Chapter 44
44
EMBER
I tentatively step inside the fire station, expecting to be thrown out the minute I’m inside the place by an angry Penmayne, but I’m instead greeted by a somber-looking Eric. His eyes dart down to the ground when he sees me. It’s like he’s been expecting me, yet he’s afraid to even talk to me.
“Is Connor around?” I ask him, glancing around in search of the man. “I would really like to talk to him.”
“He’s not seeing you, Ember,” Eric replies softly.
“Do you know when he might be back... or when he might be free for me to come and see him?”
Eric slowly shakes his head. He’s still refusing to meet me in the eye.
“Ember, Connor has decided not to see you.”
I nod. Once. Twice.
I understand what he means.
I take a step back.
“Oh. I get it.”
“Your only chance of seeing him is if your house were on fire,” Eric says.
I nod again.
And take another step back toward the door.
“Yep. I get it, Eric. Sorry for intruding.”
“I’m sorry, Ember.”
I nod one last time.
“I know.”
I had no chance.
I head outside.
And I wait next to the fire station’s doors.
Despite Eric’s insistence, I still want to see Connor, so I keep waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting.
The early afternoon turns into early evening.
And yet there is no sign of him. Nothing. Nada.
Not even a glimpse of the man for the rest of the day. His pickup truck doesn’t pass by.
Wow, he really doesn’t want to see me...
Yeah, I’ve fucked up.
Big time.
And I don’t know what I can do to fix things.