Page 9 of Burning Embers
IZZY
The nearest mall is a thirty-five minute drive from Hale’s house.
Lissa takes the opportunity to point out every building and shop we pass, with Jake interjecting whenever he deems it necessary.
“That’s thebestice cream shop in town. They seriously have, like, a thousand different flavors. I’m personally partial to chocolate strawberry cheesecake.” Lissa jabs a finger at the window yet again, leaving behind a smudge print. “And that’s Rory’s Diner. They serve delicious burgers. You can put tomatoes on them. And every type of cheese imaginable. And lettuce. And onions. Ohhh! Don’t forget the best ketchup and mustard that ever existed. And that… That’s the high school!”
We’re driving so fast that all I see is a brick, cube-like building. It doesn’t appear particularly impressive, though I know better than to judge something based on appearance alone.
The thought of attending a new school in just a few days’ time has bile scorching the back of my throat like fingers of fire. Acold chill that has nothing to do with the air conditioning sends goose bumps skittering up and down both of my arms.
If only Hale’s home had been fifteen miles to the east. Then, I could’ve remained at the school I just started to grow familiar with. Sure, I may not have the most friends, but the few I had were loyal to a fault. They sat by me at lunch when all of the other kids spurned the weird new girl. Hell, I was even beginning to believe Royce DeMore would ask me to homecoming.
But that’s a different life—one I’ll never get to live again.
Just a few more months until you’re eighteen. Then, you can escape this state and everyone in it.
I listen but don’t contribute to the conversation as Hale drives the remaining ten minutes to the closest mall—a mammoth structure holding more stores than I’ve ever seen in my life. The lot is so full that Hale’s forced to park near the back exit, though that doesn’t seem to perturb Lissa, who immediately jumps out of the car and begins skipping towards the glass doors.
Hale snaps at her to watch for traffic. When she doesn’t seem to hear him, he huffs and races to catch up with her. Jake remains beside me, flashing me a tentative smile and knocking his shoulder against my own.
“Don’t look so down, new girl. I thought most women loved shopping.”
I instinctively wrap my arms around my waist as I keep pace with the striking football player.
“I guess it’s just the prospect of…” I struggle to find the words, but fortunately, Jake grasps at the thread I left dangling from my fingertips and weaves it into something coherent.
“Owing someone?” he guesses correctly.
I shrug. “That hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past.”
Jake shoves his hands into his front jeans pockets as he squints against the blinding sun. I can’t help but note he refuses to make eye contact with me, no matter how long I stare at him. It’s almost as if he’s deep in thought, a million miles away despite physically standing directly beside me.
“Hale and Gerry are good men.” Jake’s voice is resolute and sincere, holding no room for argument.
The conviction in that one statement nearly takes my breath away. I suppose it’s because I never allowed myself to believe thatanyoneis inherently good, not when I know firsthand how many shades of gray paint this dreary world.
“They took me in when I was fifteen, and I’ve been living with them for about three and a half years now.”
That…
Thattakes me by surprise.
I gape at him, my feet momentarily stalling, forcing Jake to stop walking as well or risk leaving me behind. “You’re over eighteen?”
A wry smirk touches the edges of his lips. “That surprises you?”
Um…yes. Absolutely.
Most kids, as soon as they age out of the foster system, pave their own way in life, whether or not it’s by their own volition. The majority of foster parents don’t want an eighteen-year-old kid living in their house when they’re not getting paid for them. Besides, there’s a whole plethora of rules foster parents have to follow in regards to non-family member adults living in their house.
“Were you adopted?” I question, before immediately clamping my lips together. Of all the intrusive questions…
But Jake doesn’t seem offended as he chuckles, tossing a strand of golden hair away from his face.
“Not officially. There were some…issues.” His nose scrunches, but he doesn’t elaborate.
I half wonder if it has to do with the fact Hale and Gerry are a same-sex couple. This fucked-up system would rather have kids suffer traveling from home to home than place them in the custody of a loving couple who just so happens to be the same sex.