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

CHAPTER 9

Emmy

Thankfully, I didn't throw myself at him.

Or cry.

My heart was already in a puddle, but I managed to hold it together.

Just.

After the presents were all open, my brothers insisted on playing a game.The sport would, of course, be baseball.Seaver got pulled in to even out the teams.While they were getting everything sorted, deciding who'd play what position and the batting order, that was when I made my escape.

My room was a haven.Although I'd moved a lot of my things to Magnolia House for college, and there were miscellaneous items belonging to the players strewn everywhere, I didn't even mind.It was my space.It was familiar.And I needed that comfort.The game should distract everyone for a good while.

I took a peek out my window overlooking the backyard.I told myself it was to make sure no one noticed I was missing, but my eyes went straight to him.

Seaver was standing in what would've been the outfield.

He looked gorgeous in his long-sleeved black t-shirt and jeans.

As if he could feel my gaze, Seaver started to look up, but I ducked just in time.

"What am I doing?" I said.

Straightening, I walked over to my bed and plopped down.

"I need help."

I'd tried figuring things out on my own, but I was just as confused as ever.Dex would usually be my go-to.He and I could talk about almost anything.We were close like that.But I didn't want to discuss this with him or any of my siblings.

I mean, they were my brothers.

Would they even understand?

What I needed was guidance.

Advice from a third party who didn't mind delving into romantic issues.

With a nod, I opened my tablet and made the call.

June was the first to pick up.

"Hey Emmy," she said, "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, June.How are things at the garage?"

"Awesome.I convinced my dad to stay open for a half-day yesterday.It was our most profitable of the year," she said.

"That is awesome," I said.

"People don't stop needing their cars serviced because it's a holiday."June's nose scrunched."Speaking of which, I heard about your car.Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but…who told you?"

"Seaver."She lifted a brow."He called it into the garage.I was curious how he knew before me, considering I am your best friend."

Before I could respond, two more faces appeared on the screen.

"Honor, Charlie, hey," I said.

Honor smiled."Hey, Emmy.It's good to see your face."

"Yours too."

"Emmy," Charlie said, "I'm so glad you called.Does Chase seriously only want books for Christmas?"

I shrugged."He loves them."

"I know, but they're the only thing on his list, and he is so hard to buy for."

"At least you got a list," Honor mumbled.

I raised my brows."I told you both already.Your presence is the best present."

"True," June said.

Maisie and Rose came online next, and seeing their faces, I couldn't help but grin.

"Sorry," Rose said, "my cousins were being crazy."

"Tell me about it," Maisie said."My mom got my sister a guitar for Christmas."

"How's that going?"

"I love Lola, but I hate that guitar."

We all laughed, then Rose tilted her head."Did I get the date wrong?I thought we were supposed to come over tomorrow."

I shook my head."No, you got it right."

"Okay," Maisie said, "so what's up?"

"I decided to call an emergency meeting of the book club."

They sat forward.

"I know we've never done this before.And some of us can only attend certain meetings because well…life.But I really need your help," I admitted.

"This is so exciting," Rose said."It's exactly why I wanted to create book club in the first place.Should I text Finn?"

"No!"

I calmed my voice then tried again.

"No, I just need to talk to my girls," I said.

"Hmmm, I'm guessing this is about Seaver," Rose said, seeing far too much.

"Seaver?" Maisie echoed."Wasn't that the guy who showed up at book club that time?Dex's old best friend?"

I nodded."That's the one."

"Did he come back?" Rose asked.

"He did.He brought my brothers with him."

"Oh, that's so sweet."

"Wait, wait," June said."Seaver's at your house right now?"

"Um hm."

"How'd that happen?"

"Mom invited him—and four of her players."

"Full house," Charlie said.

"Yep."

"Seaver arrived yesterday and stayed the night," Rose put in.

"Thanks for that, Rose," I said dryly.

"Welcome."

June's eyes twinkled in a way that made me nervous."What the what, Emmy?Did you finally act on your crush?"

I swallowed.

Charlie lifted a brow and said, "That silence speaks volumes, O'Brien."

Honor sighed."Don't push her.She'll tell us when she's ready."

"Well, she did call this meeting."

"Don't worry," Maisie said."I'm a bartender, so it's hard to shock me."

"No judgment," Charlie agreed.

Rose sat up straighter."The book club is here for you, Emmy."

I took a deep breath then spilled the tea.

All of it.

I even told them our past history because they'd need the info to fully understand my dilemma.Everyone was silent for a beat once I was done.I had no idea what they were thinking.

"That's hot," Charlie said, breaking the silence.

"Secret relationships always are," Rose sighed.

June slowly shook her head."I can't believe you never told me," she said.

"I never told anyone," I said."Until last night."

"But I'm your best friend.I could've been there for you.I would've—"

"I didn't want to put you in that position.I knew how you felt about Baylor and couldn't ask you to lie to him."

"That's actually really nice of you," she said.

"Yeah, I have my moments."

"You do.It's why I love you.But…you were hooking up with Seaver and no one knew?"

I nodded.

"Did you two ever…?"

"No," I said with a blush, "but we came close, and there were several times I really wanted to.Believe me."

Including last night.

"So," Honor spoke up, "you're conflicted because he ghosted you, and now, he's back and seems to want to pick up where you guys left off."

"Basically," I said.

