Chapter 11
Ellie
F amily dinners were always a priority in the Mackenzie household. Gathering around the large oak table had become harder over the years due to practices and after-school activities, so Ellie was excited each time their family was together—or at least mostly together. Since Mason and Blake had their own homes, they weren’t over as much as Ellie would like, but she still loved being with her brother, younger sister, and parents.
Isla sat at the head of the table as Vera and Ellie sat across from Everleigh and Brayden. It was the assigned seats when it was just the five of them, and Ellie had to admit she loved the routine. And that she always got to sit beside her mama. She was a mama’s girl through and through and didn’t care who knew it.
“So, how was school today?” Vera took a sip of wine and smiled at each of her children.
“Good,” Everleigh sat up straighter at the table. “Ms. Jaymes said that my painting was the best one in the class, and I get to display it in the studio for everyone to see.”
“That’s awesome, Evie!” Isla high-fived Everleigh as Vera did the same. Everleigh soaked in their attention, smiling happily. “I’m so proud of you, sweetie.”
“We all are,” Ellie added. “That’s awesome, Evie. I’d love to see it.”
“We have an open house in a few weeks, and you can see it.”
“We’re totally there.”
They chatted for a few more minutes about Everleigh’s painting and open house at the art studio where she’d been taking classes. Brayden took over the conversation afterward as he excitedly talked about the college he’d signed with and how the coach had sent him a box of goodies. A jersey, sweatpants, sweatshirts. More stuff theater kids never got.
“Ellie,” Vera turned slightly toward Ellie, “how about you? How’s school? And prom! We didn’t hear much about it from you since you stayed at Blake’s. Did you have a good time?”
“Yeah, it was great.”
“Were you part of the big group dance like Brayden was?”
“Group dance?” Ellie furrowed her brow and looked at Brayden. “What did I miss?”
“Miss?” Isla asked. “I thought you went to prom.”
“Well, I did.”
Suddenly, Ellie panicked. It seemed as if Brayden hadn’t told them what happened, and Ellie was thankful for that. But Ellie also didn’t tell them exactly why she’d spent the night at Blake’s. Especially since her house was on the same property as the Mackenzie farmhouse. Ellie swallowed the lump in her throat and powered through the conversation.
“I left early though.”
“To go to Blake’s?”
“Well,” Ellie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, “not exactly.”
Vera and Isla exchanged glances before turning their attention to Ellie.
“What aren’t you telling us?”
“She left with Sadie.”
Ellie shot Brayden a glare from across the table. He wasn’t trying to get her in trouble; she knew him better than that. But he still seemed oblivious to the fact that Ellie didn’t want to talk about what happened at prom. Brayden had to know; he was there, and he apparently saw her leave with Sadie.
Which was the thing her parents were now fixated on.
“You left with Sadie, huh?” Vera’s voice had a singsong tone, and Ellie recognized it instantly. It was the voice she used when she thought she was getting good intel or knew she knew something someone else didn’t. She looked to Isla, whose face seemed to indicate she felt the same way. “My, my. That’s interesting.”
“How—how is that interesting?” Ellie heard her voice go higher, clearly indicating she was nervous. “That’s so not interesting.”
“It’s just that we noticed how you two kept looking at each other when we saw her family at the bar.”
“Oh, geez,” Ellie groaned, covering her face with her hands. Across the table, Everleigh and Brayden laughed. “She’s just a friend . Gosh. That’s all.”
“So,” Isla locked eyes with her, “you and Sadie aren’t…”
Her voice trailed off, but she didn’t need to finish it for Ellie to know what she was thinking.
“Mom, no. I’m not dating Sadie.”
“Yet,” Brayden chimed in, gaining another glare from Ellie.
“What does that mean?” Ellie snipped.
“Nothing,” Brayden chuckled, annoying her as only a brother could. “It’s just if I wasn’t dating Bridget, I’d date Sadie after seeing that picture.”
Ellie swiftly kicked him in the shin. He dramatically recoiled, glaring back at Ellie from across the table.
“What picture?” Vera asked.
“Nothing,” Ellie and Brayden said in unison, their eyes still locked with each other.
“If it’s nothing then why are you kicking your brother?”
Ellie couldn’t think of a response fast enough.
