Who Falls Hardest (Clearwater University)

Trent was right. She’s getting aggressive and sloppy, and if she’s doing all this from the facility where she’s supposed to be getting help, it’s only a matter of time before she gets caught.

At least, I fucking hope so.

I press my fingertips to my temples as I stare at the latest monstrosity on my newsfeed. Leslie got into my Facebook account and sent a video loaded with a virus in a mass private message to nearly half my friends. Most of them are smart enough not to open suspicious links, but because it came from me, a few of them clicked on it.

What was supposed to be my lunch hour at work is now going to be spent taking care of this bullshit.

Great.

As I start sorting through all the friends the message got sent to, my brows pinch together.

Huh. That’s interesting.

I think I’m starting to see a pattern in who it got sent to, but until I go through the whole list, I won’t know for sure. My hand on the mouse moves a little faster, eager to see if my hunch turns into anything useful.

My phone buzzes on the desk next to me, and I glance down at the screen. It’s Dad. I’ve still got twenty minutes on my lunch break, and there’s no way I’ll have time to go out and grab food anyway, so I push back from the desk and scoop up my phone, heading out into the hall outside the offices before swiping the screen to answer.

“Dad?”

“Hey, Ems.” I can hear the smile in his voice, although it can’t quite mask the concern that lingers there too. “How are you?”

I smile. That’s how he starts every conversation these days, and although I hate that he worries about me, I love that he cares. I love that things are better enough between us that he’s able to call and check up on me, and I can actually tell him what’s going on. There are still things from the past he should probably hear about, but with how well things have been going between me and the Icons, I don’t want to risk ruining that.

Not now.

Not with everything else going on.

“Not too bad,” I say with a grin. My gaze flicks back toward the office where my computer sits, and I roll my eyes. “Same old, same old.”

“Are y

ou sure there’s nothing I can do?” he asks for about the millionth time.

I let out a soft laugh, but my voice is gentle when I speak. “The cops can barely do anything, so I don’t think there’s much you could do that they couldn’t. But you care, and that helps a lot. More than you know.”

“Always, sweetheart. And if you ever do need anything, you’ll let me know, won’t you?”

“I will. Thanks, Dad. But I’m doing okay. I’ve got people on my side.”

There’s a small beat of silence, then he chuckles. “Oh, I know. And I’m glad, Ems.”

A flush creeps up my cheeks. I don’t think he knows exactly what’s going on with me, West, Reese, and Trent. But he definitely knows we’re close. He probably assumes I’m dating one of them. That’s another conversation we’ll have to have soon if things keep going the way they’re going.

“Anyway, I actually called because I wanted to talk to you about something,” Dad goes on. “I have some news that—well, I hope you’ll think it’s good news. I’m a little nervous, actually.”

He gives a self-deprecating laugh, and I straighten a little, holding the phone closer to my ear. “Why? What is it?”

“Well…” He clears his throat, then forges ahead. “Claire and I are engaged. I proposed last night, and she said yes.”

My jaw drops so low it’s a miracle it doesn’t hit the floor. I step into a stairwell so I can speak at a louder volume without disturbing anyone in the office or hallway.

“What? Really? Dad, are you serious?”

“Yes. We’re getting married.”

“Oh my God, that’s incredible!”

“You think so?” I can hear the relief in his voice, and it makes tears sting the backs of my eyes. He really was nervous about this, I can tell.