. His hair was perfect—darker near the roots. Definitely not a T-shirt and jeans kind of guy, like Richie.

"Hey," I said, offering a hand. "I’m Marcus."

He grabbed it with a firm shake, his teeth flashing brilliant white. "Hi, Mr. Upton. Eli Sturgis."

"Eli’s my roommate," Richie added. "Hope you don’t mind that I brought him along."

"Not at all," I said. "The more the merrier." I looked back at Richie. "Where’s the girlfriend? Megan, right?"

"She’s back home. She’s got another year in high school."

Something in his tone told me that wasn’t the whole story, but I’d already had enough heavy conversation for one evening—especially at a party.

“If we try to get a drink,” Richie went on, “is anyone going to stop us?”

I eyed him for a moment. “No,” I said, “But if you’re doing that, then you have to stay the night. Both of you.”

They both nodded—my stipulation seemed more of an incentive to drink than anything.

“Go ahead,” I said. “We’ll catch up in a bit.”

The boys headed to the bar, and I took a moment to soak in the scene.

Unlike the last party, this one carried a calmer pulse—less charged, more... collected.

The sun hung low over the New York skyline, gilding the rooftop in warm light and stretching every shadow. A few days ago, I wasn’t sure I’d get to see this sunset. Now, I was standing here, surrounded by men who wielded incredible power and women whose beauty could’ve been lifted straight out of magazines. The alcohol flowed. The music thumped gently beneath it all.

I caught sight of Chloe—one of the only women on the rooftop not dressed in minimal fabrics. She wore her customary blazer and pants set, talking to Jon as her eyes scanned the crowd. He said something back to her and she nodded.

Then her gaze met mine, and I smiled at her.

Three heartbeats passed, and then she smiled back—little more than a gentle upturn of the lips, but even that tiny gesture meant so much.

I made my way to the bar and asked for a drink, telling him to make me something he thought I’d like. As I waited, I watched.

Vikram and Venus were dangling their feet in the water. Natashya and Emily were dancing to a lively beat.

And then I spotted Erin emerging from the garden and looking around the rooftop. I could literally feel it as she spotted me. She pointed me out, turning to look at someone just behind her.

It was Natalie.

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To Be Continued....