Page 171 of New Growth
I shifted in the shallow end, letting the current lap against my waist, my gaze drifting toward the deeper side of the creek.
Genesis floated by on what I learned to be the inner tire tubing off an old truck like he didn't have a care in the world. Bourbon was waist-deep in the water, tossing Bones up into the air like he weighed nothing, both of them laughing loud enough to echo through the trees. When a big splash came dangerously close to the bank, Rio let out a dramatic gasp and scrambled back, one manicured hand flying to her head as she twisted away with a scrunched-up face.
"Uh-uh, not the hair!" she snapped as she sidestepped the spray.
I smiled. The moment was small but beautiful. Nostalgia hit me hard in the chest and I wrapped my arms around myself. I missed being part of something like that.
“You good?” El asked, treading lightly beside me.
“Yeah.” I nodded, running my hands through the water. “It’s nice.”
He grinned. “Bourbon used to throw all of us in when we got on his nerves. Swore it built character.”
“Did it?”
“Hell no.” He snorted before closing his eyes. “It just made me a betterswimmer.”
I smiled, watching the way his muscles flexed slightly as he kept himself afloat. He looked relaxed, like all the tension from before had finally let up.
“How am I doing?” he asked suddenly.
I treaded closer, tilting my head. “What do you mean?”
“With all of this,” he said, gesturing vaguely. “Bringing you here. My family. I know they’re… a lot.”
I let my fingers skim the surface of the water. “I like them, El.”
He cracked an eye open. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “It makes me wonder if I should try reconnecting with mine.”
His expression flickered, but he didn’t say anything at first. “Do you want to?”
I hesitated. “I don’t know. But, being here… seeing you with your family, how they just love you, it makes me wonder what I’m missing.”
El was quiet for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, softer than before, he said, “I love that being here reminds you of what it felt like when your dad was around. But Ellie… you gotta remember what the situation is now.”
My gaze drifted back to Bourbon, who was drying off with Bones, both still laughing. “I know.”
“And you still wanna reach out?”
I gave a small shrug. “The wedding’s this weekend and I was invited. It’s not too much of a drive, so maybe I should stop by.”
I could feel the heat of El’s stare before he even spoke. “If you decide to go, I’m coming with you. We can drive up together.”
“You really don’t have to—”
“No fucking way I’m letting you face them alone.” His voice was firm. “You need someone in your corner. I’m coming.”
His words settled deep in my chest. I swallowed. “Okay.”
A quiet moment passed where I just looked out at the water.
“Rio told me what happened to your mom. That she had gestational diabetes.” I paused, swallowing. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
His gaze didn’t move for a second. Then, finally, it dropped to the water between us. “I guess I didn’t want to make you think differently about me.”
“What?” My brows knit. “Why would I?”
