Page 55 of The Embers That Remain

“Oh. Hey, Cali! Just trying to get my sister home,” he said breathlessly as he tugged on the little blonde’s arm again as if they were playing a game. Her expression told me this wasn’t a game.

“Maybe let her walk?” I asked, hoping he’d drop the viselike grip he had around her thin arm.

“She can’t walk. It’s too far. Right, Sawyer?” he asked, but it was clear that he wasn’t looking for an answer.

“Doesn’t she normally ride the bus?” I didn’t know this kid much, but I knew he always came to school by himself, and the elementary school was only down the block. Her eyes stayed locked on mine.

“Yeah, but I decided to be a good big brother and pick her up today,” he said in a flirty tone. I glanced around, but there weren’t any adults around, and I was running out of things to say. Every instinct screamed that something was wrong, but what was I supposed to do?

“Well, um, maybe I could drive her home?” I said, scrambling for another excuse. He paused, jutting out his chin.

“I’d be all up for you coming to my house, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.” I narrowed my eyes at his remark, but it was kind of a crazy idea. I didn’t know this kid. She didn’t know me. Her eyes held mine like she was afraid looking away would make me disappear.

I squatted down to meet her at eye level.

“My name is California, but most people call me Cali. What grade are you in?” I asked. If I kept them talking, one of the teachers or the coaches would walk this way for their vehicle.

“Second grade,” she answered in a soft voice as she worried her bottom lip.

“Oh, wow! That must mean that you’re learning to read and spell! Reading is the best!” I said as if that were the most interesting thing in the world to be in second grade. Where was an adult?!

“I like to read,” she whispered, like being dragged by the arm while having a conversation was something she’d learned to ignore.

“Me too! Have you read My Brain is a Wonder by Jordi Lou yet?” I asked. “It’s a fun book!” I just needed more time. She shook her head.

“You should ask Mrs. Marsh, the librarian, about that one tomorrow! I think you’ll love it!” I said, buying another few seconds.

“Listen, Cali. We gotta get home,” Dawton said as he pulled her arm. There were going to be bruises. She winced.

“You’re hurting her.” I rose to my feet.

“She’s fine,” he said, turning and yanking her closer to the car. I searched the parking lot but there was no one around.

“Are you going to the dance Saturday?” I needed to draw this out. Something wasn’t right. He stopped, and something dark hardened in his eyes. He took a step toward me, crowding my space.

“Why? You need a date?”

My pulse stuttered.

“Uh, no, I was just wondering if you were going?” I scrambled, needing more time.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” Lane asked, his sports duffel slung over his shoulder. Lane’s voice cut through the tension, low but sharp enough to make Dawton’s grip falter for half a second. He didn’t let go.

I turned; relief flooded me so hard my knees almost gave out. Lane was already moving. His duffel slid from his shoulder and thudded against the pavement. His eyes flicked from me to the girl, then locked on Dawton’s hand clamped around her arm.

“What’s going on?” he asked again, slower this time.

Dawton’s jaw knotted. “None of your business.”

Lane stepped closer anyway, placing himself just slightly in front of me, like it wasn’t even something he had to think about. “Looks like my business.”

Sawyer backed away, her shoes scraping against the asphalt as she tried to lean away from her brother. The movement made Dawton yank her harder. Lane’s gaze dropped to her arm. His hands flexed at his sides.

“You’re hurting her,” Lane said.

“I said she’s fine,” Dawton snapped, his voice rising now, cracking at the edges. “Mind your own—”

“Let her go.” It wasn’t loud. That was the scary part. For a split second, everything went still. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.