Page 17 of The Storms Between Us
fifteen
The next fewweeks fly by like a dream. Ember made the right choice in telling Everett the truth about us from the beginning. I'm glad I don’t have to sneak around with her behind his back. She’s not someone who should ever be kept a secret, and the guilt of lying to my best friend would have eaten me up inside. Every day I find out a new aspect of her personality that makes me fall deeper and deeper for her. Her rational way of thinking, her love of collecting houseplants in every room of our townhouse, her falling asleep with my arms wrapped around her every night. There’s nothing about this woman that I don’t love. The way she focuses so intently on each manuscript she reviews, like they’re all the next great American novel, is probably one of her best qualities. Her belief in other people’s dreams is astounding. She's so charismatic when she describes these stories to me, it's almost as if she wrote them herself. She asks me now and then if I’m interested in taking art classes in Charleston and I laugh. I don’t think I've ever pictured myself in a classroom again, but it doesn’t sound terrible.
Things have been quiet since Kelsea’s last call and we’ve settled into a new routine. We all take turns making dinner, or in Everett’s case, picking up takeout. Monday and Wednesday nights when Ev and I don’t have clients, we all have what Ember has started calling ‘family dinner.’ Which is really just all of us gathered in the living room watching HGTV home remodeling shows. I’d love to say this was something Ember introduced us to, but it's not. Everett and I made a habit of HGTV marathons during our first tour overseas. We talked about how we would do things differently from the designers. It helped to take our minds off the shithole we were living in. What Ember doesn’t know is why I’m so invested in these home renovation shows, but I plan on showing her today.
Last night I asked if she had time to take a trip with me today. She jumped at the chance, even though I know she’s in the middle of reviewing at least three manuscripts. She seems to really be enjoying her job, which makes me so happy for her. I know what it's like to feel you’re not living your dreams, so I’m glad she has that.
I’m leaning against the couch holding my extra helmet, patiently waiting for my woman to make her way downstairs. Everett is in the kitchen stuffing his face with leftover Chinese from last night. “Dude, it's like 9am, that’s nasty,” I say, laughing at him.
“I give zero fucks. I'm starving and this is delicious. Don’t hate me cuz’ you ain't me, baby,” he says, giving me a wink. He's such a fucking dumbass, but I’m glad to have his constant entertainment. “Hey, can I ask you something?” his tone suddenly sounding serious.
“Of course. What’s on your mind?” I say, turning around to face him.
“This thing with you and my sister, is it for real? I mean, I know it's not my business. You guys are adults and whatever you do is up to you. But she’s the most important person in my life, Elijah. I need to know she won’t get her heart broken here.” His concern is clearly etched across his face.
I knew this question would come, eventually. I’m not one for sharing my feelings, especially with another guy, but I feel like I owe it to him to be honest. “Honestly Ev, it's as real as it gets for me. It's still new and we’re still figuring out how to be together. But I’m in this for the long-haul. I'm a better person with Ember in my life. She makes me want to be better. She makes me want things I've never even considered. All I can tell you is, if something happened to us, she wouldn’t be the only one with a broken heart,” I say, surprised at how much I just revealed to him and to myself.
I can see his smug grin as he nods his head. “Yeah, she has a way of bringing out the best in people, even if she doesn’t see that. Our parents weren’t very… supportive when we were growing up. They weren’t negligent or anything, they just really didn’t give a shit. Apathetic, I guess you could say. She used to say we were raising each other, and really she wasn’t wrong. Just take care of her. She deserves someone who cares about her as much as she cares for them,” he says, his love for his sister shining in his eyes.
“I’m gonna do my best, brother. I really care about her and I only want to see her happy. Hopefully she’s happy with me,” I tell him earnestly.
“She is. Twin telepathy, remember,” he says, tapping a finger against his temple. “What do you have up your sleeve today?”
“I’m gonna show her the house,” I say with a wide smile.
“No shit?!” He says, obviously shocked that I would bring her to my most private and personal place. I was honestly shocked with myself when the thought crossed my mind. I’ve never taken another woman there, never even considered it. But I want her to know every part of me. I don’t want to have any secrets between us.
“Yeah, it just feels right. I feel like it’s something she’ll appreciate.” My nerves are starting to get the best of me the longer she keeps me waiting.
“Well, good luck to you, man. I know she’s gonna love it,” He says, slapping me on the shoulder and heading into his room.
I hear Ember’s light footsteps coming down the stairs, and I turn to face her. No matter what, she always looks incredible. But today she’s got on some hip-hugging black skinny jeans with rips down the legs and a tight grey t-shirt with her favorite red converse. She's braided her long blonde hair into a single thick braid that falls just a few inches above her perfect ass. Such a simple outfit, but on her it's sexy as fuck. I wanna peel those jeans down her legs and feast on her until she screams, but I’ll save that for later. Right now, I’ve got other plans for her.
“Is this okay? I've never been on a motorcycle before, so I wasn’t sure what to wear,” she asks with a worried look on her face.
“Yeah, Sunshine, you look amazing. Just keep you legs away from the pipes and you’ll be fine,” I reach my hand out for hers. She laces her fingers with mine and we walk out to my bike. I can see the fear and hesitation written all over her face. “You know I’ll keep you safe, right?” I ask.
“Of course, I'm just worriedI'mgonna do something stupid and then we’re gonna crash and die,” she rambles on like she always does when she’s nervous.
I place a quick kiss on her lips and drag her over to the side of my bike. “We’re not gonna die, babe. That’s a little dramatic. Climb on and swing your leg over to the other side. There are pegs right here for your feet,” I say, showing her where to position herself. Once she’s in place, I slide onto the seat in front of her, starting the engine. I hear a tiny squeal come from behind me and it's so damn adorable. “Scoot forward and wrap your arms around my waist,“ I tell her over the rumble of the engine. She slides forward until her front is flush with my back and I hear her let out a sigh as she wraps her arms around me, locking her hands in front of my waist. I place my hand on top of hers reassuringly and look back. “You ready?” I ask, and she gives me a shaky thumbs up, quickly locking her hands back in place. I laugh softly at her nervous excitement as I put it in gear and pull out onto the road.
