Page 15

Emmie

“Are you sure I can’t walk you back?” Landon asks, leaning against the doorframe as I descend the steps.

I fold my arms across my chest, gripping tightly, relieved just to be out of that apartment. Out of his space. Out of his reach. “I’m fine.”

He chuckles like this is all a joke. “Okay. Well, call me later and maybe we can talk about last night.” I frown. He grins, eyes raking over me one last time. “Pick up where we left off?”

I don’t answer. I don’t even look back.

The air hits differently once I’m away from him. I cross the street and cut through the park, my shoes quiet on the path. Everything feels distant, as if I’m moving through a memory that doesn’t belong to me.

Bits of the night flicker in and out. Light, music, nausea, the bathroom floor, but nothing sticks. I hate that. I hate not knowing what was real. I’m so caught in my thoughts I don’t notice him until he’s right in front of me.

Kai.

He steps out from nowhere, eyes wide, breath sharp. “Thank fuck,” he says, his voice raw, before grabbing my shoulders and pulling me into him like he’s afraid I’ll vanish.

His arms lock around me, solid, warm and real. His scent, faint cologne and something unmistakably him , wraps around me, and my knees nearly give out.

I sag against him. The tears come hard and fast, sobs tearing through me as my entire body shakes. I can’t stop them. In this moment, Kai feels like the only thing in the world that makes sense.

The only place I feel safe. And I’m so thankful, I grip onto him just as tightly, not wanting him to ever let go again.

His arms tighten around me as I cry, one hand cradling the back of my head like he’s trying to shield me from the world. My fingers clutch at the fabric of his hoodie.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’ve got you, Em.”

His words break me even more. It’s not the first time he’s said them when I’ve fucked up.

We stand there, in the middle of the park, me in yesterday’s clothes and Kai holding me like I’m something precious.

When I finally pull back, my face is soaked, and my throat is raw. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

Kai shakes his head instantly. “Don’t,” he says. “You don’t have to be sorry.”

“I don’t remember everything,” I admit, swallowing hard. “But something . . . something’s wrong. I didn’t drink that much.”

His jaw tenses, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he takes my hand and starts walking.

We don’t go far. Just to a bench tucked away near the trees. He sits down first, then gently pulls me into the space beside him, not crowding, just close enough that I can feel him there.

I stare at the ground. “He said I tried to seduce him.”

Kai’s fists clench in his lap. “You didn’t.”

“You weren’t there,” I say softly.

“I know you ,” he replies, his voice tight. “I know how you sound when you’re drunk. I know how you sound when you’re you . You called me, Em. You tried. And when I called back, he answered.”

My head snaps up. “He answered ?”

Kai nods. “Sounded real pleased with himself, too. Told me you were out of it. That you were with him. That you wanted him.”

A wave of nausea rises again. Not from my stomach, but deeper than that. Shame. Violation.

“I don’t know what happened,” I whisper. “But I know I didn’t want him. I didn’t want that .”

“You don’t have to explain it to me,” Kai says quietly. “Whatever happened, I believe you.”

And those words, simple, solid, no questions attached, undo me all over again. “I don’t want to go back to mine,” I mutter.

“Okay,” he says, slipping his hand around mine again. “Do you want to come back to mine?” I nod. “Let’s go.”

It’s quiet when he unlocks the door. “Seb probably stayed out,” he explains. The last time I was here, was for a party and I didn’t even know it was his place.

We go through into the kitchen. “It looks different when it’s empty,” I mutter, watching as he grabs two bottles of water from the fridge. He hands me one and I immediately open it and take a few large gulps.

“Me and Seb agreed no more parties.”

I almost smile. “You did?”

He nods. “I’m tired of partying, Em,” he says firmly.. “And I know that’s why most people come to Uni, but for now, I’m not interested.” He nods to my clothes. “You wanna change?” I nod. “I have something you can wear.”

I follow him upstairs, into his room. It’s a typical male room with dark walls and a random football on the side.

He opens his en-suite bathroom door and rummages around in the cupboard.

