We pulled up to a huge bonfire in the woods and saw two kegs set up, our friends all drinking. Bottles of liquor had been scattered around the fire, and everyone looked like they’d been partying most of the night. The moon was bright, the bugs were staying away, and beautiful cheerleaders had put on their shortest dresses to dance around the flames. The scene should have made me happy. I should have been throwing back a drink and smiling when one came up to slide her arms around my waist. I should have been happy as hell that Jay had found one of the other cheerleaders and was cozying up next to her by the fire.
Instead, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. Something wasn’t right.
Aubrey’s dad never answered the damn phone.
After an hour, I knew my mood wasn’t going to change. I found Jay and nudged his shoulder to stop his make out session. “I’m going home, bro.”
Jay looked confused. “We just got here.”
“I’m not feeling it.”
Jay ran his hands through his dark hair, most likely torn between wanting to fuck his cheerleader and making sure I got home. Times like this reminded me of how great a brother he was. He never fucked anyone over. He cared. I knew ultimately if I didn’t give him a way out, he’d drive home with me to make sure everything was all right.
“Jay, I didn’t drink. You can stay and hitch a ride later or call me.”
He squinted at me trying to gauge the situation.
“Seriously, man. I’m fine.” I laughed to diffuse his concern. “You wanna smell my breath?”
He relaxed then. “No, dude. Don’t be a dick. I was just making sure.” He pulled his cheerleader for the night closer to him. “Text me when you get home.”
I nodded and left the party.
The drive back was quick and quiet. My Ford F150 drove like a dream. I hadn’t been surprised when my father gave me the gift once I turned eighteen. I’d been begging for a truck since I started driving, and after pulling good grades for a year and doing some research on investments, my dad claimed I’d earned it.
Technically, I hadn’t because my dad’s associates, who included my older brother Jett, didn’t actually invest the money where I’d recommended them to do so. Instead, they’d patted my back and told me I’d done good work and research. Come to find out, had they invested where I’d said to, they’d have been all the richer. Investment, risk, and math came easily to me. My dad finally witnessed it, and the man probably would have bought my ass anything at that point.
I rubbed my hands over the steering wheel and smiled to myself. The long nights of research had been worth it. I planned to take care of this truck for years. It was special to me, the first real thing I’d earned.
So, when I turned the corner to our block and hit the gas full speed—not thinking about whether or not I’d crash or worrying about rocks flying up and denting the metal—it was for a damn good reason.
I saw fire. Fire dancing like a tyrant taking over Aubrey’s house.
Red.
Scorching.
Burning.
Fire.
I should have called 9-1-1. I should have stood back and waited for the fire department. Instead, I floored the gas, drove right up her driveway and jumped from the truck.
It wasn’t heroism that fueled me, but fear. It damn near swallowed me up, flooded my lungs and drowned me. My fight to get to Aubrey was a fight against that fear. It choked me and had me struggling to break free. She could be in there. She could be hurt. She could be ...
I didn’t think about anything but her.
I ran towards the door. I heard someone in the distance yelling my name, but I didn’t turn, I didn’t hesitate. I tried to open the door but it was locked. I roared and kicked it in near the handle.
Smoked billowed out of the house and I plowed in. I paused in the living room, realizing I had no idea of the layout of her house. I had never been in it. The fire swayed, furious with the wind that had entered the room with me. The smoke invaded my lungs and eyes immediately. I scanned the room, trying to make out hallways, searching for Aubrey. The flames and smoke created a maze, one I wasn’t sure I could navigate. As I stood in the middle of the room, overwhelmed with my dilemma, the flames seemed to crackle in laughter at me.
Through a cough, I yelled, “Peaches, where are you?”
I heard coughing coming from a room to my left and darted for it down a short hallway.
“Aubrey?”
I heard a whimper on the other side and tried to open the door.