Page 40 of Only When It Breaks

“I’ll go find it. Stay here.”

I slip out of the room. There’s still the low beat of music from downstairs but it’s quieter now and I imagine most of the guests have left. I find Emmie’s clothes in the bathroom and rush back to the room. We need to get out of here without seeing Luna or Bella.

She quickly pulls her own clothes on. I run a hand through my hair and glance around the room. “We can’t stay here. If Luna sees us-”

“You’re ashamed?”

I rush to her, cupping her perfect face in my hands. “No, Em. Not even a little. I just don’t know what I’ll do if I set eyes on her right now.” I slip my hand in hers and lead her from the room.

We make it to the front door just as the morning haze settles over the garden. Emmie’s wrapped in my jacket, and her damp hair is tied in a messy knot. She looks exhausted, but she's still holding herself together like she’s determined not to crack again.

We’re halfway down the path when I hear him. “Ayo, Kai!” Austin’s voice cuts through the stillness like a blade.

I turn and spot them. Austin, Henry, Bella, and Luna, all lounging on the garden furniture like the night didn’t end in complete humiliation for someone they all targeted. Bella’s sipping something from a red cup, sunglasses on, the smirk practically glued to her face. And then Luna whispers something that makes Bella laugh and I clench my fist in anger.

“Didn’t think you’d still be here,” Austin calls. “You two finally do it?”

Emmie stiffens beside me. I feel her hand grip tighter around mine. “Leave it,” she mutters under her breath. “Please, Kai. Just ignore him.”

But I can’t. Not after last night. Not after the way they laughed. Not after she sobbed in my arms like they broke something in her that I couldn’t fix. I let go of her hand and turn back toward them. “Kai,” she hisses, grabbing my wrist, “don’t. It’s not worth it.”

I shake her off gently. “No, Em. I can’t leave it. They’re idiots.” I storm back over, my fists clenched. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I yell, my voice carrying across the garden. “You think it’s funny? What you did? You humiliated her. Youviolatedher.”

Austin throws his arms up in mock surrender. “Whoa, man. Chill. It was just a joke.”

“Ajoke?” I bark, taking a step closer. “You helped film it, didn’t you?”

“I mean,” he shrugs, grinning at Henry. “There were so many cameras, it’s hard to say whose angle was best.”

Emmie’s behind me now, barely holding it together. Her breathing’s shallow, and she’s got both hands stuffed in the pockets of my jacket.

“Oh, come on, Kai,” Bella says sweetly, leaning forward. “It’s already viral. There’s literally like, what, ten different angles floating around the college group chat? You should be proud. Your girl’s famous.”

Austin laughs and something inside me snaps. “You think that’s funny?” I snarl, stepping right up to him. “You think ruining someone’s dignity is entertainment? You’re pathetic. All of you.”

His grin falters. “Jesus, man, relax.”

I turn to Bella. “Oh, I’mrelaxed. Real zen. But just so you know, Bella, I’ve got some footage of you too.” Her eyes narrow. “Don’t play dumb. Like you didn’t insist I film us together.” Emmie inhales sharply, but I need to use this to make that footage disappear. “If it got out, it wouldn’t look good for any potential brand sponsors.”

Bella’s mouth opens in outrage.

“So, here’s the deal,” I say, stepping closer. “You get every single video of Emmie deleted. Gone. Off phones, group chats, Google Drives,all of it. Or yours goes viral too.”

For a second, the smugness drains from her face. But then she smiles. A slow, poisonous smile that coils in my gut.

“Seriously, Kai. You can drop the act now.” She crosses her tanned legs slowly, “Just tell her the truth.”

I freeze.

“What are you talking about?” Emmie’s voice is practically a whisper.

Bella tilts her head, eyes glittering with venom. “You really didn’t tell her?”

“Bella,” I warn, my voice low and dangerous. But she doesn’t stop.

“Austin made a bet with Kai weeks ago,” she says, savouring every word. “Said he couldn’t pull the geeky virgin. Said he wouldn’t even get past first base. But he did. Didn’t you, Kai?”

“No,” I say, the word strangled and too late.

---