Page 24 of Only When It Breaks

My anxiety levels are through the roof as I wait out front for Kai. It was bad enough when I thought Ava was coming, but now she isn’t, I’m petrified. And I can’t hang off Kai all night.

The cab pulls up, and Kai gets out, smiling. “Why’s Ava let us down?”

I shrug as I climb in. “Mum problems.”

He sits beside me, his knee touching mine. It’s the first time we’ve been alone since our near kiss, or whatever that was.

I exhale. “I think this might be a bad idea,” I mutter.

He turns to me, placing his hand on my knee and squeezes reassuringly. “It’s just a party.”

“Well, it’s okay for you, you’re used to this sort of thing. I’m not.”

“I’ll teach you,” he says, relaxing back in the seat.

I groan. “Please don’t leave me,” I mutter, hating that I sound pathetic.

“Never.”

I gasp at the size of the house. It’s just like Kai’s. There are people spilling out and music’s blaring. “Who’s house is it?” I ask as we climb from the cab.

“Bella’s.”

I freeze, turning to glare at him. “What?”

“Yeah, it’s her turn.” And he continues up the path, fist-bumping a few of the others.

I run after him, grabbing his arm until he stops. “I can’t go in there,” I say. “Call the cab back.”

He places his hands on my shoulders and stares deep into my eyes. “Em, relax.” I release a breath. “Now, take a deep breath and repeat after me. I am fine.”

I groan. “I’m not though. She hates me.”

He grins like I’m being dramatic, then takes me by the hand, lacing our fingers together before leading me up the path. I’m so shocked, all I can do is follow as I stare at my hand in his.

Inside, it’s heaving. Bodies forced together, swaying to the beats. We push through to the kitchen, where there are fewer people, and Kai grabs us both a beer. I take it reluctantly. I’ve never been a big drinker. Maybe the odd glass of wine at Christmas. But social drinking? Never. I don’t see the point.

He taps his beer against mine and takes a long pull. I do the same, hoping it’ll settle my nerves.

Austin and Henry barrel into the room, stopping when they see us. Kai discreetly releases my hand, grabbing a handful of nuts like that’s his reasoning.

“We missed you at practise,” Austin mutters.

“I had shit to do,” Kai replies.

“Your dad?” he asks, and I glance at Kai, whose expression changes to something I haven’t seen before, shame, maybe?

“Nah, just errands,” he says with a shrug.

“Look, maybe we should put all that stuff behind us?” Austin says, holding out a hand. Kai stares at it for a few minutes, then nods, shaking his hand. “Nice one.” His eyes fall to me, and he roams them up my body, making me shudder. “What’s this, charity work?”

“Shit, man. Don’t be a dick,” says Kai.

Austin waits for him to follow up with a laugh, and when he doesn’t, he shifts uncomfortably. “Sorry. You look great, Emmie.” And then he turns, and they head off.

“Sorry about that,” Kai mutters.

I glance down at my outfit, wondering if Austin was being a dick. I made an effort with skinny jeans and a cropped top. Not exactly Barbie, but a little more dressed up than I usually am. “Stop,” says Kai, placing a finger under my chin and lifting it to look at him. “You look great.”

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