Page 29 of Stay With Me
“Fucking child’s play,” he mumbles, diving into his search programs, hitting the keys of his keyboard so hard I’m shocked it doesn’t snap in two.
twenty-two
“Sooooo,it’s all very domestic between you and my brother now, huh?” Ember asks, Silas babbling in his carrier strapped to her chest. “Did I just hear him say the L word?”
“Mayyyybe,” I reply, a stupid, happy smile on my face. “I didn’t think being with him would be so…. consuming.”
“Thats Ev, go big or go home. He never does anything half-assed.” She shrugs. The back door opens and closes, Rory making her way to sit at the bar. Her face is sullen and annoyed, but she doesn’t say anything.
Ember and I exchange a puzzled look, but we don’t pry. Scarlett starts fussing in her seat and I bounce her a few times until she settles. Even with the world in chaos around us, this morning surrounded by my best friends, my family, I feel at peace. My phone buzzes on thecounter and I see my mother’s name flash on the screen. It’s been at least a month since I’ve spoken to either of my parents. I’m not sure why she’d be calling now.
I swipe to answer, putting it on speaker with my guard already up. “Mother, what’s up?” I ask, knowing she hates informalities.
“Honestly, Kelsea. Is that how you answer the phone?” Her tone is haughty and prim.
“Uh, yeah. Usually, it is. Do you need something? It’s not Christmas, so it can’t be your obligatory holiday check-in.” Ember scoffs behind me, knowing better than anybody the ins and outs of my relationship with my parents.
“Your father and I need to speak with you. We’ve been hearing some talk around the political events lately.” I hear my father grumble something in the background, but I can’t make it out.
“Why do I care about this, mom?” I ask, my patience running out.
“Your father is up for a very important election, Kelsea. You’d know that if you bothered to be involved. He’s campaigning for a position as a congressman. Naturally, we’ve heard talk from others. Are you associated with that Blake boy? The brother of that horrible friend of yours?” The disgust in my mother’s voice is practically dripping through the speaker. Ember smirks, quirking an eyebrow at the opinion my mom has had of her since the day they met. I roll my eye, done with thisconversation. How dare she think she has any say in the people I choose to surround myself with? I’ve never been more than a prop to my parents, something to make us look like the perfect family for campaign posters.
“Mom, I’m hanging up now,” I sigh
“I’m serious Kelsea Scarlett Sawyer. That boy is dangerous. He’s a criminal!” Her voice gets louder with each word. I feel the anger burning through my veins at the way she speaks about Everett. They know nothing about him, but they’ve already decided he’s beneath them. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ember’s hand curl tightly over the edge of the countertop.
“Mom, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Thatman,because he’s a man, not a boy, is an amazing person. Where did you even hear anything about him? Not that my life or my relationship are any of your business.” I’m seconds away from hanging up the phone, tired of hearing her judgmental bullshit. But I want to know who thought they had the right to talk about Everett that way.
“If you must know, we’ve become quite close with Congressman Hoffman,” I see Ember stiffen, and I know my mother is talking about the father of the man who nearly ended my life.
“Mom,” my voice is almost paralyzed with emotion. How could my own parents associate with the family of the man who nearly killed me? “Why would you…..how could…” I try and fail to form the words to convey the pain I feel, the betrayal. Somewhere in the background, I hear the basement door open. “I’m not having this conversation with you, mom. The fact that you could even speak to that man tells me more than I need to know about your priorities.” I know I’m on the verge of tears and I hate it. I don’t want to waste an ounce of emotion on this conversation, but I can’t help it. I’ve always been an angry crier.
“Honestly, Kelsea. You’re being very dramatic. The congressman and his wife are lovely people. It’s really such a tragedy. If only you had met Justin before that girl did, now that would have been a suitable match for you. That tattooed delinquent will never be good enough for you or this family. We let you have your fun in college, but it’s time to grow up now.” I’m embarrassed that my closest friends have to hear these things from the people who raised me. I try to take a deep, calming breath, not wanting to say anything in anger that I can’t take back.
