Unconscious

Kade

I watch Sora's retreating figure, fighting the overwhelming urge to go after her.

God.

I wasn't trying to get under her skin. My targets had always been Cameron and Daisy, making my brother squirm from the attention his girl was giving me, too bad he decided to stay in.

Jealous, possessive Sora had merely been an unexpected bonus.

Right now, however, none of it feels funny.

Fuck.

I rake a hand through my hair, giving the stairwell one last glance before turning in the direction Daisy disappeared.

If washing my hands, scrubbing my entire body and getting a skin transplant meant she’d stop looking at me like I had personally betrayed her then I'd do so a million times.

She fucking compared me to Cameron, sure not directly but “Black men thing” was the exact jab she thought it was.

If anyone should be apologizing tonight, it's probably me, not that I'd ever admit that out loud.

After a minute of wandering about I finally find the rest room and I heave a sigh when I notice it is empty. That's until I hear whispers.

The smile on my face is immediately wiped off when I see Daisy by the sink with her phone pressed to her ear, her back turned to me.

"...I know, just trust me, okay? Everything's going according to plan."

I frown.

The second she notices me through the mirror, she jumps, nearly dropping her phone.

"Look, I'll call you back." She ends the call so quickly it borders on suspicious before turning to face me with a smile. "Kade. You startled me."

"Didn't think I was that scary."

She laughs, the sound overly sweet.

"You have quite a presence."

I ignore that and move to the sink, pumping enough soap into my hands to satisfy my very demanding girlfriend.

Daisy watches me through the mirror.

"Do you actually like Sora?"

I meet her gaze in the mirror.

"That's a weird question."

"Is it?" She tilts her head. "Cam said this whole thing started because you wanted to get back at him."

I dry my hands slowly before looking at her.

"Did he now?"

"You don't strike me as the relationship type and even if you were, I didn't expect your type to be... her."

I bark out a laugh, ignoring the murderous tendencies bubbling beneath my skin.

"She's exactly the type I've dreamt of for years."

"An insecure, jealous plain Jane?" she asks, genuine surprise colouring her voice.

My eyes darken at the word insecure, but I don't let it show.

"You call it insecure, I call it cute possession."

Daisy laughs, shaking her head.

"You're obviously taking pity on her. Everyone knows your relationship is fake."

"Now that's a new one."

I turn fully toward her.

Daisy bites her lower lip as she eyes me hungrily, the sight making me want to retch.

"I'll say it plainly, Kade. A man like you..." Her fingers trail down my arm again. I glare at the spot they've touched. "Deserves someone confident and wild. Not a conservative like Sora."

I chuckle darkly, slowly unbuttoning my shirt.

"That's an interesting take."

"I'll make one thing clear, Daisy. I am exactly where I want to be."

I take a step closer, lowering my voice.

"And the next time you touch me might be the last time you use those hands."

I shove the shirt into the trash, scrubbing my hands one final time before turning on my heel.

God, Sora was going to owe me for this.

The moment I step out of the restroom, cool air kisses my bare skin and I immediately regret throwing the shirt away. Butterfly Garden might look like some enchanted fairytale, but whoever designed the place clearly hated temperature regulation.

A soft breeze drifts through the hallway carrying the scent of flowers and fresh earth. Lanterns hanging from the ceiling cast golden pools of light over the stone path, butterflies lazily fluttering between vines wrapped around the walls.

Ordinarily, I'd appreciate the view.

Right now, however, all I can think about is Daisy.

The woman was fucking insane, and now more than ever I believe Sora. Daisy doesn’t love my brother one bit.

The only reason I didn't shut her up with my fist was because my hands were already clean and I’d spent a lot of time away from Sora who was most likely alone with—

God I don’t want to think about it.

I make my way back toward the stairwell, mentally preparing myself for whatever fresh hell Sora has planned for me. Knowing her, she'll probably still refuse to let me touch her and scold me for running around the place shirtless. I'd have to suffer through the entire evening watching her pout from a safe distance.

The thought almost makes me smile.

This was getting pretty unhealthy and I didn’t mind one bit. I’d gladly be her puppy begging and pleading for her attention.

The second I reach the stairs, my entire world screeches to a halt.

Cameron is climbing down the stairs, Sora cradled in his arms.

My blood turns to ice, a glint of anger spurring through my veins at the sight but something catches my eyes.

Sora's head lolls against his chest unnaturally, her skin pale beneath the soft glow of the lanterns. Even from where I'm standing, I can hear the uneven rasp of her breathing.

"What the fuck happened?" I roar, taking the stairs two at a time.

Cam's eyes snap to mine, wild with panic.

"Where the fuck were you?!”

I blink, confusion burning my mind. “What happened?”

“I found her unconscious upstairs, the ambulance is already on their way.”

Everything around me fades into white noise.

Unconscious? Sora, my Sora.

Behind me, Daisy finally appears with my shirt in hand. Is this girl dumb or is she just a fucking idiot?

"Oh my God," she gasps, a hand flying to her mouth. "What happened to her?"

Cameron glances between us, his eyes drops at what she’s holding and I swear I want time to stop for just a second.

“What the fuck is going on here?”