CHAPTER SEVEN

“Sure, why not?” Ethan said, forcing a smile. He stepped closer to the group, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in his chest. Megan’s smile widened as she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the entrance of the karaoke bar.

“That’s the spirit!” she exclaimed. “Come on, I’ll even let you pick the first song.”

Ethan chuckled softly, glancing at the neon lights flickering above the bar’s entrance. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. You know my taste in music isn’t exactly popular.”

The group laughed, and Samantha nudged him playfully. “I’m sure we can survive one of your obscure indie tracks, Ethan. Besides, it’s your turn to suffer through my Mariah Carey impersonation.”

He couldn’t help but smile at that. Samantha’s good-natured teasing felt like a lifeline, pulling him back to a place where things were normal, where people didn’t treat him like a walking bank account.

They made their way inside the bar, the noise and lights engulfing them in a welcoming chaos. The smell of cheap beer and the sound of off-key singing filled the air, creating a sense of camaraderie that Ethan had sorely missed.

As they settled into a booth, Megan handed him the song list. “Go ahead, Ethan. Pick something good.”

Ethan glanced at the list, then back at his friends, who were all looking at him expectantly. He felt a strange sense of gratitude. Despite everything, they were still here, still treating him like the Ethan they knew, not the one with millions of dollars in his account.

He selected a song and handed the list back to Megan. “How about this one?”

She glanced at the choice and laughed. “You’re really going for it, huh? Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Ethan took the microphone, his heart pounding a little as the familiar tune started playing. He began to sing, his voice carrying through the room. At first, he was tentative, but as his friends cheered him on, he found his confidence growing.

By the time he reached the chorus, everyone in the bar was clapping along, their cheers and laughter blending with the music. For those few minutes, the weight of his new reality lifted, and he was just Ethan again, singing badly in a karaoke bar with his friends.

When the song ended, the group erupted in applause. Ethan handed the microphone back to Megan, who grinned at him. “Not bad, Reed. I’m impressed.”

Ethan chuckled, sinking back into his seat. “Don’t expect that level of performance every time.”

Samantha leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So, what’s going on with you, Ethan? You seem… different tonight.”

He hesitated, glancing at her and then at the others. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Megan asked, her brow furrowing. “You’ve been acting weird ever since you left the party.”

Ethan took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “I guess I’m just dealing with some… unexpected changes in my life.”

Samantha raised an eyebrow. “Good changes or bad changes?”

“Both, I guess.” Ethan shrugged, his gaze dropping to the table. “It’s just a lot to take in.”

Megan exchanged a look with Samantha, then reached out and squeezed Ethan’s hand. “Hey, whatever it is, you know we’re here for you, right? You don’t have to go through it alone.”

Ethan felt a lump form in his throat at her words. He nodded, grateful for her support even though he couldn’t tell her the whole truth. “Thanks, Meg. That means a lot.”

Before anyone could say more, the waitress arrived with their drinks. They toasted to Megan’s birthday, to friendship, and to new beginnings. As they drank and laughed, Ethan felt the tension in his chest ease, at least for a little while.

They took turns singing, each performance more ridiculous than the last. Megan and Samantha did a duet that had everyone in stitches, and even Ben, who was usually shy, belted out a surprisingly decent rendition of a rock ballad.

Ethan watched them all, a soft smile on his face. This was what he wanted—to be surrounded by people who cared about him for who he was, not what he had. But he knew it wouldn’t be that simple. The moment they found out the truth, things would change. They had to.

After a few rounds, Ethan excused himself to get some air. He stepped outside, the cool night air a welcome relief from the stuffy bar. He leaned against the wall, his mind swirling with everything that had happened in the past few days.

“How long are you planning to keep this a secret?”

Ethan turned, startled to see Samantha standing there, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked at him, her expression serious.

“Keep what a secret?” Ethan asked, trying to play it off.

Samantha rolled her eyes. “Come on, Ethan. I’m not stupid. You’ve been acting weird, and you’re obviously hiding something. What’s going on?”

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s… complicated, Sam.”

“Stop saying that,” she said, stepping closer. “We’re your friends. If something’s going on, you should tell us. We can handle it.”

He looked at her, torn between wanting to confide in her and the fear of how she would react. “I just… I don’t know how to explain it without sounding crazy.”

Samantha’s eyes softened, and she reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “Try me.”

Ethan took a deep breath, searching her eyes for any sign that she was ready to hear the truth. “My family… they’re not who I thought they were. I’m not who I thought I was.”

She frowned, confusion flickering in her gaze. “What do you mean?”

He hesitated, then decided to take a small step forward. “I found out that we’re… wealthy. Like, really wealthy. I didn’t know until a few days ago.”

Samantha stared at him, her mouth opening and closing as she processed his words. “You’re joking, right?”

Ethan shook his head. “I wish I was. But it’s true. My sister is the CEO of a huge company, and my parents have been hiding it from me all my life. I just found out that we own a big part of Lexington Avenue.”

Samantha blinked, clearly struggling to believe what he was saying. “Wait, are you serious? Lexington Avenue?”

Ethan nodded, his heart pounding. “Yeah. I just signed a contract tonight for one of the properties. That’s why I left the party.”

Samantha looked at him, her expression a mix of disbelief and shock. “But why wouldn’t they tell you? And why are you still living in the dorms if you’re, like, a billionaire?”

Ethan shrugged, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “They wanted me to grow up normal, I guess. To understand the value of money.”

She stared at him for a long moment, then shook her head, a small laugh escaping her lips. “This is insane.”

“Tell me about it,” Ethan muttered, glancing down the street. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

Samantha reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently. “Well, whatever happens, I’m here for you, okay? Money or no money, you’re still Ethan.”

He looked at her, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “Thanks, Sam. That means a lot.”

They stood there in silence for a moment, the city lights flickering around them. For the first time since everything had changed, Ethan felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to navigate this new life without losing himself in the process.

“Come on,” Samantha said, tugging on his hand. “Let’s go back inside. Megan will kill us if we miss her rendition of ‘I Will Survive.’”

Ethan laughed, letting her pull him back toward the bar. “I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”

As they rejoined their friends, the weight of his new reality felt a little lighter. He knew there would be more challenges ahead, more people who would judge him for his money and not for who he was. But for now, surrounded by people who saw him as just Ethan, he could almost believe that things would be okay.

Almost.