Page 83 of Embrace

All I focus on is the heavy ache spreading in my chest, this dark center that’s been gnawing at me since the second she showed up and just stayed. For me.

She’s still talking when I step in and pull her to me.

She goes quiet, the rest of her words dying on a breath as I hold her. For a heartbeat, she’s motionless, caught somewhere betweensurprise and surrender, like her body knows what to do but her mind is pulling her elsewhere.

But then her shoulders drop, the tension drains out of her, and she melts into me. She fits perfectly under my chin, her hands curling lightly against my hoodie like she needed this as badly as I did. Neither of us speak.

I bury my face in her hair, smelling the citrus that still bounces off her like she hadn’t just slept in that sterile hospital right next to me.

“I think that’s six seconds,” she whispers half-heartedly.

“I know,” I say, holding her tighter.

Twenty-eight

Scarlett

I spot Kian’scar in the driveway of the hockey house and breathe a sigh of relief.

I told him I’d be back, so I got here as fast as I could. I barely paid attention in class; no part of me wanted to leave him like that. It feels worse when everyone around you leaves and you’re left with your own terrifying thoughts.

I knock on the front door, and Cole opens it, his blond hair messily draped over his eyes. “What’s up, Red?”

I don’t acknowledge the nickname. “Is Kian here?”

He nods. “Yup, just got in after the gym. But great timing because we’re headed to practice in a bit.”

The gym? Have none of them noticed that he’s a wreck right now?

That’s when Dylan steps out of his room. Looking exhausted. There are bags under his eyes, his hair is messy, and his usual clean-shaven face has grown a light beard. When he notices me, his gaze flicks over my shoulder, as if he’ll find someone else with me, but then he focuses back on putting protein powder in a bottle.

“You here for Kian?” he asks.

I hesitate. “I can come back.”

He shakes his head. The once lively house feels like it has warped into another dimension where grays and gloom come to live. It feels wrong seeing it this way. “He’ll wanna see you.”

A tightness settles in my chest as I rush through the hall and up the steps.

I knock on his bedroom door, and it takes him a good three minutes to open it. I see it all over his face, but the instant his eyes are on me, he molds into something completely different. I can see through it though. For the first time in months, I canseehim.

“I promised I’d be back,” I say, walking past him into his room.

“Thanks, but I’ve gotta get ready for practice. You don’t have to stay.”

I narrow my eyes. “You went to the gym? I didn’t think you would feel up for that.”

“I’m fine. Yesterday was just one of those days. I have it handled.”

“Kian, you don’t have to pretend in front of me. I get it.”

He chuckles, moving to his dresser to pull out clean clothes. “I really appreciate you checking on me, Scar. But I’m fine, and I know you have assignments to do. I don’t want to take away from your studying time.”

I blink.

“I just…” His breath comes out ragged, and he pauses, looking a little confused. “I don’t want to be late. I’ve got some assignments left, and that test you’ve been helping me study for.”

“I know, but that’s not important right now.”