Page 49 of Embers of Torment

"A few."

"Like?"

I laid my napkin on my lap and rearranged my silverware.

"Well? Don't leave me hanging."

"We started dating."

"Sweet! When did this happen?"

"Two weeks ago, after movie night at his apartment. He's taking me to dinner tonight." I paused and leaned back while our server placed our drinks on the table. I was hard-pressed to keep from laughing when I peeked at Kendra and saw the excitement practically oozing from her pores. "I…umm…also slept with him," I said when we were alone again.

"Oh, shit!" Kendra's face registered shock. Then she chuckled. "So much for worrying about Adam's feelings."

"I know. But I couldn't help it. It just happened. And honestly, it was silly to ignore what I wanted because of some preconceived belief. Adam keeps saying he's thrilled that Jace and I are together. Now I have to make sure some freaking disaster doesn't happen, making Jace and I hate each other."

"Hey! Quit with the negative vibes. I don't see a witch doctor waiting in the shadows to cast some voodoo spell on your love life. You and Jace might be the perfect fit, so give it a chance."

"Witch doctor? Voodoo?" I laughed. "Your childhood is showing."

Kendra grinned. "I suppose so. I learned that stuff from the elderly lady who lived next door to us in the French Quarter before my family moved to the Garden District."

"Yeah, Miss Mable sounds like a bizarre character from some of the stories you told me."

"That's for sure. Miss Mable was fiercely protective if she liked you and scary as hell if she didn't. Luckily, I was one of her favorites. Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you and Jace join Spencer and me at Fenway this Sunday? The Red Sox are playing the Astros, and we have an extra pair of tickets. Spencer's work buddy and his wife were going, but something came up, so they had to back out. It would allow Spencer and Jace to meet in a neutral setting. Plus, there'd be less pressure."

"Hmm. As protective as Spencer is, that atmosphere might be the best for their first meeting. I'll see what Jace says."

"Perfect! I hope he agrees. I think it'll be fun." Kendra stopped talking when our server returned and set our lunch on the table. She shook her head when asked if we needed anything else. Then she dug into her swordfish. "My Lord, this is so delicious," Kendra hummed, savoring the dish.

I was about to ask her for a bite when someone yelled on the sidewalk above us. Peering upward, I witnessed a trio of teenage boys harass a girl in her mid-teens, dressed in jean shorts and a tank top. I could tell by the expression on the girl's face and the way her eyes darted all around her that she was scared. My stomach roiled as I equated it to what I had felt when I got bullied. I pushed my chair back, intending to defend her, when a couple came to the girl's rescue. After some pointed words, the boys retreated.

"That poor girl," Kendra said with a sad shake of her head. She reached out and touched my arm. "You were going up there, weren't you?"

"Yep, I was. I'm all too familiar with what it's like to have jerks verbally attack you." I took a calming breath and scooted forward. It was weird. I'd swear I could feel the girl's fear as she tried to figure out what to do. Plus, the altercation had triggered a bunch of memories from the firestorm of torment I suffered through as a child. I scanned the sidewalk and then refocused on Kendra. "At least the girl had someone willing to assist her. When I was in elementary school, and that frigging asswipe bullied me daily, all the other students were afraid of him, so no one came to my defense. The principal talked to the kid and his parents several times, but it didn't change anything."

"Spencer rarely speaks about those years since he hates that he wasn't around to help. It makes him feel guilty, like a failed big brother. But he did tell me it was rough for you. I know your folks were beside themselves on what to do."

"Yeah, it was the lowest point in my life. It's strange. After the asshat bullied me all through fourth grade and most of the fifth, you'd think I'd have his name imprinted on my brain. But I don't. All I can recall is that everyone called him Junior because he had the same name as his dad."

"Wasn't he the reason your folks had you switch schools?"

"Yep. I stopped eating and cried every morning because I didn't want to go to school. My grades dropped. I retreated from social activities and my friends. I wouldn't talk to my parents and hid in my room. They were devastated and pulled me from Bertram Elementary three-quarters of the way through fifth grade. I ended up at the privately funded Markwell Country Day Academy, which cost my mom and dad a ton of money. Jeez, it scares me to think what might have happened if I hadn't had my parent's support and encouragement."

"Thankfully, you had that and a lot of love too. Your folks are the best." Kendra pursed her lips as she quietly studied me. "I have an observation."

"Okay. What is it?"

"When you spoke just now about that horrible period in your life, you came across as more open and willing to discuss it than you ever have before."

"It must be because of Jace. It's weird, but he's like a buffer, keeping those gut-wrenching recollections from swallowing me whole. The images and thoughts are there but more distant. It's difficult to explain, although I'm sure it has something to do with his protective nature. I haven't discussed my childhood with him, and he hasn't said anything about his. Eventually, we'll need to."

"I agree. When your relationship moves to something more permanent, you should be open about the past." Kendra stared off into the distance. "I wonder what happened to that bully. I can't imagine the type of person he must have become."

"Who knows? Maybe some psycho narcissist or a career criminal. I thought about him often over the years, wishing I could exact some revenge for the damage he did to me. Deep down, I've always had a secret urge to confront him. I'd love to locate the asswipe and tell him to his face what a piece of shit he is and let him know he failed to destroy me if that was his end game."

"Can you figure out his name and where he is now?"

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