Destiny Binds(22)

“I think I broke my butt.”

“Impressive ninja moves,” Alex chuckled as he reached down to help me to my feet. I was about halfway up when he lost his footing, and we both tumbled back onto the ground.

“Yep, my butt is definitely broken,” I said through gritted teeth. Judging by the way Alex was doubled over with laughter, he managed to escape without any serious injuries.#

By this time the entire class had gathered around to watch as Alex and I clumsily helped each other up. Once we managed to have our feet planted somewhat firmly on the ground, Alex wrapped his arm around my waist. “We donʼt want you doing any permanent damage to that butt,” he informed me.

I wasnʼt so sure I hadnʼt already. Falling onto concrete, tailbone first, cannot be good for you. It helped that Alexʼs proximity was having an anesthetic-like effect on me. I could feel the heat of his body, despite the fact that we were both wearing thick coats.

Ms. Ryder walked gingerly up to the spot where we had congregated. “Okay, guys, as Abbot and Costello have so nicely demonstrated, itʼs slick out here. Mr. Donovan has informed me that there have been several wrecks in the past hour and most of I-24 is closed.” She took a deep breath before continuing, as though she was less than excited about whatever it was she was about to tell us. “He believes that for our safety we need to stay the night in Nashville and drive home tomorrow, after the temperature rises again. The school has already made reservations for us at a hotel about three miles from here, so please call your parents and let them know that you will not be home until tomorrow afternoon.” A dozen voices started speaking at once. The class seemed evenly divided. One half was thrilled to be spending an extra day in the city and out of school, while the other half had other places to be and things to do.

As for me, my spirits were somewhere beyond the stratosphere. Beautiful, fat flakes filled the air, I had been granted a two day reprieve from Mr. Beck, and I now had an entire afternoon and evening to spend with Alex and his perfect hands. Could life get any better?

“Ms. Ryder, I have to go home now,” Alex said. He sounded even more upset than Ashley, who was terrified she would have to spend the night at a Motel 6.

Okay, maybe it would work out a little better if Mr. Perfect actually wanted to spend the day with me too.

“Iʼm sorry, Alex. Thereʼs really no way that I can get you home safely in these conditions.” Ms. Ryder emphasized her point by taking two steps before falling into James Kiplinger, who managed to accidentally feel her up as he caught her. Given Jamesʼs propensity to spend the majority of his time playing Magic: The Gathering instead of bathing, I felt fairly certain he had just experienced his first contact with boobs ever. The painfully humiliated, yet somewhat ecstatic, look on his face helped confirm my suspicions.

I was so busy watching James and Ms. Ryder (and feeling somewhat embarrassed for the both of them), I hadnʼt noticed Talley slide up beside Alex.

“I canʼt stay here,” Alex said to her as she gripped onto his elbow for support.

“I think you have to,” she said slowly. Apparently she could feel the tension in his body as well as I did. Whatever it was he needed to get home to, it was important to him. I took comfort in the fact Ashley was with us. At least I could rest assured that he wasnʼt running off to go out on a hot date with her.

“Iʼll call Liam. Heʼll come and get me,” Alex said, already retrieving his phone from the pocket of his coat.

Talleyʼs eyes grew wide and her grip on his arm visibly tightened. “No, you canʼt do that. Itʼll be okay. Promise. But you have to stay here. Please donʼt call your brother.” I mentally seconded Talleyʼs assertion. I planned on living the rest of my life without seeing Liam Cole again.

Alex was reluctant, but eventually agreed it wouldnʼt be wise to have his brother drive in bad weather. I carefully made my way back to the van while Alex helped Talley, whose attempt at walking on her own reminded me of Bambi crossing the frozen pond. Occasionally, the wind would sweep fragments of their conversation up to me. It sounded like Talley was still reassuring Alex that the world was most certainly not going to fall apart just because he had to stay overnight in Nashville.

I tried not to take his desire to flee personally.#

The streets of Nashville were like an ice skating rink and the huge flakes were falling so quickly that there was near zero visibility. It took us over an hour to drive the three miles to the hotel were Dad had made reservations. To Ashleyʼs horror, it was indeed a Motel 6.

Ms. Ryderʼs nerves were so shot by the time we checked in she didnʼt really care what we did with the rest of our day. In fact, she disappeared into her room shortly after our arrival, and didnʼt emerge until the next morning.