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I should’ve known better though. “What’s new with me is your troublesome lack of communication, Sterling.”
“Rob, man—”
“Maybe I should come visit. Remind you where your loyalty lies.”
“No need. My loyalty is yours. Just been busy.”
“Free up some time, or I’ll free it for you.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Don’t fucking placate me. That little bitch needs to be leashed. And you can either help me or I’ll collar you, too.”
My insides go molten as he continues to speak. His threats toward me mean nothing, but the way he’s speaking about her has me vibrating with fury.
I tune out for the rest of his rant, not even realizing he’s finished until the call disconnects.
He definitely knows something’s up. I just have to hope I can put him off my trail long enough to devise a plan; a way to keep Emmy safe and by my side.
A bone-weary sigh works its way through me as I toggle back to my text thread.
Emmalyn: I’m sure, Sterling. Thank you though.
Me: Don’t thank me. This whole thing is my fault.
Emmalyn: True. I take back my thanks.
Me: What are you up to right now? Do you want to come over?
After talking to Rob, I have this inexplicable urge to see Emmy, to see with my own eyes that she’s safe and sound.
Emmalyn: Um. It’s like 10! I’m about to go to bed. I have class in the morning and my TA is a real hard ass.
Me: Sleep here?
Emmalyn: Or… I could sleep here. I’m already in my jammies and in bed. I’ll see you bright and early though. Okay?
I want to beg her to let me come and get her. No, I want to demand it. But I know I can’t.
Me: I guess.
Emmalyn: Goodnight, Sterling.
Me: Goodnight, baby.
I set my alarm and put my phone on the charger, double-checking that my ringer is on in case Emmalyn calls, before climbing under the covers and forcing myself to sleep.
* * *
"Summer," I call out as she struts past the podium.
She bats her lashes and flashes a coquettish smile my way. "Yes, Sterling?"
"I was hoping to talk to you about your project." I know Emmalyn asked me not to mention it to her, but the guilt is eating at me; I have this driving need to make it right.
A conspiratorial grin lights up her face. "What about it?"
"I'm gonna need you to start pulling your weight."
Her lips flatten, thinning into a hard line. "But you said—"
"I know what I said. And now I'm saying this: pull your weight or fail."
Her eyes narrow as she screws her lips up into a mean snarl. "You don't have the authority to fail me."
"Don't I?" I ask, right as Emmalyn walks in. Her eyes widen at the sight of Summer and me together, but I press on. "In case you missed the memo, Professor Ellison—Uncle Vic to me—doesn't really care what I do."
If looks could kill, I'd be dead twice over thanks to the two infuriated women shooting laser beams at me with their angry eyes. But there's only one I'm concerned with, only one whose reaction I care about.
I slide my phone from my pants pocket as Summer mutters something under her breath and stomps off to her seat. Quickly, I fire off a text to Emmalyn, hoping like hell she reads it and agrees.
Me: I'm sorry for going against what you said. If you let me take you to lunch, I'll explain then.
Students trickle in while I impatiently wait for Emmalyn to check her phone. I manage to catch her eye and try to telepathically signal to her.
Her nose wrinkles as she looks at me like I've lost my mind. And maybe I have, but either way, she grabs her phone, so I'm counting it as a win.
Emmalyn: I guess. But you better have a good reason for going behind my back.
Not even two seconds later and another text comes through.
Emmalyn: And dessert, too.
Me: Consider it done.
I go to repocket my phone when another text pings. This time from Rob.
Seeing his name flash on my screen fills me with dread. He's unhinged, and if I don't find a way to nip this whole situation in the bud soon, he's guaranteed to become a problem.
Rob: Tick tock, Sterling. Time's running out.
All throughout class, Rob's threats distract me, weighting me down like cinderblocks roped to my ankles. Finally, I can't take it anymore and dismiss everyone twenty minutes early.
Emmalyn remains seated, taking her time putting her things away, until we're the only people left.
"You ready?" I ask as she stands.
"As I'll ever be."
"Good. Let's go."
Today, I take her to my favorite burger place, Slicks.
"What's good?" she asks, as we wait in line to order at the counter.
"Everything. But the truffle fries are where it's at."
We both order a colossal cheeseburger with an order of fries, plus a decadent slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce for Emmy.
