Page 38 of Only When We Fall

Another story opens, this time she’s holding a shot glass, laughing as Zara shouts something in her ear. Landon’s in the background again, looking at her like she’s made of starlight.

I lock my phone and throw it across the bed, but the damage is done. It’s one thing to lose her. It’s another thing to watch someone else take my place. And I can’t even be mad at her for it. I get it. I messed up. I wasn’t enough when it counted. But God, it burns. Watching her smile like I never existed.

Chapter Twelve

Emmie

Everything feels blurry, like I’m underwater and the world is too far away to reach. Even the music, which was so loud a minute ago, is now muffled. I frown, blinking hard, but it doesn’t clear. If anything, the lights make it worse, they’re too bright and flashy.

I lean back against the wall, needing it to stay upright. My legs feel heavy, as if they don’t belong to me anymore. I try to lift my hand, and it takes actual effort, like I’m moving through thick syrup.

Where’s Zara?

I squint into the blur of bodies writhing on the dance floor, trying to find her face, but they all blend into one.

I press my spine tighter to the wall and shuffle sideways, one slow step at a time, tracing it with my fingers until I find a door. The handle is slick under my palm and when I push down, it gives way suddenly, making me stumble forward.

Cool air rushes over my skin. I inhale sharply and nearly collapse with relief. My shoulder hits the wall as the fire exit door swings shut behind me, but at least it’s not so loud out here. My clothes cling to my skin, damp from sweat, and I wonder when it got so hot.

I fumble in my bag for my phone, my fingers clumsy and too slow. I have to focus stupidly hard just to unlock it. Two messages light up the screen –Kai.

My stomach flutters at the name, then sinks when I can’t even read the words. They smear across the screen like ink in water. I blink again, trying to clear it, but nothing helps.

I tap where Ithinkthe call button is, holding the phone to my ear as if it’s my last tether to reality. The ringing tone cuts through the fog, comforting my racing heart. But it barely lasts a few seconds before the phone is plucked from my hand.

I blink up.

Landon.

He’s smiling, and so I smile too, though my face feels strange. My lips aren’t moving quite how I want them to. I reach for him, aiming for his face, but it’s shifting. Too far, too tall, toolong. My fingers brush through the air and I giggle. It’s funny, how I can’t quite touch him.

“You okay?” he asks.

I answer. At least, I think I do. My mouth moves but the words are slow and thick. Something’s wrong. Something’sreallywrong. But I can’t quite hold onto the thought long enough to say it.

Kai

My phone buzzes again, lighting up beside me. I stretch out, checking the clock and seeing it’s almost three in the morning. I snatch the phone and see I have a missed call from Emmie.My heart rate immediately speeds up, she never calls me, not anymore.

I hit redial without thinking, my fingers shaking slightly. It rings once. Twice. Then clicks.

But it’s not Emmie’s voice that answers.

It’s his.

“Alright, lover boy,” Landon drawls, his voice smug and slow.Slurred.He’s clearly had just enough alcohol to sound cocky and brave, but not enough to lose control. “She can’t come to the phone right now. She’s a little . . . out of it.”

My body goes ice cold. “What the hell did you do?” I snap, already on my feet. My legs are moving before I know where I’m going, pacing, spinning around whilst I look for my jeans.

Landon laughs. “Relax. She’s safe with me. We’re just having a moment. One-on-one. You know, somethingreal.”

My grip tightens around the phone. “If you’ve touched her –”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” he cuts in. “She came out for a good time. Don’t act like she didn’t want this. You’ve had your shot, Banks. Let it go.”

I don’t even realise I’m shouting until I hear my own voice crack through the speaker. “Put her on the phone. Now!”

But he’s already gone. The line goes dead.

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