Chapter 1

Ever since we were kids, I've always been my brother Logan's sidekick.

Getting him water, carrying his gear bag after practice. I loved every second of it.

Later, he got into an Ivy League university, and I skipped a couple of grades just to catch up. I even joined the same varsity football team as him.

On move-in day, Logan showed up at the dorm with eight private security guards.

Our teammates stared at him like he was a god. Meanwhile, I was down on my knees on the floor, assembling his gaming chair.

Only Tristan Miller gave me a sneering, knowing smirk.

"Bro, you're not his roommate. You're basically Logan Vance's lapdog."

I just smiled and didn't say a word.

That afternoon, Logan tossed me his brand-new Rolex.

"Chafes my wrist when I throw the ball. You wear it."

I caught the watch with a grin right as Tristan walked past the doorway.

A few days later, Logan went to California for the championship series.

After practice, only Tristan and I were left in the locker room.

"Hey, Flynn. Do you know what the guys call you behind your back?"

"Logan's lapdog."

Honestly, do these idiots look at the locker nameplates every single day and never notice that both Logan's jersey and mine have a giant "Vance" printed on the back?

I took the Rolex Logan gave me out of my locker and let out a dry laugh.

"Tristan, you've been holding that in for a while, haven't you?"

"What, you want the watch too? Too bad you can't afford it."

Tristan's face instantly flushed bright red. He took half a step back.

It was a calculated flinch. Like he'd been hit where it hurt, but also an exaggerated performance of the innocent victim.

Serena pushed the locker room door open and walked in.

She was the campus darling, and she was also my girlfriend.

Apparently, she caught my very last sentence.

She hurried over to Tristan's side, shielding him behind her.

Her voice was dripping with pure disappointment.

"Flynn Vance! I never thought you were this kind of person."

I tilted my head.

"What kind of person am I?"

She spat out each word.

"Since when did you become so arrogant and toxic?"

"Tristan's family is poor. You're rubbing money in his face? Do you even have a conscience?"

She looked at me with sheer disgust in her eyes.

I froze.

Arrogant and toxic?

My mind flashed back to a year ago, the day Serena cornered me in the stadium tunnel.

I had just come off the field, my jersey soaked in sweat.

She had two of her sorority sisters cheering her on as she blocked my path on the concrete stairs. She lifted her chin.

"Flynn Vance, be my boyfriend."

I paused for three seconds and asked her why.

She laughed, completely straightforward.

"You're the easiest guy on the eyes here."

"You've got a bright smile. It makes people feel good."

It was that simple.

Back then, I thought she was cool, honest, bold, and real.

Yet one year later, that exact same face was looking at me like I was a piece of trash.

Fine.

Tristan lowered his head, making his voice sound soft and perfectly reasonable.

"Serena, don't blame Flynn."

"He just grew up poor and insecure. Someone tossed him an expensive watch, so of course he wants to show off. It's normal."

"I might be broke, but at least I know what dignity means."

His voice grew quieter, the last words barely audible.

Serena's savior complex kicked into overdrive. Her eyes were practically melting with sympathy. She reached out and patted his shoulder.

"Tristan, don't say that. At least you're not like some people who love being someone else's dog."

"You play amazing football, and you leave everything on the field."

"And even though you don't come from money, your GPA is top-tier. The professors all say you have a limitless future."

"You're ten thousand times better than spineless cowards."

As she spoke, she shot a dismissive, patronizing glance at me.

The commotion started drawing other teammates over.

Someone recognized the Rolex in my hand.

"Isn't that Logan Vance's errand boy? Why is he wearing a Rolex?"

"Man, somebody throws him a bone, and he actually thinks he's rich."

"Keep it down, guys. You kick a dog, you gotta answer to the owner."

"His owner is out of state for a game. Right now, he's just a stray."

The whispers came at me one after another, perfectly coordinated. Not too loud, but just loud enough for me to hear every word.

Some covered their mouths and chuckled.

Others looked me up and down like I was cheap merchandise.

Serena stood right there, soaking up all the gossip, without uttering a single word in my defense.

Her gaze was identical to theirs: cold, condescending, and disdainful.

Tristan stood behind her with his head down, pretending to hide.

Yet I saw it clearly, the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

The smirk of a hunter watching his prey take the bait.

Suddenly, I felt like laughing.

It was just a Rolex. I had a whole drawer of them back home.

I just hated unnecessary drama. I didn't want special treatment, so I never flaunted my family's wealth, which made everyone assume I was just Logan's lackey.

Logan felt bad for me, so he insisted on dragging me into his suite so he could look after me.

I took a deep breath.

"I wear whatever watch I want to wear."

"What the hell does that have to do with you guys?"

Unexpectedly, that line struck a raw nerve. Tristan snapped his head up, his voice cracking into a sudden screech.