by Farlow, LK
I stop in front of her dorm building, not bothering to park in a space, and slam the gearshift into park. "Friday. Four o'clock.”
With a small smile on her face, she unbuckles her seat belt and reaches for the door handle.
“Oh, and, Emmy, pack a bag, because you're spending the night.”
She starts to reply, but I reach over the console and pull her back into the seat, pressing my lips to her, silencing her with my kiss.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sterling
After dropping Emmalyn back at her dorm, I head home. I should probably work on grading for Vic, but the only thing on my mind is getting a jumpstart on planning the best first date ever.
Jesus.
Even thinking that makes me feel like I've lost my balls. But fuck if I care, because something tells me Emmalyn Price is worth it.
I wave my fob over the censor on my door. The light flashes to green and I shoulder the door open, kicking off my shoes in the foyer before heading back to my bedroom to change into something more comfortable.
I'm half-tempted to shower, but I know the second I get under that hot spray, I'll end up with my hand wrapped around my dick as I beat off to thoughts of Emmalyn.
As tempting as that sounds, it's not conducive to my end goal...making her mine. So, instead, I swap my jeans for sweats and pad back down the hall toward the kitchen in search of coffee.
Armed with my laptop and caffeine, I make my way to the couch.
"I was wondering when you'd get here."
"What the fuck!" I shout, as my laptop goes flying across the room, and my mug drops to the floor, shattering on impact, splashing scalding hot coffee all over my bare feet. I stumble back, slipping and sliding, in an attempt to escape the scorching liquid.
"Don't be so dramatic, Sterling."
With fury and fire still racing through my veins, I give him my back, stalking off in search of a towel to clean up the mess.
I return in a new pair of sweats and a whole slew of questions for my former best friend. "Why in the hell are you inside my house?"
Rob tsks. "Is that any way to greet your best friend?"
"I'd probably be a bit more hospitable if I had known you were coming." I cross the room to retrieve my laptop; thankfully it's in one piece. "It also would've helped had you knocked and I let you in. It's a little disconcerting to find someone inside your locked home. Breaking and entering isn't a good look."
He scoffs loudly. "Step down from your soapbox, Sterling. We both know you gave me a key. I simply used it."
"Without my consent." I flip open my laptop and exhale a relieved breath when it powers up with no problem.
"You giving me the key is implied consent."
Not for the first time, I want to slam my fist into his face. But I remain seated, with a carefully neutral look on my face. "Shouldn't be surprised. Consent’s not really your thing."
Rob's on his feet in a flash. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me." I place my laptop down on the cushion and stand as well. Only, my movements are slow, methodical.
"I was really hoping my eyes had deceived me. That you weren't cozying up to that little bitch."
"Watch your mouth." My voice is a growl, feral and vicious, a warning.
Rob barks out a sharp, mirthless laugh. "Whatever for? Surely you haven't fallen for the whore's innocent victim act."
"I swear to God, Rob—" I advance toward him, fully prepared to forcibly remove him from my home.
"You have." He shakes his head, his disappointment evident. "I was torn at first, you know? I thought maybe you were having sleepovers and taking her out as a way to gain her trust. But instead, she somehow gained yours."
I stop halfway to him as his words sink in, ratcheting my anger up to uncharted levels. "You...you've been following us. Spying."
A grin that can only be described as evil splits his cheeks. "Had to make sure my best friend was staying loyal. I should've known better. What's the saying...if you want a friend, get a dog?"
"Get out."
Instead of leaving, Rob unceremoniously drops back down in the chair I found him in. "I don't think I will. We have things to discuss."
"No." I continue on my path toward him. "We don't. You've outstayed your welcome and need to leave."
"Sterling, Sterling. Surely we're not going to let some pussy come between us. Especially one as subpar as Emma—"
"Don't you dare speak her fucking name." I'm on him in seconds, yanking him up by the front of his shirt as my fist slams into his face. Blood trickles from both his nose and lip, and I welcome the sight of it. A busted-up face is the least he deserves after the things he's done.
He makes no move to retaliate, but I'm too busy dragging his sorry ass toward the door to lend more thought to why. "I don't understand your fucking obsession with her, but it ends now. You will not seek her out, watch her, follow her, nothing. You won't contact her, and you're damn sure not going to hurt her."
I shove him against the solid wood of the door, holding him in place with my arm pressed to his throat, as my heart tries to beat its way out of my chest. "Do you understand me? Forget she even exists. She's dead to you."
He glares at me, malice burning in his usually dead eyes. "You're making a mistake."
Pressing my arm tighter against his throat, I look him dead in the eyes as I officially end our lifelong friendship. "My only mistake was believing you." He shoves me off of him and throws the door open, leaving of his own accord.
I slam and deadbolt the door in his wake as a million-and-one different emotions flood my system. Fear, panic, regret, anger. But more than any of those, I have a driving need to check on Emmalyn. To hear her voice, to know she's safe.
But when I grab my phone to call her, there's already a text waiting for me from Rob.
Rob: You're going to regret this.
