Page 32 of The Storms Between Us
twenty-six
“You’re such a fucking asshole,Everett Wayne!” Kelsea yells from across the house. Even though she, Everett, and Rory are out on the deck, we can still hear them perfectly with the sliding glass doors wide open. Everett’s full-bodied laugh comes through loud and clear as Kelsea throws a peeled shrimp at his head. Ember and I carry the rest of the food out onto the patio table and settle in for dinner.
“How am I the asshole here, Kels? You’re the one who walked out of the bathroom totally fucking naked! I just happened to be lying on my sister’s couch at the time, enjoying her wonderful hospitality. I wasn’t expecting to get dinner and a show when I went to visit my sister that night,” Ev says, a devilish smirk on his face.
“A gentleman would have closed his eyes or something! You just fucking sat there staring at my tits like they were gonna do a damn magic trick or something,” Kelsea says, laughing and rolling her eyes at Everett’s recounting of his favorite Kelsea memory. I look over at Ember for some clarification and she just holds up her hands in surrender.
“I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman, baby. And I’d be a real fucking idiot not to appreciate the fine art you had on display there, Kels,” Everett says, dodging another shrimp.
“Okay, okay, moving on, please!” Ember says, rolling her eyes at them both.
“I guess I'm glad I had a more subdued introduction to you then, Kelsea,” I say, laughing.
“Has everyone here seen each other naked?” Aurora asks, her eyes wide and mischievous.
“Well, I try to stay away from Eli whenever he’s naked, but he just can’t get enough of this,” Everett says, running his hand down his abs.
“Oh, you know it, pretty boy,” I reply, blowing him a kiss that he pretends to catch and put in his pocket. This is exactly what I wanted when I decided we were gonna get out of town this weekend. Ember is completely relaxed, lying against my side with her head on my shoulder. We’re all laughing and joking, just enjoying our time here without worrying about anything else. If we could stay here forever, I wouldn’t complain. I look out towards the beach, the sun setting low over the waves, and I close my eyes. Pulling Ember in closer to me, I kiss her hair softly and breathe her in.
“I wish we could stay here and never leave,” I whisper in her ear so only she can hear me. She looks up at me with those gorgeous green eyes and her beautiful smile.
“Me too, honey,” she says quietly, wrapping her arms around my waist and squeezing me tighter.
“You wanna walk?” I ask, pointing down towards the water. She smiles wide and stands, holding out her hand to me.
“We’re gonna walk for a while, guys,” I say. “Don't let them kill each other, please Rory,” I point between Kelsea and Everett.
“No promises,” she says with a shrug.
We walk down the stairs and the long pathway leading to the sand. We both slip off our shoes and leave them behind, making our way down to the waterline.
“I’ve always loved the water,” Ember says, swinging our hands back and forth slowly.
“Yeah? I had you pegged as more of a forest kind of girl,” I say.
“I think I’d be happy with a little bit of both. Somewhere that I could get lost walking through the trees but also cool off in a creek or something when the Carolina humidity becomes killer,” she says, bending down to pick up a broken sand dollar sticking out of the sand.
“Somewhere like the plantation?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral. The last thing I want is to suggest something she’s not ready for and scare her away.
“What do you mean, Eli?” she asks, stopping in front of me.
“Well, I’ve been meaning to tell you, but we’ve been so caught up. The renovations on the first floor are done. It’s move-in ready whenever I am,” I say and I see her face fall a little. She quickly masks her emotions and turns to keep walking ahead. I stay rooted in place with my hands in my pockets. How long will it take her to realize that I'm not following? I smile to myself, knowing there’s no way I would ever leave without her by my side. But I’ll let her continue with her phony attempt at pretending it doesn’t bother her to think of me not living in the townhouse.
“Oh, well, that’s awesome. I know you’ve been working really hard for that, so I’m so happy for you. At least we won’t be four people crammed into that three-bedroom townhouse anymore,” she laughs, but it's obviously fake. She turns to look at me when I don't reply, and I laugh at her softly.
“You’re right, Sunshine. I think that townhouse is really more suited for two people,” I say, hoping she’ll take the hint.
“Oh,” she says, sounding even more disappointed than before, “Rory’s leaving too?”
I laugh loudly at that suggestion and she stares back at me, confused. “No, babe,” I come closer to her and put my hands on her hips to pull her in to me. “Rory is taking over my half of the rent at the townhouse for now. She said she needs some distance from home and she likes it in Grovewood. Besides, if you remember correctly, there’s only one bedroom on the main floor, and I’m definitely not sharing it with my sister.” I slide my hands up her neck and tilt her head back so she’s staring straight into my eyes. “There isn’t anyone I would ever want to share my home with but you, Ember.” She closes her eyes and smiles widely.
“Really?” she says, her voice quiet but excited.
“Absolutely. I mean, as long as you want to. You don't have to. You’re more than welcome to stay living with your brother and a broken shower,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
She launches herself into my arms, kissing me hard. “No thanks, I prefer showering with you, anyway,” she says with a seductive grin. I pull her lips down to mine, nipping at her bottom lip until she lets out a tiny moan. I pour every ounce of my love and devotion for my woman into this kiss.
“So, does that mean you’ll move in with me?” I ask, breaking our kiss. She puts one finger to her lips, resting her elbow on the other fist, posing like she’s thinking about something very seriously.
“On one condition,” she says, holding up her finger.
“Name it,” I say, knowing I’ll do anything to make her happy.
“I get to decorate,” she says with a playful grin that makes me laugh.
“Done,” I say, wrapping my arms around her tightly, picking her up and kissing her as I walk us into the icy waves.
“ELIJAH, DON’T YOU DARE!” she screeches, which only drives me to move forward faster. She struggles against my grip, trying to get away. But it’s no use, we’re already waist deep and soaked.
