Page 33 of Only When We Fall

“Who sends dead flowers?” she asks, ignoring my response.

I shrug and she sighs before leaving. I wait until she’s closed the door before taking the note out and reading it.

You own all my truths, Little Rebel. K x

My phone buzzes and I reluctantly pick it up and open the message.

Kai: When I first kissed you, I told you it was the truth. I wasn’t lying then, and I’m not lying now.

A second later, it beeps again.

Kai: Truth 6. You once asked me why I always act like I don’t care. Truth is, I grew up learning not to. First time I cried in front of my dad, I was seven. He told me boys who cry grow up useless. I think I believed him for too long.

It’s followed by,

Kai: Truth 7. I used to draw when I was a kid. Not the dumb graffiti on desks but real stuff, faces, hands, people who looked how I felt. One day he found my sketchbook and set it on fire in the backyard. He said art was for “soft kids.” I haven’t touched a pencil in years. Not until that party.

Me: Truth 8. Did you punch Landon last night?

Kai: Yes.

Me: Truth 9. Why?

Kai: Because he disrespected you. Meet me so we can talk.

I groan shaking my head even though he can’t see it.

Kai

“I’m tired of seeing your miserable face,” Seb announces. “Go and see her.”

I shake my head. “She isn’t answering my text. If I show up, she’ll lose it.”

“What if Landon lied to her?”

I glance up. “What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “Well, if it was me, and I was desperate to get into her knickers, I’d use your violence as a way to make her feel sorry for me. He could have made anything up but the truth.” He checks himself out in the mirror. “Just come out for a few.”

“No,” I mutter. “It always ends in a disaster.”

“Punching Landon after what he said, is hardly a bad thing. Just go and tell her.”

“I don’t want her to know that everyone’s seen the video. She’ll be mortified.”

My mobile rings and for a second, my heart fills with hope. Then I see Noah’s name and it leaves just as quickly as it arrived. “Hey,” I mutter, pressing it to my ear.

“Man, I didn’t tell you this, but Emmie is drunk. I think she needs someone sober to come get her.”

I frown. “She okay?”

“I don’t wanna speak bad about my housemate, but after what you told me, I don’t trust Landon’s intentions are pure if you get my drift. He’s glued to her, Kai. It gives me bad vibes.”

Anger pulses in my veins. “Send me your location.”

I don’t wait for Noah to say anything else. I hang up and shove my phone into my pocket, already heading for the door. Seb doesn’t ask questions, he just follows.

My legs move on instinct, fast and determined, like my body knows something my head hasn’t caught up with yet. All I can see is Emmie; drunk, vulnerable, andwith him.

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