Nola Scott
I knew it wasn't going to be easy to talk to Ember about JT. First, she would be so confused about why he and I are suddenly friends. Second, she wouldn't understand why he did what he did that night. And third, Ember is Ember. She has the thickest skull of anyone I've ever met. Getting her to believe what you're saying when she has her mind made up is extremely difficult.
So I decided to start with the fact that I'm competing at Worlds. I finally told her and she was beyond excited for me. It was a good distraction from the thing I was going to hit her with. I didn't fail to mention that today was my first practice and I'm already stressing the fuck out. She had to know that fact so that I could mention how JT helped me out today.
Ember may know JT better than I do but from what I've seen, he's a good guy. He seems genuine and I've never gotten non-genuine vibes from him in the times I've talked to him because of Miles. There had to be something I was missing if she hated the guy so much, right?
Before I told her about JT, I made her promise me she wouldn't hate me. That's when she got worried and made me spit it out. Luckily for me, she let me speak about the guy - in a good way - without interrupting and I explained to her the whole situation. When I finished, she didn't say anything. She stood up and kindly asked if I could give her a ride over to Miles' house so that she could speak to him.
The relief and accomplishment that flooded through my body when she said that was impeccable. Little did I know that she was saving her wrath for the blonde hockey player.
It was a good five minutes before I decided to call the other, older hockey player and ask if he could help me stop this mess. I didn't know what to do anymore. Them arguing - again - also felt like my fault this time. Keeping the door perched open in case murder happens inside, I stand anxiously at the front door as I wait for Miles. It takes him about five minutes after I call him for me to see his BMW pulling into the driveway and relief fills me again.
He gets out and I'm about to tell him more about the scene inside, but I stop at the sight of him. All he wears is a grey t-shirt, some black athletic shorts, and a LA Dodgers cap but that somehow has me stuttering to start a sentence. Damn it, isn't he cold in those shorts? Focus, Nola! "Inside!" is all I manage to say, pushing my way back inside his large house that I haven't even admired because I'm trying to stop a potential homicide.
The door closing behind us doesn't get anyone's attention. "Watch this," Miles whispers loud enough for me to hear, taking a stand next to me. He crosses his arms over his chest. "Kid!" Just like that, the noise stops and both Ember and JT look over at us. JT's green eyes are still a bit soft, but they widen slightly. "What's going on here?" Miles asks when no one says anything.
"Just having a conversation," JT stammers. Miles raises a brow at his response. "A very loud conversation," his gray eyes flit to my roommate, "hey Ember." Her cheeks flush and she plays with her hands. "Hi," she replies softly. "Now do we want to talk about this like adults or continue acting like children?" Miles says, looking at both of them for a reply. Our roommates look at each other like they don't know what to say. "I don't want to hear him talk," Ember says.
Miles tries to stay stoic but I see him almost laugh, causing me to bite down on my lower lip. "Well, Ember we have to hear him talk eventually so you can both get your stories across. Maybe we'll come to a conclusion if we can have a decent conversation not...whatever you two were having," Miles adds. Ember rolls her eyes but surprises all of us by taking a seat on one of the many couches.
JT follows, sitting down on another. Once they're both sat, Miles gestures his head for me to follow him so I do. We sit by side on the longer couch, his leg touching my knee. My breath hitches slightly at the touch but he opens his mouth to speak. "Now, Ember can you explain why you're so upset with JT?" he starts by asking. Instead of looking at JT, Ember keeps her eyes on the man next to me.
"On New Year's, I was dancing with a guy who I was obviously interested in and he decides it would be perfect to break that apart even though he had no reason to." The bitterness in Ember's voice is evident. "There is a reason," JT adds. Miles lifts his hand to keep him quiet but Ember cuts him off. "Yeah, that you like me, but I don't like you and I'm sure I've made that obvious enough so you had no right."
JT practically winces at her tough reply. Miles sighs next to me. "Yeah, I got that. Can we stop saying it out loud?" JT pleads. Ember shrugs. "Just because he had feelings for me didn't mean he had any right to ruin my whole night. Then he runs off to my roommate and makes her feel bad for him because he did what he did because he likes me. It just doesn't sit right with me," Ember adds.
My cheeks get hot at that. She's definitely mad at me.
