Page 64 of Hat Trick
Only Emerson Baker would order a basic vanilla bean cupcake at a gourmet bakery because why, and I quote, “ruin a good thing.”
I quickly kiss a spot of chocolate frosting off the corner of Lil’s lips before the three of us walk down the boardwalk for a while, each of us taking turns talking about our favorite parts of the day. I think today was just what we needed. WhatIneeded.
I couldn’t pick a favorite part of today if I tried.
I got to wake up between them. Made them coffee and breakfast, and watched them with a satisfied smile on my face as they ate it. Their morning scowls slowlyfaded into satisfied smiles with each bite they took. Once we got ready, after having a slow midmorning fuck in the shower where Emerson and I pinned Lil up against the wall and had ourselves a second breakfast, we spent all day down at the boardwalk. We went in shop after shop, relaxed on the beach, listened to street music, and had some of the best pasta I’ve ever had for dinner. The three of us have kissed and held hands, despite how we each initially felt about PDA, every chance we could get. Not once caring how anyone might have looked at us strangely. There was a feeling of pride in my chest every time one of them showed affection toward me or toward each other, despite there being people around. Like none of us could give a damn what the outside world thinks about us. Today, we’re just happy being happy. Now the sun is setting with the most stunning shades of vibrant oranges and golds, creating the perfect backdrop to end a perfect day.
Lil stops along the edge of the boardwalk once she’s finished her cupcake and rests her arms along the wood fence separating the walkway from the beach. Her black hair, styled in beachy waves, blows in the breeze, allowing me to see the profile of her face in all its beauty. Her tan skin glows as the sunset lowers to meet the ocean, her cheeks the most flawless shade of pink from being out in the sun all day.
I couldn’t think of anything more perfect if I tried.
When I look to my right, I find Emerson staring at her with the same awe. And as I watch him watch her, I think the same thing all over again.
Finally, he notices me staring at him and smiles softly up at me. The two of us stare at one another for a moment before looking back at Lil. “Take a picture of her like that,” I tell him.
My phone has been dead all day. I haven’t had a second to charge it, and honestly, it’s been nice not having any interruptions. But I’ve also had to steal Emerson’s phone every five minutes for pictures. He sighs at me half-heartedly before pulling out his phone and snapping a picture of our girl. He shows it to me, and I instantly know that it’s going to be printed and put somewhere in my apartment. Without me having to ask he says, “I’ll text it to you. It’ll be on your phone once you finally charge it.”
The two of us stand there staring at her for what feels like hours, but in reality it can’t be more than five minutes. It’s only once the sun dips below the water that Lil looks over at us, a knowing smirk on her face. “The two of you going to stand there and eye-fuck me all night, or can we go back to my place now?”
Emerson and I both huff a laugh. He reaches up and rubs a hand down the back of my head before moving toward her. He grabs her hand in his as he looks back at me. “You coming with us?”
I reach for Lil’s outstretched hand. “Not even a question.”
The three of us make it back to Lil’s apartment, satisfied smiles covering each of our faces. When we get inside I set my phone on the counter. “Hey, Honey. You got a phone charger I can borrow?”
“In the junk drawer,” she answers before throwing herself down onto her couch with a groan. “Oh my god. I’m so full I think I might explode. Sex might have to wait a couple of hours.”
I bark out a laugh as I open the junk drawer. It takes me a few moments of rummaging around to find what I’m looking for. Once I do, I plug in my phone and wait a few moments for it to power up. It’s been dead for almost twenty-four hours. I probably should make sure I’m not missing anything serious. However, if I was, I’m sure someone would probably just call Emerson.
I find a few random social media notifications, followed by a string of texts from the team asking if Emerson and I wanted to go to a party tonight. When neither one of us answered, Flowers was quick to call out the fact we were probably busy “banging Campos’ sister.”
“You didn’t feel like telling me they were shit talking to us in the group chat?” I ask Em as he digs for a bottle of water out of Lil’s fridge.
He cracks it open and takes a swig before answering. “That would have required me to read the group chat.”
?1 Smiling, I roll my eyes to find two more unread texts from my mom. It takes all of three secondsfor me to read them, and when I do, my heart falls from my chest.
Mom
I’m here if you need me today, Sweetie. Let me know if you want to go visit Dad this morning.
I didn’t hear from you, so I’m going to go spend the day with some girlfriends. Try to put a smile on my face. I love you, Sweetie. I hope that whatever you’re doing today puts a smile on yours too.
I forgot.
Today is the day my dad died. And for the first time since he’s been gone—I forgot.
I forgot him.
I forgot my dad.
All because I let myself slip. I let myself push aside the panic and lean into the fact that I love them.
Fuck.
Tears sting at my eyes. My phone remains frozen in my hand as I reread Mom’s messages. Emerson must finally notice because there’s a slight panic in his voice when he asks, “Dom. What’s wrong?”
I don’t answer.