Worry like I've never felt before shoots through me, but I squeeze it into submission long enough to block his number and dial hers.
My concern surges with every ring. Before I can think it through, I'm shoving my feet into a pair of shoes and heading for the door.
I won't let that piece of shit hurt her again. I have this overwhelming need to protect her, and I will—at all costs—even if that means kidnapping her ass and bringing her here where I can keep an eye on her at all times.
I'm about to hang up and dial her again when she answers. "Hey."
"Emmalyn," I breathe her name as relief flows through me. "You're good? You're okay?"
"Um. Yes. Are you? Not to be rude, but you sound a little..." She trails off, but I know exactly what she's thinking. I sound crazed.
"I am now." I toe my shoes back off and sink down onto my couch, my entire body melting into the cushions as the sound of her breathing through the line soothes me.
"You're kind of freaking me out, Sterling. What's going on?"
"Fuck. Nothing. Sorry."
"Obviously it's something. Please talk to me."
Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose and drop my head onto the back of the couch. "I-I'm overreacting. That's all."
"But over what?" Frustration drips from her every word.
"I... Rob called."
Her sharp intake of breath somehow robs me of my air as well. "What...what did he want?"
"He's...how did I ever call him a friend?"
Emmalyn sighs sadly. "He's a skilled liar. A master manipulator. Don't beat yourself up about it."
"How can I not, baby? Just one person in your corner could've changed everything."
"You're here now," she whispers.
"I am." I nod even though she can't see me. "I am, and I'm not going anywhere."
"Thanks for calling me. For checking on me. For caring."
"I need to ask a favor before we hang up, okay?"
"Sure, Sterling. What?"
"I want you to promise me you won't leave your dorm tonight. Lock the door, stay in. Have a girls’ night. Can you do
that?"
"Freaking me out again."
"I know, baby. I'm not trying to, but will you do that? For me, please?"
"Okay."
"Promise?"
"Yeah, Sterling. I promise."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Emmy
"Are you nervous?" Stella asks, clipping my long hair into three even sections while she waits on her curling wand to heat up.
"Yeah. No. I don't know."
"But it's your first real date, right?"
"That's weird, right? That I'm eighteen and just now going on my first date?"
"I don't think so." She laughs as she releases the first clip and combs out the hair. "But what do I know? My brother sure as hell never let anyone take me out."
"Imagine that...you lost your V-card before you even went on your first date." As soon as I say it, a sobering thought pierces my heart. "Well, I guess we both did."
"Nope." Stella locks her gaze onto mine in the reflection of the mirror in her room. "No, ma'am."
I shrug. "It's true."
"Good vibes only. Today is a good day, and tonight is going to be even better, okay?"
"You think so?" I ask as she begins carefully wrapping sections of hair around the barrel of the wand.
"Yup. Physics says so."
"Physics?" I try to turn my head to look at her, but she pops me with the comb.
"Yeah. Like, you've had so many awful things happen to you, it's time for good. I'm pretty sure it's a universal or karmic law or something."
I can't help but giggle at her attempt to rationalize the universe. "You're a mess."
"And yet, you love me."
"More than you know."
“Do you want me to do your makeup, too?”
“No. I’ll do it. But you can definitely help me pick an outfit. I have no clue what we’re doing, so…”
“Babe. Say no more. I’ve got this.”
Stella darts out of her room and into mine, while I move to the bathroom to start on my makeup.
Since I’m completely in the dark about our plans, I keep my makeup neutral. If I still lived at home, my mother would have pushed for a heavier hand. She is of the belief that natural beauty doesn’t exist. Which probably explains why she’s so pumped full of silicone and injectables; the only natural thing about her is her selfishness.
When I join Stella in my room, it looks like a laundry-filled bomb went off—clothes are everywhere.
“Um. Stell.”
She half sighs, half giggles. “I know. I’ll clean it up. But I think I’ve narrowed it down.”
“Let’s see it.”
“Two options: casual cute,” she says, nodding to a pair of jeans and a sweater. “Or classy cute.” She gestures to a long-sleeved cotton maxi dress with a gauzy overlay.
“Jeans for sure.”
She steps out while I change, and after I’m dressed, I take stock of my appearance in my full-length mirror.
I look like me, only different.
It's not my outfit, my makeup, or my hair. It’s my heart.
For the first time, in a really long time, hope is beating in tandem to the organ in my chest, pumping my veins full of possibility.
My tummy flutters as Stella whistles when I step out of my room. “So?”
"It's gonna be great, Emmy," Stella says right as a knock sounds through our suite.
“Oh! I still need to pack.”
My best friend grins. “I took care of it.”
And sure enough, my bag’s sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch.
Sneaky girl.
“Thanks. I think.”
Stella flings herself at me, wrapping me in a hug. "Have so much fun! And remember, I'm only one call away."
"You're the best," I whisper as I head for the door, grabbing my overnight bag and phone along the way.
My heart hopscotches in my chest as I swing the door open. My skin tingles at the mere sight of him. But unlike me, Sterling is the picture of composure, leaned against the doorjamb with his muscled arms crossed over his chest.
