Page 78 of Fractured Mind
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
MIA
The last stretchof the school year flies by. Maree ended up confessing everything about Joe for a lesser charge. She moved away, and I’m glad she did because I couldn’t handle the constant reminder of what could have happened that night.
Joe got jail time for what he had done. He admitted to drugging me, but he wasn’t the only one involved. Two of his friends were involved with the druggings in the surrounding areas. After everything that happened, I was pleased the police had caught them. My test results for blood-borne viruses came back negative, which was a massive relief.
We all graduated. Roman, Levi, and Ruby were accepted into their preferred degree programs at the same local university. Jackson starts his tattoo apprenticeship next week. Ashton and I are going to look at properties tomorrow to decide if any of them will be suitable for the gym.
Nana organized a going-away party for us, even though we’re only moving to Ruby and Jackson’s house. She couldn’t help herself and invited everyone’s families. Roman’s mom, Ruby and Jackson’s aunt, and Levi’s parents and brother are here.Mom, Geoff, Nick, and Jade are, of course, here, and to my surprise, even Ashton’s father came.
A strong burning smell tickles my nose and I hear a high-pitched ringing from the house, so I rush inside, toward the kitchen. Smoke bellows everywhere, and the chef and Mom are coughing.
I lift my shirt to my nose and mouth, trying not to breathe in the smoke. “What happened?”
The chef laughs, but when he peeks at Mom, he coughs again, trying to cover it up. Her shoulders slump as she stares at a dish with black food. It’s completely charred, making it unrecognizable.
“I tried,” she says with a frown.
“You tried all right.”
The chef laughs even harder.
“Don’t worry, we have heaps of food. Better leave it to the professional.” I can’t fault her. She has tried her best since she’s been home.
She sighs and throws a tea towel on the counter. We walk out of the kitchen and away from the smoke.
“Are you looking at places for the gym tomorrow?”
“We sure are.”
She opens her mouth to talk, but then presses her lips together.
I frown. “What else were you going to say?”
“I’m happy you two are going into business together, but I also want to make sure you do something for yourself.”
I smile at her. “I’ve been thinking about that, and I’m going to get more lessons on the piano to further my learning so that I can teach children on the side while also helping Ashton with the gym.”
Her eyes light up and she pulls me to her in a firm embrace, making breathing difficult.
“You’ve been hanging around Jade too long,” I murmur in a strangled voice.
She pulls back. “Why do you say that?”
“Death by tight hug.”
Giggling and shaking her head, she warns, “You wait until I tell Jade you said that.”
I raise my hands in defense. “Her son started that, not me.”
We walk outside together, and the biggest smile paints my face as I look around. Mom wanders to where the parents have congregated and into the arms of Geoff.
I stroll over to my friends and sit down on Ashton’s lap, and he nuzzles into my neck. He puts his arms around me and holds me against him. Everyone’s chatter turns into background noise, and it’s only me and him.
“I can’t believe we move into Ruby and Jackson’s house soon. It’s crazy how quickly that will come around.”