The Merriest Christmas (Southern U O’Brien Brothers Sister #5)

CHAPTER 2

Emmy

"Where are you going?" Finn asked.

"I told you.To get food," I said while bundling myself into my coat and scarf.

"But the weather—"

"Isn't supposed to hit for another hour.If I hurry, I'll make it back before the worst of it."

"But it's freezing."

"That's why I have gloves."

"Emmy."

"Finn."

He shook his head as I went to the door."You're not seriously going out there, right?It's dangerous."

"He has a point," came a deep voice from behind Finn.I felt his eyes on me but refused to look."The roads will be icy and slick."

I also refused to acknowledge the shiver of pleasure the familiar deep baritone sent down my spine.

"You should stay home."

Did I say pleasure?I meant bone-deep annoyance.

As if Seaver had any right to tell me what to do.

"Listen, Finn," I said, placing a hand on my brother's shoulder and completely ignoring Seaver."I'll be fine.I have to go get more food.Otherwise, at the rate those guys are inhaling everything in sight, we won't have anything left for dinner.Plus, Archer, Baylor, Chase, and Dex will be coming soon."

"But they all called," he said, my baby brother, ever the voice of reason."Everyone's flights have been delayed.They said they might not even make it for Christmas."

My heart tightened, but I forced a deep breath.

I knew everything he said was true, but…

"They'll get here," I said.

Finn shook his head."How do you know?"

"I'm older and wiser than you."

"That's only half-accurate."

"Emilia, come on," Seaver said."You could hit a patch of ice and skid off the road into a ditch."

"Seaver's right," Finn put in."You should stay home, Em.I mean it."

"And yet, I'm going," I said and opened the door.

"Em," he repeated and when I looked back at Finn, seeing the concern on his face, hearing it in his voice, I nearly caved.But then I glanced over his shoulder and saw the other reason I was leaving, staring back at me with dark brown eyes and a stony expression.

"I love you, Finn," I said, "but I'm going.The store's only five minutes away.If I'm not back in 30, send out a search party."

"You suck," Finn said.

"Love you too, little brother."

I was in my car and out of there in seconds.

Besides the food, I needed an escape.Time away from those eyes that seemed to follow my every move.I didn't know if Seaver was trying to intimidate me or what.Couldn't figure out who I was more upset at: Mom for inviting him in the first place, Seaver for having the audacity to show up; or myself for being unable to fully put him out of my mind.

The short drive did little to help with that.

Greta's Grocer's really was only minutes away.It didn't take me long at all to get there and pick up the food.Whether it was because of the holiday or poor driving conditions, there were hardly any other cars on the road and literally just one person working the register at the store.

"Surprised to see anyone out in this mess," Greta said and gestured to the store window."Looks like a blizzard's coming."

"Had to make a food run," I said with a smile."And you're here."

"Yeah, but I live out back."

"Ah."

"Wouldn't be crazy enough to drive, don't know a soul who would."

She lifted a brow as she handed me my bags.

"You be safe out there, Emmy O'Brien."

"I will.You stay safe too, Miss Greta.Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."

The temperature had noticeably dropped by the time I walked back outside.A steady stream of rain and snow fell from the darkening sky.Just my luck.The storm came early.

Speaking of storms…

I couldn't forget Seaver's face as I looked back in my rearview mirror.

Not to see if he was still watching or anything.

I didn't care about that.

I just wanted to make sure Finn hadn't tattled on me to Mom.

But no, my brother had already gone back inside—while Seaver watched me.

Arms crossed, frown pulling his lips down into a scowl, eyes flashing with a mix of what looked like irritation and…worry.

Was that for me?

Nah, I decided.He hadn't thought of me for years.And I shouldn't be thinking about him now.

Shaking my head, I focused on the road.

"What does he know anyway?" I muttered."I'm a good driver.Everything's going to be fine."

The rain/snow was really coming down now, so I turned up the windshield wipers.

"I'll just take it slow and—"

A shape darted out in front of me, and I gasped.I didn't know if it was a dog, rabbit, or something else, but I jerked the car to the side to avoid it.My tires lost traction.It all happened so fast and yet felt like everything was moving in slow motion.I lost control of the vehicle, but at least I knew better than to slam on the breaks.The car spun until suddenly it stopped.I was pitched forward slightly in my seat as I took stock.My heart was pounding; my hands hurt from gripping the steering wheel so hard; my neck and every muscle in my body was filled with tension; but otherwise, I was good.

My car, however, was not.

It refused to start.

The engine tried but wouldn't even turn over.

I opened the door, stepped out on shaky legs, took in the situation and frowned at what I saw.

My little Honda Fit was stuck.

In a ditch of all places.

Glancing back at the road, there was no trace of the animal I'd tried to avoid, but there in the middle of the lane was what looked like a large circle of ice.

Seaver was right.Damn him.And now, it looked like I'd be walking home.

Maybe it was shock, but the cold didn't register until that moment.

My teeth started chattering as I reached back inside to get the bags.I considered calling someone, but I didn't want Mom or Finn driving either.That could end just as badly or worse.My knees weren't all that steady as I turned to the road, but I shifted my shoulders back.With a deep breath, I took my first step towards home.

But I didn't get any farther than that.

