Page 88 of Falling

Scarlett comes beside me as we stand in a line, staring at the boys as if they’ve interrupted something. “Why ishehere? You promised no blonds,” she tries to whisper, but she’s basically shouting in my ear.

“I promised no such thing. Plus, he was already with Miles in his fancy car,” I say back, singing the last few words. I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to the fact that I’m friends with peoplelike Scarlett and Evan, who already have more money than I will ever make in my lifetime.

“I can't help it if I'm blond,” Evan retorts, running a hand through his hair. “Genes.”

“You can dye your hair,” Kennedy suggests.

Evan nods. “Done.”

“No! Don't do that,” Scarlett says, stumbling toward him as if he’s about to dye his hair this minute. Evan laughs, holding her as she almost falls into him.

“Youjustsaid how much you hate my blondness.”

“That doesn't mean I want you to dye it, you idiot,” she mumbles, trying to get herself out of his grip, but he keeps his hands on her forearms. “Would you really do it if I told you to?”

“If it annoys you that much, of course I would, angel.”

What the fuck?

When did this happen? Has he always called her angel? And has she always let him? I’m not going to remember this in the morning, so I will start to erase it from my memory now. They both stare at each other, and it's hard to tell which one of them is drunk at this point.

Until Scarlett finally says, “I’m drunk. I don't know what I'm saying.”

“Drunk thoughts are sober words,” I say, trying my absolute best to wink at Scarlett.

“That's not how the saying goes. But good job, baby,” Miles says, smiling down at me as he wraps his arm around my waist. “Can you walk okay?”

“I think you might need to carry me.”

“Really?” He narrows his eyes. I nod, smiling up at him. “Fine.”

He picks me up in a fireman's carry, hauling me over his shoulder, and I’m lucky I’m not wearing the skirt that the girls begged me to wear. All Miles can see is my fully clothed ass in my favorite pair of jeans.

He carries me all the way to the car as Evan has Kennedy and Scarlett on each side of him, and they slip into the back with us. We drive home mostly in silence, and Miles insists on walking us up to the door.

After the girls have gone to their rooms, Miles follows me into mine. I’m still a little tipsy, on the verge of falling asleep, but the second that Miles comes into my room, I’m fully awake. It’s pitch-black outside, and Miles Davis is in my bedroom, and he’s looking at me, waiting for me to do or say something.

A few weeks ago, I would have been close to mauling him. Having him finger fuck me until I almost passed out is more than enough of crossing this boundary we’ve put up. Everything else that followed has just made it even harder to look him in the eye. My life is a mess right now, and the only thing that might help me get back up is the showcase. My priority. My goal. Not whatever is going on with Miles and what my sister is trying to make me do.

He steps closer toward me, and the back of my knees hit the bed, making me sit down. My heart races as he kneels in front of me and pushes me down.

“What are you doing?” I murmur, his eyes burning into mine.

“I think it’s time for bed, Wrenny.”

“With my clothes on?”

“You’re right. Easy fix,” he says, tugging me back up to stand. “Strip.”

“I— What?”

“Just get ready for bed,” he urges, leaning against my vanity. “Do you want me to step out of the room?”

I shake my head. “You can stay.”

“Perfect. Then take your clothes off, Wren.”

I blink at him, but I do as he says. It’s not like he hasn’t seen anything before. There’s nothing sexual about this, but it feels even more intense than it would if it was leading to something. His gaze is hungry and filled with desire without beingoverbearing and uncomfortable. I turn my back to him as I take off my bra and slip on an oversized North T-shirt and shorts.

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