Asher (Ashes & Embers 6)

“Getting better every day. What’s up?”

“We just got back from our tour, and everyone’s up our ass for info on Ember. I know you don’t want the media and the fans getting to her, and I totally agree, but we have to say something. We’ve been avoiding it for months, giving everyone vague answers. It’s already been leaked that she’s awake and has amnesia. She was the founder of the band, Ash. We have to issue a formal statement of some sort. Her fans deserve that.”

This comes as no surprise. My own PR rep has been doing everything he can to keep information about Ember as quiet as possible, but we knew eventually we’d have to go public.

“Have you said anything?” I ask.

“No, I haven’t. None of us have, but we’re constantly getting bombarded with questions. In person, on social media. You know how it is.” An annoyed sigh blows into my ear.

I do know how it is. My own social media accounts are constantly blowing up with questions from people. I thank everyone for caring and decline to further comment.

Years ago, Sydni did an exclusive interview with a rock journalist about Ember’s condition before I gave the go-ahead for it. Pictures were published of Ember lying in the hospital hooked up to machines, her face swollen and covered in bruises. Sydni claimed she only gave the journalist permission to look at the photos, not publish them. Total bullshit. She made a ton of money off that little stunt, and I came close to strangling her.

“Does she remember anything yet? Do you think she could do an interview or two? Maybe post some pictures?”

“Are you fucking crazy?” I seethe. “There’s no way she’s ready for that. The vultures will eat her alive.”

“Well, if we don’t release a statement, rumors are going to start flying, and we both know what a shit show that’ll be. I can’t believe you’ve been able to keep it quiet for this long.”

I can’t believe she’s been able to keep quiet for this long. It’s got to be killing her—not being able to flap her lips.

“I’ll get with my team this week, have them put a statement together and send it over. Until then, I’d appreciate it if you just keep things quiet.”

“Of course we will. Look, I just got back in town, but I’d love to come see her, maybe take her to lunch.”

“I think it’s too soon for that.”

I’d love for Ember to go out with a friend, but Sydni is too much of a loose cannon to be trusted. She was the so-called best friend who got Ember drunk when she was only seventeen by telling her peach schnapps isn’t “real alcohol” and then abandoned Ember at a party two hours away from home when she took off to hook up with some guy she just met.

“She was my best friend. Don’t you think I should be able to see her? For fuck’s sake, Asher, you can’t keep her locked up in your castle on the hill for the rest of her life. She’s still a grown-ass woman.”

Spinning away from the window, I rake my hand through my hair in frustration. First Redwood, now Sydni, ruining what was supposed to be a great day. I should set the two of them up and let them drive each other insane.

“She’s not locked up. She goes through hours of physical therapy daily. She’s got doctor and psychiatric visits and video chats at least twice a week, every week. She’s still recovering, and she still has no idea who anyone is. Forgive me for not thinking you’re exactly the kind of friend who’s going to be therapeutic for her to be around.”

“Whatever. We’ll expect to hear something from your PR team by next week. Otherwise we’re going to have to handle this ourselves. She was part of our band, in case you forgot, and we owe it to our fans to update them. I’m sure it’s what Ember would want.”

Click

It’s what Ember would want. I hate that we’re all still acting like Ember isn’t really here.

I toss my phone onto the coffee table and run right into Ember, Sarah, and the dog when I turn around.

I touch Ember’s waist. “Sorry, babe. I had to take a work call.”

“Teddy’s thirsty. Do we have dishes for him?”

Crap. I forgot to buy some on the way home. I think this first-time dog owner is going to need a Dogs 101 book.

Sarah picks up on my snafu. “Ember, let’s go hunt around the kitchen and see what we can find.”

Ember chews her lip as she pets the dog. “Maybe we should go to the pet store?”

Great idea. We can probably buy dog food there—something else I forgot to pick up. Tammy would have my head if she knew I was so excited to get Buddy home that I flew right by the pet place.