Page 19 of Only When We Fall

We go back inside and the buzz of music and voices feels like a slap after the quiet outside. The lights are dimmer now, casting everything in a golden haze, and the air is thick with heat and sweat.

Kai’s a few tables over with his football mates, lounging around as if he’s a prince on a throne made of bravado and aftershave. More girls have joined, all hair flicks and giggles. I shudder with repulsion.

I look away too fast and grab the nearest drink from the table, ignoring whose it is. Zara arches a brow but doesn’t stop me. I knock it back and feel the burn.Good.Maybe if I drink enough, I’ll stopfeelinganything at all.

Landon appears at my side, holding a fresh drink and a dimpled smile that always seems to be just for me.

“You okay?” he asks, scanning my face.

“Brilliant,” I lie, taking the drink from his hand and knocking half of it back before I’ve even tasted it.

He eyes me but doesn’t push. “Wanna dance?”

I glance towards Kai again. One of the girls has her hand on his chest now, and he’s letting her trace the edge of his shirt like he’s forgotten anyone else in the room ever existed.

My heart clenches.

I smile at Landon, slow, deliberate, and slide my arm through his. “More than anything.”

His brow rises slightly, and he gives me that look again. He’s not sure whether he’s flattered or about to become a casualty.

We head to the middle of the room where the music’s louder. Landon places his hands on my hips, tentative at first, but when I press closer, he holds tighter. I toss my head back and laugh too loudly. I want Kai to hear it. I want him tofeelit.

“What’s this about, Em?” Landon murmurs, his lips near my ear now.

I meet his gaze, drop my voice to a whisper. “Isn’t this what you wanted?” He’s hesitant, but he nods anyway. “So, what’s the problem?”

His eyes flick to Kai’s table. “We’re friends, right?” I nod. “And if you want to use me to make him jealous, hey, I’m down for that. But at least be honest with me, Em. So I know where I stand.”

I wince, my arms falling away from his neck. “Oh God, you’re right. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, it’s fine. No harm done.”

“It’s just,” I sigh heavily. “He makes me crazy. I shouldn’t drag you into it. You’re right, we’re friends and I’d hate to ruin it.”

He grins, “No one’s ruining anything. We’re not breaking Zara’s rules if we’re doing it for his benefit, right?” I laugh and before I can respond, he cups my face and gently presses his lips to mine.

The lights seem to blur away, the noise of the crowd mixed with the heavy beats, fading out. And just for a minute, I’m lost to him. Not Kai, but Landon.

But just as quickly, reality snaps back like a rubber band.

A single cheer breaks through the hum of music and chatter, then another. And I know, before I even turn my head, that Kai saw.

My eyes flick toward his table. He’s staring right at us, one arm still casually slung around the girl beside him, but his jaw is tight, and the flicker in his eyes isn’t amusement. Not quite. It’s something sharper.Darker.

I pull back from Landon, heart hammering against my ribs. His eyes search mine, still gentle, still kind, and I hate how much I don’t deserve it.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod, too fast. “Yeah. Yeah, just hot. I need some air.”

He lets me go without question, turning to intercept Zara as she heads toward us, no doubt with some snarky comment on her lips.

I weave through the crowd, pushing past laughing bodies and swirling lights, my pulse loud in my ears. I don’t know where I’m going, just that I can’t stay in the same room ashimfor another second.

Because that look he gave me? It wasn’t indifference. And I felt it burn right to my core.

Kai

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