With the Opening Credits, I'm Done

Ten minutes into the movie, and the text I sent Jace still sat on Delivered.
I was just about to call him when my phone buzzed.
It wasn't him. It was a notification from our gaming Discord server. Lyla, his childhood sweetheart, was spamming the chat, practically begging him to log on.
A second later, the familiar avatar matching mine popped up with a reply:
[Hop on. Ill carry you to Diamond, babe.]
Whatever excitement I had for the night evaporated instantly.
I quit the server without a word, bought a bucket of popcorn, and sat through the premiere alone.
By the time the credits rolled, my phone was flooded with dozens of missed calls from Jace. And one frantic, incoherent voicemail:
"Baby, Lyla can explain! Seriously, something came up! It was an emergency!"
"Tomorrow... I promise I'll take you tomorrow, okay?"
I didn't reply.
My tomorrow? It didn't seem to need him anymore.

1
When Jace finally came home, I was on the sofa, focused on my game.
"Sienna, can I trade these roses for a bowl of your famous noodles?"
He was half-kneeling on the floor, offering a bouquet of red roses with a look of guilty charm plastered on his face.
I didn't stop tapping my screen. I just glanced at him. "Thanks."
Seeing that I wasn't screaming, he let out a long sigh of relief, humming a tune as he turned on the TV to catch some sports highlights.
On my screen, the enemy crystal shattered. Victory. Rank up.
I gathered my takeout containers, stood up, and walked to the kitchen. Passing the trash can, I dropped the roses inside.
The humming stopped. "What is that supposed to be?"
I was washing my hands when he threw the question at me. I looked back, confused. He was staring at the trash can, frowning deeply, as if I were the heartless villain in his story.
"I'm allergic to pollen," I said simply.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted explaining.
Unless he had developed early-onset dementia, there was no way he could forget that Id been hospitalized twice for pollen allergies.
In the past, whenever we fought, hed buy roses with apology cards. To give him an out, to keep the peace, I used to take them. Id suffer in silence just to smooth things over.
God, I was an idiot.
Jace looked awkward for a split second before pivoting. "Okay, I'll get you a different gift next time. Babe, I'm starving."
I stifled a yawn, heading for the bedroom. "There's instant ramen in the cupboard."
Jace froze.
He looked at me in total disbelief. "You're not going to cook for me?"
He used to complain that my cooking was too bland. But every time he specifically asked for a meal, I felt that pathetic rush of validationlike I was finally being seen.
His face darkened. "I want your egg noodles. You always say instant stuff is unhealthy."
I stopped in the doorway and looked him in the eye. "Eating it once or twice won't kill you. Besides, don't you have an 'iron stomach'?"
That shut him up.
He used to be a pro gamer, and now he was a head coach. Years of grueling schedules meant he treated food as fuel, destroying his gut in the process.
I used to spend hours researching recipes, making gut-friendly meals just for him.
If I hadn't decided to surprise him at the training facility with soup one day, I never would have known. I wouldn't have seen Lyla eating the nutritional lunch I woke up at 6:00 AM to prepare.
I had lost it that day. I cried, I screamed.
Jace had just watched me unravel. When I finally ran out of tears, he pulled me into a hug.
"If I actually liked Lyla, do you think I'd be with you?" hed said. "Sienna, you're two years older than me. Can't you be a little more mature? It's just lunch."
"The girl has a weak appetite. I was just helping her out. I have an iron stomach; I can eat whatever garbage comes my way."
Back in the present, Jace frowned, looking me up and down. He let out a scoff.
"You're still mad I missed the movie?"
"Fine, be mad at me. But us fighting is between us. Why did you leave the Discord server without saying a word? Do you know how embarrassing that makes Lyla look? She's the admin."
It was a rank-boosting server. People joined and left all the time.
"I'm not throwing a tantrum. I don't know anyone in there. Leaving isn't a big deal."
I was too exhausted to argue.
His expression shifted. He blocked the bedroom door.
"You left right when Lyla asked me to play. People who don't know better might think she's wrecking our relationship and chased you off."
I actually laughed.
So that was it. He wasn't worried about my feelings; he was worried his precious childhood friend might get labeled a homewrecker.
"Fine. Sure. I'll issue a press release tomorrow. Can I sleep now?"
"That's not what I meant..."
Click. I slammed the door and locked it.