With a spine of steel, I open my mouth to speak, knowing every word I’m about to say is the truth. “Listen to me closely, mother. You too, dad, because I know you’re there. These people here with me right now, these people are my family. They have loved and cared for me more than you two ever have. If this is the line you want to draw, to make me choose between you and them, then I choose them. I don’t give a shit about your opinion of them because I love them, and they love me. When I was fighting for my fucking life in a hospitalbed, you two couldn’t be bothered to even call to check on me. But thatdelinquentdid.He helped me get out of bed, helped me eat and shower. He held me when I cried. He’s the one who pulled me from the darkest depths of my own soul.” I turn to lock eyes with Everett as I speak, seeing love and devotion burning there. “I love him. And if he’s not good enough for your family, then neither am I.”
“Now, Kelsea,” I hear my dad start in, but before he can say anything in response, I hang up the phone. Silence resonates around us all, no one really knowing what to say after that.
Suddenly, a slow clap breaks out from one side of the kitchen and we all turn to see Rory smirking. “Wow. Your parents are assholes, Kels,” she scoffs, and I laugh dryly.
Everett stalks over to me, sliding his hands up the sides of my jaw and kissing me without hesitation. His lips are soft, his kiss unhurried but still all-consuming. His thumbs trace over my cheekbones as his tongue slips into my mouth. The taste of coffee and Everett’s minty toothpaste mingle on my tongue, electrifying every nerve ending in my body. A growl rumbles in his throat as he pulls me closer. A tiny moan slips past my lips just as someone clears their throat behind us.
“I’m happy for you guys, really. But I don’t need to see my brother pitching a tent in the kitchen,” Embersays, averting her eyes at all costs. Elijah laughs loudly at her explanation.
Before I can step back out of Everett’s arms, he’s picking me up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and stomping back to our bedroom. I squeal, clinging to him as he makes a sharp turn through the doorway and kicks the door closed behind us.
“Oh my god, Ev! We cannot do this now. They’re all gonna know what we’re doing in here!” My voice lacks conviction as he kisses down the slope of my neck and I bury my hands in his hair.
“Fuck, I hope so. I’ve never… I’ve never had someone choose me. You could have agreed with them. God knows I’ll never be good enough for you, goddess. But I promise I’ll never stop trying. I’ll never stop doing everything I can to prove to you that I choose you too, Kelsea.” His voice is gruff and heavy with emotion, love shining back at me in his eyes.
“I meant every word I said, Ev. You saved me from spiraling into my depression. You didn’t let me give up, even when I felt like I had nothing left to give. I love you so much, Everett Blake. So much,” I whisper, tears welling in my eyes and spilling over my lashes.
Before I can take another breath, Everett slips my sleep shorts down over my hips and pulls his t-shirt over my head, leaving me standing at the edge of the bed in nothing but the lacy black boy shorts I fell asleep in last night. Mynipples tighten under his gaze, my body already aching for his touch. He makes quick work of ridding me of my panties, pushing me softly backwards until I hit the mattress.
Our lips collide again as we fall back onto the bed, our limbs a tangled mess of passion and heat. My hands slide to the waistband of his sweats, shoving them down his hips. In a shocking but pleasant surprise, Everett isn’t wearing anything else under his sweats as the warm, silky flesh of his already rock hard dick presses against my lower abdomen. I pull my body up the mattress until we’re eye to eye, his swollen head already lined up with my core. I whimper softly, shamelessly clutching his arms and pulling our bodies closer and closer. I need to feel him inside me, need to be connected to him at this moment. I open my mouth to tell him to hurry just as he slides through the slickness pooling at my entrance and plunges inside me. He steals my breath, sliding his hand up my waist and rolling my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Within moments, I’m already on the edge of ecstasy. Before I can capture my release, Everett slows his pace, drawing out my pleasure. While I usually have no complaints, I don’t wanna play games this time. I push him softly on his back, straddling his hips and sinking down onto his length painfully slowly, both of us trembling with need.
“Fuck, baby. You wanna ride me?” His expression is tight, the lust palpable in his touch. “I won’t stop you, but this won’t last long. I’m already so fuckingclose,” his control already slipping as his fingers flex around my hips.
