“Never, ever, do that again,” I growl.
“Whoa, what the hell is going on here?” Casey shouts from behind him. Ethan smirks down at me then looks back at my friend, saying nothing before jogging off down the promenade. I grip Casey so hard she has to pull away. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
“Can we just go?”
‘Of course.” Casey looks confused, but I’m already walking, even the ocean no longer a comfort.
We head to the restaurant, a small Mexican place we frequent. Although it’s never been a problem before, I feel claustrophobic inside, so we move to the outdoor seating area, sitting under an umbrella. I hold my water bottle in a death grip as I fill Casey in on everything. Her hands cover her mouth the entire time, and she takes a deep breath before she asks if the man on the promenade was him.
I nod. “And now the asshole seems to think I’m going to go ahead with it. I’m twenty-one, Casey. I don’t need permission to live my own life. I won’t be my mother.” My stomach clenches at the thought.
“Ella, I know that. And I have no doubt you can take care of yourself. If your asshole father does anything to mess up and you need help, anything at all, you just let me know.” She reaches across the table and takes one of my hands in hers. I know she means it. Her words aren’t just meaningless promises to placate me.
“I know, Case. I just – I don’t want it to get to that. Why can’t my family just leave me alone?” I look out at the view which completely lost its appeal the minute I saw Ethan. A small tear slips from my eyes, and I wipe it away. “I won’t let them get to me. Not when I’m not going to see you in God knows how long,” I sniff.
We chat over tacos, and I smile and try to have a good time with my friend, but the uneasiness won’t let me go.
“I’m going to miss your crazy ass.,” I say as we walk to our cars. The sky is painted in pretty pink hues, and I know it’ll be dark soon.
“Not as much as I’m going to miss you,” I tell her as we hug each other goodbye.
Casey places her hands on my arms and looks me in the eyes. “I mean it. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
She sees all the broken, fearful parts of me I hide from the world but loves me anyway. I don’t know how I got so lucky.
* * *
A few miles down the road I feel it, a chill creeping up my spine that raises the hairs on the back of my neck. I look in the rearview mirror at the set of headlights behind me. There isn’t anything specific about the vehicle, but something about it feels off. I veer left, deciding to take another route, and the car does the same. I slow down, and so does my tail. I speed up, and they follow suit. I take the offramp, and they do the same.
I should pull over at a gas station I know is coming up or call 9-1-1, but instead I step on the gas hoping I’m wrong.
But I can’t lose them.
I look in my rearview mirror again, and this time the car is speeding up, the headlights getting closer. I press my foot down, but my semi-automatic doesn’t pick up speed fast enough, and the car rear-ends me.
I lurch forward, my head bouncing off the windshield, before my seatbelt tugs me back. My heart pounds in my chest, and I take a deep breath, slamming on my brakes. I’m trying to gather myself when the car rams into me again. A shriek leaves my lips, and I tighten my hands on the steering wheel, bracing myself for the next hit that doesn’t come. Instead, the car speeds off. I’m too shaken up to look at the license plate even though I know I should.
“Dial Zev,” I say aloud shakily, and my car’s Bluetooth starts dialing.
“What up, sis?” his cheerful voice sounds through the speakers.
“Zev…can you turn on the tracker for my car? I need you.” My heartbeat pounds against my ribs.
“Ella? Are you, okay?” Zev’s voiced is laced in concern.
“Hurry, Zev.” I say, slightly out of breath.
I place my head on my steering wheel feeling lightheaded. I hear cars pass me by.
“I’m on my way.” My brother tells me before cutting the call.
* * *
“So you’re really doing this? Defying your father and I, to prove what exactly?” My mother shuts the door behind her, her eyes scrutinizing me while I pack.
“That I’m not an asset he can sell off to the highest bidder. That I’m an adult and I don’t need nor want my father’s help anymore.” I’d hoped to leave without getting into it with her. How can she possibly understand my reasoning? All she’s ever wanted to be was a trophy wife to a ruthless criminal.
“You’re just delaying the inevitable, you know. You’ll be back here when this rebellious phase ends. You’ll marry Ethan and put away these childish games.” My mother’s hands flits about as she speaks. She doesn’t meet my gaze, in fact, she could be talking to herself for all I know.
