He continues. “I managed to get back inside the house, but the smoke was so thick, I couldn’t see anything. I was coughing, my eyes were streaming, and I couldn’t breathe. I lost all sense of direction.
“One of the neighbors must have noticed the smoke, because the fire trucks turned up at some point. They found me passed out on the floor in the hallway. My parents were already dead, and they were found still in their beds. The fire started in their room, so the smoke got to them before the flames did, or at least that’s what the authorities told me. I hope it’s true.”
My eyes gloss with tears at his story. “I’m so sorry, Ace.”
He hasn’t finished. “An aunt took me in, but she didn’t really want me. She didn’t know what to do with a grieving ten-year-old boy who already had issues. And she was grieving, too. She just kind of shut down on me, and maybe I overcompensated in return. I was always trying to get her attention, so I acted up, doing stupid shit all the time. My entire presence annoyed her.”
“That’s awful, Ace.” To be a grief-stricken boy, who had lost everything and then to be ignored and treated like nothing more than an irritant. I can’t even imagine what he went through.
“It wasn’t her fault. I know I can be annoying.”
I hug him tight. “No, you’re not. Don’t say that about yourself.”
He gives a halfhearted shrug. “Be more normal, Ace. Stop acting crazy. Ace, you’re nuts.”
I know they are the words he’s hearing from others all the time. I realize I might have said something similar, though I never meant it with cruelty, more affection. I suspect most people mean it that way when they say things like that about him, but he hears it differently.
“Oh, Ace.” My heart aches for him. “You rescue things because you were never able to save your parents.”
“I guess.”
“I think that’s the saddest thing I ever heard. But you know what? All those animals you help, I bet it means the world to them to have someone who cares.”
“Even the snails?” he asks skeptically.
I grin. “Yeah, even the snails.”
“Even though I murdered one of their friends?”
“I’m sure they’ve forgiven you.” Then I add with acheeky smile, “You know, I told Ghost that I thought you were the most well-adjusted out of the four of you watching over me.”
He raises his brow. “You did?”
“Yeah. You can do crazy shit, but so what? At least you are in touch with your feelings, and you know what you want. You just talked about your past, openly. God, imagine trying to get Jack or Ghost to open up that way.”
“Ghost would rather run away and fight in another war than truly open up,” Ace muses.
“Yes, exactly. See? You’re not the only person with issues. We all have issues.”
“Even though I brought you fingers?”
I laugh and shudder at the memory. “That was going a bit too far, for sure.”
My cell buzzes, and I check the screen, my stomach lurching. “Oh, shit. Mackenzie is here already. They just got let through the main gates, so they’re on their way to the house.”
I know I shouldn’t be this nervous—Mack has been my friend for ages, and I knew her before Vani started college—but I’m still worried about what Vani might have said about me. I hope everyone isn’t talking about what a complete bitch I am for hitting on her dad. Gossip around Verona Falls University can run rife, and I’m bound to be at the center of it right now. People will be questioning what’s happened to Ledger, too. He went on a date with me, and then neither of us returned to college. Lips will be flapping so fast they’ll probably catch fire.
An engine sounds from outside before cutting out, and moments later, a knock comes at my door.
I catch my breath and turn to Ace. “Ready? Don’t forget, no talking about Jack, whatsoever.”
He crosses his heart and jumps to his feet, dragging his hand through his curls, displaying twin dimples as he grins. “Let’s get this party started.”
I open the front door to find my friend standing there, a huge smile on her face.
“Camile!” she declares and pulls me in for a hug. “I’ve missed you.”
I hug her back. “I missed you, too, Zee. I’m so happy you came.”
