by Erin Noelle
“Dead,” I replied, quickly losing myself in the closeness of her.
“When?”
“Today.”
“Let’s go,” she agreed.
Less than an hour later, we were both dressed, packed, and on our way to the airport.
Fourteen
Escape
Down—Jason Walker
Who’s Going Home With You Tonight—Trapt
Scarlett
When Ash asked me if I wanted to go to California to get away from everything for a few days, the idea sounded perfect. I didn’t want to face anyone, I didn’t want to have the conversations that needed to be had, and I just wanted to run as far away from it all as possible. However, as I sat in the terminal of the airport, I began to have second thoughts about my hasty decision.
I had pretty much been silent for the entire day since we left Ash’s house. He had taken care of everything at ticketing and check-in, only asking for my driver’s license on several occasions. I followed him around like a lost puppy, which wasn’t too far from how I felt. My life was in shambles, and I was putting my trust in the one person I knew could drag me down even further. Sounded like a brilliant plan.
“Do you want to talk about it anymore?” Ash asked sincerely as he turned to face me in the uncomfortable blue chairs we waited in.
I continued to stare straight ahead out the window at the planes taking off and landing. My thoughts drifted off to the memory of Mason’s last night in Houston, when we had sat on his motorcycle doing the same thing. Well, we did more than just sit, but nonetheless, the planes made me think of how happy we were together that night and how I really thought we had a chance to make it work. If I’d had any tears left, I definitely would’ve been crying, but instead, I just sat there expressionless.
“Whenever you’re ready, Scarlett,” he said with a small smile. “No rush.”
I tilted my head slightly so our eyes met, and my stomach tightened. Once he knew what I had done with Max, he would lose all respect for me, and I didn’t even want to think about how Jess or Evie’s parents were going to react. I was realizing that with one drunken bad decision, I had pretty much alienated myself from the majority of the people in my life who cared about me. I wasn’t even sure if I would be welcome at Mina’s wedding the next weekend. Max was one of Noah’s groomsmen, and I honestly had no idea where in the world we stood at that moment.
“Why are you helping me?” I asked him.
“I consider you my friend, Scarlett. I help my friends when they need me.” Ash shrugged and looked away.
“So any friend that you had in need of help, you would take to your sister’s house across the country?” I cocked my head, almost daring him to answer affirmatively.
His blue eyes snapped back to mine and, without him saying a word, I knew. I needed him to say it though.
“You know it’s different,” he said softly. “You’re different. And I let you down once. I won’t do it again.”
Reaching his hand out toward me, he pushed my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. As his fingertips lightly brushed my skin, a tingling sensation ran down the length of my body and I shivered in response. He quickly pulled his hand away and turned his attention back to the window. Saved by the announcement that it was time to board, we both quickly grabbed our carry-ons and eagerly stood up to get in line.
After we were settled in our seats, the flight attendants did their spiel about what to do in the event of an emergency. I tuned them out as I always did—if the roof flew off the damn thing or the plane landed in the ocean, I just accepted I was a goner. When they made their final announcement to turn off cell phones, I leaned down to make sure mine was off but couldn’t find it. I actually had no idea where it was. I didn’t remember seeing it after calling Ash for help.
“Do you know where my phone is?” I asked as I searched through my purse.
“Yeah, it’s at my house,” he answered. “We’re going to get you away from everything; you don’t need it.”
I stopped digging and looked up at him. “But what about my parents? Or Mina? Or…?”
“I called your parents and Mina and Max and told them all that you were safe. I told them I was going to take you away for a few days to help you get through everything.”
Hearing him say Max’s name made me cringe. I wanted to ask about his specific reaction to the call without seeming suspicious, but I was more worried about what he had told everyone else.
“Through everything? What the hell did you tell them?” I hissed.
He winced at my tone. “I think everyone is a little worried about you with Tuesday coming and all. I didn’t say anything about Rat or whatever happened, but even though they didn’t ask, I’m sure they were wondering why I called. I just figured you could tell them when you were ready.”