“I have a spare toothbrush in here somewhere,” he tells me, standing and holding it up triumphantly.

His smile fades as he glances at the shower.

“Look, I don’t know what happened last night, but if anything did happen and you didn’t consent, you shouldn’t,” he pauses, running his hand over the back of his neck.

“Yah know, shower. Maybe we should go to the hospital and have you checked?”

I shake my head, tears filling my eyes again. “I haven’t had sex,” I mutter.

Nothing feels different down there and the last person I had sex with, was Kai. I remember the feeling the next day, and the days after. “I don’t know if anything else happened, but I haven’t had sex.”

“Raped,” he corrects stiffly. “You mean you haven’t been raped.”

The tears roll down my cheeks and he rushes to wrap me in his arms again. “Emmie, we need to call the police. You know deep down something isn’t right, otherwise you wouldn’t be so upset.”

I’m already shaking my head. “No police.”

“Landon is a predator. He could do this again.”

I know what he’s saying is right, but the thought of telling the police how stupid I’ve been, makes me feel sick all over again. “Please,” I whisper against his chest. “Can we just not talk about it right now.”

Kai

I wait until I hear the shower running before sending a text to Zara, explaining that Emmie is with me, but she’s upset and didn’t want to come home.

I’m so angry, I’m practically shaking as I send my next text to Noah, telling him he was right about Landon being dangerous, along with a quick rundown of everything that’s happened.

Then, I turn my mobile off. Because now, more than anything, I want to take care of Emmie.

The bathroom door clicks open, and I glance up from the floor, where I’ve been sitting with my back against the bed. My heart gives a stupid little jolt when I see her.

She’s in one of my T-shirts, even though it drowns her. Her hair’s damp, curling slightly at the ends. Her skin’s blotchy from the heat of the shower, and she’s rubbing at her eyes.

But she looks more like herself again. Just tired with an edge of fragile.

“You okay?” I ask gently.

She nods, but it’s one of those automatic ones. The kind you give when the truth is too heavy.

I push to my feet and cross the room slowly, letting her set the pace. When I reach her, I tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “Come here.”

She leans into me, her forehead resting against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, letting the silence stretch out.

There’s something different about this kind of quiet.

It’s not awkward. It’s not empty. But it feels safe.

After a minute, I pull back just enough to look at her.

“You eaten?” She shakes her head. “Toast? Tea?”

She shrugs, then murmurs, “Tea?”

“Easy,” I say with a soft smile, and kiss the top of her head. “I’ve got you.”

I walk her to the bed and sit her down, then head into the little kitchenette space I’ve made in one corner of my room, to boil the kettle.

It’s ridiculous how proud I feel getting it all ready, two mugs, tea bags, the smallest splash of milk, exactly how she takes it.

I carry it back like it’s something fragile and hand her the warm mug. She wraps her fingers around it.

Her eyes flick up to mine, tired but a little clearer now. “You’re being really nice.”

“Yeah, well . . .” I sit down beside her. “You’ve always been the strong one. Let me be that for you today.”

She leans her head against my shoulder, and I swear I feel her exhale for the first time. It’s almost like she’s allowing herself a moment to take my advice. I remain silent, not wanting to rush her or bombard her with questions. I just sit and wait, because it’s what she needs from me.

She takes a breath then sits straighter before sipping her tea. She looks around the room, a faint smile pulling at her lips. “I like your room.”

I grin, “It’ll do. I was supposed to be going furniture shopping next weekend with Seb.”

She laughs. “You, furniture shopping?”

“Hey, I love to shop. Besides, my dad offered to pay so –”

“You should start with curtains,” she replies, and my eyes scan the sheet I’ve pinned up to block out the sun. “Anyway, how are you finding university?” she asks, “Is it all you imagined?”

I nod. “Sort of. It’s nice being away from my dad and everyone back home. And I have better friends here.”

“And your love life?” she asks, immediately blushing like the words tumbled out before she could stop them.