2
Jace, of course, wouldn't deign to sleep on the couch.
The last time he slept on a sofa was before he retired. I had stayed up all night with him during training. I fell asleep on his single bed, and he didn't want to wake me, so he curled up on a beanbag chair.
When I told him to get a bigger bed for the studio, he tapped my nose, grinning. "Don't think you can micromanage me 24/7."
Recently, the studio did get a king-sized bed. When I asked why, he shrugged. "Lyla naps there sometimes after hosting matches. The small bed hurt her back."
The honesty was so brutal it left me speechless. He didn't even realize he instinctively put her comfort above everything else.
Jace didn't come home for three days.
But I saw plenty of him. His Instagram stories were a highlight reel: racing tracks, VIP lounges, bars. He was in his element. He posted more in three days than he had in the last six months.
One scroll down, and I saw Lyla's post.
A photo of Jace in his racing gear, arm tight around her waist, holding up a trophy.
Caption: [Men are just giant children. Still my favorite immature winner.]
They looked like the poster couple for "Young Love." I double-tapped the photo to like it.
Then I called an Uber, went to my office, and handed in my resignation.
My manager was stunned. "This is so sudden, Sienna."
She knew how hard Id worked. I went from an intern to a name people respected in the industry. I drank the bad wine, smiled at the rude clients, and swallowed my pride to build connections.
I never really liked the job. I stuck with it partly because my network helped Jace's career, and partly because I was competitive.
"I heard your family is overseas," she said, signing the paperwork. "Going back to get married?"
I smiled, shaking my head. "I just miss home."
I had fought my parents to stay here, chasing a love that I thought was worth the distance. I gambled and lost.
When my team heard I was leaving, they demanded a farewell dinner. We went to a trendy bistro downtown.
Of course, the universe has a sick sense of humor. As we walked in, Jace and Lyla were walking out.
They brushed past us. Jace barely glanced at me, his eyes cold, as he wrapped an arm around Lylas shoulders.
"Come on, let me introduce you to Jagerbombs."
Lyla feigned surprise when she saw me, but her eyes danced with triumph. She leaned into Jace, whispering loud enough for me to hear.
"Aren't you worried Sienna will get mad again?"
Jace sneered. "She doesn't control me."
I listened to their footsteps fade and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Better this way. No awkward conversations.
We drank until midnight. When I stumbled out to hail a cab, a familiar Porsche Panamera pulled up to the curb.
The window rolled down. Jace looked furious.
"Get in."
I stared at him. "You've been drinking. Driving under the influence is illegal."
"I didn't drink. Get in the car, Sienna. Now."
It was impossible to get a ride at this hour. I didn't have the energy to fight, so I opened the back door and slid in.
I closed my eyes, leaning my head back. The car didn't move.
I opened my eyes to see Jace watching me in the rearview mirror, his expression complicated.
"Sienna. Am I your Uber driver now?"
I blinked, answering out of reflex. "Huh? But... you said I don't get carsick, so I should sit in the back."