Miles nods. "That makes sense, Ember. What do you think about that, JT?" The blonde boy looks lost as he stares at his teammate, his leg bouncing up and down. "Well, yes, but-" He stops himself, looking at me. "Nola, I don't want to put you on the spot so I'm sorry, but as I was leaving your apartment yesterday, Nola asked me what was wrong. I'm an emotional guy, of course, I'm going to tell her! It was never to make her feel bad for me though," JT explains.
Ember looks at me for a second before shifting her attention back to JT. "You told her we kissed! You weren't supposed to tell anyone that!" she shouts. Miles' eyes widen like that information was new to him. JT rubs his hands over his face, sighing loudly. "I know, I know, I'm sorry, okay!" Ember glares at him but I see emotions start to come through. While she tries to put on a tough exterior, she's one of the most emotional people I know. Only a few people see that side of her though.
There seems to be more than what either of them is saying to us because I thought a couple of days ago that they no longer spoke.
"How do you expect me to trust you when you're doing that? And everything else before that?" Ember snaps. "You're not trustworthy, JT! Your words don't mean anything to me anymore. Your apologies don't mean anything!" A tear slips from her eye but she wipes it swiftly.
JT stands up from the couch, causing her to do the same. "Fine, Em! Okay, I get it! I fucked this up, you want me to never speak to you again because I promise if that's what you want then I won't." His voice cracks mid-sentence but he covered it up quickly, still both of them being upset is making me distressed. She lets out a sigh. "That's exactly what I've been wanting," she mutters.
He shrugs his broad shoulders and shakes his head. "Okay, then I'll give you that. Again, even though it doesn't mean anything to you, I'm sorry. Just stay happy, alright? I want you to be happy, Em." JT doesn't stick around any longer to see the tear slip from her eye. She never said anything about him calling her 'Em' more than once. Only the people closest to her get to call her that.
"Nola, I want to go," Ember chokes out, looking down at the floor. "Yeah, we'll go," I say softly, reaching out to grab her hand but she starts walking directly to the large door. I turn around where Miles stands watching. "Based on both of their reactions, I'm guessing there's a whole lot more to the story than we know," I tell him. He puts his hands in his pockets as he walks closer to me, closing most of the space between us.
"Looks like it. You had been talking to JT about it, though? Did he say anything more?" Miles asks. I shake my head. "We just talked about it yesterday and today a bit. He just told me about the kiss and that he has feelings for her, not much more," I say. He stares at me for a long second without replying. "How was your first practice though? Did it go well?"
I look back, knowing Ember is waiting outside for me. Shaking my head, I turn back to Miles. "I should probably go, I don't want Ember to be any more upset with me," I demand. He steps forward when I start stepping back. "You can come back? After you drop her off," he says quickly. That was the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth but it didn't feel weird to me.
"I would but it's getting kind of late and I have an early practice again tomorrow," I barely manage to say. It would have been nice to come back but figure skating is my main focus right now. Slacking off this early isn't a choice. "Right. No, yeah, I should probably get some rest too since I have a game tomorrow," he replies. That piques my interest slightly. "Really? What time?" I question.
"Six," is his short answer. I think about my response for a second before saying it. "Maybe I can buy a ticket and catch your game tomorrow, then we can talk afterward?" I suggest. His eyebrows furrow. "Yeah?" I smile, nodding. "If I can secure a ticket, count me there," I quip. "I can get you a ticket," he says, "just one? Or are you inviting someone along?" Oh, lord. Free tickets?
I think about his question. Going alone probably wouldn't be fun but I know for sure Ember would not come with me. Not after today. "I'll invite my brother!" Miles smiles. "Which brother?" He's only met Brooks but he's aware I have more than one brother, he's just never met them. "Hm, I'll bring two of them actually. Brooks and Kayce. If that's okay?" I ask, hopeful. "That's great. I'll send you the tickets tomorrow morning if you pass me your number?" Miles says.
I nod and he pulls out his phone to take down my number. "Perfect, so I'll see you tomorrow?" I note, stepping back toward his front door. "Also, check up on JT for me?" Miles follows me, deciding to walk me out. "I will. I was planning on checking on him right now anyway," he informs me. "Great. I'll see you boys tomorrow," I tell him. "Get home safe, Nola."
Giving him a curt nod, I rush back to the Rover and hop into the driver's side. I turn to look at Ember who's looking out of her window. "Sorry for taking long, Em," I apologize as I start the car. "It's okay," she replies, her voice coming out softer than ever. My heart cracks slightly in my chest as I pull out of the driveway. I'll give her tonight but I won't let her be upset forever.