Cinder by Ashes

by Pinder, Victoria

  I half expected a fight, but she hadn’t heard me. I unlocked the door and was about to slip out when she appeared.

  “Where are you going?”

  If I stalled, I’d lose. I threw open the door and stepped fully outside.

  “Look, I don’t live here anymore.”

  She followed me outside and around the house as I grabbed my bicycle and rolled it out the front gate.

  Lana’s face was purple with anger as she said, “This is your home until you go to college.”

  “No. It’s not,” I said and jumped onto my bike.

  Once I was on the sidewalk, I knew she’d never catch me. She never worked out. I pedaled as fast as I could anyway. When I was well away from the house, my muscles began to spasm, and I slowed down as I tried to figure out my direction.

  I wished I had my phone and internet right now. I just needed to find one cousin’s address in the area. I continued along a familiar road that led past my old high school and muttered to myself, “High school had free internet.”

  It took a moment to sink in, then I realized that I could log into my account on a school computer and get Stone’s number. For one moment, I imagined calling Jesse. Then I let out a sigh and refocused. First, I needed to talk to Stone. Either way, I straightened my spine and continued on my trek. The thought helped me pedal faster. As I made it to the school, I dropped my ride in the usual spot, though I didn’t have my lock.

  I could use a shower and a toothbrush, I thought. However, I held my head up and headed inside. No one was in the hall, and I stopped at the water fountain and gargled a little.

  Lights were on in the office and I opened the door. The secretaries were gone, but the principal was there. I called out, “Mr. Richardson, can I borrow a computer? I want to find my cousin’s address. I just need five minutes.”

  He opened the small gate so I could come in and said, “Very well, Miss Steel. We’re not normally open for graduates, so don’t let anyone know.”

  He pointed me to a computer his secretary usually used, and I logged on. A few minutes later, I found an address for a Joseph Steel that seemed close. This Joseph ran a computer company. My memory seemed to agree this was right, so I found the directions and called out, “This is it. Can I print out the directions?”

  “Of course,” he said. As I waited for the pages to print, Mr. Richardson came back and left a small bag of toiletries on the desk for me.

  I grabbed the papers and called out, “Thank you.”

  Next, I logged into my email and wrote Jesse’s number down, then logged into my phone account to get Stone’s number. I picked up the secretary’s phone and tried to dial, but neither of them were Pittsburgh numbers, and the school phones didn’t allow long distance calls. I’d have to find someone with a cell phone I could borrow.

  I grabbed the bag of toiletries and headed into the ladies’ room. A few minutes later, my face was washed, my teeth were clean, and my hair was combed.

  Now I just needed to find my cousin’s office and hope that he was back from California.

  I wanted to thank my principal, but he was gone when I left.

  As I stepped out of the building, I pressed my hand to my heart and said, “My bicycle!”

  A police officer stood beside it, speaking to my stepmother. I whispered, “Lana …”

  Who knew what lie she’d tell about me? Instead of waiting to find out, I ran. I had the directions to Joseph’s office, and they said to go left.

  Running would take longer, but I was not going back, ever. My feet thudded against the asphalt for blocks. Once I was sure no one was following me, I slowed down. My heart was pounding, but I caught my breath and read the directions again. In a few blocks, I took another left. No one even glanced at me as I started again. I did the math as I ran. My two-hour bicycle ride was probably four hours by foot. I could handle it.

  Freedom was mine now. I made my left turn and mumbled, “This will take me half a day, but she can’t stop me.”

  Confidence grew with every step.

  I’d make my own choices now, and no one would control me.

  The next street had no sidewalk, so I kept to the side, beyond the yellow line that marked the edge of the street, closer to the trees and dirt. I hummed as I jogged along. Soon, I’d have people around who loved me, and I’d be able to talk to my brother.

  And, maybe find Jesse. I needed to apologize to him for that stupid message. I’d also ask about the girl who was looking for him at the reception, but I sucked in my breath and reminded myself it was okay to have faith.

