Page 17 of Only When We Fall

He laughs, then glances back toward the others. “Come join us. I’ll introduce you to my flatmates. You’ll love them, they’re a laugh.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah? Anyone I should know?”

He shakes his head. “Nah, just good people. You’ll love Emmie, she’s–” he pauses, grinning, she’s cooler than she looks.”

I arch a brow. The Emmie I knew would throw a shit fit if she was described as cool. “Oh, I’m sure I will,” I say, my smirk curling deeper as I down the rest of my drink and stand. “Lead the way.”

This is going to be fun.

Noah leads me through the crowd toward their table. Emmie has her back to me and she’s laughing at something Landon said, her head thrown back in a way that makes something uncomfortable twist in my chest.

“This lot were the stars of karaoke,” Noah says proudly as we reach them. “Zara, Landon, Emmie; this is my mate, Kai. We’re on the same course.”

Zara grins and offers a small wave, and Landon nods, appraising me in that subtle, male way, telling me he’s measuring me up. Emmie does a slight glance over her shoulder, one that says she isn’t interested, but she doesn’t want to seem rude in front of her new friends.

I lift my brows, playing it cool. “Hey,” I say.

“You’re on the same course?” Zara repeats, finally taking an interest in me.

“We are,” I say, giving her my award-winning smile.

“Are you living on campus?” she asks, taking a sip of her drink.

I shake my head. “You came to my place last night,” I say, risking the chance to confirm it was definitely Emmie.

This time, her head whips round. “It was you,” she murmurs, her brows furrowed.

“If you mean it was him that sucked a girls nipple bar in front of the entire room, then yes,” says Noah, laughing hard and slapping me on the back. “Kai here is a real charmer, so watch yourself girls.”

“You always did love a show,” she mutters, her cheeks burning red.

“Hold on, you two know each other?” asks Zara, gasping. “Oh my god, no way.”

“Unfortunately,” says Emmie, her posture stiff as she turns her back to me again.

“How?” asks Landon, and I notice he’s taken a step closer to Emmie.

“We were a thing in college,” I say casually.

She slams her drink down and it spills over the edge. “We were not athing,” she snaps, and then she visibly shudders as if my entire presence irritates her. “It was barely anything at all.”

“Ouch,” I mutter, still smirking.

Zara’s eyes go wide as they dart between me and Emmie. “Wait, he’snotthe guy?” she asks, her voice high with disbelief.

Emmie groans softly, like she wants the floor to open and swallow her whole. “Zara.”

But that little reaction is all the confirmation I need. “The guy?” I echo, my smirk deepening. “You’ve been talking about me, Little Rebel?”

Emmie flinches at the old nickname, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. “Shut up,” she mutters, snatching a napkin to dab at the drink she spilled.

Zara’s hand covers her mouth. “Oh my god. Itishim. The phone guy. The –”

“Zara,” Emmie snaps, sharper now. “Not. Now.”

I watch the blush rise on her cheeks. She’s flustered and despite the spike of guilt I’m not proud of, I can’t lie, I like knowing I still get to her.

Landon clears his throat, clearly picking up on the vibe, and steps in. “You didn’t say he wasthismuch of a –”

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