Page 39 of Arrow

“I know, right?” Emilee ran a hand through her hair. “It's like, who the hell was he even talking to? And why me?”

Trinity leaned in, lowering her voice. “Could it be connected to the cartel? Like maybe he was in on it?”

Emilee's stomach churned. “God, I hope not. It’s one thing to be a crooked cop but to be one in the cartel’s pocket? That would make him even more dangerous.”

Delilah reached across the table, squeezing Emilee's hand. “We've got your back, Em. No matter what.”

Emilee managed a small smile, fighting back tears. “Thanks, guys. I just... I thought I was finally getting my shit together, you know? And now this...it’s definitely triggering.”

“Hey,” Makenzie said firmly. “You are getting your shit together. This doesn't change that.”

Emilee nodded, trying to believe it. But as she stared into her coffee, she couldn't shake the feeling that her past was catching up to her, threatening to unravel everything she'd fought so hard to build.

The bell above the door chimed, drawing their attention. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Mia and Catie enter the coffee shop. Instinctively, she shrank back into the booth, her fingers tightening around her mug.

“Shit,” Emilee muttered under her breath, her eyes darting to her friends. “Don't look now, but trouble just walked in. Not what I needed, not today.”

Mia's gaze locked onto Emilee, her face paling. She turned abruptly, reaching for the door handle, but Catie's hand shot out, gripping her arm.

“Wait,” Catie said, her voice barely audible from across the room.

Emilee watched, her stomach doing somersaults, as Catie steered Mia towards their table. Both women looked like hell— dark circles under their eyes, clothes rumpled. Mia's face was puffy, telltale signs of recent tears etched into her features.

“What the fuck do they want?” Emilee whispered, her defenses rising. She straightened her spine, chin jutting out defiantly as Catie and Mia approached.

Catie motioned for Mia to follow, her steps hesitant but determined. As they drew closer, Emilee could see the strain on their faces, a mix of exhaustion and... was that remorse?

“Well, well,” Emilee drawled, unable to keep the sarcasm from her voice. “If it isn't my two favorite people. Come to brighten my day?” She was just as shocked as everyone else that those words came from her mouth. She would not, could not, resort to being a mean girl like they were.

Makenzie kicked her under the table, shooting her a warning glance. Emilee bit her tongue, her heart racing as she waited to see what fresh hell this encounter would bring.

Catie took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Emilee's. “Listen, Arrow showed Zach the video last night. I... I owe you an apology. I should've believed you, or at the very least, heard you out.”

Emilee's eyebrows shot up, her defenses wavering. “Well, shit. Didn't see that coming.”

“Don't get too excited,” Catie continued, her voice strained. “This doesn't mean we're gonna be braiding each other's hair and sharing secrets. We can't... we can't be friends again.”

Emilee's chest tightened, memories of their shared past flashing through her mind. “Why not?” she asked, hating how small her voice sounded.

Catie's eyes softened slightly. “You know why, Em. We've come too far. The shit we did together... it's not exactly the foundation for a healthy friendship.”

“Our greatest hits included needles and petty theft,” Emilee quipped, her tone bitter. “Not exactly scrapbook material.”

“Exactly,” Catie nodded. “We both need to stay on our own paths. But... I can be civil when we run into each other. Just don't expect more than that. Honestly, you remind me of my past, of who I was. I need to focus on the woman I’m becoming.”

Emilee swallowed hard, fighting back the sting of tears. She turned to Mia, who looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. “Come to kick me while I'm down?”

Mia flinched. “No, I... I'm sorry too. Catie never told me to be a bitch to you. I just... I had bad information.”

“Oh, is that what we're calling it now?” Emilee snorted.

“The video changed everything,” Mia continued. “How was I supposed to know before that? And... God, this is gonna soundstupid, but you remind me of this girl from high school. She made my life hell.”

Emilee's anger deflated slightly. “So, what? You decided to return the favor?”

Mia's eyes welled up. “I know it was wrong. I became the very thing I hated— a mean girl. We won't be friends, but I'll make sure people treat you decent at The Citadel and around town.”

Emilee sat back, her mind reeling. Part of her wanted to lash out, to make them hurt like she had. But another part, the part that had fought so hard for her sobriety, knew that holding onto that anger would only poison her.

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