Page 41 of Only When It Breaks

Emmie steps back from me like I’ve struck her.

“I mean, standing up for her friend was genius. I didn’t think it’d work, but well done, Kai. And it looks like she believed every single word.”

As if Austin suddenly gets a second wind, he grins, “I ain’t paying up though unless you saved the bloody sheets. I need evidence.”

Sickness swells in my gut as I shake my head,why didn’t I just walk out with her when I had the chance?

Bella’s smile sharpens. “Congratulations, Emmie. You were a challenge. A game. A scorecard.”

I spin on Austin. “Youstartedthis.”

He shrugs, not even pretending to deny it. “Didn’t think you’d actually go through with it, man.” His eyes go to Emmie, “Do youfeel different, Emmie? Now you’re not holding on to that V-card. Maybe you could get the pole from up your arse now.” The girls laugh.

“I didn’t-” I turn to Emmie. “It wasn’t real. Not like that. I didn’t mean for-”

She gives her head a slight shake, but the mistrust in her eyes is burning brightly. There’s no way back from this. She turns on her heel and walks away.

I glance back at Bella. “Why?” I whisper.

She grins. “Because you took it too far,” she snaps. “And I want those videos of me. All of them. Perv.”

I don’t even have the energy to fight them, so I turn and race after Emmie.

She’s already halfway down the drive; her steps unsteady but full of purpose. The ache in my chest is making it almost impossible to breathe. “Emmie!” I call, but she doesn’t slow.

I reach her just as she’s yanking open the gate, I grab her wrist gently. “Please,” I say, my voice breaking. “Just wait, let me explain.”

She spins around, her eyes glassy, cheeks streaked with tears. “Explain what, Kai?” Her voice is sharp, bitter. “That you made a bet to screw me over? That everything you ever said was a lie?”

“No,” I say quickly, stepping in front of her. “It started as a bet, yeah. But it stopped being one. The second I got to know you; it stopped being about that.”

“I don’t believe you,” she whispers.

“Emmie, I swear. I really like you.”

She flinches. “You could have told me,” she points out. “If you changed your mind, why didn’t you just tell me everything?”

“I was scared,” I admit. “Scared you’d never look at me the same if you knew.”

She laughs, it’s cold and humourless. “And yet, here we are. You were right.”

I take her hand, try to hold it, but she pulls away like my touch burns. “Em-”

“Don’t call me that,” she snaps. Her voice cracks, just once. “You don’t get to call me that anymore.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I whisper. “I swear to God-”

“But you did,” she says. “And I don’t care what you meant, Kai. I trusted you.” Her voice is breaking now. “I gave youeverything. And you turned it into a story for your mates. Like everything they’ve ever done to me wasn’t bad enough.” Her shoulders tremble as she backs away. “I can’t look at you. I can’tbreathenear you.”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’ll do whatever it takes to fix this.”

She shakes her head. “You can’t. I don’t think I’ve ever hated someone so much in my life. Stay away from me, Kai. I mean that.” And then she spins on her heel and walks away.

Chapter Thirteen

Emmie

The kitchen is quiet, save for the soft crackle of the frying pan and the occasional scrape of a knife on the chopping board. My hands move automatically. Eggs, toast, butter - like if I just keep going, I won’t have to stop andfeelanything.

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