A HORRIBLE MISTAKE

When I woke up I felt stiff. I stretched my body as much as I could. I didn't want to lay here and wait for Ian to rouse from his slumber. "Wake up, Superman!" I cooed.

"I'm not waking up unless you promise me the best day ever," he was already awake.

"You're not asking me for much, are you?" I replied.

"Do you love me?"

"That's a stupid question. You know you are the love of my life."

"Good. Now come on so I can spoil you," He said adamantly.

We dressed and climbed out of the van. Inside the house Sunny and Kyle were still asleep. My clothes were in the room they were in. I knocked gently. I got no answer. I knocked again. Kyle answered. "Who is it?"

"It's me. I just need to get some clothes."

"Come in, sweetheart."

Kyle was wrapped around Sunny. I quickly got clothes for both Ian and I.

"Are you and Ian okay?" Sunny asked.

"Everything is great."

"Did you sleep in the root cellar with Ice?" Oh no. Ice. Who slept with Ice? Had anyone even locked him in?

I ran back out to Ian. "Ian I don't know if anyone is with Ice. I don't even know if he was locked in." My voice was panicked. If Ice escaped, we could all die.

Ian and I raced to the root cellar. The door was locked. We looked at each other.

"Burns!"

We ran back to the house and knocked loudly on Burns' door. "Who is it? What's wrong?"

Ian spoke. "Do you have the key to the root cellar?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Who's with him?"

"Nate stayed with him last night. You two were MIA so Nate offered to stay with Ice. He was worried about where you were though."

"Can I have the key? I want to check on them. I was very angry with Nate and I need to let him know that I am not angry with him anymore."

Ian raised an eyebrow to me.

"You can wait for me in the Jacuzzi. I won't be long." I kissed him quickly.

I knocked on the door before I opened it. Nate and Ice were both just opening their eyes. I turned on the light, and they were both blinded.

"Sorry. It's so dark in here compared to outside."

Ice was cranky. "Dark really works when you are trying to sleep."

"Good morning to you too, cranky pants!"

Nate sat up. "Is everything okay?"

"It will be. Can I talk to you alone?"

Nate seemed confused. "Um, sure." He looked over at Ice.

"We'll just be outside the door." I assured him.

Nate followed me outside and closed the door behind us. The sun was shining brightly and it took a minute for my eyes to adjust. Nate ran his fingers through his long locks in an attempt to make himself more presentable. I smiled at him. He was handsome in spite of his messy hair. I took his hands in mine.

"Nate, I owe you an apology."

"No, you don't."

I squeezed his hands. "Please let me do this." Now it was I who looked at the ground in remorse. "I blamed you for the alcohol but every one of these guys is over twenty one and should have been responsible for themselves." I looked at Nate now. "As it turns out, you were the only responsible one. I was angry with Ian and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry." I bit my lip.

He looked at me with his beautiful dark eyes and raised my hand and kissed it. "You see? This is why I love you." He put his hand tenderly on my cheek. "You are the sweetest most sincere person I have ever met."

"Thank you" I whispered barely loud enough to hear.

He lowered his hand from my cheek. "You need to go now." He looked sad. "Why?"

"Because right now, I really want to kiss you."

Even with the warmth of the sun upon us, I could feel the burn in my cheeks. I hated hurting him. "Maybe a hug?" I offered.

"I'll want more. Go to Ian."

I was torn. I hated leaving him this way, but I knew he was right. He was trying to protect both of us. Nate had turned to go back through the door.

"Nate?"

He answered me without turning to face me. "Yes?"

"I love you too." He disappeared through the door and it closed behind him. A lump rose in my throat. I couldn't swallow. I went back inside and joined Ian who was waiting for me in the Jacuzzi. I didn't let on the emotions that were racing through my head as I reached out to hug Ian.

That afternoon everyone gathered for the baseball game. When I saw Nate I smiled at him. He and Ian were team captains. They had already agreed that Ian would get first choice.

"For my first pick, I choose Wanderer." Ian spoke emphatically.

"No, Ian! Nate will take Kyle!" I didn't want to screw up Ian's game plan.

He pulled me under his arm. "It's okay, Babydoll. He can't get both Kyle and Burns since I had first pick."

Nate did choose Kyle and Ian chose Burns. Then Nate chose Blake who was Ian's golden boy. I knew that hurt because he squeezed my arm when his name was called. Nate chose Rob, Tom, and Carl. Ian chose Carlos, Evan, and Dean, who was Carlos' younger brother, and Megan.

