Well Beyond

32

I grabbed my phone from the charger, staring at the screen with a frown as I noticed several missed calls from Jasper. A low burn of anxiety pulsed through me as I scrolled through the notifications, each one making my stomach tighten. I couldn't bring myself to open any of them. Jasper was already furious, and leaving him on read would only make things worse. Out of the ten messages, I could only bring myself to skim through a few:

Corie, we really need to talk about this. Like actually talk. You can't keep ignoring my calls.

I need to know you're okay. I can't get ahold of Emma either. Just let me know that you guys are okay, please.

I'm sorry I called you a whore. It was uncalled for, just please talk to me.

His desperate attempts to reach me only deepened the knot of guilt and frustration in my chest. With a heavy sigh, I cleared the notifications without responding, pushing the turmoil to the back of my mind. I couldn't deal with him right now, not when everything else in my life felt so overwhelming.

Needing a distraction, I quickly typed out a text to Emma:

Hey, can I borrow some clothes? I also need to run into town if you want to come with me. I'd love some company!

I hit send and let out a breath, trying to shake off the lingering tension. Falling back onto the bed, I let the duvet cocoon me, my hands rubbing my temples as I closed my eyes. The vibration of my phone against the nightstand pulled me from my thoughts. Emma's reply flashed brightly on the screen:

I've been so bored lately. I'm definitely down. I'll leave now with the clothes, so I'll see you soon.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I locked my phone. The scent of Erik's clothes clung to me, comforting yet unsettling, making my stomach flutter with a confusing mix of emotions. My feelings for him were growing more complicated with each passing second. Part of me wanted to hate him for everything that had happened, but another part longed for forgiveness—and I wasn't sure which side was winning. Erik himself was a puzzle, a dangerously complicated man who pulled me in despite everything.

A few minutes passed before I could muster the energy to peel myself from the bed. As I made my way to the living room, I caught a glimpse of Emma getting dressed by the edge of the forest through the window. I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a sudden, irrational dread prickling at my skin as memories of us together flooded my mind. I turned away from the window and headed to the door, pulling it open just as Emma stepped onto the porch, her smile bright and infectious.

"Hey beautiful, long time no see," she greeted me warmly, her eyes instantly zeroing in on my attire. She burst into giggles, her gaze sweeping over Erik's clothes on my body.

"Oh my Goddess, tell me you guys slept together," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she tossed the bag of clothes onto the couch.

I rolled my eyes, but a blush crept up my neck despite myself. "It's not what you think," I protested weakly, knowing full well how it looked.

Emma's laughter filled the room, light and carefree, a stark contrast to the turmoil still swirling inside me. "Sure, sure," she said, grinning. "But come on, you've got to admit, it's a good look on you."

I tried to brush off her comment, but the warmth of Erik's clothes against my skin only deepened the complicated feelings brewing within me. I couldn't help but wonder if she was right—if there was something more to all of this, something I wasn't ready to admit yet.

"What?" I asked, already knowing where this was headed.

Emma's grin turned mischievous as she held up her index fingers, pressing them together. "Tell me when," she teased, slowly inching them apart. I rolled my eyes as she exaggerated the distance, stretching it well beyond any realistic possibility. Her playful expression faltered into a frown as I didn't stop her. With a sigh, I finally caved, caging her hands with mine and adjusting them to the correct distance.