Page 9

Emmie

I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel. When I go into the bedroom, I notice my phone is lit up, so I pick it up and see the text from Kai.

I smile, even though I shouldn’t. But Kai is true to his word, this time at least. Because he keeps showing up to convince me he’s changed.

Of course, I know he hasn’t. He’s resisted a party or two this week, but come tonight, Friday, I know without a doubt he’ll be half naked with some random, whilst drinking shots and smoking weed.

My phone vibrates and I smile as Ava’s name dances across the screen. I accept the video call and balance my phone on the nightstand whilst I get comfy on the bed.

“Oh my God, you look so tanned,” she announces with a bright smile.

I laugh. “I’ve been running every morning.”

“You look great, Emmie.”

“How’s things?” I ask.

“Same old. Obviously. But I want to know about Kai bloody Banks. What the hell are you both doing in York?”

I groan, dramatically. I haven’t had a chance to speak with her until now and so I’ve been texting updates. “Coincidence or stalker?” I ask and she laughs. I sigh, “He was just as surprised to see me, Ava. But I haven’t asked him what he’s doing here.”

“Who would have thought Kai would go to Uni. What’s he studying?”

“Sports science, or management, or something.”

“You mean you haven’t managed to ask him on all these runs?”

I laugh again, this time shaking my head. “I try not to speak to him.”

“Still, the boy’s committed if he’s meeting you every morning for that kind of punishment.”

“I even took Landon in the hope it would deter him.”

“And?”

I laugh, “And they became two hot-headed, macho men, who tried to outrun one another. I was kind of left in their dust.”

“Has he texted you since truth one?”

I nod, then proceed to read out the next text. She practically swoons before suggesting I demand a copy of his video for payback.

Next, I video call Mum. It takes a while for her to answer, but when she does, she looks dishevelled. “Were you sleeping?” I ask, frowning. It’s not like my mum to look anything but put together.

She runs a hand over her tousled hair and smiles awkwardly. “Sort of.”

I narrow my eyes, looking for signs before asking, “Are you alone?”

She almost chokes on her reply as she stands and leaves the room, closing the door behind her. “Are you okay?” she asks, ignoring my question.

“Mum,” I gasp. “Do you have a man there?”

“Emmie, I’m sure you haven’t called to discuss me.” She’s trying to sound stern but failing and when I begin to giggle, she does too, her cheeks flushing pink.

“I can catch up with you later,” I tell her.

“No, wait,” she says, right before I almost end the call. My finger hovers over the button. “Erm, Ava told me Kai’s in York,” she says, her expression now full of concern.

“Yeah, he is.”

She winces. “You’ve seen him?”

“Honestly, Mum, don’t worry. Kai Banks is in my past, and I will not let him ruin my future.”

She nods, forcing a smile. “That’s good, Em. Good for you.”

The flat is quiet, save for the faint hum of the TV, and the occasional clink of Landon rummaging in the kitchen. Zara and Noah went out earlier, but neither of us felt up to joining. Or at least, I didn’t.

Landon claimed he was tired. But he’s been hovering ever since I said I wasn’t going out.

Stretching, leaning against doorframes, tossing questions my way like, “Do you want to watch something?” or “Hungry?” He’s always been easy to talk to, but tonight there’s a quiet kind of expectancy in the air, as if he’s waiting for me to change my mind and ask him out on a date or something.

I glance up from the sofa as he walks in. “We could grab food?” he says, casual, like it’s no big deal. “Better than fighting over the last slice of that sad pizza in the freezer.”

“Takeaway?” I ask.

He shrugs, already pulling on a jacket. “We’ll see.”

Ten minutes later, we’re standing outside a little Italian place tucked off the main road with flickering fairy lights in the window. I pause, brows lifting. “This doesn’t exactly scream takeaway.”

Landon smiles, tight but hopeful. “Come on, it’s just food. I’m starving.” He opens the door before I can argue.

Inside, it’s worse. There are small tables dotted around and set for two. Candles flicker in the centre of each, it’s definitely the type of place people go for a date . My stomach flips, but I don’t want to make it a thing. He knows how I feel, we’ve set the boundaries already.

The waiter approaches with menus in hand. “Table for two?”

Landon answers before I can. “Yeah. We’ll eat in.” I glance at him, startled, but he just gives me that easy, unreadable grin of his. I don’t say anything. I should , but I don’t.

