Page 24 of Embers in the Dark

My car will get dropped off at my parents’ house tomorrow when Danny comes back into town. He agreed, begrudgingly, to return to my apartment to meet a locksmith in a few hours to get the door fixed and collect the rest of my packed belongings for me. I don’t want my car left here in case Myles decides to look for me. Even if the police put a warrant out for his arrest, it will take a few days to take effect.

I walk further into Tucker’s place and find a few boxes ofhis own he’s probably still needing to unpack. To the right in his living room is a large couch where I imagine him sprawling out, his large frame likely taking up the whole space and watching television or playing video games, much like he did so many times in my childhood home. My mind wanders to a shirtless Tucker in gray sweatpants and my heart flutters. I can feel my cheeks flame and I quickly look away, hoping he can’t read my mind.

Behind his TV there’s a wall with exposed brick that brings this whole place together. Something about it screams Boston and it might be my favorite thing about this place. It immediately looks like a place I’d pick for Tucker.

“Bay, did you hear me?” Tucker is closing the door behind me.

“Huh?” I swing my gaze, finding him looking at me tentatively.

“I asked you if you want a glass of water before I show you to your room.” He juts his chin toward the kitchen.

“Oh, sure.” I tip my smile upward slightly. I don’t know why I’m shy all of a sudden.

“Alright.” He moves into the kitchen to grab a bottled water.

Once he gets one for me and himself, he’s moving ahead of me with my items, while I trail behind him. I’m taking everything in, wondering how my life has brought me here. Months ago, I would have butterflies multiplying in my stomach at the thought of sleeping down the hall from this man, while I’m currently crying inside at the realization that my life is literally in shambles right now.

I’m a victim today, part of a club I never wanted entry into. I’m living a nightmare life in comparison to what I pictured when I got that call from Orange University last week, because I let someone put their hands on me and shatter something inside of me. I’ll have to learn how to pick up pieces of myself and I have no idea where to start.

I’m once again lost in thought when we stop in front of a door, and Tucker must sense it.

“Baylee, I know you’re probably feeling a lot of things right now, but you’re not in this alone. I won’t let this guy take you away from us.” His words blanket me, as if they’re finding a way to envelop me in a hug.

I look up into his green eyes and I feel the emotion reflected in them in the depths of my soul. This connection right here is what I want to capture in a bottle and bring with me when I want to crumble. Because I know this isn’t going to be the only low moment I’ll feel in this hell I’ve found myself in.

I start to blink rapidly, hoping to stop the tears from falling. Of course, I fail and one escapes down my cheek and with a swipe of a thumb, Tucker grabs it.

“Let’s get you situated.” He opens the door, and the guest room reveals itself.

It’s pretty bare, with white walls, a simple nightstand and a television hung on the wall. The bedding is a light blue with matching pillows. The light fixtures on either side of the bed are gold, and he has two baseball-themed art pieces hung on the wall.

“I didn’t know you were a baseball guy.” I look over at him, chuckling.

“Yeah, that’s courtesy of Kennedy. She gave me those as a housewarming present.” He smiles.

“And she’s a baseball fan?” I give him a questioning look.

“You haven’t kept up with everyone on your brother’s squad?”

“I’ve met a few of them, but not really.” I shrug.

“Kennedy is River’s fiancée and she’s the CEO of the Boston Gaels,” he says matter-of-factly.

I lift my eyebrows. “Wow, you don’t hear that every day.”

“Yeah, she’s a ballbuster.” He laughs in response.

“Well, I didn’t realize River got engaged. But knowing him, he needs someone like that.” I laugh. River is a handful.

“That’s for sure.” He sets my stuff down on the dresser. “Alright, well I better get going. I will be back a bit later.” He reaches into his pocket. “Here’s an extra key, and I’ll text you the alarm code. Will you be okay while I’m gone?”

“Uh, where are you going?” I can’t help the panic laced in my tone.

He winces. “I have to take my mom to her treatment. It’s an early appointment. I’ll be gone a few hours. But I’ll have my phone with me.”

Shoot. I forgot Carolyn had an appointment at the hospital today. “Of course. No, it’s fine.”

“Alright. You have your own bathroom and there’s soap, extra toothbrushes, and anything you might need under the sink. Towels and such are there too,” he explains.

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