Page 1 of Well That Happened

Chapter One

Rilee

Nursing school might actually kill me.

Not metaphorically. Not“haha, I’m so tired I coulddie,” either. I mean it literally. One of these days, I’m going to go into clinicals, trip over an IV pole, and flatline from pure emotional combustion.

“I’m not saying I want to drop out,” I say, swirling what’s left of my cheap whiskey sour. “But if I got hit by a car on the way to class, I wouldn’t be mad about the break.”

Lexi cackles, tossing her hair over one shoulder. “You need sex. And sleep. And maybe something stronger than Midol for that rage spiral you’re living in.”

“I need to pass dosage calculations,” I mutter.

She softens—just a little.

“Look, I know you’re carrying a lot. But you know you don’t have to do it all, right?” she says. “You don’t have to prove you’re worthy by burning yourself out.”

I snort. “Tell that to the crushing mountain of student loans and the broken healthcare system.”

“I’m serious, Ri.” She nudges my shoulder. “You’re already enough. Even on your worst days. You don’t have to earn your place in the world.”

I look away because if I let myself believe her, I might fall apart.

We’re tucked into a corner booth at Woody’s, the off-campus bar that smells like cheap beer and regret. Lexi’s tipsy enough to flirt with the bartender every time he passes, and I’m one drink away from texting my old anatomy tutor just to scream.

I lean back, exhaling. Then I see them.

Across the bar, in a booth crowded with empty pint glasses and oversized egos, sit three guys wearing enough smugness to power a small city.

Lexi follows my stare. “Isn’t that your brother’s old hockey team?”

They’re huddled around a table, drinking, laughing, and oblivious to anyone else—the kind of easy camaraderie that makes my chest tighten. My brother used to be one of them before everything went sideways.

There’s Grayson Cole—the brooding goalie, completely unreadable. Hunter Maddox—my brother’s ex-best friend turned walking eye roll. And Caleb Ward—the golden retriever in skates who is currently looking at me like he knows what color my panties are.

I swallow the lump in my throat and turn back to Lexi. “Yeah.”

Hunter spots me first. His mouth curls into a smirk that doesunspeakablethings to my blood pressure.

I scowl and flip him off under the table.

Lexi sips her drink. “Didn’t you used to have a thing for that one?”

“Unfortunately. Before he turned into a complete dick when my brother got hurt.”

“Shame. He’s still hot.”

“Don’t encourage me.”

Movement catches my eye—Caleb standing, weaving through the crowd. My stomach does somethingvery uncoolas he approaches.

He stops at our table, bracing a hand on the edge. “Hey,” he says, his smile easy and eyes bright. “Rilee, right?”

Lexi grins. “She answers to ‘Your Highness’ too.”

I kick her under the table.

Caleb Ward is absurdly good-looking. Soft brown hair curling slightly at the ends, as if it can’t decide whether to behave. He has warm, golden skin and dimples for days. He’s wearing a worn gray hoodie and jeans that hug in all the right places—like he just rolled out of bed and still somehow looks like a walking thirst trap.

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