Jamie protested. "You chose Megan before me?"

Ian answered his question. "She's a better ball player than you are." Megan smiled at her boyfriend. Nate chose Rachel, Sarah, and Holly as his last choices. Ian chose Jamie and Kim, who was Nate's older sister. He also took five year old Ben as a tenth player. He would sit one person out each inning. They let Ice referee behind the plate. There were enough people present to keep him from escaping if he had the mind to. Jeb played the referee in the field.

Ian had asked me to wear the same exact outfit that I wore at the last game. His plan was turnabout is fair play. Ian knew Nate still had feelings for me so his plan was for me to do the same thing to Nate that Nate had done to him. I didn't want to do it though. It was one thing to tease Ian. He knew at the end of the day, this body was his. Doing this to Nate was unfair because I would just be flaunting what he couldn't have. I couldn't hurt him like that. The first time Nate came up to bat, Ian signaled to me. I did not respond.

When the inning was over, Ian pulled me aside. "I signaled you. Why didn't you do what was asked of you?"

I stood up to him. "Because it's not fair."

"Right, but it was fair when you did it to me?"

"It's not the same," I protested.

He was angry. "Next inning, you sit out." He looked down the bench at little Ben. "Ben! Next inning you play third. Megan you move to second."

I sat and folded my arms across my chest. "Would you like me to run the field, Coach?" I huffed.

"Why? Do you need the exercise?" he said coldly.

Ian had sandwiched me as batter right between him and Burns. Carlos was up first. He hit one to Nate down the third base line and beat the throw to first. Megan was up. Ian made Blake pitch to her even though she was a girl. He knew she could hit off Blake. She hit a nice one to centerfield, but it was caught by Tom. Burns was third in the lineup. He hit a line drive to Holly in right field. All those weeks watching Ian coach, maybe she should have practiced. Carlos made it home, and Burns took second before Holly grabbed the ball and threw it in. I was up next. I hit a pop fly right to Kyle at first base. Ian was up and as expected he hit a home run. Dean struck out to retire the side. We were ahead three to two.

Second inning, I sat out as planned. I kept looking over at Nate because I didn't want to hurt him, but I knew Ian expected me to do whatever he asked of me when it came to baseball. Nate walked around the backstop to where I was sitting on the bench. He knelt down in front of me. "Everything okay?"

"Nope." I pulled my lips into a tight line.

"What's wrong?" he said with sincerity in his voice.

"I don't want to hurt you Nate. It's not fair."

"Don't worry about it. It's okay. All's fair in baseball. I was expecting it." He patted his hand on my thigh and then got to his feet. Ian was watching and he did not look happy.

Burns was playing first but he was trying to help little Ben cover second. It was a good inning. The other team did not score. At the end of the inning Ian came off the field and sat next to me. "What the hell was that about?"

"Nothing." I said meekly.

"You still have feelings for him."

I didn't answer his accusation. Instead I asked a question. "Are you going to let me play next inning?"

"Are you going to do what I tell you to do?"

"Is my playing contingent on my baring my body? Cause if you want I can strip down to my bra and underwear."

"Don't be stupid."

"I'm being stupid! Oh, that's right, you wouldn't want Nate to see that much of me," I snapped back at him.

Nate called "TIME!" He walked over to our bench. "Guys. It's not that I am not enjoying the crap out of you two fighting over me, but this is a baseball game. Now could you please kiss and make up so we can continue?" Kyle was cracking up on first base.

I was afraid that Ian would explode and try to kill Nate. I grabbed his hand and pulled him off the bench with all my might and dragged him away from the others. I put both of my hands on his chest. He held me by the elbows, but he didn't look at me. Instead he looked over my head at the trees.

"I'm sorry. You are the coach and the leader of this team. Let me play and I will do whatever you need."

"Fine." His expression did not change. He was stoic. He released my elbows and walked over to the bench. "Dean, you sit out next inning. Wanderer, you take his spot in the outfield. If the ball comes to you, I expect you to catch it. Don't you wait for it to drop and then pick it up. You get under it. You got that?"

"I will." I was trying to be supportive. I only hoped it would be enough to appease him.

It was the bottom of our line up. Ben was up. He was hitting off a tee. Because he was so little, he had a runner. The last out was allowed to run for him and that was Jamie. There were two outs. Ben hit the ball right to the pitcher. It was an easy throw to first base. Everyone told Ben it was a good hit. So next inning we would be at the top of our lineup.

