is meant to be about you guys, and I’m so fucking sorry I’ve put a dampener on it.”
Jake scoffs. “You haven’t done anything. I’ll deal with Jayla; you go get your girl.”
Storm smiles sadly at me then mouths, “Go.”
And I do. I spin on my heel, and I dash outside, my head turning this way and that as I search the night for my girl. “Em,” I call into the darkness, but when there’s no response, I pick a direction and take off running, calling out for her as I go.
After what feels like forever, I conclude that I’m not going to find her. Why did I leave my cell in the cabin? I could have called her or Spence. I growl in frustration, running my hands through my hair, then head back to our cabin in the hope that she goes there.
I’m sitting on the front steps, elbows on my knees, staring at my hands, when the gravel crunches from my left and I dart my gaze toward it. Emory approaches, her shoes dangling from her fingers and Spencer’s arm draped around her shoulders.
Wait, what? Why the fuck is Spence touching my girl?
My gaze locks on Spencer’s arm, and my fists flex with the need to punch him right in his pretty-boy head. I’m a lover, not a fighter, but right now, all I can think about is getting him off her.
“Hey,” Em says as they stop at the bottom of the stairs.
I arch an incredulous brow. Anger—as irrational as it may be—floods me. “Hey? Seriously, that’s all you have to say to me after you disappear without a word then rock back up to our cabin with another guy?”
Hurt fills Emory’s eyes, and she blinks at me like she has no idea who I am in this moment. And honestly, I don’t blame her. I’m being a dick. I know it, but I can’t stop it.
The hurt in her gaze is replaced with an anger of her own as she takes a small step closer, causing Spence’s arms to fall from her shoulders—thank God. She glares up at me, and I get the distinct impression that I’m about to have my ass handed to me by a fiery little redhead.
“Is there something you want to say to me, Sebastian?” she says coldly.
I, wisely, shake my head. “I think I’ve already said enough,” I mutter, all my fight and anger draining from me. It’s not really her I’m angry with—or Spencer, for that matter. It’s Jayla.
“Are you sure? Because you look like you’ve got something on your mind. May as well get it over with right here, right now,” she says. “I’m done with this farce of a relationship. Spencer’s going to drive me home in the morning.”
My eyes widen. “What? Why?”
Emory sighs. Her hands drop to her sides, and her shoulders slump. “Because this isn’t what I signed on for. I thought this would be fun, and it was... until it wasn’t.”
Swallowing thickly, I get to my feet and meet her at the bottom of the stairs. I curl my hands over her shoulders then tug her into me, hugging her tightly. “I’m sorry,” I whisper into her hair.
Spencer clears his throat. “Uh, if everything’s okay here, I’m going to go. You’ve got my number. If you need me, Emory, just call.”
My body solidifies, and I glare at him. “She won’t be calling,” I practically growl.
And Spencer—the bastard—chuckles then winks at me and says, “She might.” He turns around and disappears back into the night.
I bury my face in Emory’s neck, brushing my lips over her rapidly pounding pulse point. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I murmur then step back, lace our fingers together, and lead her up the stairs.
The staff kept the fire going while we were out, and I’m thankful for it because it’s fucking freezing tonight. Emory shivers as she steps inside, and I close the door behind us. This moment is reminiscent of this afternoon—me standing behind her, wanting her more than my next breath—but something’s changed between us.
I’d give anything to take us back to just a few short hours ago.
The heat of his body seeps into me, and I want so badly to lean back against him, but what good would that do? I’ve fallen for him—head over freaking heels—and he’s going to end up back with her.
Even if they don’t end up back together, that doesn’t make this thing between us real. He asked me for a favor, and I went and