Page 16 of Broken Bonds

Slipping into our shared bathroom, I quickly brushed my teeth and slid my brush through my knotted hair. Ace knocked on the door right as I was considering swiping some gloss onto my lips. But for what? I wasn’t trying to impress him. Nope. Idefinitelywas not.

“Don’t make me wait too long.” I looked at him, seeing he had only put on the sweatpants. He couldn’t find a freaking shirt?

“Sure thing, Princess. I’ll meet you downstairs.” I didn’t know if I should like the nickname that he had given me or to take it as an insult. So, I just kept my mouth shut and left the bathroom, choosing to ignore him altogether like the mature adult I was.

I didn’t get a chance to wait for him downstairs because he was already racing down the stairs when I reached the last step. We both paused in front of the huge, living room window and winced. It was pouring, the sun now gone, and the waves had reached the wall around my house. Things were not looking good for us, and my gut tightened with trepidation.

I didn’t survive the accident just to die in a hurricane. There was no way. How could this happen to me?

“Let’s get those sandbags,” Ace said, jerking me out of my spiraling thoughts. “We don’t have much time before the water comes over the wall.” He headed for the garage, but I couldn’t make my feet move. “Hey, princess, I know I’m strong and all, but some help would be nice.” I blinked, then nodded, quickly following him into the humid garage.

“Have you done this before?” I asked, staring at the huge pile of bags before us.

“No, but I’m sure the main idea is to cover all the holes so water can’t come in. Do you think you can pick this up?” Hehanded me a bag, looking unsure. It was heavy, but I was strong and could manage.

“No problem. I’m stronger than I look, Asshole.” I loved the laugh that burst through his lips.

“Let’s do this!” He was way too excited to go outside, but we braced the crazy weather together, covering all the holes and getting soaked in the process. Two hours later, I was cold and hungry. I wanted dry clothes and food, in that order.

My hair kept getting into my face as we worked, and my clothes were stuck to me. Ace was carrying the last bag to put in front of the front door. He hadn’t complained once. Aidan would have bitched and moaned the entire time, but Ace just worked, focused on getting the job done so we would be safe.

I hated the way it made my heart stick in my throat.

“Go change quick, princess. I’ll get breakfast started.” He was so selfless. I wanted to hate him for it.

“I’ll be five minutes.” Once I was in my room, I quickly changed into a t-shirt and pants, wishing that my legs weren’t scarred, wishing that they were long, tan, and beautiful like they used to be. I didn’t want Ace to see them, but it was too hot for pants.

Grabbing my phone, I rushed back down the stairs to help Ace, keeping true to my word of five minutes.

“I’ve never met a girl who can actually get changed in five minutes.” He made us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—two each—and I was surprised at how excited I was to sink my teeth into them. I was ravenous.

“Go change quick,” I told him after swallowing a mouthful of food. “I’ll be waiting.” He laughed and shook his head, water drops falling down his cheeks from his wet hair.

“As you wish, your majesty.” He laughed even harder at the scowl on my face, then darted up the stairs. I heard him fumbling around a few seconds later.

While I was changing, he’d found some battery-operated candles and turned them on, giving some light to the gloomy, mostly dark kitchen. I just hoped Mom had more batteries lying around, or we would be in darkness soon. My phone rang then, and my mom’s face appeared on the screen. Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.

“Celine, are you okay?” she asked as soon as I answered the call.

“Oh, Mom, we lost power.” I waited as she passed the news on to my father and Ryan.

“Oh, my God! I was so worried when you didn’t call this morning, and I thought the worst.” Guilt churned in my stomach for worrying her. “Dad wants to know if you did the sandbags?”

“Yes, we did them first thing this morning, which is why I didn’t call. The water has reached the wall, and Ace thinks it won’t be long before it rises above it.” My throat began closing up. “I’m so scared. I don’t want to die here. I didn’t survive the accident just to die in a hurricane.” My voice shook, my throat growing even tighter, and I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the tears threatening to escape.

“You won’t die, Honey,” Mom soothed. “You’re going to survive this. The worst of the storm should be going over you soon, and then, this will all be over, and we can laugh about it later. I’m sure you’ll have so many stories to tell us. What are you doing about food?”

“Ace made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast. I don’t know how long the bread will last, but for once in my life, I’m not worried about food.” I heard Ryan and Dad laugh.

“Check the freezer in the garage for more bread,” Mom instructed, “and the chest in the lounge has board games. Why don’t you and Ace play some games to pass the time? We need to get off the phone so I can call you later. Don’t go using yoursfor games or anything. You need to keep whatever battery you have.”

“I won’t, but worst case, we have Ace’s phone, too,” I assured her.

“I’m glad to hear you’ve stopped calling him ‘Asshole’,” she said, sounding a bit exasperated. My cheeks warmed a little. “I was starting to think you lost your manners.”

I scoffed. “Please, Mom, he’s still an arrogant asshole. I’m just being polite.” She laughed. At that moment, I wished I could hug her. I wished she was here with me so she could hug me and assure me everything was okay.

“I love you. I love you so much. I don’t tell you enough, and I’m sorry. Tell Dad and Ryan I love them, too, just in case.”

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