Page 51 of Embrace

“You sure you’re okay?”

I pause for a moment, looking back at Sierra. She’s got faint bags under her eyes, and I notice the way she favors one leg, meaning she probably fell on the other a million times during practice. She tries to look awake and alert for me, but I wouldn’t push her past her limits. She does that to herself enough.

“Yeah, it’s just been a long day. How was skating?”

She tries to hide her disappointment. “Probably just about as good as your day.”

We stare at each other for a beat, knowing that our lives are on the brink of something, likely falling off a cliff, but that talking about it makes it feel fragile, like one wrong move and we’ll mess everything up. So neither of us says anything, and that’s how it’ll be for now.

Seventeen

Kian

I messed up.I messed up bad.

Yesterday’s tutoring session has been replaying in my head like a bad dream.

Earlier today, I was at the hardware store with Dylan, picking out a desk and a random plant for his sudden decorating mood. I thought it would help take my mind off Scarlett for one second, but it just made things worse. The wooden desk we picked out reminded me of her eyes, the watery ones she watched me with when she found out I read her letter.

I feel like a complete jackass, and I would have accepted that title easily if I thought it would make her feel better, but it didn’t. I can’t get over the damn look she gave me. Pure disappointment.

I’m pacing my room, wearing down my Freudian Slip slippers, and for the first time I don’t put a record on my turntable. There’s nothing that could help this situation right now, not even music.

So in the empty void of my dark room, I pull out my phone and text the group chat.

•••

Bunny Patrol

Kian:911. This is an emergency!!! House meeting.

There are a slew of messages that follow, but I don’t read them. A few minutes later the front door opens, I hear the garage rumbling to a close, and then a few more footsteps. I head downstairs to find all the guys gathered in the living room.

In freshman year, we decided that this would be our emergency meeting room. We’ve only used the emergency call a few times since then: once when the house got broken into, and the other after a few bad parties Dylan and I had a hand in orchestrating.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” That’s Aiden. Now, he’s wide-eyed, looking like he just woke up. He’s in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt that don’t look like they’re his size. I realize then that it’s Summer’sI rode the Dalton Ferris Wheelcarnival shirt.

“Seb almost dropped the weight when he was spotting me,” Cole says. “What happened? Did you clog the drain with your excessive hair products again?”

“Did you let a raccoon into the house? I couldn’t sleep for a whole month after that!” Sebastian exclaims.

Dylan watches me carefully, narrowing his eyes like he’s trying to understand why we’re here if I’m in one piece. He’s even got an ice pack strapped to his leg and a smattering of faded bruises covering his thighs. “Is it Tabitha?”

That name sends a collective shiver through the room. I glare at Dylan, who only snickers to himself.

“I hurt someone,” I finally say.

They exchange glances before moving to sit on the couch beside me. The cushions sink, and I drop my head into my hands.

“Like, fatally?” Cole asks, scratching his head.

Sebastian makes a face. “I’m not good with blood, you guys. I’ll dig a hole, but I’ll need a nose plug.”

“You’re not digging anything,” Aiden cuts in. “Unless…is that what your 911 is about? I’ll have to call Summer. She’ll kill me if she’s not a part of this.”

That’s when my phone starts to ring and I see a video call from Eli. I smile, answering it. He’s in his car, looking as worried as ever.

“I know I’m not there, but I can help,” he says quickly.