Amber

I watched as people rushed past me, all wanting to be somewhere. I swallowed the feeling of loneliness as another happy couple walked past me. When I saw the long black limo pull up to the curb, I was quick to make my way to it.

The window went down, and I actually was pleased to see my dad’s face.

“Amber,” he reached for something beside him and then handed it out the window to me. I saw dad was torn about what he was doing for me. “Are you still sure you want to leave?” Dad looked at the busy airport behind me.

“You were right, there isn’t anything keeping me here,” I muttered, stuffing the passport, flight information and ticket in my pocket. “Anyway, this is what you wanted.”

“I just want you to get a life you can be proud of Amber.” Dad’s voice was soft, and he gave me a kind smile. “Did you tell the boys about this?”

“No.” I shook my head, knowing that they would try and stop me, but there was no point in my staying. Their lives would be easier with me out of the picture. They could stop having to look after me.

“Would you like me to?” Dad offered, and I shrugged my shoulders.

“If they ask you, then I guess yes. Just don’t tell them before my flight has left.” I pulled the key from my pocket and a note, and handed it to dad. “Make sure Troy gets this. It is the key to his bike; the note tells him where I’ve left it for him.”

Troy treasured that bike, so I couldn’t just leave it at the airport.

“I will.” Dad smiled at me. “Call me when you land.”

I nodded my head, and added, “I’d better go.”

“Have a safe flight Amber.”

“Bye dad,” I said, and quickly walked away from the limo and into the airport. I wasn’t good at goodbyes.

***

I sat in a plastic chair, waiting for my boarding call. I unlocked the phone in my hand once more, debating on whether to call Troy or not. I knew I’d said I would, but I just couldn’t build up the courage to tell him I was leaving.

Biting the bullet, I finally just dialed his number. The boarding call was going to get over any minute and the more I thought about him finding out I had left from dad, the more I realized it just didn’t sit right with me.

It only rang twice before he answered.

“Amber?”

“Troy.”

“Where are you?” his voice was rushed and panicked.

“I’m fine,” although the emptiness in my voice was a dead giveaway.

“We’ve been looking for you for hours! Where are you now? We are coming to pick you up.”

When he said we, I knew my other brothers must be with him and that brought a slight smile to my face.

“Troy. I have to tell you something,” I sighed. “I’m leaving.”

“What do you mean leaving?” Troy’s voice was firm, and I could hear the hushed voices in the background, demanding to know what was going on.

“I spoke to dad, and everything has been arranged.” I felt the tears building up. “I’m sorry I’m telling you like this.”

“Amber, where are you going?” I knew that tone; that tone said that he wasn’t going to let me leave.

“Troy, look there is nothing you can do. I’ve made up my mind. Dad was right. I need a fresh start.”

The boarding call went over the speaker. I had to hurry this up now.

“Was that a boarding call?” Troy’s voice spiked with concern “Amber, whatever you are thinking about doing, don’t.”

“I’m sorry Troy. Can you tell the others that? I know now all you guys ever did was try to protect me.”

“Amber, don’t hang up. Look, about tonight there are a few things you need to know. Just don’t get on that plane until you let Jax explain a few things.”

What? Was Jax already regretting his words? I smiled bitterly to myself.

“Jax made himself very clear Troy. Look, I have to go.” I looked at the people boarding the plane.

“Amber, don’t leave. Don’t let what happened tonight drive you from your family.”

“This isn’t about that,” I said as I stepped into line in the boarding queue. “I can’t keep being the girl I am Troy. My life is going nowhere.”

“Jax loves you Amber..., I know we don’t say it all the time, but we love you too. Don’t just give up on us.”

“I’m not giving up on you guys. You boys have done enough for me, and it’s time I did something for you all.”

“Don’t board that plane!” Troy’s words were firm.

“Tell Jax to not doubt himself, he made the right decision.” It physically hurt me to say that. “He needs someone stronger than me and I’m sure he will find her.” The tears began to fall.

“I’ll call you soon Troy, I promise.”

“Amber, please don’t do this!” His voice was raw. He really didn’t want me to leave. “Just let us talk and then if you still want to leave, you can get the next flight, or if you won’t do that, just tell me where you are going?”

“I love you Troy,” I said softly, “I’ll call you when I land.” I handed my ticket to the lady. “I’ve got to go.”

I hung up my phone quickly, not letting Troy say another word because nothing he, or anyone for that matter, could say, would stop me from boarding this plane.

I swallowed the doubts in my stomach and boarded the plate. Time to start somewhere fresh, with no boyfriend or family to have my back. I was in this alone, and, for some reason, that truly terrified me.

Troy

I closed my phone after listening to the beeping for a few seconds. I couldn’t stop her, as much as I attempted to. I was sure she had boarded that plane.

“Well, did you stop her?” Cole said, his eyes darting from the road to me, as he sped in and out of traffic.

“No. Turn around.” I threw my phone in the center console.

“What do you mean no!” Jax leaned into the front, his expression torn with guilt. “Did she board the plane?”

“Yes.” It killed me to say that one word, because it meant Amber was gone, and most likely was gone for good.

Cole eased off the gas a little and slowed back into normal traffic. We were only a block away from the airport, but we were too late.

“She’s gone.” Cole’s words seemed to echo in the car.

“Did she say where?” Tyler asked from the back seat, his concern for her clear. “Did she sound ok?”

“No, she didn’t.” I turned around in my seat and looked Jax in the eye. This was all his fault. “She was a fucking wreck and now, thanks to you, we have no idea where she has gone.”

Jax sat back in his seat. I could see that he was hurting, but he should be. He had driven my sister from our house, from our city!

Turning back around, I glared out the front window. “From now on Jackson, it is only business.” My voice was hard. He had caused this, and, by doing so, he had lost my sister, and all my respect.