Page 134 of Ella Gets the D
I kiss her chin and crush her to my chest. “We have room for four.” We finished the upstairs renovation before I moved back in after the wedding. Jackson’s old room became Anite’s nursery after he took the main bedroom.
Her moan catches when I take her mouth, smothering her to my body and the depths of my soul. Kissing Ella always feels like the first time. It’s explosive, shocking every nerve in my body with a bright flare of desire.
“I’mma need you to unhand her, Russell Wilson.” We chuckle at Erica’s new nickname for me and put space between us. “You’re finally baby-free, and I want my friend.” She pulls Ella by the wrist so they can make their exit. “Fuck her later!”
Plan to.
The blaze from the May sun dips below the skyline of trees and rooftops to bathe the city in dusk’s glow. My parents’ annual Memorial Day party got a major revamp years ago. It’s now only accessible to trusted friends and family and no longer a destination for the masses.
“Your dad’s ribs always hit the spot.” Nate leans back in his chair to stretch his legs and tap his stomach. He’s finally cardigan-free but refuses to give up the beanie. He clears his throat with a quick glance. “Sadie saw Camila on one of those reality dating shows. She’s competing for a grand prize.”
I take a sip of the local craft beer he supplied. “Sounds like her.”
Camila never shied away from the limelight. She embraced it until her social status got revoked for her part in the Charles drama. She wasn’t aware of his blackmail efforts—so she said—but she did answer questions from blogs about our past. Always ready for her close-up. Her charm scored her footage of us leaving my London hotel, footage she supplied to Charles as proof we were together right before I met El. How that didn’t trigger more than community service and a fine is beyond my understanding.
Her father cut her off at the threat of my mother’s lawsuit, leaving her homeless and without a car or job. A dramatic battle for someone else’s affection seems like a game she could win.
Nate hits me with a double pat. “Everything worked out for the better.”
“Yes it did.”
He checks his watch and stands. “Gonna run by Swigs on the way home. See you and El this weekend.”
“Bet. Tell Sadie and Jasmine I said hi.”
I relax into the chirp of crickets, but then a bang pulls my attention to the grill. Antonio squats to peek underneath my father’s station, which he cleaned hours ago. “Kitchen’s closed, Mo!” I bark out a laugh at his hands on his hip.
“I flew down here for my ribs.” Walnut eyes land on me in a glare. “Your kids conned me.”
“How so?”
His hands fly up to flex the muscles on display in his aqua cut-off shirt. “Haile and Jackson challenged me toMario Kart. The rounds lasted so long, your dad gave away all my ribs. I’m never having kids!”
My laughter trumpets through the empty backyard. The man is pouting, at his big age. He has enough money to buy a company that will hand-feed him for the rest of his life. I wipe my eyes and bring my cackling down to a chuckle. “What time is your flight back to Buffalo?”
“Four hours.”
I nod to the back door. “If you stop your whining and look in the refrigerator, you’ll find the plate he saved you.”
Antonio punches the air. “I always loved your family!” I swat away the kiss he tries to drop on my forehead as he sprints to the door. “I’ll come out before I leave. Come and visit me soon, prick!” The screen door slams behind him.
In an unexpected twist, my childhood friend signed with a new professional rugby team two years ago. He packed up to relocate to the tundra and has been kicking ass as a starting flanker on the Buffalo Steel. I’m so proud of him after all our years on the pitch together. He’s earned his spot.
The screen door opens again, and I bite back a groan. The hairs on my neck prickle, and my chest warms. My eyes are closed, but I still register Ella’s presence and smile. I open them to see my wife padding down the stairs barefoot with two tumblers of what looks like scotch.
“Hey.” The breeze picks up her lavender scent.
“Hi.”
I stop her when she moves toward the chair next to me and widen my legs for her to sit. On me. She bites her lip but finds a seat on my lap, pressing her curves into my chest and her head in the crook of my neck. My arms reach around her, and we take in the peace and quiet as the outdoor lights strung overhead illuminate a space that’s carried a lifetime of memories I get to add to with the woman in my arms.
My heart.
My wife.
The mother of our children.
There was a point when I could never imagine myself tied down. Now, I can’t imagine my life without Ella, Jackson, Haile, or Anite. Maybe a fourth if she gives the okay.
