“Hi Hale,” she says quietly.
I nod, never speaking a word. This damn town is too fucking small.
“This is my friend Tyler. Tyler... This is Hale.” She says to him as if he knows who I am.
I’m not even going to entertain this conversation and if that makes me the dick then so be it. I look between the both of them and shake my head, stepping around Ember and going to the nearest booth. I don’t even take a second look at her because I know the hurt on her face will cause a physical ache. She doesn’t understand my reasoning, but it’s for the best. I don’t even trust myself alone, and I would never put her in harm’s way... Even if it’s myself I’m saving her from. I quickly order the works from the waitress and wait in silence. Everyone seems to be on their cell phones or iPad and I’m sitting here with nothing in my hands. My little flip phone is simple. Just the way I like it and it’s not like people are lining up around the block to talk to me. My food appears in front of me and out of the corner of my eye I see Ember laughing at whatever douchebag says to her. Just like that, my appetite dies with her laughter. It should be me making her laugh, holding her hand in public as we eat dinner at the diner we grew up in. It’s sad that our lives have come to this. Sitting across the room from one another, not acknowledging each other’s presence. I signal for the check and the young waitress brings it over quickly. I hand her my card and wait for the receipt to sign. Once I get the receipt I quickly sign and leave a hefty tip. I leave in a hurry without a glance at Ember and get in the truck. I go straight to the hardware store and collect all the stuff I’ll need to work on the floors.
❖
The moonlight casts a shadow upon the room as I lay in bed, restless, staring out at the night sky. I close my eyes, trying to find sleep when I hear a ping on my window. I’m on alert immediately; I walk to the window and open it, peering out into the night. I see Ember standing there below.
“My car won’t start… Can you see if it needs to be jump started? I don’t want to wake Nan up,” she asks.
Sighing, I shut the window and grab a t-shirt and pair of shorts from the dresser and head downstairs as Deacon trails behind. I find Ember leaning against her old Honda, arms crossed, looking aggravated. Yeah princess, I don’t much want to be here in the middle of the night either.
“What are you even doing awake at this time of night?” I ask as I grab the jumper cables from the trunk of the Camaro. I quickly pop the hood and hook the cables up. I feel her eyes on me as I work under hood and I drag my eyes up to hers. She looks breathtaking bathed in moonlight and I find myself moving towards her.
“Why are you really here Ember?” I whisper, my lips a breath away from her own. I see her tongue flick out and wet that pink, plump bottom lip that I want to suck into my mouth.
“You’re playing with fire, and I know you won’t like the burn, baby.” I tell her and turn on my heel, leaving here there a look of shock on her face. I’ll be the asshole. I’ll take that hit.
“Get in the car and see if it starts, Ember. It’s the middle of the night and I’m tired.” She shoots daggers at me with those blue eyes and I smirk, fueling the fire I see dancing behind her eye. “You could’ve called Tyler to come help you, huh?” I tell her as she cranks the car up. The sound of her engine fills the air. I remove the jumper cables and toss them to the side, then slam the hood shut.
“Leave it running for thirty minutes so it doesn’t happen again.” I turn towards the house, leaving her inside the car.
“How did things get so fucked up Hale?’ I hear her say behind me, her voice so low I almost don’t hear it.
I turn to face her once more and the look of pain on her face guts me. I don’t have to ask myself that question. I know exactly where the fuck our lives became a tangled web of heartbreak and pain. The best thing for her is to stay as far away as she can from me.
“Go home Ember. I don’t want to stand out here all night talking about shit that doesn’t matter.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I cringe. It’s hard to even say them to her. My heart hardens a little with each altercation between us.
Ember
For so long I've dreamed of Hale. I've wished for him, pleaded and begged to God to bring him back to me. Now, he's here barely a mile away from me. I thought the pain of losing him was the greatest pain I'd ever known. The pain was crippling. Devastating. A physical ache I felt in my bones. I was wrong. What's worse than burying the love of your life in the cold, hard ground? Watching that love stand in front of you and deny you. Deny what you've been holding on to for so long. There's no pain in the world like knowing Hale doesn't want me, that he doesn't need me the way I need him. It feels like I'm grasping at anything we had left, trying so hard to bring him back to me, back to where he belongs. I can't imagine the hell he has gone through, I won't even try. But I will stand next to him while he fights the demons that so desperately want him. My heart feels like it's been broken all over again. My spirit feels crushed. I need time to think, time to sort through the thoughts in my head.
Sighing, I look out at the park in front of me, loving the feel of the cool wind against my face. Fall is the most beautiful time of year and it’s my favorite season. I love seeing the leaves littering the ground, preparing for the new. I love the crisp air and the decorations scattered across the town. My phone ringing breaks the silence, causing me to jump at the sudden intrusion on my peace. Fishing through my purse, I find it buried in the bottom under all the useless shit I insist on having in there. Sliding my finger across the screen, I almost drop it on the concrete, but catch it the second before it hits.
Shit. "Hello? Hello..?"
"Is this Ember Dubois?" A male voice comes through the speaker, deep and monotone.
"Yes, who's this?"
"My name is Dr. Marks, I'm calling from United Memorial. There's been an accident and we have your grandmother here with us. You are listed as her next of kin and I tried to reach you as soon as possible. We need you to get here Ember, as soon as possible? Can you do that?" He speaks loud and clear as if I’m a child and I won’t understand him.
"Y-y-es. I'll be there in 10." My voice shakes as the words tumble from my lips. Pressing end I toss my phone back into my bag and take off running towards my car. My hands are shaking and the tears burn hot behind my eyes. I try to take a calming breath and I gather my strength, start the car, and hit the gas, my tires squealing as I peel out of the parking lot. Nan has to be okay. I don't think my heart can take any more pain. Reaching over towards my bag I dig out my phone and dial B's number. C'mon, pickup. Trying to keep my eyes on the road and my panic under control, I keep the phone between my shoulder and ear, both hands steadying the wheel. That's all I need is to get into a wreck when I'm on the way to Nan at the hospital. I press the pedal down farther, picking up speed, racing to get to Nan. Finally, after what seems like a billion rings, B answers.
"Hellooo hoooker," she sings into the phone, giggling.
"B its Nan. Someone from the hospital just called and said she's there and I needed to go right away. I'm scared, B. They couldn't tell me what's going on.” My voice cracks. The tears threaten to break through and I start to take deep, calming breaths. "Please meet me here, I can't do this alone," I whisper to her.
"Of course babe, I’m out the door right now. I'll be right behind you. Just try to stay calm and take deep breaths. Nan will be okay. You know she's got more years left than any of us," she says, trying to lighten the mood. All I can concentrate on is if Nan will be okay. “Thanks B. See you soon. I love you,” I whisper to her.
“Love you back babe.” I hear her start her car up. I’m so thankful to have her in my life.