  Until I met Jesse, I hadn’t known I could ever depend on anyone. I hadn’t wanted to.

  Somehow, I’d make it to Austen and see him again. Seven weeks. Maybe it would even be sooner. I marched ahead, but my body went rigid as I realized a car was following me.

  My fingers curled into fists. I took a deep breath and geared up for another run. But I heard Stone’s voice asking, “Sis, do you need a ride somewhere?”

  Tears streamed down my face. He was here. He must have taken a midnight flight or something. I wiped my face as he jumped out of the car, and I threw my arms around him. “Stone, you’re okay!”

  He held me tight and I clung to his neck until the tears stopped flowing. Then, he said, “I told you I would be. I was innocent. I was either at the party or with Vanessa the entire day.”

  He opened the door of the car and waved for me to get in. As I did, he tapped my shoulder and said, “I have been taking care of myself for a long time. You really should have believed the security video evidence would clear me.”

  I’d never doubted he was innocent, but I’d panicked. I didn’t know what Lana might be capable of doing.

  My thoughts turned to Jesse. He’d been the best, and I’d ruined everything with him. Hopefully, he’d forgive me.

  As I opened my eyes, I realized I must have slept a little. The car was stopped in front of the same hotel we’d stayed at the night Stone rescued me. A valet opened my door and I waited on the sidewalk for Stone. As he joined me, he said, “There is someone in the hotel looking to talk to you.”

  We headed in and two people immediately hugged me. I held them close and said, “Jason, Coco. Hi. I thought you’d still be in California.”

  Jason said, “Glad you’re okay.”

  Stone interrupted us to ask for my license. I handed it to him and he headed to the front desk.

  Vanessa waited for him there. He must have reunited with her at the wedding, while I wasn’t around.

  Coco added, “We have your things all set up in your room for you.”

  I let them go as I rubbed my arms and asked, “Are you both staying at the hotel?”

  Jason took Coco’s hand and said, “I’m taking Coco to meet my mom. But Stone gave us tickets for his match. We’ll be back later.”

  My eyebrow arched. “You will?”

  “Je—” Jason started to say, but Coco covered his lips.

  She tugged him away and said, “Let them talk. We’ll see you later.”

  Them? Who? My brother and I had already talked. I called out to my stepsister, “Coco?”

  Her face was a little white and her shoulders seemed tense as she turned around. “Yeah?”

  I let out a sigh. We hadn’t had the best childhood, but I’d appreciated the cookies she’d slip down the air vent for me, and the cards, and the smiles, all this time. I said, “I’m happy you’re not there anymore.”

  Color returned to her face and she said, “We were making plans for me to go back there with a message for you. Glad we didn’t have to.”

  “Me, too,” I said. She slipped away with Jason.

  Stone returned with my card for my room and I imagined a soft bed.

  “Thanks,” I said. But as I took it, my heart skipped a beat and my skin warmed.

  The one person I’d been wishing to find was getting off an elevator and walking straight toward me. Stone winked and left with Vanessa. Then Jesse was there, and hi
s lips met mine.

  His touch sent a shockwave through me, and my body suddenly felt alive again. I held him and said, “Jesse!”

  He massaged my lower back and said, “Em. I was so worried about you.”

  I could hardly breathe. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder. “You were?”

  For a moment, he didn’t move at all, and we clung to each other in silence. But slowly, he stepped back, then took my hand and led me to the elevators. We were alone and he pressed the button for the top floor and slid his card into the slot in the panel. As the doors closed, and the lobby behind the glass wall began to grow more distant, Jesse whispered, “I didn’t believe your message.”

  I squeezed his hand. “Lana made me send it.”

  He caressed my cheek and said, “I guessed.”

  My heart thundered and my gaze hazed over. “I thought I’d lose you. She told me you had another girl at the hotel.”

