Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
To his relief, he’d finally spotted tail lights. That late at night, with the roads so empty, he’d known it had to be Breck.
His muscles had eased as he accelerated to catch up—only to stiffen again in horror as his nightmare unfolded. As if in slow motion, he’d watched as Breck’s car disappeared over the shoulder. He’d never been so panicked. When he’d finally gotten Breck to safety, he’d been livid—and utterly beside himself with debilitating stress.
But Breck… He’d been emotionally obliterated… and Kai had done nothing at all to ease his anxiety. Just scolded him and sent him to his car like a kid in timeout.
Kai groaned and raked a hand through his hair. He’d been too hard on Breck when he’d been raw and exposed. Should’ve shown more compassion—especially since he was the reason Breck had taken off in his car.
He’d just been so frazzled from nearly watching Breck die—
Kai stilled at the implications of his thoughts.
He cared for Breck to an excruciating degree. Which meant, despite what he’d told himself, he wasn’t ready to let him go.
He should talk to him—while Breck was sober. Have a transparent conversation. He understood Breck’s plight and would tell him so, and maybe between the two of them, they could work something out. A way to navigate Breck’s situation—together.
For all he knew, Breck’s wreck could’ve been an intercession from the cosmos, forcing an emotional refresh in both of their camps. For Breck to snap out of his tailspin, and Kai to stop criticizing his actions and start assessing why Breck was behaving in such reckless ways. To stop treating him like he was Ryan 2.0.
He could help—wanted to help. If Breck was willing to do what it took. Breck needed him and, in a way, he needed Breck, too. He’d told him he wouldn’t let him fall, and he’d genuinely meant it.
* * *
After mulling over the idea for the rest of the day, through his last two classes at the dojang and then the class he’d subbed in for at the gym, Kai made the decision to stop by Breck’s place and try to have a talk. True, dropping by a frat house so late at night wasn’t his typical MO, but for some reason, he was consumed by a sense of urgency. A need to resolve this conflict and reestablish harmony between them. To right his wrongs.
It was a mild night, not too balmy. He would head over on foot. He didn’t want to attract any unnecessary attention with his car. Breck would frown on that, he was sure. And now that he knew the road Breck lived on, the walk would be easy and short. His place wasn’t far. Just one street down and a couple more over.
Hair still damp, he combed his fingers through his locks, checked himself in the mirror, then made his way toward the door. In less than sixty seconds, he’d exited his building and was checking his texts.
He’d messaged Breck when he’d gotten out of the shower, but he’d yet to respond. Which was fine. If he wasn’t home when Kai stopped by, it’d be no big deal. Either way, the fresh air would do him good. And with it being almost midnight, the stars should be shining bright.
Rounding his building, he hit the concrete sidewalk. Ten minutes later and he was closing in on Breck’s frat-boy abode. With all the college kids ambling in and out, it hadn’t taken a rocket scientist to discern which house was his.
He eyed the place, still two doors down. Breck might not be there, but his house was far from empty. Quite the opposite, all but bursting with inebriated partiers. And from the look of things, this wasn’t the frat house’s usual throwdown. Not if the girls sashaying around in grad caps and bikinis were any indication. If he were to guess, Breck’s fraternity was hosting an end-of-the-year pool party.
Loud music pumped as laughter carried down the street. Kai regarded the attendees milling about, then eyed what he could make out of the above-ground pool in the yard around back. The thing was teeming with guys and girls alike, the boys notably more rambunctious than the ladies, cannon balling in pairs off the deck. Waves of water crashed over the edge as people hooted. On the far end, two girls were wrestling each other atop the shoulders of their respective guys. Other pool goers were dancing to the music with their hands raised high.
And all of them, absolutely all of them, were clutching beers.
Kai exhaled and averted his gaze, certainly not surprised. The seniors’ school year had concluded, but summer partying had only just begun. Thing was, now he couldn’t help wondering if Breck was there—and in a similar state. If so, that’d defeat the purpose of his entire visit.