I took the outfield. I was happy out here in no man's land where I could stay out of trouble. Then Nate came up to bat. There was one out and a man on second. Nate hit a high ball right to me in the outfield. I had to make this catch. I got under the ball and stayed focused. I wanted to look at Ian but I didn't. In practice these types of catches were easy, but now my nerves were raw. I had the urge to close my eyes, but again I didn't. I followed the ball and caught it. Carl was far off the bag at second. Ian was yelling "TWO! TWO!" I took the few seconds I needed and I threw right at Ian. "YOU'RE OUT!" Jeb called. It was a double play.

Ian ran over and threw me over his shoulder and ran back to the bench. He put me down and put both of his hands on my face. "I knew you could do it. Way to use your head!" I thought he would kiss me but he didn't. I didn't know if he was trying to remain professional after the fight we displayed for everyone, or if he was pulling away again. This worried me.

The rest of the team came over and congratulated me on the catch. Even Nate came by on his way to third base to offer his nod. "Nice catch, Beautiful."

"Get your helmet on." Ian said as he sat on the bench.

I did as he said and then I came up behind him and threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. He reached up and held my forearms so I couldn't pull away. I was draped over the back of him. He whispered. "I know we haven't gone over bunting. I want you to hit the ball as lightly as you can and then run like the wind. Don't stop. You run right through the bag. Got it?" He let go of my arms.

"I got it, Coach." Again he didn't look at me. He stared at the field. I still wasn't sure if he was holding me to talk to me as a coach or if he wanted me to hold him.

Carlos and Megan both made it on base. Burns was up. He hit a beauty to centerfield but once again, Tom was there to make the catch. Carlos and Megan were still on first and second respectively. I was up. Ian started to clap his hands. "Come on Wanderer. You can do it."

The first pitch was a ball. The second pitch I started to swing and then thought better of it. "She went!" Ice called from behind me.

"Come on, Wanderer. Elbows down, level swing," Ian encouraged me. Rachel threw the perfect pitch. I tapped the ball. It landed a few feet in front of me almost on the third base line. I didn't wait to hear if it was good or not. I took off. I could see Kyle gearing up for the catch. Don't stop, I kept saying to myself. Run right through the base line.

"Safe!" Jeb called.

"Good girl!" Ian called out.

Ian was up and the entire outfield back up about ten feet. Nate called "TIME!" He walked up to Blake on the pitcher's mound. "Walk him." We all heard it.

"What are you scared?" Ian taunted Nate.

"In more ways than I care to admit," Nate called back to Ian.

Blake threw four balls two feet over Ian's head. Ian walked to first and Carlos scored. I guess they figured one run was better than four.

The end of the game was the top of the seventh. We were winning so there was no need for us to bat. The score was eight to five. As Nate walked off the field he waved to me and winked. "Good game, Beautiful."

I mouthed the words. "Thank you"

Ian came up behind me. "I think someone owes me a lap for insubordination."

"Really? Are you going to play that card?"

"You better run fast because if I catch you, you will run another lap. You have ten seconds." He ordered. "One…"

Crap. I took off running. Ian counted out loud. When he got to ten he stopped. I looked behind me. He was flying. I knew he was going to catch me. When I could hear him get close I stopped running and collapsed on the ground with my arms protecting my head. "I don't want to run anymore!" I cried.

He stopped and dropped to his knees. He flipped me over onto my back.

"You know I have never been so embarrassed in my life like I was today when we are arguing," he said in a serious tone.

"I'm sorry."

"I asked Jeb about that. We argue all the time. We argue when we are happy and we argue when we are annoyed with each other. I asked him why do you suppose that is? You know what he said?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

"He said as long as we make up it doesn't matter. He said maybe we are both just drama queens. Tell me, do I look like a queen to you?" He was smiling the silliest grin.

"No. You look like Superman."

"I love you." He fell on me and attacked me like a vampire. His lips and teeth on my neck made me feel tingly all over. "You know what?"

"What?"

"We should come out here and make love right on home plate."

"I'll think about it." We laid there in the middle of the outfield and kissed each other for a good fifteen minutes before we both came up panting.

"Now what was that about stripping down to your bra and panties?" I flipped over and tried to crawl away. He grabbed my sweatpants and started to pull them off.

"No, Ian! It's broad daylight!"

"You are such a spoil sport!" He stood up and pulled me to me feet, and then pulled my pants way up to my bra line. I looked like a nerd.

"You jerk!"

"Your jerk," he grinned.

