The Ember In The Dark ( book one )

Chapter 15

“All I want to do is protect you,” Blake.

- Present time -

Blake watched in awe as Danny, Lucas, and Jacob laughed their heads off. As they recount the events of the evening, most especially the brawl in the bar. He does not understand why he’s the only one fuming mad that she works in a place like that.

She’s underage, and Mr. Matthews is ok with this? And why the f**k does she have a room in that guy’s cabin? Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong? Why am I the only one upset?

Blake thought to himself as he drove them back to the twin’s house.

Lucas requested that he drive as both of the twins wanted to catch up with Danny. With all three sitting in the back seat.

_ Earlier

After they met Danny at the club’s back entrance for the service crew, she walked with them to the cabin and asked them to wait again while grabbing a few things in the house.

Thankfully Blake thought, Lucas was as curious as I asked her whose cabin it was and why she had a room there. Like a big brother, Lucas interrogated Danny about it. Which made Blake smile internally that he didn’t have to ask the questions.

Danny’s answers were all nonchalantly said

“I crash here after my shift.”

“It’s not a problem.”

“Dad knows.”

“And besides, Pete is a family friend.”

Family friend, my ass, Blake muttered under his breath. He doesn’t remember a Pete when they were younger.

“Pete as in Mr. Santos, son?” Jacob quips

“Yep, remember he is eight years older than you guys” then, as if remembering an event, Danny’s eyes light up. “Do you guys remember the summer he bought you your first beers? I think that was when you three turned 13.” She suddenly laughs. “And remember how you all spat it out after the first sip.”

All the while, Blake kept quiet as he tried to control his temper. He thought sarcastically that it was great Jacob and Lucas remembered Pete. But for him, he was just annoyed that Danny was crashing at a grown man’s house.

“So that makes him like 30 now?” Blake sarcastically replied.

“27, you’ve always been bad at math!” Danny retorts

After Danny finished grabbing her stuff, Blake was just glad he didn’t have to come face to face with Pete. He wouldn’t have been able to control himself. His jealousy was seething.

Lucas suggested that they go back to their house as Danny mentioned she was hungry.

- Back in the car –

About an hour later, Blake drove into the modest driveway into the Crowle estate. The Crowle estate was one of the few estates just above the town’s ridge. It had a nice view of the town and the mountainside.

Finally, as Blake parked the car in the garage, he muttered louder than intended. “Isn’t he a little too old for you?”

“What?” All three say in sync.

“s**t,” Blake retorts; well, the cat’s out of the bag; they might as well ask it. Heck, he was sure both the twins were thinking it. “Isn’t he too old for you?”

“Who? Pete,” Danny spat, then she started laughing; she placed her hand on her stomach as she laughed, “Pete and I aren’t together.” she said between breaths, “Don’t worry, Connor, you’re not the first to think we are an item. But nope”

Then her demeanor changed now more severe “he is just a friend; more recently has become my best friend.”

The words sliced through Blake’s heart.

“He was there when I needed someone the most” She was now staring right at the rearview mirror. Blake caught her gaze.

Lucas and Jacob could feel the tension between them build up.

“What’s with the Connor s**t?” Jacob asks, “he used to be Blakey.”

“Ha! That’s funny. Connor is how Bake is called the star Lacrosse player.”

“You mean to say Blakey got popular?”

“Yep”

“So hold up, Pete is your new best friend? Am hurt, Daniella.”

“Argh,” She squirmed at Jacob’s remark. “You’re always the first.”

Blake felt cold; he could feel the questions about rolling out off of the twins. He knew he wouldn't be able to avoid it all night. Danny was going to them. What a jerk he's.

“Btw Dans, how come you didn’t join us earlier for dinner?” Lucas asked

This was it, Blake finally thought; he was going to be found out.

“Sorry, boys, but didn’t Connor tell you? I had a shift to cover tonight.” She still was looking at Blake from the rearview mirror. “And you all saw how to pack the club was.”

“So Blake here wasn’t an asshole and didn’t invite you.”

“Nah, he told me. Besides, we're all together now.”

- Later that evening –

Lucas and Danny decided to cook pasta while Jacob ordered pizza as the night rolled on. Blake watched like an outsider how easy it was for Danny, and the twin could step back to how they were all those years ago.

He was envious of how well they got along. Yet, he knew it was his own doing why he was the outsider now from his mate's life.

He overhears one of Lucas and Danny’s conversations.

“So, how are you?” Lucas asked

Danny gives him a weak smile. “As best as one can be, given the circumstances.”

“Sorry to hear that, kiddo.” Lucas wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her for a quick hug.

After about half an hour, the gang was around the dining table. Lucas and Jacob shared tales of their misadventures in boarding school while Danny laughed her head off.

It was nice hearing her laugh, seeing her at ease. Even with the treaty, he could have still been her friend; Mrs. Matthew didn’t have to know. But he chose the coward’s way—a sliver of guilt ran down his spine.

As the conversation returned to the bar fight, Blake could no longer hold back his anger.

“The way you knocked that guy out with a broom, even with your injured hand, you impressed me.” Jacob does a little courtesy. Then the three broke out in laughter again.

“I don’t see what’s funny?” his voice commanding and laced with anger as he interrupts the group. “A man harassed her, and you think that’s funny?”

Jacob's mouth opened and closed as he thought of the right thing to say.

Meanwhile, Lucas was quietly observing Blake. Lucas seemed to be not surprised by Blake’s outburst.

“Cool it, Prince charming,” Danny says between biting her pizza. “It’s not like that was the first time. Besides, I can handle myself. You only escalated the whole thing.”

“Handled yourself. I have no doubt you could handle yourself, but you’re missing the point. You shouldn’t have been there in the first place.” Blake looked at Danny, who was now glaring at him.

“And why shouldn’t I be there?”

“f**k your under age for one thing. You’re not even 21, and you’re working in a club.”

“Last time I checked, neither are the three of you.”

“Seriously, Danny, that place isn’t safe for you?”

“Says who?”

“Says me.”

“Who are you to tell me where to work? I’ve been working there since I was 15th, and nobody seemed to mind.”

“f*****g hell 15! And your dad allowed you?” Blake pushed himself up from the chair in anger.

“Again, who made you the boss of me.” Danny followed suit.

“Besides, Are you effing talking about? NOWHERE IS SAFE, CONNER. And like I said, I can handle myself. I’ve been handling myself fine since.”

Danny slammed her hand on the dining table and walked out to the porch next to the Dining room.