“Tuesday? What are you talking about?” I didn’t even bother racking my brain to figure out what he was referring to.
He gave me an odd look and cocked his head to the side. “Ummm… the one-year anniversary of…”
“Oh my God,” I murmured as his voice trailed off. I hadn’t even realized what the date was on Tuesday. I had been so wrapped up in me that I hadn’t even thought about the anniversary of Evie’s death. I mean, I knew when it was; I just hadn’t even thought that far in advance. I was so disgusted with my self-centered behavior I really thought I was going to be sick.
At that moment, the plane began to take off down the runway, and I pulled my knees to my chest, burying my face in my hands. I felt Ash move the armrest between us and scoot closer to me. He wrapped me in his arms and pulled me into his chest. Rocking me soothingly as the plane ascended into the air, I drifted off to sleep as he held me tightly.
Hours later, I woke up as the plane touched down on the landing strip at LAX, still cuddled up to Ash’s body. It had been so long since I had been that close to him, but his smell was still so familiar and it inexplicably put me at ease. I tried to sit up to get my things together, but he tightened his arms around me.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I’m okay. I just don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” I confessed.
He kissed the top of my head. “We are gonna fix you, butterfly. Whatever it is… we are gonna get you flying again.”
I wished I could believe him. I really did. Unfortunately, I didn’t even know where to begin.
After getting our luggage from baggage claim, we went to meet Ash’s sister in the pickup area. I really had no idea what to expect when meeting her, but what I wasn’t expecting was a female version of him. When I saw her standing across the room, I knew it was her immediately. When she noticed us walking toward her, her face lit up and she began waving at us.
Once we reached her, Ash immediately picked her up in a bear hug and swung her around. I couldn’t help but smile at their obvious love for one another. There was no doubt they were siblings with the same dirty-blond hair, facial bone structure, and striking blue eyes. Even though I knew she was closer to thirty, she could’ve easily passed for twenty, and her body would’ve made models everywhere jealous. Something about her looked so familiar, but I assumed it was because she looked so much like him.
“Crys, I would like you to meet Scarlett,” he said as he set her down on the ground and turned his attention toward me.
I smiled and stuck my hand out in greeting, but instead, she threw her arms around me.
“Scarlett! I’m so happy to finally meet you—well, officially anyway,” she said cheerfully. “I’m Crystal, but I guess you already knew that.”
I was confused by what she meant about “officially” but didn’t want to ask, so I just smiled and replied, “It’s so nice to meet you too. Thank you so much for having us on such short notice.”
“Of course. Ash is welcome at my house anytime; he practically lives here when he isn’t in school anyway. And any friend of Ash’s is a friend of ours.” She quickly looked over at him and lifted her eyebrows before g
rabbing my elbow and pulling me toward the door. “Come on, let’s get home. Will is grilling steaks, and the boys can’t wait to meet you.”
I looked back at Ash, and he had a silly grin on his face and chuckled. “Oh I bet they can’t. They are gonna be all over you. They love pretty girls. Uncle Ash has taught them right.”
I jokingly rolled my eyes at him and allowed Crys to lead me to the car.
About an hour later, we pulled up to the modest two-story house, and before we even pulled into the driveway, two little blond boys came bounding out the door, with who I assumed was Crys’s husband Will chasing after them. Not waiting for the car to stop, Ash jumped out and went running toward them, picking them both up, one under each arm, and took off across the yard.
His sister started laughing and shaking her head as she got out of the car. “Sometimes I think all men get mentally stuck at the age of six.”
I shyly stood next to the car, not really knowing what I was supposed to do. Will met his wife with a kiss and then walked over to me.
“You must be Scarlett,” he greeted me with a hug. “Welcome to our house. Please make yourself at home.” Damn if he wasn’t a blond hottie as well. This was the nicest, best-looking family I had ever been around.