Headlights suddenly appeared, heading my way.They blinded me momentarily.

It was odd.

Like I said, I hadn't seen many other vehicles on the way to or back from the store.

Still, I didn't think anything of it until the car pulled over to the side of the road, right next to me, rolled down the window, and I saw Seaver's face.He did not look happy.

"Get in," he said.

I opened my mouth to argue, the need to oppose him at every turn rising up inside me, but then he stunned me.

"Please."

He was still glaring.His mouth was tense.There was no hint of a smile anywhere.But that word from his lips and the worry I saw flash in his eyes had me getting into the car without protest.As soon as I closed my door, I expected him to start driving.

But instead, he sat there for several moments, still as a statue.

When I couldn't take it any longer, I said, "So, how are things at the house?"

"Are you okay?" he said.

"Yeah.Have the baseball players found the chocolate Santas yet?"

"Did you hit your head?"

"No.Did you hit yours?"

Seaver turned that piercing stare on me."Are you seriously joking right now?"

I shrugged.

"Emilia."

"Don't say my name like that," I said.

"Like what?"

"Like you know me.Like I mean something to you."

Seaver tilted his head.

"And don't try to pretend like I do."I held up a hand."It will only make me more pissed."

"Still not sure why you are," he said.

I scoffed."Can you just drive?I need to get back.Don't want my mom or Finn to worry."

"I texted them right when I found you."

"You did?" I said in surprise.

"Yeah."

"Well, that was thoughtful, I guess.What are you doing out here anyway?"

Seaver gave me a pointed look."I think you know."

"Were you leaving?" I said hopefully.

"You wish," he said.

"I do.I really do."

Seaver laughed quietly, and I hated my ears for liking the sound so much.

"Can we go now?"

" In a second, I just want to check something."

"Fine, but…w-what are you doing?" I said, cursing myself for stuttering like some kind of schoolgirl with a crush.

But Seaver was suddenly closer.His hands were on my face, his fingers probing my temples gently.

"Does this hurt?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"What about here?"

As his fingertips brushed through my hair, I had to fight back a moan.

"Emilia?"

"I said I'm good."

"You did.Now, what color are my eyes?"

Staring back at him, I lifted a brow."Black like the heart in your chest."

Again that quiet laugh, and Seaver finally leaned back, releasing me from his hold in more ways than one.

"You're good," he said then put on his blinker and pulled onto the main road."So, what happened back there?"

Did he mean when he touched me?

Because I was still trying to figure that out myself.

How could one innocent touch make my body respond like that?

But it had always been that way between us.Me loving the feel of Seaver's hands on me.I was just surprised I still loved it, even after he broke my heart all those years ago.So inconvenient.

"I assume it wasn't another car since there weren't any signs of a hit-and-run."

Brow furrowed, I said, "No, it was just me.An animal ran into the road, so I swerved not to hit it.Then I hit a patch of ice and ended up in the ditch—I blame you for that by the way."

"Me?Why?"

I sniffed."Because you jinxed me as I left the house.It was almost like you wished it on me or something."

"Jesus, Em."

"What?"

"You could've been seriously injured," he said."Do you get that?"

Of course, I did.

"And for what?You'd sacrifice yourself just so Bambi can go home to her family."

I frowned."One, you know I hate any movie where the animal dies.Two, it could've been a dog, and there was no way I was hitting one of those.And three, what do you care anyway?"

"I care," he said.

Staring at him, I saw a muscle tick in his jaw.I wasn't sure if it was his words or the jaw-tick, but something had my heart fluttering."Funny.I didn't know you had jokes."

"Not joking."

"If you say so."

"If I didn't care, why would I be out in a snowstorm searching for you?"

I forced a laugh."Yeah, right."

He raised a brow."You said 30 minutes, remember?Turns out I couldn't wait that long."

I opened my mouth to reply, but only air escaped.

If I'm not back in 30, send out a search party.

I couldn't believe he'd been listening.

"What no comeback?" he said.

Clearing my throat, I said, "I would've gotten home eventually."

"Yeah, I know.I saw you about to start walking."Seaver shook his head."Can't believe you were too stubborn to call someone."

"And I can't believe you think I'd put anyone else in danger."I crossed my arms."That's why I didn't call."

His silence said he didn't believe me.

"It's true.I didn't want anyone getting hurt.Not even you."

Seaver pulled into our driveway, cut the engine, and when I finally turned to face him, a smile was playing around his lips.

"What?" I said.

"Not even me," he repeated.

"Yeah, well.I mean, I hate you, but it's not like I want you dead or seriously disfigured.I've matured and moved past that phase."

"Guess that's something."

I felt my lips twitch but refused to smile.

"You were trying to protect me," Seaver said."That's sweet."

I rolled my eyes."I didn't say that."

"Didn't have to."

"Okay, I'm going inside now."

"Glad to hear you don't want me dead."

"Currently rethinking that statement."

I hopped out of the car, and as I heard him laugh, I threw one last parting shot over my shoulder.

"Glad to know you still care," I said.

Later I'd convince myself that it was just the wind outside distorting his reply.Or maybe I'd read one too many romance novels.I couldn't be sure.But I could've sworn I heard Seaver's voice cut through the wind on a whisper, saying three little words that would wreak havoc on my heart.

"I never stopped."