My boyfriend lost a game of Truth or Dare. The penalty? He had to kiss another woman. Before our lips could even meet, his childhood best friend, Lindsey, shoved me aside and pressed her lips against his. "Stop acting out. It’s your future sister-in-law's birthday," Jason said, his voice dripping with affection as he pinched her cheek. The room went silent as everyone watched me sprawled on the sofa. Lindsey giggled, "Don't be mad, Chloe. Jason’s never even seen me as a girl." Jason turned to me, his tone dismissive: "It’s just a game. Don't be such a sore loser." Everyone expected me to scream, to throw a fit, to cry. Instead, I simply slid the engagement ring off my finger and tucked it onto his best friend's hand. "Save me a seat at the wedding," I said. 1 "Jason, you're so sweet! What have you been eating?" Lindsey’s high-pitched voice echoed through the private lounge. Jason was looking at her with an indulgent smile, but as the room fell deathly quiet, he finally noticed me on the floor. He let go of Lindsey’s face and patted the back of her head. "Alright, that’s enough. It’s Chloe’s birthday." Lindsey pouted. "Ugh... Chloe isn't going to be a sore loser, is she? It was just a Dare~" The silence in the room was deafening. This wasn't a harmless prank like a flick on the forehead. It was a kiss. People were literally shrinking into their seats, waiting for the explosion. They knew me. They knew I usually fought for every inch of his attention. But I just stood up, slowly twisted the engagement ring off my finger, and walked over to Lindsey. I gently slid it onto her ring finger. It fit perfectly. I smiled. "Save me a seat at the wedding." The room gasped. Even Lindsey looked stunned. "Chloe, it’s just a game. Is this really necessary?" Jason’s voice was cold. "I know it is," I chirped. "I’m just helping you guys have a better time." Jason’s face darkened visibly. Lindsey pulled on his sleeve. "It’s okay, Jay. It’s my fault. I didn't realize Chloe couldn't handle a joke." She pulled the ring off and tossed it at me. "Here. Don't be mad. I didn't mean anything by it." The ring hit me square in the face before clattering onto the floor. I didn't flinch. I just picked it up. "If you don't want it, I guess it’s useless." I tossed it into the trash can. "Chloe, are you insane?! That’s your engagement ring!" "Quick, get it out!" "Where did it go? There’s too much junk in here!" Our friends started frantically digging through the trash, but the bin was a mess of cocktail garnishes, discarded napkins, and half-eaten appetizers. The small band was gone. Lindsey panicked, grabbing Jason’s arm, her eyes welling up. "Jason, what's happening? Why is she acting like this? Was I really that bad? But we’ve always been like this since we were kids..." Jason immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her. "Stop looking!" Everyone froze. He glared at me, his eyes sharp enough to cut. "If you can't handle the game, why did you play? Now everyone’s miserable because of you. Are you happy now?" The irony felt like a physical weight in my chest. Lindsey kissed my fiancé, I stepped aside to let them be together, and somehow, I was the one ruining the night? In the past, I would have sobbed and screamed about how Lindsey was the problem. But now? I felt nothing. I grabbed my coat. "Then I’ll head out. Enjoy the rest of the night." 2 As the door swung shut, I heard a hesitant voice inside: "Um... it is Chloe’s birthday. Maybe we shouldn't let her leave like that?" Jason’s voice was sharp with annoyance. "Forget her. She needs to grow up and lose the attitude. Anyway, Lindsey just got her adjunct professor position. Lindsey, why don't you blow out the candles?" The party roared back to life. The voices that were supposed to sing "Happy Birthday" were now shouting: "Congrats on the new job, Linds!" My face felt cold. I wiped my cheek. I didn't even realize I was crying. But I wasn't sad. My heart felt hollow, like a room that had finally been emptied of furniture. 3 Growing up in a faculty housing complex, I had always worshipped Jason. He was the golden boy, the genius. I was the quiet one, the girl who watched from the window as Jason and Lindsey chased each other around the yard. I studied until my eyes bled just to see my name next to his on the dean’s list. But I wasn't bubbly like Lindsey. Between us, there was always a polite, icy distance. It wasn't until college, when Lindsey went to a different state for a mid-tier school and got a boyfriend, that I finally gathered the courage to ask him out. Fate was kind. He said yes. From that moment on, every decision I made revolved around him. When he stayed at the university to teach, I turned down a prestigious fellowship abroad. My advisor begged me to go, citing alumni who were making six figures or leading major research labs. I just