So, I sit in the chair the waiter pulls out for me, smiling awkwardly. And Landon slides in the seat opposite looking pleased with himself. It’s far too intimate for housemates but I get the impression he already knew this.

He starts chatting about how Zara made him listen to one of Noah’s terrible playlists, but I’m distracted. My hands are in my lap and all I can think about is the candles and how this must look to the other diners.

I glance up to reply and freeze.

Outside, framed by the window, stands Kai.

He’s not moving. One hand hangs limply by his side, the other curled loosely around a takeaway coffee cup. Our eyes lock. My breath catches. Everything else fades. The music, the warmth, Landon’s voice across the table.

Kai’s face is unreadable at first, but then I see it. The crack. The flash of raw, unguarded pain in his eyes.

He takes a step closer to the glass, as if he needs to be sure it’s really me. And then he just stands there . Watching me. Watching us. Torturing himself.

His jaw tenses and his throat moves like he’s swallowing something sharp. I can’t look away.

Landon says something, but it’s muffled. And when I don’t respond, I feel his eyes on me, then he turns too, following my gaze to the window. Kai doesn’t remove his gaze from me, even though he must feel Landon glaring at him. Instead, he takes a step back, then turns and continues on his way.

I release a shuddering breath. I don’t know what the hell that was, but it felt too much. Landon is watching me with concern before he reaches for my hand. “Are you okay?” I nod, even though I’m feeling anything but okay. “It must have been a tough breakup. And clearly, he hasn’t got the message.”

I slide my hand back from under his and place it in my lap. “He’s just trying to make things right between us,” I almost whisper. Why the hell am I defending him?

Landon must wonder the same because he eyes me before muttering, “Some things can’t be forgiven.”

“You don’t even know what happened,” I snap.

He sits straighter. “Zara might have let it slip,” he says.

I narrow my eyes. “What?”

“I was worried about you. I mean, the guy keeps showing up, maybe he’s stalking you? I needed to know if this idiot is a threat.”

“To you?” I demand, pushing to stand.

“No, of course not. To you, Emmie.”

I glance around, noticing a few diners pretending not to watch us. I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Because let me be clear, Landon. We are housemates and nothing more.”

He nods, “I know that. I’m being a friend.”

I straighten. “Good. As long as we’re clear.”

The waiter comes over, looking back and forth between us. “Are you ready to order?”

I shake my head, grabbing my jacket. “I’m not hungry.” And I leave.

The second I step outside, I exhale. Damn Kai, showing up and ruining everything again.

My phone beeps and I retrieve it from my pocket.

Kai: Truth 3. I’m not ready to see you move on, Emmie. It hurts me to see you with him. And I know I deserve this, every painful second. But he’s not right for you. I think we both know that.

I scoff, angry he’s making me feel guilty after everything.

I hastily write a reply, allowing my anger to take control.

Me: Fuck you, Kai. Fuck you!

Kai

I smile at her words. It’s not the response I was hoping for but still very much Emmie.

I sigh, throwing my phone on the bed and drop down beside it.

I stare up at the ceiling and allow pictures of her and Landon to flick through my mind like a form of torture.

Friday night and I’m here, not partying, not fucking around, but in the silence of my empty house.

Even Seb decided to go for a few drinks at the SU.

I pick up my phone again and type out the next truth.

Me: Truth 4. Everyone thinks I have it all figured out. Cool guy, big laughs, easy charm. But I don’t even know who I am outside of people’s expectations. You’re the only person who’s ever looked past that and encouraged me to be myself. Thank you, Em.

I stare at the message waiting for it to be read, but it stays unread, and I toss the phone down again, sighing. I have this whole plan to be better for her, but so far, I’m failing.

I don’t know how long I lie there, watching the shadow of the ceiling fan cut across the plaster. The silence is loud. Every part of me wants to believe this will pass, that seeing her with him won’t matter tomorrow.

But it does. It fucking kills .

I sit up too fast, running a hand through my hair. I can’t stay here. Not in this house, not in my head. I shove on the first hoodie I find and grab my keys. I have no plan on where to go; I just need to move.

The bar’s packed. Drunken bodies are pressed together as the music thumps so loud it vibrates in my chest.