3
I wasn't trying to dig up the past. I was already planning to break up with him. But the righteous indignation in his voiceas if I was the rude onetriggered me.
The passenger seat used to be mine.
Then Lyla moved closer to the city, and Jace started "conveniently" driving her to work. She claimed she had severe motion sickness.
Jace had looked at me, exasperated. "Sienna, you have a strong stomach. Just sit in the back."
I remembered choking back tears that day. "Why should I? No."
After that, he started leaving the house at dawn just to avoid driving me, terrified I'd try to claim my seat.
I sighed, closing my eyes again. "If we aren't moving, unlock the doors. I'll walk."
He let out a frustrated groan and slammed on the gas.
When we got home, Jace pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted. "Sienna, can we stop fighting?"
All I wanted was a hot bath. "Sure."
My indifference panicked him. "Lyla and I are just friends. She'd never been to a track before, so I took her. That's it."
"I know."
I stood in front of the bathroom cabinet, debating between a bath bomb and Epsom salts.
"Then why aren't you answering my texts?"
I walked into the bathroom and shut the door.
Once I was in the tub, I checked my phone. I had muted him days ago.
[I went to the bar because you locked me out. I wasn't gonna sleep on the floor.]
[I decided I'm not giving up racing for you anymore.]
[I'm joking, babe. Don't be mad.]
[Silent treatment? Really?]
[I'll pick you up. Sienna, I surrender...]
Reading them, I thought back to the movie theater. Waiting ten minutes for a reply that never came.
I finally understood. When he cared, he wouldn't miss a single text. He'd stare at the screen waiting for a response.
Jace used to mute my notifications because I was "annoying." But that Discord server? He kept alerts on for that.
I finished my bath and realized the problem: We only had one bed.
If I broke up with him right now, tonight would be a logistical nightmare.
When I walked out, Jace looked like he was struggling to find the right words. Before he could speak, his phone rang.
Lyla.
He answered immediately. I could hear a girl crying on the other end.
He hung up, his jaw tight.
"Something happened to Lyla? Go," I said.
His shoulders relaxed. "She got into a fender bender. It's her first accident, she's panicking. I just need to go handle the insurance stuff."
He grabbed his keys, paused, and pulled me into a hug. "Don't overthink this, please? I'm begging you."
I went rigid. It took everything in me not to shove him away.
He was too distracted to notice. He grabbed his jacket and left.
Before I slept, I unpinned Jace from the top of my chat list.
He sent a stream of texts throughout the night.
[The hospital won't let me leave, she needs a guardian. I'll take you shopping tomorrow...]
I didn't read the rest. I tossed the phone aside and went to sleep.

4
With Jace, "tomorrow" was a concept, not a promise.
After finalizing my exit from the company, I crashed at my best friend Quinns apartment.
We ordered a mountain of fried chicken and binged horror movies. Right before a jump scare, I instinctively looked down at my phone.
Lyla had posted again. And honestly, it was scarier than the movie.
The photo showed Jace, sleeves rolled up, peeling an apple for a frail old woman in a hospital bed.
Caption: [Grandma, I did it. I finally brought him to meet you.]
The comments section was a dumpster fire of mutual friends:
[Dude, Jace playing the fake boyfriend? If Sienna finds out, she's gonna nuke the city.]
[Sienna, don't be jealous! Jace literally can't live without you lol.]
These were his former teammates. They always hated me. Thought I was too old, too controlling, too boring for their golden boy.
Jace usually laughed it off. "They're just joking. You know I'd die without you."
Turns out, his "reassurance" was just an inside joke for the boys.
"Whatcha looking at?"
Quinn slapped my shoulder, scaring the life out of me, and snatched my phone.
Her face went red instantly. "That dog! I'm going to kill him!"
She dialed Jace immediately. No answer.
"Forget it," I said, taking the phone back. "I don't like him anymore anyway."
I wasn't sad. My eyes just stung a little.
Quinn sighed, grabbed my phone again, and blocked Jace on everything. "I just hate that you wasted three years on trash."
The doorbell rang.
"Food's here!" Quinn brightened up. "Rock paper scissors for who gets it!"
I laughed, "You cheater," and went to the door.
I pulled it open, and my smile died.
Jace stood there, looking like he hadn't slept in days. His clothes were wrinkled, his eyes bloodshot.
I tried to slam the door, but he jammed his hand against the frame.
"Sienna," he croaked. "You quit your job? You blocked me?"