"Emmalyn." His eyes light up at the sight of me. "You look gorgeous."
My cheeks burn under his scrutiny. "Thanks."
"You ready?" He reaches for my bag, tugging it from my grasp.
I nod.
"Then let's go."
"Where?" I ask, hoping he'll give in and tell me.
"You'll see.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Sterling
Outwardly, I'm calm and collected; but inside, I'm second-guessing the hell out of the plans I made for us.
For the first ten minutes of the drive, Emmalyn asks questions, trying to get me to slip up and spill the details of our date. But, much to her dismay, my lips are sealed.
Eventually, the mountain view steals her attention as we drive down the winding road toward the valley. "It's just so...beautiful."
"It is," I agree, though in my mind, I'm referring to both her and the view.
Eventually, our initial destination comes into view.
"Are we here?" Emmy asks, a dubious look on her face as she takes in our surroundings.
"What? A little grocery shopping doesn't sound like a good date?"
"Um."
"I'm kidding, baby."
"Oh, good." She laughs, and I kill the engine.
I rush out of the car and around to her side so I can open her door. It's weird, this sudden need I have to take care of her. But at the same time, it feels so natural that I don't question it much.
"This way." I tip my head toward a wooden stairway nestled in the foliage surrounding the lot.
She walks a step ahead of me, and I'd be lying if I didn't say my eyes were glued to her ass the whole way down.
I'm so distracted by the jiggle and sway she's got going on that I almost miss her trying to walk into the pizza place.
"Whoa," I murmur, hooking two fingers through one of her belt loops, dragging her back into me.
"Oh, okay. Not here then."
There's a little whine to her voice, and I can't help but wrap her in my arms. "I know. Mr. T's makes the best pizza, but it's not where we're headed."
I guide her to the crosswalk, linking our hands together as we dash to the other side of the street.
"The Incline Railway!" Her gaze flits from the stairs in front of us, to me, and back again. "Is this where we're going?"
"It's our first stop."
She jumps once and pumps her fist. "This is on my to-do list! I'm so excited."
"What else is on your list?" I ask, as we follow the painted-on train track up the stairs to the ticket window.
"Not much." She laughs. "Stella inspired me to make it. She has a whole college plan of things she wants to do. So I figured I'd make one, too."
"Anything I can help cross off it?"
"You already are."
"Anything else?" I ask as I hold up two fingers at the window before sliding my card beneath the glass divider.
“I’ll have to think on it.”
“You do that and then let me know. I’ll help you check every box.”
She rolls her eyes like she thinks I’m joking, but I’m dead-fucking-serious. Emmalyn’s missed out on so much, and if I can help her create some memories, some good memories, then I’ll gladly do it.
Tickets in hand, I guide her around to where we board the cable car, stopping along the way to take a touristy green screen picture.
“Oh, whoa!” she whispers as we step into the back of the car. “It’s freaking slanted!”
“Cool, right? The best seats are the front. Be careful going down.”
She stumbles a little on the way to the front, but I steady her from behind. “Thanks.”
“I know it seems sudden, but I’ll always catch you, Emmy.”
She slides into the front seat, her cheeks rosy as she processes my words.
Once the car is at capacity, the overhead speakers crackle and we begin our ascent up the mountain
.
"Oh, wow," she breathes out in amazement. "What a view."
"Sure is," I murmur, staring directly at her, once again finding myself far more taken with the woman beside me than the majestic scenery all around us.
Fuck. I sound like a wus. Yet somehow, I can’t find it in me to care.
I watch Emmalyn the entire climb, hyper-focused on her as she takes in the views. I can’t pinpoint what exactly, but something about her calls to me. Even when I was trying to ruin her, I was drawn to her.
Maybe that’s why I was never able to fully wreak the havoc Rob intended for me to.
Maybe, deep down, I knew she was innocent but didn’t want to let go of Rob’s friendship.
Now, though? Now, I not only want to cut ties, I want to burn the fucking bridge.
I’m so caught up in my mind, in her, that I don’t notice we’ve reached the top until the car jerks to a stop, jolting me forward.
“What now?” Emmalyn asks as everyone begins to stand and walk to the back to exit.
“Follow me.”
Once on the platform, I ask if she wants to go into the gift shop.
“No, not really.” She cocks her head to the side. “Do you?”
“Come on,” is all I reply, taking her hand and guiding her to the stairwell.
I guide her all the way to the highest observation deck, and immediately, she’s at the rail, oohing and aahing over the view. “Man, this is so much prettier than Texas.”
“You don’t think Texas is nice?”
“I mean, it’s not bad, other than the memories associated with it. But there’s something about the mountains that just calls to me, you know? It feels like…home.”
“C’mere.” I crook a finger at her as I step back into a shady corner of the deck.
“What’s up?”
“There’s something I need to do.”
“What?”
As soon as she’s within reaching distance, I hook my arm around her waist and draw her body flush to mine. “This.” And then I crush my lips to hers.
She gasps in surprise, and I seize the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Our tongues slide together in a sensuous dance as I tangle my free hand in the hair at the nape of her neck.