Page 58 of Broken Bonds

“Right here, man. We’re at your house. The beach house was destroyed. We got the Jeep out, but the house is wrecked,” Ace spoke up, considering I was crying too hard to really answer. I sniffled, swiping at my cheeks with my free hand. I hiccupped.

“The house doesn’t matter. How’s my daughter?” Dad asked.

“I’m okay. Sore, but okay,” I croaked, my voice raw and raspy.

“We’re trying to get home, baby, but they aren’t letting people back into Florida yet. We’re staying in a hotel on the border. I’ll catch a flight the hour they let people back in and take you to the doctor,” Mom promised, worry filling her voice.

“Ace will take care of me, Momma. He’s a better man than I gave him credit for.” Ace stiffened beside me, and his hand, which had been wrapped tightly around mine, went limp.

“I know he will, baby. I knew the moment I saw him.” I looked at Ace in confusion, only to see fear slide across his face.

Did he want to leave? Why didthat fill me with trepidation? I didn’t want him to go. I wanted him to stay right here. With me.

“Did you have to use the generator?” Dad asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, sir,” Ace answered when I didn’t answer fast enough. The whole town has lost power. It was a battlefield to get here.” Ace’s hand tightened around mine again, the fear replaced with humor. I latched on, my fingers slipping through his. I never wanted him to let go.

“I can imagine,” Dad said. “Get some rest and keep her legs elevated. We’ll make an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow afternoon, since the airports should be open again. He’ll do house calls for her if need be. I don’t like to ask thisof anyone, but can you please stay with her until we get home? I don’t like the thought of her alone right now.” My dad was clearly uncomfortable with having to ask anyone to do anything that weren’t his children, but Ace didn’t let on that he heard the discomfort, too.

“I won’t leave her side. You can count on me, sir.” Ace’s southern drawl slipped into his promise, turning me into a needy puddle. That southern drawl would be the death of me.

“Get some rest, my baby,” Mom urged. “I’ll be there soon.”

“I love you, Mom and Dad. I love you both so much.” Swallowing the emotion from my throat, I stared at Ace, thankful he was with me. If I didn’t have him here, I knew I would spiral. Far.

“Hey, don’t you love me, brat?” Ryan teased, making everyone laugh.

I scoffed, feeling a little lighter now that I’d spoken to my family. “Not really. I thought you knew that, though.” His deep laughter blared through the speaker.

“I love you, Cece, even if you don’t love me.” My brother didn’t tell people he loved them often. Usually when he uttered the words, it was because he was fearful of something. So, even though he said it with a laugh, I knew he’d been fearful he would lose me. That this storm would kill me.

“I love you, too, Ryan.” The call ended, and a tidal wave of relief washed over me.

Ace and I sat there in silence for a long time until, eventually, he squeezed my hand and stood, taking his hand away from mine, leaving me feeling empty. “Time for a nice, hot shower,” he said excitedly.

“And how do you propose this is going to work?”

“I’m going to help you to the shower, and while you’re showering, I’ll use Ryan’s across the hall. I’ll be done by the time you are,” he promised.

I swallowed thickly, wondering if my legs would hold me up that long. I wanted a shower so bad, but would I be able to withstand the pain?

“What if I fall?” Uncertainty flickered in my tone.

“I’ll leave the door open and come as soon as you call. I promise.” Ace’s words were soft and gentle. Understanding. My heart squeezed in my chest.

“Okay.” Glancing at the still-illuminated phone in my hand, I saw a text from Amber, the girl I had befriended on my first day of class.

Amber: Hey, girl! I just wanted to see if you were okay. That was quite the storm!

She’d sent that text over a day ago. I grimaced. What if she thought I was ignoring her? I really liked Amber, and I wanted us to be friends. I wished my phone battery had lasted the entire storm. I could’ve used her humor and optimism as a distraction.

Me: I’m safe, you?

Ace reached to help me up but stopped when my phone dinged. I shot him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, it’s Amber.” He shrugged and nodded, settling on the edge of the bed without a word.

Amber: All good here. I hunkered down in my apartment. Anything eventful happen to you?

Stealing a quick peek at Ace, I made sure he couldn’t read what I was about to write. If he did, it would besoembarrassing. But instead, he was running his eyes over everything in my room—the pictures, posters, my stuff for school.

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