Page 72 of Embrace

“You’re good at what you do, Ishida. I need you to know that.”

“Thank you, Coach.”

Suddenly, there’s a loudcrackand confetti pours into Kilner’s office. He grumbles, pulling an air horn out of a rookie’s hand.

There’s a collective chant of my name before they’re barreling me with hugs. They carry me right out of Coach’s office, and he waves us off, dismissing us twenty minutes early.

When we’re showered and changed, we head to the car, where I drag Cole and Sebastian with me to the bakery. We grab the cake I ordered, and just as we’re driving toward the house, I spot a head of familiar red hair crossing the street toward Iona. The guys protest when I park in the middle of the road, but there’s no traffic as I jog across the street to stop right in front of her.

Scarlett startles, pulling out her headphones when she sees me. “Kian?”

“I think it’s ‘Captain’ now.”

She blinks and then understands immediately. She doesn’t look nearly as surprised as I expected. It’s like she knew. “Oh! Congrats.”

“I couldn’t believe it. Kilner just told me.”

Her smile is light as she nods, taking a step back.

“We bought a cake,” I say, gesturing to the guys waiting for me in the car. “You wanna come over to celebrate?”

Her soft hair flutters with the breeze, and her refreshing scent washes over me like rain. “No, no, that’s okay. You should celebrate with your team.”

“Did something happen?” I ask.

“What? No! Nothing. I’m really, really happy for you, Kian. I just have stuff to catch up on for my TA course. But have fun, okay? You deserve it,” she says.

I watch her leave, and there’s only one thing on my mind when she disappears out of view. She didn’t hug me. It didn’t even look like she wanted to.

We drive back to the house in silence, but the moment we’re inside, Cole sounds the air horn. Dylan’s sleeping in his room, but I drag him out of bed, and I do the same to Aiden and Summer, who are not happy to be walked in on.

Summer’s still pulling on her robe, and Aiden is adjusting himself in his boxers, wearing pink slippers and staring at me with a menacing look.

“What’s going on, Ishida?” Aiden says.

Summer checks the time on her phone. “What news could you possibly have right now?”

“It better be good or I’m calling Tabitha,” Dylan grumbles in a sleepy voice. I would normally give him the finger for that comment, but I’m too damn happy.

“Sorry, what?” I cup my ear. “I only answer to Captain Ishida now.”

Summer gasps, shrieking loudly and running down the hall to give me the tightest hug. “That’s awesome. Kilner hid it so well.”

“Not that well,” Aiden says, giving me a knowing smile. “Couldn’t think of a better successor, Captain.”

“I’m not calling you that. You can kiss my ass.” Dylan rolls his eyes right before he pulls me into a tight hug. “It was always yours. You deserve it.”

“Thanks, Dill.”

I lead them all to the dining table, and we light the candles on the cake.

My friends start to sing a rendition of “Happy Birthday,” with the lyricsHappy Captaincy to you!I soak it all in, staring at the bright smiles on their faces.

Later that night, when I finally get back to my room, I fall into bed, pulling my phone out of my pocket and pressing the same number. It rings and goes to voicemail. Like always.

“Hey, Dad…”

Twenty-four