Tyler said plainly, "Seth? To be honest, I don't know you, and I definitely don't remember ever having a drink with you. So please, don't make up stories like that."

He was still polite about it, but the message was loud and clear.

Seth's face flushed with heat. Tyler had not yelled at him, but his tone made it obvious—he wanted Seth gone.

He was not even acknowledged, let alone remembered, and the drink? A total lie. His attempt to show off had backfired hard, and the shame burned worse t