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Jesse’s other two roommates are there, sitting and looking… somehow expectant. Anxious.
“You found J?” the tall, wide-shouldered one asks. Cage, or Gage, my memory informs me.
“Unless he’s become invisible or decided to wait outside his own home, I don’t think he has,” the other one says. Alexander something. He drags a hand through his chin-length, blondish hair. “I’m telling you, something happened to him.”
“And what are you, a fucking medium?”
“No, I just have a fucking brain, unlike you.”
Travis groans. “Shut up, dickheads.” He turns back to me. I realize I’ve been standing there, open-mouthed, listening to this conversation.
I close my mouth and clear my throat. Open my mouth again. “I never got the impression from Jesse that you were so concerned about him. I mean,” oh great, way to put your foot in your mouth, Amber, “that you were so close. Baking together and all.”
“Goddammit, it was just one time,” Gage barks and looks contrite when I flinch. “Nobody bakes here. Nobody cooks. Not even Jesse. But Travis thought it wouldn’t hurt to learn how to make those muffins. Jesse seems to like them.” He grunts. “He seems to like you even better, but you vanished from his life.”
I’m torn between laughing hysterically and crying. “Where is he? Have you tried his cell?”
“No answer. Why don’t you try it?”
“Me?” Laughter wins out. “I haven’t returned his calls or texted him back in weeks.”
Three pairs of accusing eyes turn on me. Ow.
Under their watchful gazes, I pull out my cell and swallow hard. “You know this isn’t going to work, right? You should try calling him again. Maybe his battery has run out, or…”
They’re still staring at me. Well, well. I kinda think that, no matter what Jesse says or believes, he’s made lots of good friends. They’re even ready to bake for him.
Who would’ve known?
I shoot them a nervous smile and call Jesse’s number. I honestly don’t expect him to answer—not after I blew him off so many times. Not after telling him I don’t trust him.
The call connects. There’s a pause, an indrawn breath.
Then I hear his low, bass voice. “Embers?”
God, I missed his voice so much. Missed him. “Hey.” I turn away. I don’t want his roommates to see me, in case I fall apart. “How is it going?”
Another pause, and I’m afraid he’ll hang up, but he puffs out a sigh. “It has been… kinda rough, to tell you the truth. You okay?”
He’s killing me, asking if I am okay. “Yeah. I’m fine. Your roommates were worried about you. Said you weren’t answering your phone.”
“My roommates?” I can hear the curiosity in his question. “My cell… fell. Case cracked. I thought it wouldn’t work again, but it does. I just turned it back on.”
“Oh, good. Stroke of luck.” Gage has gotten up and walked around the room to stand in front of me. Startled, I take a step back and give him a thumbs up. “So everything’s fine, then? Will you be coming back home?”
“Home.” His voice cracks, and worry slams into me. “Damn, Embers.”
“What’s wrong?” My heart starts to race. “Tell me.”
“It’s just that…” He swallows so hard I hear it over the phone. “Is it really you? Is this a prank? Because I’m not up to it right now.”
“It’s not a prank. I came over to your apartment to see you, and you weren’t here. Are you somewhere having fun?”
He laughs softly, and I find myself smiling. “Sorta. I guess when the painkillers kick in it might be fun. I’m at the hospital, but I’m being discharged, so I can go home.”
“The hospital?” I screech, my smile evaporating, and suddenly I’m surrounded by three huge, scowling guys. Eep. “Why? What happened? My God, are you all right?”
“Yeah, but Seth… He has a broken leg, and he’s calling Shane to pick him up. Maybe he can give me a ride.”
