Chapter 23 "The Game"
EMBER
Saturday morning dawned bright and cold, the kind of November day where the sun was deceptive it looked warm through the window but the air outside bit at exposed skin.
Ember had been awake since six, too nervous to sleep. Her first real date with Adrian. Not just coffee or studying. An actual date. To an actual basketball game. With actual dinner afterward.
She'd changed outfits four times already, and it was only eight AM.
"You're going to wear a hole in the floor," Maya said from her bed, her voice hoarse. She'd been crying on and off all night, though she'd tried to hide it.
"I don't know what to wear to a basketball game," Ember admitted, holding up two different sweaters. "Is there a dress code? Will everyone be wearing team colors? Should I look sporty or nice or"
"Em." Maya sat up, her eyes still red and puffy. "Wear whatever makes you feel confident. Adrian likes you. He's not going to care if you're wearing the 'right' outfit."
Ember studied her friend's face. "Are you okay? Really?"
"No. But I will be." Maya attempted a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Today is about you. Your first real date with a guy who clearly adores you. Don't let my drama ruin it."
"Your drama isn't ruining anything. And if you need me to stay"
"Absolutely not. You're going to that game. You're going to have an amazing time. And you're going to tell me every single detail when you get back." Maya's voice was firm despite the pain underneath. "One of us deserves to have their relationship work out."
Ember moved to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around Maya's shoulders. They stayed like that for a long moment, neither speaking, both processing their own swirling thoughts.
Finally, Ember pulled back. "The blue sweater or the grey one?"
"Blue. Definitely blue. It makes your eyes pop."
ADRIAN
Adrian had slept maybe two hours, his mind racing through scenarios, plans, alternatives anything that didn't end with Ember dead on an altar in his grandmother's basement.
He'd tried calling Margaret at midnight, again at three AM, hoping to reason with her one more time. But she hadn't answered. She knew what he wanted to say, and she wasn't interested in hearing it.
Now, sitting on the edge of his bed at 9 AM, Adrian stared at his phone. Ember's last text from the night before was still on his screen: I can't wait to see you tomorrow.
His thumbs hovered over the keyboard. He could cancel. Tell her he was sick. Make up an excuse. Keep her away from the game, away from the party, away from the estate.
But Margaret would just find another way to get to her. And at least this way, Adrian would be there. Could try to protect her. Could try to find a way out of this nightmare.
Me too. Pick you up at 5:30?
Ember's response was almost immediate: Perfect! I promise I won't be too clueless about basketball.
You could show up not knowing what a basketball is and I'd still be happy you're there.
That's very sweet. Also, what IS a basketball? Is it like a large orange?
Despite everything, Adrian smiled. Exactly like that. You're already an expert.
He set down his phone and looked at his reflection in the mirror above his dresser. He looked like hell dark circles, hollow eyes, jaw tight with tension. He looked like someone about to do something terrible.
Because he was.
Adrian pulled out his phone again and opened a different conversation. One he'd been avoiding.
I need your help, he typed to a number he hadn't contacted in over a year. It's about grandmother. About the family. Please call me.
He hit send before he could second-guess himself.
If he was going to save Ember, he couldn't do it alone.
EMBER
By 5:15 PM, Ember was a nervous wreck.
She'd settled on the blue sweater Maya had suggested, paired with dark jeans and her nicest boots. She'd done her makeup three times, finally achieving something that looked natural but polished. Her hair was down, falling in soft waves that had taken forty-five minutes to achieve with a curling iron.
Maya had given her approval: "You look beautiful. Adrian's going to forget how to form sentences."
"I just don't want to look like I'm trying too hard."
"You look like someone who put in effort for someone she cares about. That's perfect." Maya had hugged her tight. "Have fun. Be safe. Text me if you need anything."
"Are you sure you're okay? I can stay"
"Absolutely not. Go. Live your life. I'll be fine."
But Ember wasn't sure that was true. Maya looked hollow, like something essential had been carved out of her. Jordan still hadn't called or texted. The silence was eating at her.
Now Ember stood in front of Sterling Hall, checking her phone every thirty seconds, wondering if Adrian would actually show up or if this had all been some elaborate prank.
At exactly 5:30, Adrian's car pulled up.
He got out, and Ember's breath caught. He was wearing dark jeans and a fitted henley that made his shoulders look even broader. His hair was slightly messy in that effortless way that probably took effort. And when he saw her, his face lit up with a smile that made Ember's knees weak.
"Hi," he said, walking toward her. "You look wow. You look amazing."
"You clean up pretty nice yourself," Ember managed.
"Ready for your first basketball game?"
"Ready to probably embarrass myself by not understanding what's happening? Absolutely."
Adrian laughed, and some of Ember's nervousness melted away. This was Adrian. Sweet, funny, genuine Adrian who made her feel like she wasn't weird for loving old books and hating parties.
He opened the car door for her actually opened the door, like they were in some old movie and Ember slid into the passenger seat.
The drive to the gymnasium was short, filled with Adrian's gentle coaching on basketball basics.
"So there's five players on each side," he explained. "The goal is to get the ball through your hoop that's a basket, worth two points. If you shoot from behind that curved line the three-point line, it's worth three."
"Okay. Hoops and points. I can follow that."
"There's also free throws, which are"
"Adrian," Ember interrupted gently. "I'll figure it out as I watch. Just play your game. I'll be there cheering even if I don't understand what's happening."
Adrian glanced at her, something soft in his expression. "You being there is what matters."
The gymnasium was packed when they arrived. Students in school colors blue and gold filled the stands, creating a wall of noise and energy that was both exciting and overwhelming.
Adrian led Ember to a section of seats behind the team bench. "These are reserved for players' families and friends. You'll have a good view from here."
"You reserved seats for me?"
"Of course. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable." Adrian checked his watch. "I need to get to the locker room. Warm-ups start in twenty minutes."
"Okay. Good luck. Or is that what you say? Break a leg?"
"That's theater. But I'll take it." Adrian hesitated, then leaned in and kissed her cheek brief, soft, leaving Ember's skin tingling. "Thank you for coming."
And then he was gone, jogging toward the locker rooms, leaving Ember touching her cheek and trying to remember how to breathe.