Chapter 1Not Your Typical Romance

I spiked my nemesis’s drink, hoping to see him make a fool of himself.

The moment I turned around, he caught me.

But instead of getting angry, a slow smile spread across his face as he picked up the glass and downed it in one go.

I could only stare, frozen, as he began to unbutton his shirt with deliberate slowness, his voice a low, lazy drawl.

“You’d better run now… before it’s too late.”

* * *

The high school reunion was in full swing, the private room buzzing with energy and laughter. But when Julian Trammell walked in, the atmosphere hit a fever pitch.

Of course it did. The guy was a legend, always at the top of the class, the undisputed king of our high school.

Our eyes met across the crowded room, his dark and unreadable. It was the first time I’d seen him since graduation. I watched as a swarm of girls flocked to him, their attention bordering on predatory. With a quiet scoff, I knocked back my drink.

My old desk mate, Mark, nudged me. “Andy, I thought you couldn’t stand the guy. How come you’re so quiet now?”

“I still can’t stand him,” I muttered.

It wasn’t just that my mom paraded him around as the gold standard of academic achievement. The real problem started when he transferred into our advanced placement track. Overnight, my dating prospects evaporated.

Mark leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper, and slid a small packet into my hand. “So… wanna mess with him a little?”

The alcohol had already gone to my head. I looked down at the small pills in my palm and thought, Yeah, that bastard needs to be knocked off his high horse.

I slipped away to the back lounge where I’d stashed a bottle of expensive wine I’d brought to share. Hmph. Guess he’s getting the good stuff.

The deep red liquid swirled in the glass. A tiny white pill dropped in, dissolving almost instantly. I hesitated for a second, then added two more for good measure.

Let’s see what those girls think when they see the real Mr. Perfect.