He ran back and got the equipment bag while I put myself back together. He returned and grabbed my hand, and we walked off the field together.

At dinner, I hung out with Sunny. Ian and Burns were having a private conversation. I could only imagine what that was all about. They were probably planning strategy for the next baseball game. Later on, Ian came to me as I sat talking with Kyle and Sunny. We had been discussing Jared and Mel and the baby.

"Wanderer, can I talk to you for a sec?" He pulled me by the arm away from my conversation.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to let you know that I am going on a road trip with Burns."

"When?"

"Now."

I was concerned now. "For what?"

"I can't tell you."

Now, I was confused. "I don't understand."

"I know and if I could tell you, I would. You'll know why soon enough. Please just trust me okay?"

"Why are you leaving now? It's late. Everything is closed."

"We have our reasons."

"When are you coming back?"

"We'll be back tomorrow probably around lunch time."

"I'm worried."

"You shouldn't be worried. We'll be fine. This is a fun trip."

"Then why can't I come with you?"

"No, it's guys only." This made no sense at all. They couldn't go to a bar or a club. Ian was human.

"What does that mean?" I demanded.

He planted his feet into a wide stance in front of me and took my hands in his. "Babydoll. I don't want to fight with you. Can you please trust me? Just this once?"

"If I have to." I huffed.

"You have to. I love you." He pulled me to his chest and pressed his lips to mine. He started to pull away but I kept on kissing him. I kissed him until he submitted to the slow burn kiss. Just as I really started to enjoy the kiss, he ended it, and pulled back. "There. Do you feel better?"

"I would feel better if you weren't going anywhere."

"I know. You can walk me to the truck." He put his arm around me as we walked.

Burns was already waiting for him in the truck. I went to the driver's side window to address Burns. "I don't know what you're doing, but you better bring him back in the same condition he left in."

"Don't worry, Sis, I will."

Ian hugged me and gave me another kiss good bye. He released me and jumped in the passenger seat. "I love you." He called as the truck pulled away.

So, I guess I would be sleeping alone with Ice. I went into the house. The usual crowd was gathered by the TV. I sighed. I didn't know what to do with myself. I went into the kitchen and sat at the table. Jeb was there talking with some of the older people. I felt out of place with this crowd. After a bit, I excused myself and went outside. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I ran into Nate.

"Hey, Beautiful? How's it goin'?" He was pleasant as usual.

"It's not going anywhere." I said flatly.

"Is something wrong? Where's Ian?" He was concerned.

"Not here. He went on a road trip with Burns."

"Hmm. That's odd. Usually, he fills me in when he is going somewhere."

"Yes. I didn't get the scoop either. All I got was 'trust me, I'll see you tomorrow'." I sighed in exasperation.

"Okay. You want to go for a walk?" He offered me his arm.

"I guess." I said sullenly.

"Aw, don't be like that. You're with me now. Have you ever been in the caves at night?"

"No. I'm not allowed in there after sundown."

"Well, I am the king around here and I'm going to take you on the nighttime tour."

It was dark like in the caverns back home. I didn't know my way around. He put his arm around my shoulders as he guided me and told me when I needed to duck. Eventually we came to a room that had a huge hole in the ceiling. It was about six feet across. I looked out of the hole, and the sky was filled with stars shining brightly in the sky. It was breathtaking. It was almost like looking through a telescope.

"This is one of my favorite places. Sometimes I lie on the floor, and just stare out at the stars. I couldn't believe that the aliens that invaded our earth could have come from such a beautiful heaven. Then I met you." He hugged me.

"In the winter, when it snows, I like to stand here. It's just the weirdest feeling because technically, you're inside but you're being snowed on." He paused.

"Come on, I'll show you my room." He took my hand and pulled me along. Nate's room was small like the rooms at the caverns back home but he had it all to himself. The others shared their rooms. In the center of the room was a full size bed complete with headboard. Most of the others just had a mattress. He really was the king. The rest of the room reminded me of a library. He had several shelves filled with books.

I was impressed. "Wow, you have a lot of books."

"I like to read. I was a political science major in college. I was in my second year, I had aspirations of being a politician." He laughed. "I wanted to rule the world."

"Well, you rule the mountain," I said trying to boost his ego.

"So, anyway, this is my place. I'm glad you got the chance to see it."

I smiled. "Thank you for showing it to me."

"You want to head back to the house now?"

"Sure."

