Page 5 of Fireworks

“Katie is going to kill me for calling you, but I didn’t know who else to call. I need your help.”

My brain was still foggy as I looked over at the clock flashing just after three o’clock.

“Who is this?”

Her voice huffed out in aggravation.

“It’s Maddie. Can you come help or not?”

“Yeah, where are you guys?”

Shoving the covers off myself, I threw my legs over the edge of the bed, rubbing my face in my hands to wake myself quicker.

“The old warehouse off west 86th. Do you know where it is?”

Of course, everyone who grew up in this town had attended a party at the old warehouse. It was a little off the grid, but it shouldn’t take me long to get there.

“Yeah, I’m on my way now.”

Why the hell would they be out here at this hour? It wasn’t like the Katie I knew to be out partying at three AM let alone have her best friend calling me for help. As I pulled up alongside the rows of cars, I could see Maddie standing by the front door. I quickened my pace as a better picture of what was going on came into view. Katie sat slumped on the ground.

“What the hell happened?”

My voice filled the space around us like a loud clap of thunder. I scowled at Maddie as if she was in complete control of this situation. Rushing over, Katie didn’t seem coherent at all as I knelt beside her.

“She just drank too much, but I couldn’t get her to the car, and we clearly can’t stay out here all night. I wouldn’t have called you, but you know her mom would kill her if she knew. She’s supposed to be staying at my place tonight.”

Maddie, among her other friends, always struck me as irresponsible. This wasn’t like Katie at all.

“What did she drink?”

I lifted her chin as she looked up at me, still groggy in a drunken state. Maddie did not answer. Looking back over my shoulder, my face was unforgiving of any amount of anger it held.

“What the fuck did she drink, Maddie?”

I barked back at her. Her arms crossed over her stomach.

“I don’t know. She had a wine cooler, but she was talking to someone who gave her a drink. I just figured she drank more when she wasn’t with me. She was having fun for once.”

Valedictorian or not, she wasn’t stupid. Katie knew not to drink something without assuming it could lace with something. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to go kick the ass of whoever this guy was or just get her somewhere safe. Despite the anger rising in my chest, I scooped her up from the ground, cradling her in my arms like I had done the day they brought home her from the hospital and carried her back to my truck. Yelling over my shoulder, I made sure Maddie could hear me.

“You guys are fucking idiots. Get the fuck home before your own parents find out!”

I settled her into the passenger seat and reached across her to put her seatbelt on, the smell of alcohol still fresh on her breath. Asher couldn’t see her like this. Hell, I didn’t even want to see her like this. How could she be so stupid? Hadn’t we warned her enough times over the years about the dangers of drinking at parties?

As I sat in the driver's seat, I fought the urge to turn around and give whatever worthless piece of shit that did this the beating he deserved. The only place I could think of bringing her was my house. My mom would be out of the house early and wouldn’t even know she was there. She could sleep it off in my bed and no one had to know what had happened. Our little secret.

Pulling her from the car, she curled into me as her arms wrapped around my neck. Quietly creeping into the house, I prayed that my mother wasn’t up already working on a case. She had planned to go into the office for a few hours before Katie’s party today. Breathing a sigh of relief, I gently placed her on my bed, covering her with my sheets. She snuggled in comfortably. It was like she was supposed to be there. I sat down at my desk, too worked up to even attempt more sleep. I spent the better part of the next hour thinking of every scenario that could have played out had Maddie not called me.

My stomach turned into a giant knot as I tried to swallow the reality of the night. I should have been a little more grateful that Maddie had enough sense to get Katie out of there. Simultaneously, I knew she was probably the one who talked Katie into going and drinking while she was there.

I saw the card my mom picked up for the graduation party on my desk. My mother had already placed her signature under the sentiment she wrote. She had told me for the last week to write something nice and my mind always came up with a million things. Somehow nothing ever seemed right. Finally, picking up the pen, I pressed down on the blank page.

I’ve watched you go from diapers to diplomas. You’ll do great things. Remember, I’m always a call away. P.S. You never were JUST my best friend’s little sister.

Nate