Page 75 of The Promises We Break

Again, not fucking happening.

I exit the car and round the front of it, my attempt to distract Ember from the monstrosity in front of us. Opening her door, I hold out my hand to guide her out of the car.

“You know, we probably need safe words here.”

Her neck snaps in my direction. “What?” she replies, confused.

“Yeah, you know. If you need an escape.” I tilt my chin up at the house.

Her mouth turns down with a slight eyebrow raise in realization that it’s not a bad idea.

“So, if you need a quick getaway, what are you going to tell me?” I slide my hand behind the small of her back, pulling her close to me, hovering my lips over hers.

“Big Red,” she whispers.

“And what about you? What’s yours… if you need to get the hell out of there?” She tries to hide the crack in her voice, but she’s worried.

Wrapping my pinky around hers. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, will scare me off from you, little red.”

So,yeah… we were completely in our own world until the moment we walked under those pillars, which now seem more like overly sized prison bars.

Far from humid, the house still feels stuffy and claustrophobic. Dressed up like a home, decorated with both modern vibes and vintage touches, elegant antiques and expensive rugs that make you feel guilty walking on. It’s cluttered with everything but love.

A few people walk through the house and linger in the kitchen as we walk through to the patio and through the French doors into the backyard where the party is.

String lights line the multiple canopies that surround a staged dance floor, with a few people already dancing to 80s music blaring from the speakers strategically placed throughout the open space.

There are men and women dressed in penguin suits carrying trays of beer, wine, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres.

Fucking really?

I get the celebration, and I am all for celebrating love. But this event probably cost more than the education that Ember struggled for five years to pay for herself, which just builds the bitterness I have for her parents even deeper into my gut.

“There are my parents.” She points to a couple, standing stiffly next to each other, talking to a small group of people their age. “And those guys, they are my brothers.” The guys standing around the bar, taking shots. She points to each one. “The oldest, he’s Robert Jr., but he goes by Bobby, and that’s Benson, and Cody.”

She’s been so reserved about her family, and whenever I ask questions, she keeps her answers vague. They seem like fun guys; guys I would get along with typically. I tell myself not to be bitter about the way they’ve allowed their parents to treat her, because it’s not their fault, but damn, it’s hard to disconnect from that.

“Benson and Cody are married with kids.” Her head nods over to the two women sitting, talking quietly, as one holds one child and the other holds another around the same age, while a third child runs around the table with an airplane in his hand.

“Shall we go say hi?” she asks, her eyes fixed on her parents.

“I’m just following your lead, little red.”

“Ember!” Benson calls through the backyard, excited as he jogs toward us, perfectly timed with the transition from the last song, so the room was quiet enough for everyone to hear and turn to look in our direction.

They all act like Ember has come back from the dead, whispering and looking around.

I know she didn’t tell her parents she was moving, and led them—and apparently the whole town—to believe that she was just taking an extended break and spending some time in Seattle. So, I guess for her to be gone for months and come back married is odd. But wow, the judgment swims through the air like maple syrup.

Benson picks up Ember, and she lets out a slight squeal, as he spins her around in a tight hug. He’s clearly happy to see her, and she’s happy to see him. She must feel the same about Benson that I do about Grant.

Setting her down, he reaches his hand out to me. “I’m Benson. And I’m a Seattle fan, but don’t tell my dad.”

“Hudson. Great to meet you, and your secret is safe with me.” Our grips match each other as we meet eye to eye. We measure each other up and instantly, there’s a kindred spirit, a silent but mutual understanding.

We’re both on Team Ember.

Since that’s settled, I move on to the other two brothers that trail up leisurely behind Benson. Cody first introduces himself and we shake. It’s kind enough, but he’s skeptical.

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