Page 29 of Only When We Fall
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 juststands 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.
