Page 85 of The Promises We Break

Of the edge, and where I walk alone.

Read between the lines

What’s fucked up, and everything’s alright

Check my vital signs

To know I’m still alive, and I walk alone

Ember’s bodystiffens and stops moving with mine. As I glance down at her, her chin is tilted toward her chest, her gaze directly on the floor.

“Ember.” She doesn’t look up.

My feet shuffle faster than my brain can even keep up as I move myself in front of her. Cupping her cheeks, I force her to look up at me.

And the sight destroys me.

Tears pool over her emerald eyes before streaming down her cheeks. Pinched brows and a pained expression that I can feel radiating from her like a beacon.

“I’m all alone now.” Her voice is cracked and broken.

“Fuck. Ember.” I pull her into me, holding her close.

I knew it was a matter of time.

I had no idea it would be now.

She’s grieving the loss of her family, something I can’t even comprehend. Especially considering they are still living and breathing, yet they choose to disregard her like trash. I can’t imagine the hopelessness she feels, and how much she is questioning everything in her life.

“Shit,” I whisper under my breath.

I look around. We’re completely surrounded by hordes of people, holding up their lighters or phones displaying their camera light. Everyone’s sole attention is on the stage.

Seeing only one route, I place her arms around my neck and pull her into me. Gripping her hips and wrapping her legs around me, her body hugs to mine with vigor. Squeezing me as if she’ll lose herself otherwise.

I trail the front of the stage to the side of the venue,following the row of lights to the lit up exit sign, and barrel through the emergency exit.

The warm summer night air wraps around us as I carry her in the direction of the pickup area. I’m thankful we decided to Uber instead of driving so I don’t have to let her go, and even more grateful that there is a taxi waiting on the side of the curb so we don’t need to wait for a ride share.

Swinging the door open, I shift Ember’s leg to one side of my body and slide in with her on my lap. She’s shaking, her body hiccuping between the gasps of air she is taking between her tears.

“Ember…”

She tucks her face into my neck, avoiding my gaze.

So I squeeze harder, holding her as close to me as possible, and tell her the only truths I know.

“You’re not alone. You’re never going to be alone.”

I pause, holding my breath.

“I love you. I love you so fucking much.”

42

EMBER

This whole emotional hangover thing is shit. Considering I typically ignore my deep-rooted feelings, two days in a row of emotional breakdowns is a record I never intend to break again.

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