Page 58 of Embrace

“Nope. That shit comes crashing down when I remember the reality.”

“Right? Why is it so hard to just stick to the fake reality in our heads?” She sighs loudly. “Do you want to talk about it? About what happened?”

“Everything happened. My dad was battling lung cancer for over a year. But that’s what he wanted. Even on his deathbed, he just wanted me to focus on school. He died still wanting to give me that.”

“And that’s why you wanted tutoring so bad,” she says like she’s connecting the dots.

“I couldn’t leave Dalton knowing I’d lost the one thing he wanted. I was never seen as the reliable one, I was—Iamjust a kid to them. So with my friends I always try to help. Ineedto help because I’m not as weak as they think I am. I can handle more than they know.”

“You can, Kian. You’d be on my speed dial,” she says, lightening the mood, though I know she means it.

“What reality do you want?” I ask.

“Well, for starters, the one where Victor wants to see me.”

“I thought you got the call and it was scheduled?”

She laughs, and it’s self-deprecating. “Nope. They can’t arrange the visit if the inmate doesn’t agree.”

“He refused?”

“Flat out. Doesn’t matter that it took me so long to find him. Doesn’t matter that he should be the one wanting to see me.” She pauses. “Sorry, I don’t want to make this about me. It’s not a big deal.”

I read her letter. I know it was a big deal. She wrote about knowing the man he was and wanting to find her dad in him again. How she wished she could at least see him on Christmas, her favorite holiday since she was a kid. She asked him for a relationship, even if only on paper, just something to keep the memories she has of him alive.

“Scar, I like hearing your voice.”

There’s a silence over the phone, just static that we both let simmer.

Then Scarlett hums, and it causes a shiver to run down my spine. “Yeah? Do you think I could have a career as a phone sex operator?”

I laugh, mostly to cover up how I nearly choke. “Not the worst plan.”

“Hmm, I guess you’re right. It could be fun hearing men beg for it.” The wordbegpurrs out of her, and I drop my head against the headboard and stare up at the ceiling.

Fuck. “Is that all it would take? Some guy whimpering?”

“I’m pretty sure I saidbeg, Kian.”

I swallow. “Right. Because they’re so different.”

“They are. Seems like you have more studying to do.”

“You gonna tutor me?” I blurt it out before I can stop myself.Shit, shit, shit.

Scarlett laughs. “That’ll be an extra cost to your tutoring bill.”

“You tutor me for free,Rosie.”

The line goes quiet and I think she hung up. I went too far, I definitely went too far. It’s my fault for calling her this late at night when my mind is barely functioning.

“You know, you should try falling asleep with me on the phone. Sierra used to do that when she was alone at competitions sometimes.”

I’m thankful for the switch in conversation. “And it worked?”

“Like a charm. Try it. I’ll still be here in the morning.”

“You sure?” It almost sounds likeYou promise?