Page 9 of Wreckage

I huffed out a small laugh, shaking my head. “I hate you.”

“You love me,” she corrected. “And I love you, which is why I’ll always remind you that life could be worse.”

“Doubtful,” I muttered.

She laughed. “You’ll survive tomorrow. Just bring your book, ignore them, and enjoy your last hours of freedom before going back to your tragic life.”

I groaned. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Anytime, babe.” She grinned at me, her dark eyes lighting up. We shared another laugh about my evil stepbrothers before the conversation shifted to more entertaining things, like new movies, our plans for next weekend, and Zara trying to talk me into attending one of the campus parties.

We chatted a little longer before Zara finally had to go, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I curled up under my blankets in bed, staring at the ceiling.

I dreaded tomorrow.

The long flight home.

Being alone with them.

But at least it was a private jet. A small one. I could sit as far away from them as possible. I’d bring my book. Keep my head down. Pretend they didn’t exist. After all, that’s what they did to me as far as existing went. I was a nothing to them.

Even though I was terrified of flying, I’d get through this and emerge victorious on the other side.

With that thought in mind, I let exhaustion pull me under.

The morning was a mess.

One thing I had issues with was just so happened to be flying, particularly the heights part. Or maybe it was the fall part. It was up for debate. I’d always struggled with heights. I’d been apprehensive about this entire trip since Steve had called. I’d tried not to think about it pastsimply being a trip. I tried to trick my mind into thinking it was a road trip because that made it easier to cope with.

Knowing I would have issues forcing myself to go, I woke up early, dressed in an oversized off-the-shoulder sweater and leggings, my usual uniform for travel and life in general. Comfortable, casual, and completely uninteresting. I’d need it for the flight. I pulled my hair into a long braid, letting it fall over my shoulder, then grabbed my weekend bag laden with snacks and water for the trip, even though I knew the plane was more than stocked, and headed outside to wait for my dial-a-ride.

Only for it to be late.

I waited, nervously fidgeting as I continued to check my phone for the time. Troy and Adrian were going to kill me. Adrian had a thing with punctuality; at least, he did when it came to anything I did. It gave him more reason to scowl at me.

After thirty minutes of waiting, I had a decision to make.

I had to scramble for the bus. I hated the damn bus, but it was all I had. Steve had offered to buy me a car, but I’d refused. He had already set up a trust fund I’d get once I graduated college. I had a little money left from my mom’s life insurance policy. It had been a small sum, and I hadn’t found anything to spend it on. I kept it in a separate account mostly because it was still tied to her. Spending it made me feel like I was losing the last bit of her I had left.

Stress nestled beneath my skin as I checked the time, my stomach twisting into knots as I boarded the bus. I was going to be late.

I sent a message to our step-sibling group chat explaining the situation. We rarely used the chat. The last message sent before Steve had reached out for us to come home was a year ago.

Elena: My Uber never showed up. I’m taking the bus now. I’ll be there as soon as I can.

Adrian replied almost immediately.

Adrian: If you don’t make it by takeoff, you can stay home and explain it to Dad yourself. We won’t hold up to wait for you. Maybe if you start walking once we leave, you’ll make it to Ohio by the end of the weekend.

I clenched my jaw. Of course. He always had to be an asshole.

His words only piled onto my stress, making my pulse hammer as I checked the time.

But, somehow, I managed to get there just before we were set for takeoff.

I rushed into the terminal, my heart pounding and my breath short. The moment I stepped inside, Adrian and Troy were already there.

And neither of them looked happy.

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