  The doors opened and he led me out. We headed to a room and I realized that the numbers on the door matched the card Stone had given me. I opened the door and we stepped in, closing it behind us. I barely noticed the room. Jesse was the only thing that mattered.

  He said, “I told you. You’re the first girl I’ve ever felt anything for, ever. My ex showed up uninvited to the hotel, which was why my parents had texted me. But I told her to leave me alone because I’m in love with you, Em.”

  I rocked on my feet. My entire body felt like a flock of butterflies that had all decided to fly in one motion. I asked, “You are?”

  He led me toward the living room. “We created an elaborate plan for Coco to get into your house this morning.”

  I sat on the couch and asked, “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.” He knelt in front of me like he’d keep me safe, even now, as he said, “Coco was going to go in wearing a wire, so we could hear everything. Once we located you, if you were outside, we’d sneak you out of the yard. If you were in the house, Coco was going to distract Lana, and Jason and I would be waiting outside the door so you could run.”

  I ran my fingers over the stubble on his chin and asked, “What if I was locked in the basement?”

  He kissed my fingers and said, “Coco said she used to slip things down the air vent to you. We were going to send your phone down so we could talk, and you could take a picture of the lock.”

  I didn’t understand. My voice cracked. “The lock?”

  His lips curved into a smile. “I needed to know the type of lock, and the manufacturer, so I could get a master key. Or, if that took too long, Coco was going to let us in and then I’d just take the key from Lana and let you out.”

  “Take it how?” I asked. Forcing his way into Lana’s home and assaulting her? That could get him thrown out of college and ruin his future. Our future.

  He shrugged and took the seat beside me on the couch. “We don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut and held him tight, so he couldn’t leave me. “I love you too, Jesse.”

  “About time you told me, Em,” he said, then he kissed me.

  Today was the best day ever. I was with the man I’d love forever. I just knew it.

  Chapter 17

  Emily

  The hot shower helped ease my sore muscles and I began to relax. I hadn’t expected to be reunited with my friends and family again so soon. And most of all Jesse. He truly was my handsome prince.

  Tonight, after my brother’s match, I’d sleep. And now the summer of my dreams was possible.

  Soon, Jesse would want to know what I wanted to do.

  I closed my eyes. I’d never dreamed of anything that I didn’t need to work toward, ever.

  I heard the beep of a phone outside as I shut off the water.

  Jesse must be talking to someone. I towel dried my hair and slipped on some sweats. As I stepped out of the bathroom, Jesse dropped his phone on the couch.

  “Get changed,” he said. “We’re meeting for dinner. Your messages will explain.”

  He reached into his back pocket and handed me my old, cracked-but-still-working lifeline.

  “My phone! You have it.”

  He winked at me then opened the closet. It was full of my clothes that Stone had brought back from California.

  “Yes. I think the red dress will look good on you.”

  While I had lost my three thousand dollars, I still had everything else. If Lana had taken my money, then that would be the last thing she’d ever take from me.

  I looked at the dress Jesse was holding out to me. It was from the store in Napa. I pressed my hand to my heart and said, “This red one … wow. I noticed it at the store, but I hadn’t told anyone.”

  He placed the hanger on my fingers and said, “When your brother went back to order more for you, the owner must have remembered your interest.”

  I bounced on my feet and said, “I have to thank Stone.”

  I returned to the bathroom and slipped the dress on.

  I couldn’t get the zipper all the way up, but when I stepped out of the bathroom, Jesse helped without being asked. He kissed my neck quickly as he said, “We’re going to talk about summer plans over dinner, and we all want you on board.”

  My heart thumped faster. I turned toward him as I asked, “Seriously?”

  He showed off those dimples of his and said, “We had a lot of talking time on the flight here, and one of the topics was what would happen once we got you back. Stone needs to train for the Olympics, and he seems serious about Vanessa.”

  I owed Vanessa big time for finding out my number and giving it to Stone, so I hoped they would be happy together. Plus, I wanted my brother to be safe, but also win. “Of course. And, I want him to achieve his dream.”

