Page 99 of Save Your Breath

Livia cursed at her phone before setting it on the table and sliding it toward me, screen lit up with a bright red weather alert.

“It’s not heading for Louisiana anymore,” she said. “It’s coming straight for Tampa.”

I blinked at the screen, my ears ringing, brain trying to grasp what that meant as I scrambled for my own phone. There were a dozen missed calls from my parents, along with Rina, Glo, Marci, and Isabella. My pink-haired friend had also sent me a text in all caps that said DO NOT STRESS, I WILL HANDLE THIS. I blinked again when I saw the texts from James, whom I’d made promise me he would stay outside and let me have a peaceful brunch unless there was a dire emergency. His texts simply informed me of the situation, and then each one urged that he felt we should get somewhere safe sooner rather than later.

Bless that man for listening to my wishes, but curse him for being so literal about what defines a dire emergency.

Text after text, call after call, but all of it faded to the background when I saw the two missed texts from Aleks.

Tell me where you are, I’m coming to get you.

And don’t worry, Strings. I’ll keep you safe.

Fireworks

Mia

I should be happy.

I just finished a successful tour. It’s summer in Chicago, my favorite time of the year. It’s the Fourth of July. Fireworks are already streaking over the dusty blue sky as the sun sets. I’m at Mom and Dad’s. I’m at Mom and Dad’swith Austin.

I’m with Austin.

My boyfriend.

I should be happy.

But as I stand around the kitchen island with my family, I can’t help but feel like every smile I’ve worn today has been forced.

Austin is laughing at something my mom said as she refills their wine. She goes to refill mine before realizing I haven’t touched the last glass she poured. She keeps her smile, but I don’t miss the questioning glance in her eyes as she tilts her head marginally.

I tap my temple, pretending my head hurts while giving her the most reassuring smile I can muster.

My eyes flick to the staircase next.

My father is up those stairs, and he isn’t alone. I have a feeling he isn’t in his study like he said he’d be. He told us he just wanted to send one email real quick before he forgot, and then we’d go watch fireworks on the lake.

But he’s been gone for a while now.

So has Aleks.

Being in this house with him again has been disorienting, like trying to find my way through a reoccurring dream. It’s familiar, but warped. It’s comforting, and yet scary, too.

Everything seemed fine when we were on the boat today. We all laughed and drank and ate and swam. But Aleks never sat next to me. We never got a moment alone. And I couldn’t help but feel like he held some sort of animosity toward Austin, which wasn’t fair, considering this was his first time meeting him.

He was distant. He was in his head.

He was having one of those days.

The bad days.

And the more he drank, the more my stomach hurt.

I stay lost in my thoughts until Dad comes down the stairs. Glancing toward Mom and Austin and seeing they were still lost in conversation, I sneak over to meet Dad on the bottom step.

He lets out a heavy sigh when I look up at him, eyes filled with questions I don’t have the guts to ask. He places a hand on my shoulder, kisses my hair, and tells me not to worry.

But he’s hiding something behind his back.