I give a small smile. “I’m not seeing anyone, Emmie.”

She keeps her eyes fixed to her cup of tea. “Me either. And the first guy I’m in to, turns out to be a bigger prick than the last.” She presses her lips into a fine line and winces before raising her eyes to mine. “Sorry.”

I shrug it off. “You have every right to feel like that.”

“I don’t,” she argues, placing the cup on the side. “You’ve been really nice to me, and I’m here being a bitch.”

“You’ve been through a lot in the last few hours.”

She heads over to the window and peels back the sheet to look outside. “Do you think he drugged me?”

“Yes,” I say clearly, and she spins to look at me. “Emmie, you’re already thinking it, don’t look shocked.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Sex?”

She shakes her head. “I told you he didn’t do that. Although, apparently, I was being sick so maybe he didn’t get a chance.”

“Maybe he felt bad when you were sick and changed his mind? The truth is, we could spend all day guessing why, but only he knows that. The main thing is you’re safe now.”

She wraps her arms around herself, nodding. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t we watch a film?” She nods and I slide further up the bed, patting the space beside me. She smiles, joining me. “You pick,” I add, handing her the remote.

I wake with a start, relaxing when I feel Emmie’s warm body pressed against my own.

I glance down to where her bare leg is laid over my thighs and the t-shirt she’s wearing has ridden up.

I groan, glaring up at the ceiling and willing myself to think pure thoughts.

Emmie’s been through enough without having me getting hard over her.

She stirs, running her hand over my chest and then immediately gasps and pushes herself away from me. She spins, losing her balance and almost falling off the bed. I grab her just in time, and we lock eyes. “It’s just me,” I say, reassuringly. “You’re safe.”

Her eyes dart around, and I hate how Landon’s made her nervous. She finally relaxes but pushes to sit, crossing her legs and pulling the t-shirt over her knees. “Sorry,” she whispers. “I must have fallen asleep.”

“Me too.”

She eyes the pillow I managed to grab in a bid to cover myself, and a small smile tugs at her lips. “Are you okay?” she asks.

“I can’t help it,” I say, defensively, adding an unsure laugh to try and make light of the awkwardness.

“I haven’t . . .” she pauses, clearing her throat. “Yah know, done it since – us.”

“Why?”

“I just haven’t met anyone. Actually, that’s not true. I haven’t met anyone I’ve wanted to do anything with.”

“I wish I could take back everything that happened,” I tell her sincerely. “I was an immature idiot.”

She arches a brow, smirking, “And you’ve grown up so much in the last few months?”

I nod. “I’m trying.” I sit up too, resting back against the headboard.

“The thing is, Em, I haven’t met anyone either.

I’m not saying I haven’t done stuff, I have,” I hate the hurt in her eyes even as the words leave my mouth.

“But,” I rush to add, “I was trying so hard to move on and forget you. And then the second I laid eyes on you again, and realised you were here, I knew I’d only ever want you.

” I groan, “Sorry, you’ve been through so much and I’m laying this shit on you.

” I stand, running my hands through my hair. “I’m being selfish. Are you hungry?”

She smiles, biting her lower lip. “Sit back down Kai Banks and continue what you were saying.”

I lower back to my spot. “I like you, Emmie. I think I even might love you.” She inhales sharply. “I know it’s full on,” I say with a shrug, “I’m just being honest. And seeing you earlier, after what happened, well, I realised just how much I want to be there for you.”

When I finally meet her eye again, she’s still smiling. “That was the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

I grin. “Are we getting food or not?”

She slides closer. “Maybe I’d like to give us a chance,” she almost whispers. “Take things slow.”

“Emmie, please don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”

“I do,” she says, nodding. “You’re right, I can’t get you out of my head either. I’m willing to give you another chance, but you have to always be honest with me; even with the hard stuff.”

“Are you serious?” She nods, a smile tugging at her lips. “Oh my God, Em, I swear you won’t regret it.” I lean closer, running my fingers through her hair and tilting her head slightly before kissing her in a slow, gentle kiss.