Page 40 of Only When We Fall

Landon laughs. Not cruelly, but enough to make me feel ridiculous. “You were hammered,” he says. “Kept trying to kiss me, remember?”

My stomach flips. “No, I didn’t,” I say, but it comes out weak and unsure.

He raises a brow. “You did. You don’t remember clinging to me outside? Begging me to, well, yah know.”

Heat rushes to my face. I don’t remember that either. But the shame settles into my bones anyway. “I didn’t . . . I wouldn’t …”

“You were a mess, Em,” he interrupts, standing now, stepping closer. “You should be glad I’m a gentleman. I looked after you. You could’ve ended up God knows where, with God knows who.”

His words feel like rope, tightening around me with every breath. “We didn’t do anything,” I say quickly, panic seeping in. “Right?”

He scoffs, looking offended. “Wow. Thanks. Glad to know I’m not a complete creep in your eyes.” But he doesn’t answer the question. And suddenly I feel cold all over.

I scan the room. “My phone?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, though it comes out thinner than expected.

He grins. “Lucky you didn’t lose that too. I saved it right before you almost dropped it.”

He reaches into his back pocket and pulls it out like he’s offering me a gift, holding it just out of reach for a second too long, before I snatch it from his hand. The screen’s dark. My fingers tremble as I check it, then I realise it’s flat.

“And my clothes?” I ask next, my voice quieter now, trying desperately not to portray the panic I feel.

Landon’s gaze dips, just for a second, but it’s enough. Enough to make my skin crawl.

“Not sure,” he says, tone light. “You stripped off when you were trying to seduce me.” I freeze. My stomach turns again, not from the nausea this time, but from the weight of shame and confusion pressing down on me. I don’t remember that. Not even close. But his certainty makes me question myself.

“Don’t look so horrified,” he adds, stepping toward me with a laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You were all over me, but I didn’t lay a finger on you. I’m not the kind of guy that takes advantage when a woman is vulnerable. Emmie, you were safe with me last night.”

My spine stiffens. I grip the phone tighter, hoping it might anchor me. “I need to get dressed,” I say, cutting across whatever else he was about to say.

He shrugs. “Suit yourself. I’ll go see if I can find your clothes. Maybe they’re out by the stairs where you started that little dance show.” He winks.

I don’t react. I don’t move until he’s gone. And then I breathe. A shallow, shaky breath that does nothing to clear the heaviness in my chest.

Something isn’t right.

And I think, Iknow, he’s lying.

Kai

I pace back and forth inside Emmies house. There’s no one in. I tried the door several times and when no one answered, I smashed the small window, reaching through to open the kitchen window, and let myself in, just to be sure.

I called the campus security; I even tried the police. Of course, they think I’m crazy. I can’t give them any information that doesn’t make me sound like a jealous ex trying to sabotage her new relationship.

I hear a key in the lock and race to the front door. Zara screams in surprise, dropping her bag and almost running back out again. “It’s me,” I cry, grabbing her wrists and forcing her to look at me. “It’s just me.”

She looks alarmed. “What are you doing here? Is Emmie okay?”

I shake my head, and her face is filled with concern. “She’s somewhere with Landon.”

Relief floods her and she rolls her eyes, “Seriously Kai, I thought you meant she was being murdered or something. Although, I’ll kill her if she’s broken our number one rule.”

That thought alone makes me sick. “You don’t understand,” I say, “She called me. When I called back, Landon answered. He sounded smug, as if she wasn’t really with it.” I follow her into the kitchen. “I went round all the clubs, local late-night cafes.Every friend I can think of that knows him. He’s disappeared and so has she.”

“From what Emmie told me, you two were measuring dick sizes from the second you met. He was probably using it as an opportunity to get under your skin.” She fills the kettle. “What’s the deal with you two anyway?”

“Zara, I’m serious. Landon said some stuff about her, about her past. He wasn’t kind about it. I’m worried he’s gonna hurt her, if he hasn’t already.”

She looks me in the eye, then sighs. “Fine, I’ll call her.”

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