Unbroken

Chapter 17: A Date... Sort of

I bit my lip, trying not to cry. Why did I have to be so freaking weak? The coppery taste of blood coated my lips, and the next time Nix glanced down at me, he cussed, pulling my lip from between my teeth. "Shit, Em. Kacen isn't mad."

From behind me, Kacen coughed and then cleared his throat. "N-not m-m-mad. G-g-gonna s-sit th-this hole out."

"I'm really sorry."

He waved me off, sliding to his bottom and dropping his forehead to his knees. After that, we finished the course fairly fast. Rook won individually, but Kacen and Nix won as a team, which tells you how well I played.

When we got back to the car, I felt nothing but relief. I must have apologized to Kacen a dozen times already, until he finally told me he was fine.

"Where are we going now?" I asked as I watched out the window. The scenery was unfamiliar, which was understandable. I'd never really been over this way before.

Nix leaned against the window next to him, his eyes closed, looking unconcered.

Finally, Rook answered from the front seat. "Kacen's."

"What's at Kacen's?" I mean, I knew what was there, but why were we going today?

"For lunch. And swimming."

My face heated. Swimming? "I didn't bring anything to swim in."

He chuckled. "We're stopping back by your place so the two of you can grab swimwear."

When I cringed at that idea, Nix laughed. I looked up at him to find him watching me.

Once we got home, Nix and I both got out. He let out a nervous breath, and I leaned closer to him. "Do you need me to come with you?"

His lips quirked up, tension draining from his shoulders. "No. Dad should be at work."

I stood on the sidewalk, watching as he disappeared into his house before heading inside and up to my room.

After spending a few minutes searching for my swimsuit, I stormed out of my room. I hadn't used it since we moved in, and when I'd unpacked, I remembered putting it away. Why the heck had Ari taken it, anyways?

Her door shook as I pounded on it, and seconds later, it opened. "What's up?"

I didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "What happened to my swim suit?"

She gave a small, one shouldered shrug. "Mine was ancient-"

"So you borrowed mine?" My voice squeaked on the last syllable. Ducking my head, I rubbed the bridge of my nose, reaching for a patience I already knew I wouldn't find.

"Of course not, silly. I convinced mom that we both needed new ones, which wasn't hard, and she let me pick one out for each of us."

Oh, god. This was worse than if she'd borrowed mine. "Let's see it, Ari." Deep breaths. Killing her would be frowned upon.

I followed her into her room, and Ari pulled a bag out of her closet. "I wanted to surprise you with this, but if you need it now, here." She thrust the bag at me, delight written all over her face.

With a peek inside, I growled. Actually freaking growled.

Ari backed away nervously, and only the sound of my phone going off kept me from leaping after her.

Rook: Hey, are you okay in there? Do you need backup?

My heart melted just a little before I replied back to give me a moment. Turning back to Ari, I kept my voice firm as I said, "Step foot in my room again without my permission and I will destroy your entire closet." I spun on my heel and stalked back to my bedroom before she could reply.