Nate held my hand and interlaced his fingers in mine. He lead me slowly through the cave. After we got outside he didn't let go of my hand. Back at the house, Ice was with Jeb and some of the others watching a movie. I was glad because I really wasn't tired and I wasn't ready to be locked in the root cellar. "I think I'm going to go and sit on the front porch." It was my quiet place to contemplate my loneliness just like when I sat at the entrance to the caverns in the desert.

"I'll come with you." Nate insisted. I didn't argue.

We sat together on the steps of the porch.

"You seem preoccupied," Nate observed.

"I'm just worried. The last time Ian kept a secret from me they were slaughtering innocent souls in the attempt to remove the soul from the host body."

Nate placed his hand on mine. "He has Burns with him. I'm sure it's not as sinister as all that."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm sure I'm right." We sat in silence for a while until Nate finally spoke. "That was quite a show you and Ian put on at the baseball game today."

"I know. We didn't realize how loud we were."

"You were fighting over me."

"Yes, he's jealous of you."

"Not as jealous as I am of him. What started the fight?"

"He wanted me to duplicate what I had done to him during the first game, and I told him I didn't want to because I didn't want to hurt you."

"That was nice of you but truthfully, seeing your body isn't at all painful." He grinned.

"Thank you. Anyway, he says I still have a thing for you."

He was definitely interested now because he moved closer to me.

"And what did you say?"

"Nothing." I got up and walked to the top of the stairs and onto the porch because I knew Nate would be mulling over my lack of response to Ian, especially when I had told Nate only this morning that I loved him. He slowly climbed the stairs and leaned against the railing next to where I was.

"There's something that's been bothering me for a long time."

"What?"

"Something Ian said actually."

My curiosity got the better of me. "What did Ian say?"

"The first time you were here, and Ian told you to go back to the caverns without him, he asked you to take me with you."

"I didn't because I didn't need to. The kiss wasn't…" He stood in front of me and put his arms on either side of my body, and held onto the top of the rail that I was leaning against. Whatever he was about to say I could not escape from. I was trapped. His face was very close to mine.

"I told him that you kissed me and that I kissed you back. He said you tried too hard."

"What?" I was confused by this logic.

"He was right. You didn't want to like the kiss. You talked yourself out of it before our lips ever touched."

"No, you're wrong. I…"

He interrupted me. "I can't believe there was no chemistry between us." He leaned in to kiss me. I put my head down.

"Stop it Nate." I said barely above a whisper.

"You're afraid. Why?" I wouldn't look up at him.

"I can't." I was going to marry Ian. This was wrong.

He released the railing and put one arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. With his free hand, he pulled my chin up to his face. "I just have to know."

I closed my eyes. "No." I was pleading.

His lips were on mine. I didn't want to kiss him. I didn't want to feel anything for Nate. His kiss was different from Ian's. It was gentle and warm. He didn't nibble or pull on my lips like Ian often did in his playful way. He was serious. He ever so gently slipped his tongue between my lips. I was drawn in by the softness. I didn't fight him. I invited him into my mouth. He stroked my tongue with his. I was dizzy. When he finally pulled away from me he whispered, "I knew it."

I couldn't look at him. He put both hands on my face and pulled it up so he could see me. Tears were streaming down my face. "You're in love with me too. Admit it."

I pulled away from Nate and turned my back to him. He leaned against my back and pulled my hair off of my shoulder and kissed my neck. It made my body shiver.

He put his lips to my ear. "I want to make love to you."

I sidestepped away from his advances and spun around to face him.

"Are you out of your mind? Ian will destroy you!" I said it with ire in my voice. I wanted him to understand the danger he was in. The danger he put us both in.

"Then I'll die a happy man." He wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Let go of me, Nate! I can't do this!" I stripped his arms off of me, and as soon as I was free, I fled. I ran into the house. Ice was lounging on the floor of the living room still watching the movie. I grabbed his arm and tugged on him. "Come on. We're going to bed, now!"

He was tied to Jeb. "What's your hurry?"

"Please. Ice!" By now everyone saw the tears streaming down my face. Jeb and Ice both jumped to their feet. Ice grabbed my hand, and I led him out the door with Jeb following close behind.

"Wanda, what's wrong?"

I couldn't talk. I needed to get away from Nate before he decided to come looking for me. As soon as I was inside the root cellar I hurled my body onto my cot and buried my face in the pillow. I wanted to die. Ian would surely hate me. A minute later Ice entered the room, and the door was locked behind him. He went to his cot and sat down. He didn't say anything. It was obvious to me now that he was single because he had no clue what to say or do. I cried for about a good half hour until my head was pounding.

