Page 53 of Embrace

“When have you ever done something that isn’t overkill, Ishida? Now, get back to the drill or I will be using my shovel.”

I skate back to center ice, mulling over Coach’s words.

You have to show people they’re worth the trouble.

Scarlett is worth the trouble. A hundred times over.

Eighteen

Scarlett

Crying in theshower is fun until the water turns freezing and you’re shivering through your own tears.

The timed showers are evil, and they’ve forced me to wrap one towel around my body and another around my hair as I sprint to our room with my caddy full of toiletries. I’ve been so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot to bring my clothes and my shower shoes with me. The risk of athlete’s foot is going to haunt me tonight.

But I don’t dwell on that. Instead, I head straight for my room and change into some warm clothes. I quickly blow-dry my hair and get ready to head out.

Then I notice there’s a voicemail on my phone, and it’s from the prison.Shit!I missed it again.

“Hi, this is Risa from MCI-Norfolk. I’m calling to let you know that your visit with an inmate at the facility scheduled for the twentieth of this month has been canceled. The inmate has denied visitation. At this time, we are unable to reschedule, but you may contact the visitation office during regular business hours for more information. Thank you, and have a good day.”

My phone slips from my grasp, and tears well in my eyes. He said no? I feel the weight of that response sink into me heavily. Butthen something hardens in my chest, and the tears stop. I push that news far into my mind, forcing myself not to open it. Not now.

It’s been a week since I called out of my volunteering shift at the shelter. I feel terrible because the coordinator, Neha, has been texting me updates from the lemonade stand I was supposed to help the kids with. It’s not a real one in a suburban neighborhood, but one for the people at the shelter, who toss in a few coins to make the kids happy.

There’s a slight sheen of condensation covering my windshield, but I don’t have time to let it clear all the way. I’ve barely pulled out of the parking lot of Iona when a dark figure suddenly jumps in front of my car.

I shriek, pressing on the break immediately, and let out another horrified gasp when the figure drops onto the cold cement.

Oh my God.

I park, then unbuckle my seat belt, frantically going to check on the person I just killed. He’s flat on the ground, hand on his chest…and then I notice his tattoos.

I just hit Kian Ishida with my car.

“Kian? Are you okay?” I crouch down to feel his pulse, relaxing the tiniest bit when I feel the faint thump. “Kian! Wake up!”

He doesn’t move as I try to shake him awake, but then I see it. The suppressed laugh and how he opens one eye to look at me. I narrow my eyes, and then he grins.

“Hey, Scar.”

My shoulders and my breath sag all at once, and I push him hard. “You scared the crap out of me!”

I try to stand, but he places his hand on my thigh, staring up at me with the same desperation I saw from him two days ago. “Just hear me out.”

I scoff. “I thought I killed you!”

We both stand, and I’m already taking a step back. “But you didn’t. See, alive and well.” He stretches out his arms, lifting his shirt and bunching his biceps all at once. I look away.

“Maybe I should have kept driving,” I mutter and his smile fades. Good.

“You weren’t talking to me. I had to take some liberties.”

I shake my head, walking back to my car and feeling him following closely behind. “We’re talking right now. Happy?”

“No. This isn’t what I meant. Just hear me out, Scar.”

I reach for my car handle but the soft “Please” that leaves his lips makes me pause.