Chapter 3
Ember
I had walked for what seemed like miles. I could hardly feel my hands, feet, or legs at this point. However, something inside made me push on. I needed to get to that house, or I wouldn’t survive the temperatures out here.
Perhaps I should have stayed in my car, but with no heat and no way of contacting anyone, would I have been any better off?
As I started the long trudge down the driveway, I could see the house coming closer with every step I made. It was only as I got closer that I saw someone outside chopping wood.
There was something oddly familiar about him. Whoever he was, I knew he would think I was stupid for being out here in this weather, but all I needed was to use his phone and get some help.
As I heard him offer for me to come in and use his phone, along with something hot to drink, I almost stopped in my tracks. I was sure I had heard that voice before, but a very long time ago. But it couldn’t be.
It wasn’t until he stepped towards me and our eyes met that it all became apparent.
“Emmy, is that you?”
As soon as I saw his face, I knew this was a mistake. Of all the houses I could have walked up to, it had to be Hunter’s.
No matter how far away I was from civilisation, I couldn’t stay here. Especially not today. It was bad enough that my fiancé was cheating on me, but with it being Elliott’s birthday, my day just seemed to be a mess.
Now I was standing next to my brother’s so-called best friend, who couldn’t even be bothered to turn up for his funeral. I still remembered every moment of that day.
I walked out of our house to see the hearse with Elliott’s coffin in the back, covered by a flag. He was being given a full military funeral. My mother was being held by my dad, tears running down her face. I looked around to find Hunter, but couldn’t see him anywhere.
Where was he? I needed him with me. I needed to feel his comfort, holding me. Elliott was like a brother to him, so why wasn’t he here?
I walked over to my parents as they got into the car. “Where’s Hunter? I thought he would be here.”
A sad look came over my father’s face. “He’s not coming. He blames himself for what happened and couldn’t face seeing us all in pain. I tried to talk him around and tell him that we didn’t blame him, but he wouldn’t budge. Hopefully, he will have changed his mind and will meet us at the church.”
When we got to the church, he was still nowhere to be found. I couldn’t believe he would do that to my parents, after everything they had done for him. He was just as much part of our family as I was. However, he couldn’t even have the decency to turn up to his best friend’s funeral.
We needed him here. I needed him here. I could never forgive him for doing this to me. Any love I had felt for that man was now gone.
It didn’t matter how long it took me, I would walk to another house. I couldn’t spend even a minute with this man. I hated him. He had betrayed every memory I had of him on that day. I could feel the hurt and anger brewing inside me again.
As the tears started to fall, burning my freezing cold face, I made a decision instantly and turned to leave him standing there alone. However, as soon as I went to move, he grabbed hold of my arm.
“Emmy, where are you going? It’s freezing out here, and the next house is miles away. You will never make it in this weather.”
I spun around and watched as he took a step back, seeing the anger in my face.
“I’m getting as far away from you as possible, Hunter. I swore I would never have anything to do with you again. That includes you rescuing me from my current situation. I don’t need you. When I did, you weren’t there for me.”
I was struggling to keep myself under control, but I knew I wouldn’t make it out here on my own, especially in these clothes. I was already soaked through and probably close to hyperthermia.
None of that mattered, though. I just needed to get away from him and back to my car.
“Ember, please. What would your parents think of me if I let you carry on in this weather? Just come in and warm up. I’ll call your mum and dad so they know you are safe.”
“You think they would even bother to answer you?”
“Yes. I went to see them this morning to make sure they had everything they needed for the storm, so I’m sure they will speak to me. Don’t be stupid, Ember. Even if you hate me that much, please just let me help you this once. Even if it’s for the sake of your parents.”
I knew he was right. I was being stupid thinking I would make it on foot.
How had this turned out to be the worst day of my life?
As I stood there shivering, I felt his arm come around me. His warmth slowly seeped into my body. I had once craved this feeling, but now it felt so foreign to me.
His voice was no longer harsh or argumentative as he spoke again. “Come on. Let’s get you warmed up inside.”
I was struggling because I could hardly feel my feet, but Hunter guided me with each step I took. As soon as we got into his house, he took my coat and then helped me upstairs and into one of the bedrooms.
“The bathroom is in there, and there are towels you can use. Have a long, hot shower to warm up. I’ll leave you something to put on in here, and then I’ll call your parents and make you something hot to eat, as I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet this evening.”
It had been years since anyone had cared for me the way Hunter was right now. It was as though I had gone back to happier times before everything happened.
“Thank you.” My voice was almost a whisper.
He leaned down and pressed a kiss onto my head. “It’s no problem, Emmy.”
With that, he walked out of the bedroom, and I quickly went into the bathroom, undressed, and got into the shower. I allowed the hot water to seep into me, slowly warming me up. All the time, though, tears were pouring down my face.
I just needed to get through the next couple of hours. Then I could get to my parents’ house and try to put this horrible day behind me.