Salvation (Surrender 3)
Page 8
During the last year, I’d had my fill of flings, none of them lasting more than a few nights. Nothing kept my interest. But the way Ember looked at me when I walked her to her car the night of the launch party, something changed. She made me want to know her better, but it was apparent I’d made her feel uncomfortable.
Finally, I got my chance to apologize and subsequently take her on a real date, and damn if I didn’t screw it up by canceling with a text message. Now, who knows if she’ll give me another chance?
Fuck it. I dial her number and wait. On the third ring, she answers.
“Hello.” Her voice is raspy and rough.
“Ember, are you okay?”
“No, I’m dying. Absolutely dying. Why are you calling so early?”
“It’s ten am. I’m at work. Are you still in bed?” This girl loves her sleep.
“Yes, because my crazy ass cousin talked me into doing Fireball shots last night, along with other stuff. I’m serious about dying.”
“Shots?”
“Yeah, you know, like liquor in a small glass that you toss in your mouth and swallow.”
Her sassy answer makes me laugh. “I know what shots are, but you didn’t strike me as the shots type of girl.”
“I’m not, but last night was a special occasion.” She groans.
“What kind of special occasion?”
“Rites of passage type of thing.”
“How so?”
“It was the first time I was ditched for a date by text.”
All humor vanishes. Total dick.
“Ember, I’m sorry.”
“Oh My God! Did I say that out loud? What the hell? I must still be drunk. Please, let me go, so I can wallow in more humiliation. Ugh.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. It was a lame thing to do. RJ called a meeting, and it was pretty important.”
“RJ?”
“Raven. Her name is Ravenel James. We call her RJ for short.”
“Is everything okay?”
“They’ve decided to get married in Florida in March. The fucking madness became too much. People went crazy. Honestly, it’s a better plan.”
“That’s too bad, but I hope she’s happy.”
“Enough about her. I’d like to take you out tonight.”
Silence.
“Ember?”
“I can’t tonight.”
“What about tomorrow?”