5
"You audacious piece of sh*t! You have the nerve to show your face here?"
Quinn didn't hesitate. She flew past me and slapped Jace across the face. Hard.
"Did you take the freight elevator up? Because you moved on fast! Don't stand there looking pathetic!"
She raised her hand for a second round.
I stood there, blinking.
Jace ignored the slap, desperate to get to me. "Sienna, please, just listen!"
I sighed. We needed to end this properly.
I gave Quinn a look. She glared at Jace but lowered her hand.
I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms. "Go ahead. Explain."
He faltered, looking at me with those puppy-dog eyes he used to weaponize. He looked at me like I was the one who broke his heart. Like I was the one pretending to be someone else's partner.
"Lyla... she's in the hospital," he rasped. "She wasn't hurt in the crash, just shaken up. But her grandmother... she's critical. Her dying wish was to see Lyla's boyfriend."
His voice got quieter as he spoke.
"You have to believe me. I just felt bad for her. I didn't know she was going to post it on social media."
I nodded slowly.
His brow furrowed. "Sienna, what is wrong with you?"
"Usually you'd be crying, or screaming. Now? It's like you don't even care."
I let out a short, dry laugh. "Isn't this what you always wanted?"
I used to stop him from drinking because of his stomach. I hated his racing because his family had a history of heart disease.
I was terrified of his reckless driving, but I forced myself into the passenger seat because he wanted me there.
When he won that championship, he screamed at me in front of everyone. "If you're scared, don't get in the car! I just won, and you're crying? You're embarrassing me!"
"Stop acting like my mother. It's annoying."
He had looked at me with pure disgust that day.
And yet, because I got upset, he actually stopped doing the things I hated. I thought it meant he loved me. I thought he was just bad with words.
I was so stupid. I mistook toxicity for passion.
"You're right," I said, looking him dead in the eye. "I don't care anymore."
"Jace, I don't want to see you again."

6
A breakup shouldn't require a consensus. But Jace didn't seem to understand that.
"Then I don't need permission to pursue you again," he declared.
I wanted to tell him that unwanted pursuit is just stalking.
But he was committed to the bit. He stopped going to work. He became a ghost haunting my periphery.
Random strangers handed me stuffed animals on the street. My social media notifications were flooded with likes and comments from burner accounts. I blocked number after number, but new messages appeared daily, asking if I'd eaten, if I slept well.
It was a grand performance. He was playing the tragic hero, but the only person he was moving was himself.
I booked my flight. My parents sent my little brother, Sawyer, to pick me up.
I hadn't seen Sawyer in a year. The kid had grown.
He was leaning against a rental car wearing designer sunglasses, all white linen and arrogance. He looked like he walked off the set of a K-Drama.
"Sis! Missed you!" he shouted, throwing an arm around me.
He grew up in the States, so he was touchy. He leaned in to kiss my cheek.
Suddenly, a hand clamped onto my arm and yanked me backward.
"Get your hands off her, you creep!"
Sawyer and I froze.
Jace was standing there, eyes wild, chest heaving.
Sawyer took one look at Jace's tear-filled eyes, connected the dots, and smirked. It was a cruel, sharp smile.
He casually lit a cigarette, took a drag, and blew a cloud of smoke directly into Jaces face. He looked Jace up and down with pure condescension.
"So, Sienna," Sawyer drawled, ignoring Jace entirely. "Who's it gonna be? Him or me?"
I cringed. I knew Sawyer was trying to defend me, but this alpha-male standoff was embarrassing.
I pried Jaces fingers off my arm, finger by finger.
I didn't even look at him. Instead, I frowned at Sawyer, reached out, and snatched the cigarette from his lips, crushing it under my shoe.
"Who said you could smoke?" I scolded, swatting his shoulder.
To Jace, that touch looked intimate. It looked like flirting.
"Sienna," Jaces voice trembled. "This guy is clearly a player. He's just trying to get in your pants. Don't fall for it."
I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. My brother was a good kid who had never even had a serious girlfriend. Just because he was handsome, he was a predator?
"None of your business," I snapped.
I grabbed Sawyer and shoved him into the car.
"Sis! Look!" Sawyer laughed, checking the side mirror as we drove away. "Your ex is still standing there. He looks like he's gonna cry!"
I glanced back. He looked shattered.
Not my problem.

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