“Brayden, Everleigh, go to your rooms,” Isla commanded, sitting up straighter in her chair. Her siblings did as they were told, not making eye contact with Ellie as they left the table. Isla waited until they were upstairs before looking at Ellie. “What picture?”
“Mom, please. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then you should have told your brother not to bring it up.”
“I can’t help he’s an idiot.”
“Eleanor,” Vera interjected, “we don’t say that about anyone, especially not family.”
“Sorry, Mama.”
“Now back to the picture.” Isla clearly had one thing on her mind. “What was he talking about?”
Sighing, Ellie knew there was no way out of the conversation she was about to have. She told them about everything, from Sadie sending the Snapchat to Abigail airdropping it at school. Ellie could barely look at her parents as she stared down at the empty white dinner plate with a fancy gold leaf design on it.
“So, you didn’t send any scandalous pictures, right?”
“No. And I didn’t ask for one to be sent to me either. It was a mistake she sent it to me. I’d never ask for that.”
“We know, honey.” Vera placed a warm hand on her thigh. “But we need to make sure you understand how dangerous it is to do that. Especially in today’s world. You never know who sees what you post, even when you think it’s private.”
“I know, Mama. Believe me,” Ellie sadly laughed, “I know. If this whole incident has taught me anything, it’s never to take pictures like that and send them to anyone.”
“Good,” Vera nodded, looking at Isla for a beat before turning back to Ellie. “So, is Sadie okay?”
“She will be.” Ellie shrugged. “She was so upset when it happened; anyone would have been. I had to go after her. I don’t think she has many friends and I needed to be there for her.”
“It’s good you were there for her, Ellie.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I left prom early. I just,” Ellie sighed and shrugged, “didn’t know how to tell you what happened.”
“Ellie,” Isla’s voice softened as she spoke, “you can always tell us everything, okay? Even if it’s hard or uncomfortable, we are here for you no matter what. Always. Do you understand?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” Isla winked at her. “I love you, Ellie.”
“Love you too.” She leaned into Vera, who put an arm around her shoulder. “I love you both.”
“I love you too, sweet girl.” Vera kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you were there for Sadie. She needs a friend like you.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
“And if there’s ever anything more between you two…”
Ellie pushed her chair back from the table and stood, smiling down at Vera. “You’ll be the first to know.”
After she helped her parents clean up the table and the dishes, Ellie headed upstairs to Brayden’s room. She found him laying in bed, scrolling on his phone with his earphones in. Ellie plopped down at the edge of his bed as Brayden took off his earphones.
“Sorry I said that.”
“I’m sorry I kicked you.”
“You should really consider going out for the soccer team.” Brayden dramatically rubbed his shin. “But I am sorry. I figured you told them; you tell them everything.”
“Even if I had, you shouldn’t have joked about that.” Ellie felt like her parents as she lectured Brayden. “It’s inappropriate to talk about someone like that, especially since the picture wasn’t sent to you—not by Sadie, at least.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
A smile formed slowly on Brayden’s lips as he sat cross-legged on the bed. “So, what’s really going on between you and Sadie?”
“Oh, geez.” Ellie picked up a pillow and threw it at him. “Not you, too. “
“Hey, I notice things.”
“Really? And exactly what have you been noticing?”
“How all lovey-dovey and shit you two looked at lunch today.”
Ellie’s heart seemed to do somersaults in her chest as it dropped then quickly rose. How could the mere mention of how they were perceived at lunch make her feel so giddy? She’d have to examine that some time without her brother present.
“We were just having lunch.”
“You can’t even say that without smiling.”
“Shut up.” Standing, Ellie crossed her arms and resisted the urge to smile. “Sadie and I are just friends. That’s all.”
“Whatever. Lie to yourself all you need. Just don’t kick my shin again.”
“Don’t objectify women again.”
“Maybe I should say the same to you,” he teased as Ellie rolled her eyes and walked out of his room.
Her smile grew wider with each step she took to her own room. Ellie could deny it all she wanted to her parents and brother, but there was only so much lying she could do to herself. She just had to figure out what the truth was. Did she like Sadie? Or were they really just friends? If everything hadn’t happened the way it had, would they have even talked?
Ellie didn’t know the answers. But she was determined to figure them out.