Chapter 2

• Maya let out a shaky breath, slipping her phone back into her bag after blocking both Luke and Claire. There was nothing left to say, nothing left to save. They had shattered her trust, her heart, and tonight, she wasn’t going to sit around and cry. She needed to drown out the pain, even if just for a while.
• She stepped out onto the street and raised her hand, hailing a cab. The driver pulled over, and she climbed in, her voice steady as she said, “Take me to The Never Club.”
• The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror, maybe a bit surprised, but he didn’t question it. They drove in silence for a while, the city lights blurring past as Maya tried to hold herself together. Thirty minutes later, they pulled up in front of an exclusive club, the kind of place Maya would usually avoid. But tonight was different. Tonight, she wanted to lose herself.
• Maya climbed out of the cab, her heels clicking on the pavement as she headed toward the entrance. The bouncer gave her a quick once-over, then nodded, letting her in. The moment she stepped inside, the thumping music washed over her, filling her senses. The bass pulsed through her body, drowning out her thoughts. Just what she needed.
• She made her way to the bar, sliding onto a stool. “Whiskey,” she told the bartender, her voice steady. She didn’t usually drink whiskey, but tonight, it felt right.
• The first sip burned her throat, but she welcomed the sting. She downed it quickly and ordered another, then another. By her fifth round, the edges of her vision were starting to blur, and the world felt softer, less harsh.
• Just as she was about to lift her glass again, a deep, husky voice beside her cut through the music. “That’s enough, don’t you think?”
• Maya turned, ready to snap at whoever dared to intrude, but the words caught in her throat when she saw him.
• He was tall, muscular, with dark, tousled hair that looked like he’d just run his fingers through it. His jaw was strong, with just the hint of stubble, and his eyes were a deep, intense shade that seemed to pierce right through her. He wore a fitted black shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, accentuating every line of his powerful frame. This man was dangerously attractive, the kind of handsome that made people stop and stare.
• Maya blinked, trying to find her voice. “Who… who are you to tell me what’s enough?”
• He raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Just someone who doesn’t want to see a beautiful woman drink herself into oblivion.”
• She scoffed, though her cheeks warmed slightly at the compliment. “What do you care?”
• He leaned against the bar, watching her with a steady gaze. “Because I’ve been where you are right now. Drinking to forget doesn’t help as much as you think it will.”
• Maya narrowed her eyes, fighting the urge to look away from his intense stare. “You don’t know me.”
• “No,” he agreed, “but I know that look in your eyes. I’ve seen it before.”
• Maya clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the way his voice seemed to wrap around her, warm and inviting. “Well, maybe you should mind your own business.”
• He chuckled, unfazed. “Maybe. But you don’t really want to be left alone, do you?”
• She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. The truth was, his presence was distracting her from the ache in her chest, from the images of Luke and Claire that had been tormenting her. She sighed, glancing down at her drink.
• “What’s your name?” he asked, his voice softer now.
• “Maya,” she muttered, swirling her drink before setting it down.
• “Maya,” he repeated, almost as if he were testing the sound of it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jake.”
• She glanced up at him, trying to appear unaffected. “So, Jake, what brings you here tonight?”
• He shrugged, a shadow passing over his face. “Let’s just say I needed a break from my own life for a while.”
• Maya found herself nodding. “Yeah. I get that.”
• They fell into a silence, one that felt oddly comfortable. Jake ordered a drink for himself but didn’t down it like she had been doing. He took small sips, watching her carefully, as though he were studying her.
• “Why are you here, Maya?” he finally asked, his gaze never leaving her face.
• Maya hesitated, debating whether to tell him. She barely knew this man, yet something about him made her want to spill everything. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the hurt she’d been bottling up, but before she knew it, the words were tumbling out.
• “It’s… my boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend, I guess. And my best friend,” she began, her voice bitter. “I found them together. Tonight. On his birthday. They didn’t even bother to hide it.”
• Jake’s expression darkened, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Maya. No one deserves that.”
• Maya laughed bitterly. “Yeah, well, they didn’t seem to think so. I thought… I thought he loved me. I thought she was like a sister to me.”
• Jake reached over, placing a warm, reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes, people don’t deserve the trust we give them.”
• She looked down at his hand, finding comfort in his touch. “Why does it hurt so much, though? I keep telling myself I’m better off without them, but I can’t shake this… this emptiness.”
• He nodded, his face thoughtful. “Because you cared. Because you loved. Betrayal cuts deeper when it comes from those we trust the most.”
• Maya stared at him, surprised by the depth of his words. She had expected some superficial advice or a meaningless attempt at comfort. But Jake’s words felt genuine, as though he understood exactly what she was going through.
• “Thank you,” she whispered, surprised by the emotion in her own voice.
• He gave her a small, understanding smile. “Anytime.”
• They sat in silence for a moment, and Maya felt the heaviness in her chest begin to ease. The ache was still there, but somehow, Jake’s presence was making it bearable.
• “Come on,” he said suddenly, standing up and holding out his hand. “Let’s dance.”