Page 19 of Burned By Fire
8
SOL
Saturday, May 14th
Over a week has passed since I slept with Ember, and we’ve fallen into a comfortable pattern. I run in the morning, and then I spend most of my day thinking about her. Today’s different because we’re going away together.
It’s been more than a week since I had a drink, and I’m not feeling the urge to give in. My hands shake from the withdrawal, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I pack a small bag with my suit in one compartment and underwear in the other. Usually, I sleep naked, but Ember only booked one room, so I also sift through my pajamas. Long sleeves to cover my ugly scars are a must. Without thinking about it too much, I shove a few pairs into my bag.
My phone rings when she arrives, and I glance out the window. It’s around seven, so it’s too early to beep the car horn, but some of my neighbors’ curtains are already twitching. She waves and smiles as I approach the car. I throw my bag onto the back seat and get into the passenger side before strapping my safety belt on so I’m ready to go.
“What time can we go to bed?” I joke, and she swats me with her arm.
“I’m going to have the best-looking date at the wedding. I’m going to show you off all night,” she says.
“I doubt that, but I promised to be the perfect date, so I’ll play along. What’s our story? How are you going to introduce me to everyone?” I ask.
“I’m going to be honest.” She pauses for a second. “We had sex one time and we’ve been friends for years.” She bites her lip to suppress a smile.
“Okay, so is that how you want me to describe our relationship?” I keep my face neutral as she glances at me.
She laughs. “Obviously that’s not what we’re going to say. I’ll tell everyone you’re my date and that’s it.”
“Okay. I can work with that.”
“I’ll be a happy woman if I get to snuggle with you in bed.” She smirks at me, although a blush still tinges her cheeks. It’s cute.
“A pajama snuggle sounds great.”
She pouts. “I hope you’re not going to completely cover up. You can trust me.”
I frown. “Nobody wants to see my scars.”
“I do.”
The crease between my eyebrows deepens. “Why?”
“You might not be able to see it, but I do. You’re a handsome guy with a pure heart.”
Her words give me a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. When we were in the elevator, she’d said she’d fantasized about me, but I didn’t truly believe it. Only medical professionals and Chief Cooper have seen the full extent of my injuries. I look out the window, lost for words. Ember isn’t the type to judge someone solely on their looks, but I’m not sure I could cope with her studying every inch of my body.
* * *
Ember parks the car at the Hampton Inn, and I carry our bags inside. We don’t have long to wait before we need to be at Rocky Mount for the wedding, but we both need to freshen up.
“I have a king room booked under Burton,” Ember says as we approach the reception desk.
The guy behind the counter looks for our booking. “All checked-in, Ms. Burton. You’ll find your digital key on the app and your room is on the second floor. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you,” she says to the receptionist, and I follow her up the stairs.
Once inside the room, she goes to change in the bathroom. Bringing my long-sleeved pajamas was the right call because there’s only one bed. I lay my suit out on the chair and unpack my things. Ember comes out of the bathroom in her red lacy underwear.
“Wow,” I say.
“Why aren’t you getting dressed?” she asks.
“I’m waiting for you to finish in there so I can have some privacy.”