Page 39 of Broken Bonds

Spotting a sign behind him, I pointed at it, relief flooding through my body.

“There, Ace.” He turned, spotting the sign that indicated that the entrance of the shelter was through the back of the building.We walked along the overhang of the building, avoiding the hail and rain, and finally reached the back door. There were no chains, no welcome sign, and not a soul in sight. Fear settled in my gut. What if no one was here?

He pulled it open without resistance, and without hesitation, he pushed me inside first just as lightning struck again, the sound making us both jump.

Upon our first glance, the school appeared to be empty. We were in a dark hallway full of lockers, and it was freezing cold, a gust of A/C taking us by surprise. Droplets of water fell off us and landed on the ground in a soft pitter-patter that filled the eerie silence.

Ace was breathing heavily, wiping a hand down his face before looking through the glass door to the chaotic world outside.

Lightning continued to light up the sky, and bigger chunks of hail fell to the ground, making a loud noise against the asphalt. Even though neither of us said a word, I knew we were both thinking the same thing.

We made it just in time.

He looked at me next. My legs ached, and I wanted to slide to the floor and stay there until all this was over. He opened his mouth, but it wasn’t his voice that I heard.

chapter sixteen

CELINE

“Are you folks alright?” My back was to whoever was speaking. I looked into Ace’s eyes, thankful to find relief residing in their blue depths.

“Do you have room for two more?” Ace protectively wrapped his arm around my shivering body and turned me to the stranger. It was hard to see in the darkness of the hallway, but an older man with dark skin—possibly of Cuban descent—was hunched over a few feet away from us.

“We have plenty of room, son—blankets and food, too.” He took a wobbly step in our direction. Ace tensed at my side. “Looks like you two will need a change of clothes.”

Ace’s hand flexed on my hip as my stomach growled at the sound of food and a chill swept down my spine at the word ‘blankets’. “Are there showers in this school?” Ace asked.

The man shrugged. “Not sure how hot you’ll get them in the locker room. The darn geezer hasn’t been workin’.” At that point, I couldn’t even bring myself to care if the water would be hot or not. I just wanted to be clean. “I’m Oscar. And you are?” He took another step toward us, and I stepped back into Ace, who held me in place, his grip firm and protective.

I was safe with him. Ace wouldn’t let anything happen to me. AndGod, the way his warm body felt pressed into mine, the way his hand curled around my hip… Inappropriate thoughts—thoughts Ishould notbe having about my older brother’s best friend—flashed through my mind.

“I’m Ace, and this is Celine. We’ve been out battling the storm since yesterday. Do you have a phone we can borrow to check in with our families?” I grimaced. I hadn’t even asked about my phone. No doubt, it’d gotten ruined in the water.

Oscar had drawn closer to us, and in the dim light, I could see a gray beard covering most of his face and a pair of thick glasses shielding his eyes. He looked kind enough, but Ace was obviously weary about trusting anyone.

“Yes, we’ve got a phone. Let’s get you two youngins’ in the showers, and then, we can show you where the landline is along with some hot soup.” Oh, fuck. I could’ve moaned.Hotsoup. God, my mouth watered. “My wife just made some for the few of us hunkering down here. The outer bands have passed, and the storm is well on its way to wreaking some havoc on our home.” I winced at his words. I’d seen what a hurricane could do to a home, and I felt for the older man.

It sucked knowing something you loved and valued so much was going to possibly be destroyed.

Oscar turned and hobbled down the hall. Ace’s arm tightened even more around my waist, and he helped me hobble along as we slowly followed. Ace must have noticed the pain on my face because he whispered in my ear, “Do you want me to carry you?” I shook my head, pushing through the pain. I just needed a shower and some dry clothes, and then, I could rest. “I can see you’re in pain, Celine,” he grunted, annoyance in his tone.

He didn’t understand. He didn’t know me. I could do this. Ihadto do this.If I gave in, I was admitting defeat, and Irefusedto quit.

“Please, Ace, don’t make a scene.” He stayed silent but he adjusted his arm so he absorbed most of my weight. Instant relief crashed through me for a passing moment before the scorching pain continued. It hurt less when he helped, but I didn’t want him to think I needed him. So, I kept my mouth shut, not saying a word.

“How many people are here, Oscar?” Ace asked, interrupting my train of thought as we passed a big room with light pouring out, and the sound of voices floated toward us.

He rubbed his beard thoughtfully before answering Ace. “Not many—maybe twenty, including you two youngins’.”

Oscar led us down the hall, past a room labeled ‘Cafeteria’, and then stopped in front of a door labeled ‘Men’s Locker Room’. “Where is the girl’s locker room?” Ace questioned as I looked around, squinting my eyes, trying to read the signs on the wall in the dim lighting.

“It’s at the end of the next hallway. Not too far. I’m sure a little space won’t be the end of the world for you two love birds.” I looked at Ace. He was already shaking his head. I wasn’t terribly pleased with the idea, either. Not that I wanted to share a damn shower with Ace, but I didn’t want to be so far from the only person I trusted in a building full of strangers.

Wait,did he say love birds?

“We aren’t—” I started, but Ace interrupted me.

“That’s fine. I’ll take her there. Where are the spare clothes you mentioned earlier?” He had yet to let up on his tight hold, and honestly, I never wanted him to. I could blame it on the pain in my legs, but I’d mostly be lying. It feltgoodto be connected with Ace like this.

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