Page 39 of Embers in the Dark

“Yeah, I’ve made some new friends,” I say.

“Then it might be nice to get out a bit.”

“Well, I guess that’s possible. I just don’t know if they’re going to a party,” I tell her.

“Baylee, I bet your friends are going out. If not to a party, then to dinner or something. I bet they’d gladly go out somewhere. I’m not asking you to divulge what happened with Myles to them just yet if you’re not ready, but going out with them would be something good to do. Having a new group of friends here is important,” she assures me.

“Okay, maybe I will,” I tell her, as I fiddle with my index finger.

“Good. I think this is a good place to stop for today,” she tells me.

I’ve seen Dr. Nuys twice so far. Once I moved to Boston, she was one of the first orders of business my parents asked me to figure out. I thought it was going to be harder to find a therapist, but my oldest sister is a therapist, and she helped me set up the appointment quite quickly. She’s highly recommended in the field and luckily had an opening.

Therapy isn’t as bad as I expected. I thought I’d be lying on a couch, with her taking notes in a chair like I’ve seen in movies, but this is nothing like that. She sits opposite me, both of us in plush seats and it’s a very comfortable environment. I feel relaxed with her, and she’s been easy to talk to so far. I hope it continues to be an effective way to get my feelings out in the open.

“You’re finally going out with us?” Jada asks me, shock evident across her face.

I get it. I’ve been pretty reserved since they met me at the beginning of the semester. We just started school, but each time they extend an invite to go out, I’m always giving them an excuse—I’m going to study or go home. But after lastnight’s disaster confession in front of Tucker, the last place I want to be is home. Plus, once Dr. Nuys suggested this outing being a good idea, I started to get excited at the prospect of getting out a little.

“Yeah, why not?” I shrug my shoulders.

“Okay, awesome,” Jacob smiles. “I can pick you up on my way over to Jada and Sydney’s place. Does that work?”

Sydney and Jada live off campus, and apparently right near this house party that’s happening tonight. The party seems to be something everyone is excited about to kick off the weekend.

“That works. I’ll text you my address.” I pick up my phone and start typing.

“Great. I get off work around six-thirty, then I’ll get ready and pick you up from there. Sound good?” he asks.

“That’s fine,” I tell him, “I appreciate the ride.”

“I’m so excited you’re coming along with us,” Sydney says. “There are so many cute guys at this party too.” Her eyes get big, and she gives me a sneaky smile.

“Hey, I’m standing right here,” Jacob says.

“I know.” She gives him a look and nudges him with her elbow. They’re constantly flirting, and I wonder if they’ll ever address the fact that they’re into one another.

I look over at Jacob and it’s hard not to take in how attractive he is. The day I met him it was hard to look away. He’s easy on the eyes, but once I saw him look at Sydney, it was apparent he only has eyes for her. The way he looks over at her, it’s like all he wants is to make her happy. And from the way the air crackles between them, the chemistry is mutual.

Jacob is tall, with vibrant blue-green eyes that pop against his warm golden-brown skin. He’s showing off his muscles in the warm weather that’s lingering with the last bit of summer before the cold starts to creep in.

Sydney is equally gorgeous with her short black hair, which she has dyed pink at the ends, and a sleeve of floraltattoos down her left arm. The way she carries herself reminds me a lot of myself before I dated Myles.

We’re hanging out in the quad before class, soaking in the sun on some benches and I’m trying hard not to think about my life before this. I still haven’t divulged what happened with my ex-boyfriend and how everything unfolded with the attack. I really wanted to start fresh here, leaving that difficulty behind me. But I still find myself looking over my shoulder, fearing I’ll see Myles and those cold eyes watching me.

I know he posted bail shortly after his arrest. I knew it was bound to happen, but I still held hope it would take longer than it did. Thinking about how he’s free and living as if he didn’t lay a hand on me really pisses me off. But life isn’t fair, and I know I need to find a way to live without thinking about him every day.

He can’t leave his state without facing more consequences to his actions. I know his mother will counsel him to be smart and I have to hope he’s not dumb enough to do more damage to his reputation.

“Baylee, you okay?” Jada pulls me from my distant thoughts.

“Yeah of course.” I smile.

“You sure? You look lost in thought,” she says.

“Oh, sorry. Just thinking about this paper I have to write. Plus, I have no clue what I’m going to wear tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a party,” I try to come up with a cover up.

“Oh, I bet you’ve got something you can wear.” Sydney winks.

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