I turned to get my bags from the back of the car, but Crys grabbed my arm again and led me toward the house. “The boys will get the bags. Come inside and relax. Let me show you around.”
After the full tour of the house, she and I went to the kitchen to make drinks as the guys finally made their way inside. The little boys came bounding into the room, both red-faced and sweaty.
“Oscar and Evan, come meet Scarlett,” Crys said as she grabbed a couple beers out of the refrigerator.
I bent down to be eye-level with them as they approached me. “Hi, boys.” I smiled at their adorable faces.
“Hi, Miss Scarlett. I’m Oscar. I’m six,” the older of the two boys said. Evan, the younger of the two, bashfully stood behind his big brother.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Oscar. And you too, Evan,” I said as I reached around and lightly tickled the toddler.
“Mommy says we need to be really nice to you, ‘cause you’re special to Uncle Ash,” Oscar said proudly.
“Boys, get out of here,” she tried to cut him off. “Go outside with Daddy.”
We both pretended he didn’t say anything, and she handed me two beers. “For you and Ash. I’ve got ours. Let me grab these appetizers, and we will head outside as well.”
The rest of the evening was very enjoyable. The weather was perfect for outside dining. The guys grilled, Crys and I talked like old friends, and the boys played on their play set. For a little while, I completely forgot about everything that happened in the previous couple days and was able to relax.
You could tell immediately that Crys and Will were amazing parents. Everything they talked about revolved around the kids, and they were attentive to their needs but not overbearing. However, I was not prepared to see how amazing Ash was with the boys. They obviously admired their uncle and wanted to do everything like him. At one point, he was chasing them around the yard, and I hadn’t even realized I was staring at him, but he stopped midjog and turned and looked at me. He smirked as if he had caught me doing something, and I rolled my eyes and stood up to get another beer. I heard him laughing as I walked away and couldn’t help but smile myself.
No one had discussed sleeping arrangements before we headed in for the night. I noticed during the tour there was only one guest bedroom but was more than okay with sleeping on a couch. After all, this family had taken me in same-day notice; I almost couldn’t believe I was even there.
“Ash, will you show Scarlett where everything is in the bathroom and bedroom upstairs? I’m gonna bathe the boys in my room,” Crys said as she finished rinsing the dishes and loading them in the dishwasher. Will was trying to corral Oscar and Evan into the master bedroom downstairs.
“Yeah, I think we’re gonna shower and get some sleep. We’re two hours ahead, sis.” He kissed her cheek and then faced me. “You ready?”
I nodded and thanked her again for having me before following Ash up the stairs. Both of our bags were in the guest bedroom, but before I could ask, he said, “I’m gonna sleep on the couch in the game room but keep my stuff in here. You can shower first, okay?”
“You don’t have to do that, Ash. I can sleep out there,” I offered, opening my bag to get my pajamas and toiletries out.
“Scarlett, don’t…” He grabbed my shoulders and made me look him in the face. “You’re sleeping in here. I want you as comfortable as possible so you can get some rest. Now go take a shower. Everything you need is in the cabinet in the bathroom.”
Standing there, staring into his captivating eyes, a wave of desire passed over me. Desire for him to hold me, kiss me, tell me everything was going to be okay. I was pretty sure he felt something too, but all of a sudden, he spun me around to face the door and said, “You. Shower. Now.”
I took a quick shower and got dressed for bed so Ash could do the same. I made my way back to the guest room and slipped into the cool, crisp sheets. The last thing I remembered before passing out was the opening and closing of the bathroom door.
At some point in the middle of the night, I woke myself up crying from an awful nightmare where Evie kept appearing and telling me she knew what I had done. Within seconds, the door opened, and Ash came directly to the bed. Without waiting for me to say anything, he lay down in the bed and scooped me into his arms.
“It’s okay, butterfly. I’m here. It’s gonna be okay,” he whispered into my hair as he rubbed my back.
After a few minutes, I calmed down and my breathing returned to normal. “Sorry,” I said softly.
