Page 46 of Together We Burn
Unaware of the tension in the room, Rocky padded into the kitchen and stretched his paws out in front of him with a yawn.
Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks as I frantically looked around for his lead, tearing cupboard doors open and pulling out drawers with a clatter until I realised it was in my hand.
Breathe, Stevie. Just get out.
I could feel Alex take tentative steps toward me, like I was a rabid animal that would attack at any moment. He wouldn’t be far off with that assessment. My whole body, right down to the very marrow in my bones, ached with the sting of his lies and betrayal.
For fifteen years, this man pretended to be my friend. Fifteen-fucking-years, he looked out for me, protected me, wormed his way into my soul, and it was all a goddamn lie. Another ploy to find out information about my mother.
Hitching my bag up my shoulder, I clipped the lead to Rocky’s collar. “Come on, boy, we’re getting the fuck out of here.”
Both the dog and Alex followed me to the hall, watching in disbelief as I snatched my car keys from the side table and flung open the door. The wind howled, and the rain came down in sheets as the sky lit up with lightning. Rocky tugged backward on his lead, refusing to go out in that weather.
I grabbed his collar and pulled him toward my car anyway. He was my baby, and I would not be leaving him in that house for Alex to keep.
Unlocking the car door, I shoved at his butt, forcing him to climb into the front seat of the tiny McLaren, a sight that would be comical, given the right situation.
Popping the trunk, I carefully placed my bag inside and then made for the driver’s side. Hearing the jingle of keys, I spotted Alex make his way onto the porch as if to follow me.
“Stevie, please, talk to me,” Alex begged, jogging down the porch stairs, stopping by my side and reaching out to touch my shoulder. Spinning around, I pulled my gun from my waistband, and cocked it at him with a shaky hand. Never did I imagine I’d pull my own gun on my best friend.
Alex recoiled, taking a single step backward with his hands raised, lips parted, and slowly shook his head in disbelief. Barely registering my movements, I twisted the gun, released the safety and shot two rounds in Alex’s truck’s front and back tyre.
“Don’t fucking follow me,” I snarled, opening the driver’s door. “I… I can’t be around you right now. I’ll do something I’ll regret if I don’t get away from you.”
The storm whipped at my skin as I stood, breathing so deeply I swayed with the motion. Warm tears mixed with rain coating my face as loose strands of hair stuck on my forehead and neck.
Without so much as a second glance, I slid inside the car. Swiping my face in the crook of my arm, I leaned over and grabbed the passenger seat belt, clicking it into place, so I could tie Rocky’s lead to it. Not that the big bear could go anywhere, since he took up the whole right side, but I needed to keep him safe.
He was all I had left, aside from Chris.
The car roared to life as I pressed the ignition and tore out of the driveway, skidding in the gravel until the wheels caught traction and I lurched forward. Rocky whimpered as the sound of the rain hammered on the car roof, and the windshield wipers flew across the glass, barely making a dent in clearing it.
“C’mon, Stevie baby, I’ve got you. Just jump; I promise I’ll catch you.”
Alex’s beaming smile is almost as blinding as the reflection of the sun in the sea as he stands below on the beach with his arms raised and ready.
Logically, I know the drop isn’t that high, but my crippling fear of heights has me rooted to the spot with my legs dangling over the edge.
Grasping at the long blades of grass, I can feel my hands are already slick with sweat, and my heart is beating in my chest as I start to become light-headed.
“Stevie, look at me,” he shouts, and I reluctantly peek over the side again. He’s the perfect picture of patience, allowing me time to work through my anxiety of pushing off the edge and landing on the soft white sand below. “You can do it. Trust me. I’m here to catch you, I promise.”
I take a deep breath and lean back, as if preparing to push off the ground.
Alex shouts gently, “On the count of three, okay?”
I swallow.
“One,” he calls.
“Two,” he says, sounding excited, and I can’t wait for three.
Pushing away from where I was sitting, I launch myself over the side of the small cliff and free-fall toward the beach, screaming and screaming until I land in Alex’s arms.
“That’s it, babe! You did it,” he says, twirling me around with a laugh. “Told you I’d catch you.”
He lowers me to my feet, and my toes instantly dig into the warm sand. Grabbing my shoulders, he holds me still and lowers his head to meet my eyes.
