Since I haven’t heard from anyone since last night—or I guess technically this morning—I send a quick message in my group chat with Mia and Tori.
you guys are never going to believe where I am right now…
Anyone who evenkind ofknows me would never, in a million years, guess I’d end up here. Let alone right outside a fucking national park.
A short while later, a soft knock yanks me into consciousness. I don’t remember falling asleep but I shoot up, still tangled in the quilt—and find Emmett leaning against the open doorway, smirking.
“How do you like the room?” he asks, his voice low and his arms folded across his chest.
“Oh, yeah. Love it.”
It may not seem like it, but I do mean it—the room is cozy, like a warm hug you never want to end.
“This room’s got the best view in the whole house,” he says, biting his cheek. “Well…other than Wes’s room, but it’s close. You’ll see it better in the morning.”
I nod and glance out the now-dark window, in complete disbelief I slept through the sunset.
“Why isn’t this your room?” I ask.
He hesitates, shifting his weight between his feet.
“It used to be our mom’s room…when she was sick,” he says, voice soft. “No one’s been in here since. It’s nice seeing it full of life again.”
Scooting to the edge of the bed, I pull the quilt tighter around me. “I’m so sorry.”
I know what it’s like to lose your mom. It’s a wound that never fully heals.
“No worries,” he says, smiling and fiddling with his hands. “I didn’t come up here to wallow. Dad sent me to check on you—and tell you dinner’s ready.”
Rolling my lips between my teeth, I tighten my grip on the quilt. “Oh, um…yeah. I’m actually going to pass tonight, but thanks.”
My tongue brushes over the stinging cut on my lip and I can’t help but wince. Emmett’s eyes drop to my mouth.
“What happened there?”
His voice isn’t casual—it’s careful. Concern threaded through curiosity. He studies me for a beat, like he’s trying to decide if he should ask the real question hovering behind his eyes.
I force a small shrug, trying to look unbothered. “It’s nothing. An accident.”
His jaw flexes once before he nods, eyes lingering a moment longer than they should.
I stand, expecting him to step back so I can close the door and crawl into bed. But he stands there, watching me.
“Yeah, we don’t skip dinner,” he says, almost teasing. “It’s kind of a thing for my dad—all of us at the table, every night.”
I’m sure the last thing they want is the reminder I’ve been dumped here to be their responsibility for the summer. I don’t think I could stomach having all of their eyes on me while I pick at my food.
He extends a hand, gesturing for me to lead. “I promise, it won’t be that bad. We don’t bite.” A devilish smirk spreads across his lips. “Unless you ask us to.”
My stomach dips and I’m frozen in place.
What the actualfuck?
We?
“Um, okay.” I force out an awkward laugh. “I’m just gonna use the bathroom really quickly. I’ll meet you down there. You don’t have to wait.”
“Alrighty.” He winks, stepping out of the doorway and heading down the hall.