  “Good. Are you ready?” He glanced at my feet.

  I let him go and found a pair of flat sandals. Then I nodded and he opened the door for me as I asked, “You don’t want to tell me the plan?”

  He pressed his hand on my lower back like he’d protect me, and said, “It will be better for all of us to talk about it together.”

  Soon, he’d ask for my opinion. My mind scrambled, but I headed toward the elevators. He pressed the button, and I said as we waited, “Okay. But I am worried about Coco. She was treated better than I was by her mother, but she never had much, either. I’m happy she’s getting a great summer with Jason now.”

  He kissed my cheek. “She helped you. So I want to help her and all of us.”

  The doors opened and we stepped in and headed down to the lobby. My gaze narrowed. “This all sounds very mysterious.”

  He hummed, but didn’t say a word.

  All I wanted was to be with him and my brother. I sucked on my lower lip. I couldn’t picture a future without both of them.

  As we entered the dining room, I saw my brother, Vanessa, Jason and Coco all waiting for us at a table.

  Coco asked with a bright smile, “Did you tell her?”

  “No,” Jesse said, and held my seat for me.

  I waited till he joined me, our knees brushing under the table, and then turned toward my brother. “What’s the plan?”

  Jesse folded his hands on the table and said, “Stone shared his address in Orlando.”

  I let out a little laugh as I remembered Jesse’s suggestion and said, “So Disneyworld is a go, then?”

  The glimmer in his gaze meant he understood me. He said, “For a few weeks, yes. But from Orlando, we can take my yacht to the Bahamas. We can also spend a week in Miami in my condo on the beach.”

  I turned toward the others and asked, “Whose 'we'?”

  “All of us,” Jason said.

  Coco added, “This is going to be the best summer of our lives.”

  I swear I had never been a crier, but now I was. Tears came and I smiled at my brother.

  Jesse went on. “After that, Stone has a major match in Paris for placement in the games, and we can all take the private jet to see it.”

  My eye
s widened and I sat up straight. “Paris?”

  Coco nodded. “All before school starts.”

  My skin was growing warm from the excitement. The summer sounded amazing.

  I pivoted again and told Jesse, “I’m in shock.”

  He showed off that smile of his and said, “When we get back, we still have two weeks. Coco thought you might want to go to the Grand Canyon.”

  As a sophomore in high school, I’d written that in an essay I had to read out loud in class. My face felt hot. “You remembered that?”

  She winked and said, “Of course.”

  It was nice that we could now be friends for real. She was the only person who didn’t need me to explain anything to her. She’d seen it all and now she was here, at my side.

  The waiter came and took our orders. Then, my brother stilled and said, “The police are coming, Sis.”

  I clenched my jaw and held onto the chair. I’d not go back to Lana. I asked, “What do I do?”

  “Relax,” Stone said. “Have your ID out.”

  My hands shook but I dug my license out of my bra and held it in my hand. Two men in blue came over and the one with brown eyes asked, “Miss, are you Emily Steel?”

  I couldn’t help that everyone saw me tremble as I held out my license. I said, “Yes. Do you need my ID, to see that I’m eighteen?”

  He glanced at it then met my gaze. “You were reported as missing.”

  I lowered my arm and took a deep breath. “My stepmother wants me to move back in with her, but I’m going to live with my brother. Is that against the law?”

  The officer glanced at his partner who was already backing away, then said, “No. You’re good. That’s it.”

  He turned to go, but I called out, “Wait!”

  Everyone at the table stared at me and my skin grew goosebumps as the officer returned and asked, “What?”

  I lifted my chin. “In Napa, someone broke into my hotel room and stole three thousand dollars. I think it might have been my stepmother.”

  The officer gave a curt nod and said, “We’ll have to have the Napa police investigate.”

  He waved at us and said, “Have a good evening, everyone.”