"Don't forget the hot Christmas Eve make-out session," Charlie put in then smiled."That's kinda naughty, Emmy.I didn't know you had it in you."

I rolled my eyes at that.

"But he was gone when she woke up," Honor reminded her.

"Yeah."Charlie grimaced."That part sucks."

"But he came back," Rose said.

"And he brought Archer, Baylor, Chase, and Dex with him," June added."Therefore making Emmy's Christmas wish come true."

"And she gave him the compass," Honor said.

"So romantic," Rose agreed."He basically admitted to everyone that you're his favorite person."

"I can't decide whether I love him or hate him," June said.

"Exactly," I said back.

"It's a hard one."

Maisie, who had remained silent all this time, looked up and shrugged.

"Not really," she said."Seems simple to me."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, you and Seaver have history.But what matters is how you feel about him now."

"I feel so many things."

She nodded."Of course, you do.How could you not?You want him, but you're scared.And he wants you.That much is obvious."

"So obvious," June agreed.

"But do you want him in your life?Are you ready to put your heart out there again?In Seaver's hands?"

I wasn't sure.

"Your actions say maybe you are.I mean, you gave him the compass."

"That was an accident," I said quickly.

"Yeah, but…was it?"

Maisie's voice was soft as she asked the question.

I didn't know how to respond.

In the end, I asked what they'd do in my shoes.There were two votes for giving Seaver another shot—those came from Charlie and Rose.Surprisingly, there were also two no's.

Honor shrugged."I don't think you sound ready yet.And if Seaver really wants you, he'll keep trying."

"June?" I looked at her in surprise."I thought for sure you'd be a yes."

"I would be," my best friend said, "if I knew that's what you wanted.But I was there when he left.Remember?I didn't know all the details, but I saw you break.And I…just don't want that to happen again."

I nodded then looked to Maisie.

"You didn't vote," I said.

"I know," Maisie said."Because you should make the final decision."

"Whatever it is," June said, "it'll be the right one.And remember Emmy, there's no rush.You have time to figure out what your heart is telling you."

When the call ended, I still didn't have an answer, but I felt loads better.

Talking with my friends always helped.

And I knew they would be there for me, no matter what.

Just like they were today, even though it was Christmas, even though they had tons to do with their own families, they'd taken the time to listen to my issues.I loved them all the more for it.Whoever said girls are catty hadn't found their tribe yet.

I'd found my mine.

And I was forever grateful.

Later that night, after the game which ended in a tie—which prompted my brothers to declare a rematch at an as-yet-to-be-determined date—and a delicious dinner—which ended in everyone being sleepy—I went to my mom's room and laid down, staring up at the ceiling and thinking of everything.Seaver.My friends' advice.The way my heart still beat like a wild thing in my chest whenever Seaver was in the same room.

"Emmy?" Mom whispered in the dark."Are you asleep?"

"Not yet," I said.

"Do you want to come up here, so we can talk?"

Smiling, I rose, pulled back the covers, and settled in next to my mother.We turned to face each other.

"Thank you," she said."for what you did.Getting the boys here.That was the best holiday surprise ever."

"I'm just glad you're happy, Mom."

"I am.Are you?"

"Yeah, sure."

I didn't miss the knowing look in her eyes.

"So, you and Seaver," she said, leaving it open-ended.

"Me and Seaver, what?" I asked innocently.

"Emmy, come on.I saw you two this morning.And I always had a feeling there was something there."

My brows popped up."You did?"

"Oh yeah, he didn't do much to hide it to be honest.If your brothers weren't so distracted by baseball and their own lives, I'm sure they would've seen it too."

"Well, thank you, baseball, I guess," I muttered.

"Emmy."

I looked up at her and sighed.

"Yeah, Mom," I said."Seaver and me."

"When did it start?" she asked then held up a hand."Never mind, I don't want to know."

I shrugged."It's fine.I was 17, and he was 19.Nothing too scandalous there."

"Not sure Dex would agree."

"Yeah."

"Are you together again now?" she asked.

"Honestly, I'm not sure what we are," I said."Or what I want us to be."

"Ah."

Realizing what she'd said, I lifted a brow."Wait, you said you thought there might be something between him and me.Was that why you invited him?"

Mom's eyes were wide and guileless.

"Would I do that?"

"Yes," I said."Yes, you would."

"I would," she agreed."But it was only an inkling."

"Well, your inklings are usually correct.You know, sometimes I wish you weren't so observant."

Mom shrugged."Sometimes I wish I was a dragon—or a superhero."

I laughed at that."You are to us, Mom."

"How are you feeling about everything?"

"Confused, excited, scared.I feel all the things."

"Do you love him?"

The question took me off guard.

"I…used to."I met her gaze again."I still might, and that scares me a little."

"Because you think he'll leave again?" Mom asked.

I gave a small nod.

"Ah, Emmy."

She pulled me into a tight hug, and I clung to her.Hugs from Mom were always the best.

"So," I asked once we pulled apart, "do you have any wisdom for me?"

Mom shook her head."Just know that you've got this.You're my daughter and an O'Brien.We go where our hearts lead us.And if yours leads you to Seaver, he would be the luckiest guy on the planet."

I gave a watery laugh."I love you, Mom."

"Love you, baby.Tomorrow's a new day.When the time comes, you'll know what to do."

I hope so .