"Wanda, you want to talk about it?"

"I've ruined everything!" I blurted out.

"It can't be that bad." He said trying to console me.

I never said another word. I just curled up in a ball and tried to hold my pounding head together until eventually exhaustion overtook me. I don't know how long I slept, but when I woke it was still dark, and the light was still on in the room. Ice had fallen asleep sitting up with his head leaning back against the wall. I assume he wanted to be there in case I woke and decided to talk to him. I wanted to get out, but the door was locked. My stomach hurt, and I felt sick. I missed Ian. I knew he'd never want to be near me again. He would kill Nate if given the chance. I needed to leave. I couldn't be here to see the carnage.

The door opened just before the sun rose in the sky. It was Nate. I tried to rush past him. He cornered me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "I need to talk to you."

"Nate, there's nothing to talk about." Ice stirred on his cot. "This is not about you and me." I hissed.

"How can you say that? The kiss was real."

"It doesn't matter. Ian will hate me and he's going to hurt you." I was angry that he still didn't get it. I loved two men but my heart would always be Ian's.

"I accept that." In his deranged mind, he still thought we could be together.

"I don't." Ice was awake now and had been quietly listening to our conversation. I turned my head to Ice. "Please, Ice, I need to get out of here. Will you help me?"

Ice slowly rose from his cot. He was a soul and not a man of violence, but neither was Nate. "Let her go, Nate." Ice said with authority. Nate released me and held out the key. I snatched the key from his hand and bolted out the door locking them both in.

Now that I was out, I needed to decide what to do. My first stop was the bedroom where Kyle and Sunny were sleeping. I snuck in quietly and opened a drawer where much of my clothes were kept. I grabbed an armful of clothes and scooted out the door without closing the drawer. I headed straight to the bathroom, where I changed and brushed my teeth. I kicked my dirty clothes into a corner of the bathroom. I took the rest of the clothes into the kitchen where I found a paper bag to put them in along with my brush and toothbrush.

The sun was up now. I looked at the clock, it was 6:30 AM. I needed to hurry before someone woke up. The keys to the van were back in Sunny and Kyle's room. I had to go back and get them. I was rooting around the room searching for the keys when Sunny woke up. I put my fingers to my lips so she wouldn't wake Kyle. I knew from experience that he was a sound sleeper.

"What are you doing?" She said in voice low enough to be considered a whisper.

I whispered as well. "Looking for the keys to the van."

"Why?"

"I'm leaving."

"What happened last night?"

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest as I relived the episode that would surely destroy my relationship with Ian. My voice hitched. "I can't talk about it. I screwed up my life. I hope you and Kyle will still get married."

"What? Talk to me?" She spoke audibly. I was afraid she would wake Kyle, and he would definitely stop me. The tears started falling as I rushed out the door. By the time Sunny had thrown on enough clothes to exit the bedroom I was exiting the bathroom with all of the medications.

"Where are you going?" She was concerned.

"Away. I've lost…Ian and I can't bear to see the destruction when he gets back." My head started to pound again. I handed her the bag with the drugs. "Here. Don't let Ian kill Nate." The tears were dripping from my jaw line.

"What?" Her face conveyed her confusion.

"Just tell Kyle."

I sprinted out the door and fell to my knees at the bottom of the steps. I quickly got up, grabbed my bag, and rushed to the driver's side door. I got in, put the keys in the ignition, slammed it into drive and took off. Sunny was standing in the driveway with her arms folded over her chest as I drove away. A few miles down the road, I realized that I was exhausted. The few hours I had slept were not peaceful, and the return of my tears reclaimed what little energy I had. I needed to sleep or I might just kill someone on the road. The smart thing to do would be to go see Fluttering, not that anything I had done in the last twelve hours was smart. Fluttering was already aware of my boyfriend troubles so my tears would be of no surprise to her. I pulled up to the hair salon. The hours on the door read 9:30-6:00. It was 7:45. I turned off the vehicle and lay my head back against the headrest.

The tapping on the window woke me. It was Fluttering. "Ashley, wake up honey!" I opened my eyes and rolled down the window. "Don't sleep out here. Come on inside." I silently obeyed. "What's wrong, honey?"

"I ruined everything," I moaned.

"Is that all? You'll be okay, you'll see." I followed her to the back of the salon. There was a back room where the employees spent their down time. There was a well worn couch. She bid me to lay down. "You sleep now. We can talk later." She covered me with a blanket. I don't remember anything after that.