blushed and told her: "I just want a quiet life with him." I gave him everything, and he never gave me a second thought. Standing in the biting wind, I exhaled a long breath and called my old advisor. "Professor? About that project in Ireland... is the spot still open?" There was a pause. "Chloe? You’ve changed your mind?" "Yes." "Of course it's open! I’ve been holding off on the other applicants hoping you'd call. When can you start?" I smiled. "Give me two weeks. I need to get my affairs in order here." 4 I spent the next few hours diving into the project details. By the time I finished the call, it was nearly 2:00 AM. My head was pounding. I ran a bath and let the hot water soak the tension out of my bones. I drifted off to sleep in the tub, lulled by the steam. I woke up to the sound of the front door slamming. "Chloe?" It was Jason. His voice moved through the rooms, growing more agitated. When he finally shoved the bathroom door open, his eyes narrowed. "Chloe." He looked annoyed. I didn't know what he was mad about. Was he mad that I wasn't waiting on the couch to start the usual fight about Lindsey? "You're home," I said, my voice steady. "Sorry, I fell asleep. Didn't hear you." I looked at him. "Could you step out, please?" My tone was polite but distant. He frowned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He looked exhausted. "I stayed late because Lindsey was drunk. Her ex wouldn't leave her alone. I couldn't just leave a girl like that..." "I get it. Safety first." He blinked. He wasn't expecting that. I gave him a small, tight smile. "You... aren't mad?" I actually laughed. "Why would I be mad? You’ve been best friends forever. Helping her home is the right thing to do. Especially since she lives alone." For a second, Jason looked like he didn't recognize me. He didn't move, so I just stood up and grabbed a towel. We lived together; it wasn't like he hadn't seen me before, but I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I wrapped myself up and tried to walk past him. He grabbed my wrist. "Chloe, just say what you want to say." "What am I supposed to say?" He hesitated. "You... usually have a lot to say." I thought about it. In the past, every time Lindsey was involved, I was the one who wouldn't let it go. I was the one who "lost it." But I realized now—you only go crazy when you're still in love. I felt nothing. I gently pried his hand off my wrist. "It's late, Jason. I have lab work tomorrow. Let’s not do this." His hand stayed frozen in mid-air. I yawned. "Don't stay up too late. Goodnight." I climbed into bed and closed my eyes. A moment later, I heard a thunderous BANG. Jason had slammed the door and left. I knew why. He had finally offered me a "truce," and I hadn't bothered to take it. 5 I slept perfectly. The next morning, I was ordering DoorDash when I saw a birthday cake on the table. Jason was sitting behind it. "Belated happy birthday, Chloe." I paused, my finger hovering over the "Pay" button. "I know last night was bad. The ring is gone for good," he said, his long fingers sliding his phone toward me. "That style didn't really suit you anyway. Pick a new one. Lindsey is just a kid at heart; don't take her seriously. To us, a kiss means something, but to her, she’s just carefree..." "Wait, you actually got me a custom cake? Thanks!" My sudden interruption cut him off. He stared at me, bewildered. "Chloe?" I leaned over to read the frosting: Happy 18th to my babe. "So sweet. I love it!" He frowned. "Chloe..." I started grabbing plates and forks. "What?" He looked down. "Never mind." I took a bite. "This place has the best frosting in the city. They're usually booked out. You really put effort into this." He gave a non-committal grunt, looking lost in thought. "Chloe, about the ring—" "Here, have the biggest piece! You can't let it go to waste." I slid a massive slice in front of him. I took a small bite of my own. "Is this a new flavor? It’s good." "Chloe." His brow furrowed. "Look at the phone." I glanced down. It was a website for Tiffany & Co. Specifically, their high-end engagement collection. My hand trembled for a fraction of a second. A week ago, this would have made my year. Now, I just focused on the cake. "No thanks. It's just a brand name. Too much trouble." "Chloe?" He looked at me like I was an alien. I smiled. "Really. I’m over that stuff. Don't waste the money. The cake is plenty." I put my empty plate down. "I have an early meeting. Make sure the dishes get in the dishwasher." I went into the bedroom to change. SCREECH. The sound of his chair pulling back. Jason shoved his phone into his pocket. "Fine. I’ll get it for Lindsey. She actually appreciates this stuff." He slammed the door. He didn't touch the cake. I didn't see him at the university for the next few days.
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