Page 74

Sadie pokes a finger at my chest, trying so hard to be ferocious. “I don’t need you rescuing me.”

I lean in so she will focus on me when I say, “I will always be the one rescuing you. Water drips from her nose. Her lips. I can feel her panting breath. She clenches her teeth, and I focus on her mouth. When I look into her eyes again, she lets out a slow exhale. I lean in—

The curtain yanks open. “What the hell are you doing?”

I take a step back just as she rocks off balance. I hold onto her as she slumps to the bottom of the tub. I’m about to pick her up and carry her out of here when Collin grips my arm, harder than necessary.

I look from his hand to him, warning flashing in my eyes. I don’t care if he is my best friend.

Collin shuts off the water. “I’ve got her.”

“Doesn’t look like it,” I growl, more pissed at him than Sadie.

“What are you doing, man?” There’s accusation in his tone, like I have no right to be here right now. That it’s not my place.

I look down at Sadie, her head resting on her arms on the edge of the tub, dressed in—I have no idea what. And then back to Collin, who is the one she’s here with. The one who watched her drink until she got into a pool of Jell-O to what… make a spectacle? And now he’s telling me to back off?

“You tell me. What’s going on between you two?” That’s not the question I meant to ask, but it’s what comes out. He stares at me, not answering.

He repeats slowly but with force, “I’ve. Got. Her.”

And he still does.

“To being forever young,” Rachel announces, pulling me back to the present. With her shot glass raised, she encourages everyone. “Come on, Evan, pick it up.” Evan complies, along with me.

Emma won't even touch her glass. I can’t watch her struggle anymore, so I slide hers across the table and down it, setting it back in front of her before Rachel notices. Then take my own. Dammit, it burns. I pound my chest with a deep exhale.

“Thatta girl, Emily.” Rachel beams, collecting the glasses.

“Thanks,” Evan says under his breath. Emma shoots me an appreciative smile.

“Not a problem,” I say to Emma.

I’ve been waiting for Emma to leave so I can as well. Because once I do, I’m never coming back to this house. Not while Rachel’s still in it.

It was so hard to pretend I was into her all night. She sat on my lap at one point, coaching me on my hand. I never touched her, but she was sure to make a point when she kissed my cheeks and held onto me like a possession. I cannot wait to get away from this woman once and for all. I’m not meant to be with anyone right now. Forget about a manipulative, cruel woman who uses words as her weapon.

Rachel pouts as she walks the last two friends out to the porch. Evan and I take advantage and start folding up the last poker table that belongs to him, along with the chairs. Emma begins picking up the cups and bowls of chips, taking them into the kitchen.

When Rachel returns, she follows Emma.

We load the table and chairs into Evan’s car. I’m impressed he fit them in.

“Listen,” Evan says, after shutting the trunk. “I really appreciate you looking out for Emma while she’s here. I know it’s been harder for her, moving in with Rachel, than she’s letting me know.”

“No problem,” I tell him. “She’s been through a lot.”

“Yeah, she has.” There’s a slight edge to his voice that most wouldn’t have noticed. He meets my eyes. “She needs all the friends she can get. But only for the right reasons, you know?”

“Not really,” I reply honestly.

“I’m sorry about your family,” he finally says. “I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you. You’ve been through a lot. And that kind of loss must’ve taken a toll. Connecting with Emma on that level of pain won’t end well for anyone.”

“End well?”

“It’s not sustainable. It’s not healthy. She needs to move forward, with me.”

I nod, getting it. He’s her future. I only remind her of her past. Her nightmares. Little does he know that she’ll never be truly with him as long as she’s trapped in the past.