“Stop. Don’t apologize. You haven’t done anything.”
I didn’t say anything for a few minutes, thinking about how wrong he was. I figured there was never going to be a good time to tell him, so as we lay there in the dark, I blurted out, “I had sex with Max.”
Mason
The morning after we had been offered the spot on the tour, I was on cloud nine. Things could not be going better for Jobu’s Rum, and I was headed east to see my angel.
I expected her to still be asleep when I got to the apartment a little before ten, since she had been out late the night before. Quietly letting myself in, I planned on joining her in the bed, but as soon as I walked through the door, something felt off. Looking around the living room and kitchen, everything looked normal, so I continued back to the bedroom.
The sight of the empty bed made my stomach drop, and I hoped she had just stayed out with Mina because she had drank too much. I walked to the closet to take my shoes off before calling her, when I noticed that all of her clothes were gone.
“Fuuuck!” I screamed at the empty rods. What the fuck happened? I immediately grabbed my phone and dialed her number. Not surprising, her voicemail picked up before it ever rang.
“Scarlett? Where are you? What happened? Call me back now!” I screamed before hanging up.
I waited about thirty seconds before calling her back and getting the same result. She obviously didn’t have her phone on, and I was about to lose my mind. My thoughts were racing. It just didn’t add up. I needed to talk to someone who could give me some kind of answers, so I called Mina.
“Hello?” she answered, obviously still half-asleep.
“Is Scarlett with you? What happened? Why did she take her things?” I peppered the questions at her.
“No, Scarlett is not with me, and what do you mean she took her things?” Her voice was filled with concern.
“I don’t know! I just got home, and she’s not here and neither are her clothes! What the fuck happened last night, Mina?”
“I don’t know, Rat, and don’t yell at me! She was fine the last time I saw her. We went to Empty’s at the end of the night, and Max was making sure she got home okay. I haven’t talked to her since, but now I’m up and worrie
d.”
“Fucking shit! I am so pissed off! I’m gonna try calling Max; you keep trying Scarlett and let me know if you get a hold of her.”
I hung up the phone and dialed Max’s number. He didn’t answer, and I assumed he was probably passed out from the bachelor party festivities. However, I really fucking needed to talk to him. I headed out the door to my bike. I was going to get some answers and fix whatever happened with Scarlett.
Several hours later, I was about to lose my mind. I still hadn’t heard from Scarlett, Max was M.I.A., and I had a sinking feeling the two were related. I was sitting on my couch, staring at a blank television screen, contemplating every possible explanation for her leaving, when Mina called.
“Hello?” I answered eagerly, hoping she heard something. “Have you talked to her?”
“Not exactly,” she responded.
“What do you mean?”
“Look, Rat, I’m just gonna be honest with you. I don’t know what happened. I haven’t talked to her, but Ash called to let me know he had her. He said she’s pretty messed up.”
“You’re fucking kidding me! Please tell me you’re kidding me!” Why in the hell was she with him? This was so much worse than I originally thought. What happened? Fury pumped through my veins; I was going to kill that fucker. “I’m going to get her.” I was already up, grabbing my key before I even had the sentence out.
“I’m not kidding, and you can’t go get her. They’re not here.”
I froze. “What do you mean they’re not here? Where the fuck are they?” I screamed.
“I don’t know. He just said he was taking her away for a few days and that he would call me tomorrow. I also found Max. He’s at his parents’.”
“Let me know as soon as you hear from them. Fuck!” I roared before hanging up the phone.
I don’t think I had ever been so mad in my life. There weren’t words that could express the rage pulsating through my veins. I didn’t know what to do with myself. My mind was a fucking mess. I knew I didn’t want to be in that apartment that reminded me of her every place I looked. I jumped up and headed down the stairs to my bike. I wanted to get as far away from Houston as I could. I needed to get fucked up to the point I was numb and didn’t care about anything. I made one last call before going back to Austin.
