Page 8 of Between the Boards
“Well,” I swallow, forcing the words out. “If all your friendships with other women are the same as ours?—”
His loud exhale cuts me off. “That’s not how I meant it, Kairi.”
I return my attention to the TV, wishing he’d just go back upstairs.
“Why does she even want to meet me anyway?” I ask, frustration bubbling to the surface.
“Because you’re myfriend,” he says, like it should be obvious. “One of mybestfriends.”
I let out a humourless laugh. “So that means you told her we’ve fucked before?”
He pauses for a moment before shrugging. “I might have mentioned it.”
I nod, pressing my lips together. “I hope you know she only wants to meet me so she can stake her claim on you.”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t be ridic?—”
“Zale?” A voice calls from the top of the stairs.
Alessia.
Just my luck that she’s awake too and searching for Zale. She’s the last person I want to see tonight, and now I have no choice. We both fall silent as we listen to her make her way down the stairs, and when she finally steps into view, she pauses.
Her eyes immediately land on me and linger for so long that the awkwardness begins to feel suffocating. Based on the daggers she’s shooting at me, I already know there’s no chance we’ll be becoming friends this summer—or in this lifetime.
“I woke up and you were not in bed,” she says, her Italian accent thick.
“Sorry.” Zale stands and walks toward her. “I got up to use the toilet and heard the TV on down here.”
Her eyes slide back toward me. “Who is this?”
I bite the inside of my cheek and stand, walking over to her with a forced smile.
“You must be Alessia,” I say, holding out my hand. “I’m Kairi.”
Her eyebrow lifts and she doesn’t take my hand right away, a silent warning passing between us. Finally, she slides her hand into mine, her nails digging into the back of my hand and leaving half-moon impressions. I last less than a minute before yanking my hand from her grip and glancing at Zale, but he looks completely clueless.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Kairi,” she purrs, grabbing my attention again.
“Hopefully only good things,” I say lightly, forcing a polite smile before pushing past her. “Anyway, I should probably get some sleep. We have practice in a few hours.”
“Good night,” Alessia says quickly.
“See you at practice,” Zale adds.
I head up the stairs two at a time, and once I’m back in the safety of my room, I press my back against the door and slide down to the floor feeling hopeless.
I wish Maliah still lived here. She’d be up with me right now, talking me through this crappy feeling. Hell, she’d probably be chasing Alessia out of the house using her hair straightener as a weapon.
And even though Eliana is still living here with Griffin, they moved into Maliah’s old room for more space and privacy. The last thing I want to do is wake them both up over something as stupid as my own jealousy.
Footsteps creak in the hallway, and I hold my breath, assuming it’s Zale and Alessia heading back to the room, but when there's a knock on my door, I blink in surprise and stand, cracking it open to find Colton standing in the hallway.
His blond hair is slightly messy from sleeping on it, but aside from that he looks like he’s been awake for a while.
“Hey,” he says softly.
“Hey,” I reply, my voice shaking despite my best effort to sound fine.
