Page 126 of Embrace

When I turn to Scarlett for some explanation or an escape from this mindfuck, she’s gone still as ever, her eyes misty and red when she finally spares a glance at me.

“Scar?” I keep my voice low, worried I’m going to upset her more. “What’s going on?”

“Rosie?” Kilner asks, gesturing between me and her.

She starts to retreat, her shoulder bumping into the brick wall I had just had her pressed against.Something’s wrong.

But then I see the look on Kilner’s face, one I’ve never seen from him, yet I recognize it all too well. I’ve been kept in the dark about so many things in my life so I know that look. I’ve worn that look. My shoulders fall and a sudden exhaustion hits me.

When those brown eyes find mine, all I can do is shake my head. The look on her face is devastating, and it makes the spring in my chest coil even tighter. My breath wheezes in my airways, trying to find a way out, but everything is a dead end.

Scarlett seems to notice and hesitates to take a step forward, as if she can’t decide if that’s the right decision, especially when herdadis watching us. But I make that decision for her by taking a step back.

I can’t do this. I can’t let her see me like this. Can’t stand that look on Coach’s face that I haven’t seen since I was first on his shit list. Coach walks away before either of us can speak, and that fucks me up completely. It’s enough to make me turn away and walk straight to my car.

Forty-four

Kian

“Pick up. Pickup. Come on!” I’m staring at my phone as I ring the group chat. Where are these assholes when you need them?

One by one I see their faces populate on my screen.

“Is this another 911?” Cole shouts over the music playing in Sebastian’s car.

“Where are you two going so early in the morning?” I ask, waiting for the rest of the guys.

“It’s morning?” he asks. “Oh shit. Yo, that’s the sunrise!” The last part muffles when he turns to inform Sebastian.

Dylan pops onto the screen, freshly showered and still naked. “What’s going on?”

“Do you know what Scarlett’s last name is?” I ask.

“It’s Rose,” Cole says matter-of-factly. “I thought you were into her, Ishida. You don’t know that?”

Into her.It feels like a gross understatement on how I feel about the girl.

“It’sKilner.”

“What is?” Sebastian asks this time.

“Her last name. It’s Kilner. Scarlett Kilner.”

My phone is silent for so long before the guys burst in succession, a mix of shocked gasps, uncomfortable chuckles, and “No fucking way”s coming out of my phone.

“But I’ve never—” Dylan pauses. “Oh shit. That’s why Sierra said Kilner’s like a dad to her.”

“Oh thank fuck I didn’t ask her on that date,” Cole says.

I roll my eyes. “She wouldn’t have said yes, idiot.”

“Either way, my balls will still be intact at practice.” I’m wondering why I called them.

“What the hell am I supposed to do now? Hesawus.”

Dylan shrugs. “Well, you didn’t know. You can’t do much about that, man.”

“But she knew. This whole time she knew and decided not to tell me. What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?”