Page 140 of Bottle Shock
“That’s because your emotional intelligence is somewhere below sea level,” Ethan says without looking up.
I let let out a groan, as I rub at my temples. I hate being the center of attention. Especially like this.
Marisa settles onto Ethan’s lap. “Me and Ethan already knew.”
“Why am I always the last to find outanything?” Shane whines.
Layla, the only one actually eating dinner, doesn’t even look up. “I’m too busy for your guys’ drama.”
The room goes quiet for a beat—awkward and heavy, stretched so thin I can hardly stand it.
I just want to get the fuck out of here and away from everyone staring at me like they’re waiting for me to divulge details that are none of their business.
“Well,” my dad says eventually. “I always did say she was family. I guess now she is.”
Yep.
That’s my breaking point.
I stand.
But before I can take a step, my dad’s voice snaps—sharp, commanding in a way I haven’t heard since I was a kid.
“Sit down.”
I freeze.
“Let them work it out,” he says. “You don’t need to go in there and defend her honor. Scottie can hold her own. They’re sisters in every way that counts. Sisters fight. And then they make up.”
“You saw how she was yelling,” I say.
He nods, calm. “Yeah. And Scottie can take her. She’s tough. They’re both tough.”
He’s right. Scottie is tough. Tougher than I think anyone actually realizes.
That doesn’t mean I’m not crawling out of my skin not being in there with her.
Dominic exhales. “Ellie’s feelings are hurt, that’s all. She’s sensitive. She feels left out.”
“They’ll work it out,” my mom says with absolute certainty. “In the meantime, let’s eat.”
Two hours later.
They finally emerge and they’re…laughing.
Scottie’s wiping tears from her eyes and Elyse is clutching her stomach like she just heard the funniest thing she’s heard all year.
I just stare. Dumbfounded.
Because I was ready to break into that office. But apparently, whatever happened in there resulted in giggles.
Scottie’s eyes meet mine and she gives me this small, soft smile that instantly eases everything tight in my chest.
Elyse trails behind her, her makeup smudged and hair a little messy. But she looks lighter, and maybe a little embarrassed.
She walks up to me, her voice steady. “I’m sorry,” she says. “For the way I handled that. I shouldn’t have come at you like that. Or her.”
I nod slowly. “It wasn’t done maliciously, Elle. We weren’t purposely keeping it from you. It was a secret from everyone.”
