“You okay?” Cam wonders, his arm dropping from around my shoulder.
“Yeah, it’s just been a while.”
“We can head out. I don’t mind.” He pauses, looking around and taking in the people. “I don’t need parties anyway. The fact that we won is a celebration in itself.”
“No, I don’t mind. Really,” I promise. “Now, stop mopping with me. Go have fun.”
He smiles at me as I push him toward the crowd while I remain awkwardly against the wall. And when I see Brinley in the kitchen with Jaxon, after a quick search, I realize it’ll be some time before she remembers I exist.
I laugh, shaking my head as I walk up the stairs, and before I realize it, I’m in front of the only room I know is up here—Declan’s.
Even though we typically work in the kitchen, one night, a few days after the football party, I found myself in this very room. And not for the reason most girls probably end up in there, but because Zeke had come home early and wanted a rematch atNHL 17,and we couldn’t get anything done with his begging.
The second Declan suggested working in his room, I felt like I was back to the old Ember, the one who was ready to bolt. But I didn’t want him to think he had an effect on me, so I agreed.
But when we walked in, there was something so calming about it, way different than I imagined, and I bet he could thank Brinley for that. But just because I had been up here before to work on our project doesn’t mean me being up here now was a good idea. According to Brin, bedrooms werecompletely off-limitsduring the parties.
But I need the escape, so I’m hoping Declan will make an exception just this once… if he ever shows up.
The second I close the door behind me, I feel like I can breathe again. And the faint orange streetlights shining in through the window bring me peace. More of the lights are off than on, but it’s still relaxing. The complete opposite of the party happening downstairs.
I never thought about how I might feel going to a party after the last one completely changed my life. But being downstairs, I felt like I was back to that naïve girl who put her trust in the wrong person.
I grab the neck of my shirt and quickly rub my eyes to get rid of the tears trying to make their presence known. I won’t cry about this. Not here. Not now. Not again.
As I lower my shirt, the door swings open and just as quickly swings shut. I see him before he sees me, and I can tell he’s upset. It doesn’t take a genius to see it in how his body moves. In his heavy breathing. In the fists forming and breaking on repeat.
I’m not sure if I should say something; let him know I’m there. But when he slams his hand into his closet door, the small gasp that escapes my lips does it for me.
His head shoots up, and his eyes meet mine, “Em.”
My heart flutters in my chest. I fight the urge to smile because now is clearly not the time.
“I’m sorry, I just needed to get away from the party,” I mumble. “I’ll get out of your hair.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “It’s fine. I’m umm, sorry, I thought I was alone.”
“Why wouldn’t you think you're alone inyourroom? One that’s off-limits during parties.” I force a laugh.
“I guess that makes you a rule-breaker,” he says, fighting a smile.
“Guess so.” I shrug as he walks over to his bed and sinks to the floor in front of it. He lets out a long sigh. “You realize you won the game tonight, right?”
Now he smiles.
I take this opportunity to take the space next to him.
“Yeah,” he says. “It was a great game.”
“So, what happened between then and now?”
“Life,” he whispers, but I don’t know if he meant for me to hear it.
“You want to talk about it?”
He turns toward me, hesitates, and then continues, “It stays between us.” He tilts his head down, his eyes meeting mine. “Promise me.”
“This stays between us.” I smile, holding up my pinky finger. “I promise.”
