5
Emmett
PROFESSOR MARTINEZ'S VOICE FADES in and out as I stare at the whiteboard without seeing it. The equations that should hold my attention scatter and reform into memories of last night. I shift in my hard plastic chair, heat crawling up my neck as the kiss replays in vivid detail for the hundredth time today. Two rows ahead, Serena tosses her hair, and for a disorienting moment, I forget why I even asked Kade to teach me how to flirt with her.
“And if we apply the fiscal multiplier effect here…” Professor Martinez drones on, his marker squeaking against the board.
My pen taps an erratic rhythm against my notebook. A glance down reveals I’ve drawn nothing but abstract spirals and sharp angles across what should be notes on government spending. I flip to a fresh page, determined to focus, but my mind refuses to cooperate.
I check my phone again, sliding it out of my pocket. No messages from Kade. Not that I expect any—we don’t text unless it’s about groceries or Lulu’s walking schedule. Still, some irrational part of me hoped for…something. Acknowledgment.Confusion. Anything except this radio silence that leaves me drowning in my own thoughts.
“Mr. Grayson.”
My head snaps up to find Professor Martinez staring at me, one eyebrow raised in expectation. Twenty other students turn to look at me, including Serena, who pivots in her seat two rows ahead, those sharp hazel eyes fixing on me with interest.
“The answer?” he prompts, gesturing to a problem I haven’t even registered.
“I’m sorry. Could you repeat the question?”
Professor Martinez sighs. “I was asking about the potential long-term effects of extended quantitative easing on market expectations.”
I scramble for an answer, my brain switching to academic mode. “It could create dependency and distort market signals, leading to inflated asset values and potential bubbles.”
He nods, satisfied, and continues his lecture. Serena offers me a small smile before turning back around. Any other day, that smile would have sent a thrill through me. Today, it barely registers.
My phone vibrates against my thigh, and my heart leaps before I check the screen. Just an email notification. Not Kade. I shove the phone back into my pocket, irritated at my disappointment.
Since waking up this morning, I’ve orchestrated my entire day to avoid crossing paths with Kade. I left before dawn, even though my first class didn’t start until ten. I’ve taken routes between buildings, ducking into bathrooms and emptyclassrooms whenever I spot that familiar messy dark hair in the distance. Like some kind of ridiculous spy movie, except the person I’m hiding from probably isn’t even looking for me.
When class ends, I take my time gathering my materials, watching as Serena chats with friends near the door. Tomorrow is our date. The date I’ve been planning for weeks. The date that prompted me to ask Kade for help. Shouldn’t I feel excited? Nervous? Instead, all I feel is a hollow ache that has nothing to do with Serena and everything to do with the way Kade looked at me last night, just before our lips met.
“Hey, Emmett.” Serena approaches, her confidence wrapped around her. “Ready for tomorrow?”
“Definitely,” I lie, forcing a smile. “Seven o’clock still good?”
“Perfect.” She toys with a strand of long brown hair. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too,” I say, and the words taste like cardboard.
She studies me for a moment, her head tilted. “You seemed distracted today. Everything okay?”
“Just tired. Been preparing.” At least that part isn’t a lie.
“Well, don’t work too hard. Save your energy for our date.” She gives me a wink and touches my arm, her fingertips light against my sleeve, before turning to leave.
It should spark something—desire, anticipation, anything. Instead, all I can think about is how different it feels from Kade’s hands on me last night. I find it strange, to say the least, because I’ve never been attracted to a guy before in my twenty years of life. And starting it now with none other than my stepbrother is just ridiculous.
On my way home, I rehearse what I’ll say when I run into Kade. “Hey, about last night… It was good practice, right?” Or maybe, “Things got a little intense, but that’s what makes it convincing for Serena.”
Everything sounds stupid.
When I reach home, mom’s car and David’s truck are both in the driveway. Our parents leave for their weekend getaway soon. With any luck, I can help them load up and they’ll be gone before Kade returns.
Mom spots me through the window and waves, gesturing for me to come help. I paste on another fake smile and head inside.
“There you are!” She meets me at the door, already handing me a suitcase. “Can you put this in the trunk? David’s just finishing up some work calls.”
“Sure.” I take the bag, relieved for the simple, physical task. “Where’s Lu?”
