Cole and I exchange a stunned glance. Jace never apologizes for anything.

Unless it’s to Dylan.

As if on cue, Dylan and Sawyer enter the kitchen.

Sawyer wraps her arms around Cole, and Dylan does the same to Jace.

“Can we go see Liam?” Cole buries his head against Sawyer’s chest. “I want to talk to him.”

She cups his face in her hands. “Of course we can.”

Wordlessly, Dylan takes Jace’s hand and they start to walk out.

But not before Jace stops to wrap me up in a hug. “I don’t know what the fuck to say. Just know that I love you.”

I kiss his cheek. “I love you, too.”

After they all leave, it’s just me and Dad who looks like he’s fighting back tears.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

I give him a hug. “It’s okay, Dad.”

His green eyes become glassy. “No, honey. It isn’t.”

He’s right, it’s not…but maybe one day it will be.

The genuine sadness in his expression pulls at my heart.

“I should have been there for you.”

He’s not wrong, however, I know he was fighting his own battles.

“It’s not too late to start now.”

With a heavy sigh, I make my way out of the house.

I sometimes wonder how different I’d be if these tragedies in my life didn’t happen.

Would I still be the little girl who wanted to be a ballerina…the one who was so desperate to fit in with the rest of the world?

Or would I still have ended up the callous bitch…the one who’s wicked demeanor was a shell she built around her for protection.

Either way…one thing still remains unchanged.

Regardless of the amnesia, I’ve never known who I am, because home still feels like a fairy tale I’ve been searching for my whole life.

However, the moment my eyes land on Oakley who’s still waiting for me at the end of the driveway, just like he said he would…

I can’t help but think I’ve finally found it.

Given Jace and Cole left before I did, I’m sure there was one hell of a confrontation he had to deal with.

Not that he looks like he gives a single fuck about that.

He watches me with concerned eyes before those safe arms wrap around me. “I’d ask if you’re okay, but…”

But I’m not.

The tips of his fingers press into the curve of my jaw. “What do you need?”

Just him.

“Can you take me somewhere?” I whisper. “I want to forget the world and disappear with you for a little while.”

His warm breath and deep voice caress my skin. “You got it.”

Chapter 49

Bianca

Past…

The sound of my phone ringing jolts me out of my sleep.

Oakley.

My heart jumps out of my chest as I reach for my phone, but my hopes are dashed when I see Jace’s name flash across the screen.

I quickly hit the ignore button and fall back into bed.

It’s been two days since I’ve spoken to Oakley.

Two days since he’s been home.

Two days since I’ve fucked everything up.

At this point, I don’t even care if he’s with another girl…I just hope he’s not off somewhere doing drugs.

Bringing my phone to my ear, I dial his number for what has to be the millionth time, but as usual, it goes straight to voicemail.

I groan when my phone rings and Jace’s name flashes across my screen again. Given he’s in New York with his girlfriend, you’d think he’d be off having fun instead of blowing up my phone.

Frustrated, I take the call.

“What?” I snap.

“Are you okay?” Jace questions.

There’s no mistaking the worry in his tone.

That’s…strange.

I highly doubt Oakley told him about our argument.

I sit up in bed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know,” he gripes. “How about the fucking fires? Why the hell do you think I’ve been trying to call you all afternoon?”

“Fires?” I utter. “What fires?”

The only thing I’ve lived and breathed for the last forty-eight hours is Oakley.

Jace sighs. “There are wildfires spreading across the state.”

“Seriously?”

I quickly find my remote and flick on the television. Sure enough, every local news station is covering the gigantic wildfire spreading through parts of California.

“Shit.”

“I know,” Jace says. “I’m trying to get a flight back there, but the earliest one I can find isn’t until later tonight, and even then, it’s still a six-hour flight.” There’s a long pause. “Bianca?”

“Yeah?”

“The news just said it’s starting to spread through Ship’s Haven and…” His sentence trails off…as if he can’t bring himself to say the next words.

But he doesn’t have to.

Ship’s Haven is only three towns over…which means it’s close.

Too fucking close.

“Oakley’s missing,” I whisper, realizing he could be anywhere. “I’ve been trying to call him, but it keeps going to voicemail.”

“Fuck,” Jace mutters. “I was hoping he was home so you weren’t alone.” I can practically hear his teeth clench. “Dad’s still in Japan, but I’m gonna see if he can get a helicopter over there to come pick you up.”

“You really think Dad can summon a helicopter during a fire?”

And even if he could…I wouldn’t get on it without knowing Oakley’s safe.

“I don’t fucking know, Bianca. But I’m not gonna sit here and do nothing.” I overhear Cole saying something to him in the background. “Hold on, Cole wants to talk to you.”

“Hey,” Cole greets me a moment later. “So, I’ve been thinking and I’ve come up with a plan so you don’t get roasted.”

“Gee thanks.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “What’s your plan?”

“Get your ass in the swimming pool. This way when the fire passes over Royal Manor, you’ll be safe…because you know…water and shit.”

All things considered, that’s not a horrible plan. “Yeah, that might—”

I don’t get to finish my sentence because Jace snatches the phone from him. “I’m gonna try calling Dad again to ask about that helicopter and see if there’s anything he can do on his end.” The fear in his voice is palpable. “Don’t start freaking out yet though, okay? I’m gonna figure something out.”

“Okay,” I tell him, even though it’s pretty hopeless at this point.

The only positive is that my family is out of harm's way.

My stomach churns. Oakley, however, isn’t.

“I love you,” Jace says and it’s all I can do not to lose it because we don’t say those words unless it’s serious.

“I love you, too.”

I’m ending the call when it occurs to me that I might not get the chance to tell Oakley the same.