I drain another shot and slam the glass down on the bar. The guy next to me shouts something in my ear. I don’t hear it. I don’t even care enough to ask him to repeat it, but when he slams another shot down for me, I slap him on the back in thanks.

The tequila burns less this time.

I stare into the bottom of the next drink looking for answers I won’t find. It reflects some distorted version of me. My eyes a little bloodshot, my jaw tight, and my smile nowhere in sight.

She’s with him.

That’s the phrase that loops over and over in my head like a curse. She’s with him. She chose to go out with him. Sat across from him in a place that practically screamed “date night”, and smiled happily.

I rub a hand over my face, trying to shake the thought, but it clings to me. It was easier to put her from my mind when I had no idea where she was.

I pull out my phone again. Still no reply; my message still unread. The screen glows harsh in the dim light. I type out a message.

Me : Do you think about me at all?

My thumb hovers over the send button, but then I delete it. What’s the point? She’s not mine to ask questions anymore.

Someone bumps into me from behind, nearly knocking the drink from my hand, and as I look up, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirrored shelf behind the bar. I don’t like the guy looking back at me.

“Another,” I say, pushing my glass toward the bartender.

He raises a brow. “Sure you’re good, man?”

No. Not even close. But I nod anyway. “Yeah. Keep ’em coming.”

Because if she’s with someone else, what else is there to do but drink until I forget her smile?

Until I forget her altogether.

I’m on my sixth drink. Or maybe seventh. I stopped keeping track when the edge dulled enough to breathe without choking on it.

The music shifts, and the dancefloor surges. I should go home, but there’s no peace waiting for me there, only the ghost of a girl who won’t text back, and a bed that’s too cold even when I’m burning inside.

I push away from the bar, needing to move. Needing air. But as I shoulder through the crowd, something makes me stop. Across the room, in a booth tucked near the back, I spot him.

Landon.

He’s leaning against the seat, relaxed. But that isn’t what stops me in my tracks. His hand is resting on the thigh of a girl in a leather skirt. And she’s not Emmie. Not even close.

I freeze.

He laughs at something she says and then they kiss as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. And it would be, if he wasn’t on a date just a few hours ago with Emmie.

I stand there, heart thudding in my chest, trying to punch its way out.

What the fuck?

For a moment, I think maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s a lookalike. Or maybe they’re not actually kissing, but no, there it is again. Her hand curling into his shirt. His fingers sliding around her waist. He’s into her.

And just like that, the floor tilts under me. My fists clench at my sides.

I should be relieved, right? If Emmie means nothing to him, then maybe it wasn’t a real date. Maybe I haven’t lost her.

But the thought of this idiot, screwing her over, treating her badly, pisses me off.

A hot rush of rage floods through me and I march over, slamming my hands on the table hard enough to shake the glasses. “Must’ve been a short date.”

Landon startles, eyes snapping up to mine. Guilt flashes across his face, quick and sharp. He straightens. “Kai –”

“Don’t,” I cut in. My voice is low, dangerous. “Don’t give me some bullshit lie.”

The girl frowns, confused, glancing between us. “Is this your boyfriend or something?”

Landon laughs, strained. “No. He’s my housemates ex .”

I stare at him. “You were with Emmie two hours ago.”

His mouth opens. Closes. Then he shrugs, as if it’s no big deal. “She’s not my girlfriend.”

No. She’s not mine either. But God , the way that sentence lands. It’s enough to make me want to put my fist through a wall.

Instead, I shake my head, disgust curling in my chest. “Does she know?”

He frowns. “She left after you showed up, again. But she made it perfectly clear we’re nothing but friends, so you’ve won, tough guy. Congratulations.”

It doesn’t feel like I’ve won. I turn to leave before I do something stupid, but he stops me.

“Yah know,” he calls, and I turn. “Most of the guys on campus have seen her naked thanks to that video. She’s on everyone’s to do list and you won’t be able to stop them all.

” My fists curl tight in anger. “She’s hot, man.

Can you blame me for wanting to ruin her next? ”

I don’t think, I just act. And as my fist slams into his face, a smugness fills me. The blood from his nose sprays out, and the girl jumps up, screaming. “Stay the fuck away from Emmie,” I sneer, wiping my hands down my jeans. “Next time, I’ll kill you.” And I turn on my heel and leave.