Chapter 2The Eleventh Candidate

Bryce had booked his celebration dinner at the Grand Crescent, the most expensive hotel in town.

A huge banner hung over the entrance.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. BRYCE CALLOWAY ON HIS NEW GOVERNMENT POSITION!

There were still three days left in the pending hire period.

But he had clearly stopped treating it as "pending" a long time ago.

By the time I arrived, six tables were set up in the banquet hall, and nearly all our old high-school classmates had shown up.

Bryce was in a suit, going from table to table making toasts.

Someone told him what a bright future he had at a city agency.

"I haven't even officially started yet," he said, but he hadn't wasted a second before putting on the gift my mom gave him to celebrate.

It was the Patek Philippe my grandpa had left behind.

Mom always used to say she was saving it for my wedding day, so I'd have something impressive to wear.

Then yesterday, she gave it to Bryce.

"Nice things should go to people who've made something of themselves."

I asked her, "What about me?"

She rolled her eyes.

"It's just a beat-up old watch. When you get a government job, I'll buy you a new one."

Now she was sitting right next to Bryce, looking even happier than his own mother.

When she saw I'd shown up in ripped jeans, her face soured on the spot.

"This is a formal occasion, and you wear that?"

I pulled out a chair.

"They're clean."

She lowered her voice, but the whole table still heard her.

"What does clean matter? Clothes make the man. Look at Bryce, then look at yourself!"

The table went quiet for a moment.

No one said a word.

It only made her disdain sound even harsher.

Bryce quickly laughed and smoothed things over.

"Mrs. Merritt, just let him be."

Then he turned to me.

"Luke's always loved acting like he's above everyone. Thinks he's so special." He laughed.

Everyone laughed along and looked at me, amused.

Our old homeroom teacher, Mr. Pruitt, quickly raised his glass.

"Luke, I don't mean to lecture you, but you could learn a thing or two from Bryce. I always thought he was capable, even back in high school. He's outgoing, and he knows how to handle people. Once he's working in government, he's going to do great."

Mom immediately chimed in with a smile.

"Exactly. What good are grades anyway?"

She looked at me.

"Being top of the class as a kid doesn't mean you'll amount to anything as an adult."

Right then, Olivia walked in.

She took the box from me and, in front of everyone, handed it to Bryce.

"Congratulations!"

Bryce's eyes lit up.

"Thanks, Olivia."

The whole room started egging them on.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

I looked up at Olivia.

She seemed a little uncomfortable, but all she said to me was, "Everyone's just having fun. Don't overthink it."

Then she sat down next to Bryce.

During dinner, she kept his glass topped off.

She even picked out the cilantro he didn't eat, like it was second nature.

She'd never done anything like that for me.

Someone asked me, "So, Luke, where are you working these days?"

Before I could open my mouth, Mom was already waving her hand with a laugh.

"Working? Him? He's got big ideas and nothing to show for it. He still hasn't found a job."

Everyone laughed.

The looks they gave me grew even more contemptuous.

Bryce took a sip of his drink and smiled.

"Luke, you really don't have to compare yourself to me. We were just dealt different hands."

My grip on my glass slowly tightened.

Under the table, my phone buzzed.

A message from Sabrina.

"Complaint submitted under my name."

I was about to lock the screen when Bryce suddenly leaned down, his mouth close to my ear.

"Oh, right. Don't rush off tonight."

He glanced at Olivia, smiling meaningfully.

"There's something I want you to be the last to know."