Chapter 21
Ellie
A ll her life, Ellie had been the oldest of the twins. She took her time as being thirteen minutes older than her brother with a not-so-humble stride. They were always Ellie and Brayden growing up and Ellie loved her middle child status in the family. It fit her personality perfectly, and she loved her position in the family.
Which made the fact Brayden would be graduating before her a situation she had dramatically exploited. Brayden loved it, of course. He had been laughing over it since they’d had their rehearsal the day before and found out that they were in alphabetical order. Ellie didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of that before. But as soon as Brayden did, he took his moment to shine.
And was still doing so as they waited along the side of the stage for their names to be called.
His smirk told Ellie exactly what he was thinking but she asked him anyway.
“This is how life could have been if you hadn’t pushed me out of the way to get out first.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “Please. I’m an actress. I was born to make my grand appearance first.”
“But look who’s the second Mackenzie to graduate today.”
She playfully punched his shoulder as she laughed. “They should have named me Anna.”
“You’re so not an Anna.”
“Agree with you there.”
“About time.”
“Oh, hush.” Ellie rolled her eyes at him. They were three people away from being called now. Brayden turned around, running his hand through his hair even though it did nothing but make him look cool. Not that Ellie thought her brother was cool. Ew. She leaned toward his ear as the person in front of him was called. “Just don’t trip.”
Brayden spun around, seemingly panicked. “Why would you say that?”
“I love you.”
“Brayden James Mackenzie.”
The announcer’s voice was followed by the loudest applause of the day. Ellie beamed with pride as Brayden walked across the stage, received his diploma, and offered a thumbs-up to their parents, who, Ellie knew without looking, were sobbing.
And, if she was truthful with herself, Ellie was about to be, too.
“Eleanor Kate Mackenzie.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ellie walked across the stage with her head held high and a smile on her lips. She shook the principal’s hand and took her diploma as she walked to the other side of the stage. Her parents were easy to spot in the crowd, and Ellie smiled at them. Vera put her hands above her head in a heart symbol as Ellie paused to do the same back.
Ellie knew how lucky she was to have parents like her. Parents who loved her and her siblings so fiercely and without conditions. She wanted nothing more than to run to them and hug them, but that would have to wait. All her emotions were about to bubble over, so she quickly hurried off the stage and back to her seat by Brayden.
“We didn’t fall.” He fist-bumped her as they laughed. Ellie put her arm around his as she leaned onto his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Ellie.”
“I’m proud of you, too, Brayden.”
A few rows ahead of them, Sadie turned around and waved. Ellie did the same back, smiling at Sadie. Brayden playfully jabbed her in the ribs with his elbow.
“You two dating yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Word of advice from your favorite bro?”
“You’re my only brother, but go on.”
“Just ask her out.”
Ellie snorted a laugh. “ That’s the best advice you have?”
“I mean, I could give you some long philosophical speech on why you shouldn’t let an opportunity pass you by, but really, it doesn’t matter. You just need to ask her out already. You both clearly like each other.”
“Shut up.”
Ellie crossed her arms over her chest as she tried not to smile. Her silly brother knew she and Sadie liked each other. That’s how obvious things were between them. She knew that eventually, she and Sadie would have to have that conversation. That I like you, and you like me, so do you want to date conversation that Ellie had never had with anyone before?
She knew she could talk to her parents or even her sisters about it. Well, maybe not Blake. They weren’t quite there yet with their relationship, and Everleigh was too young for the conversation. Mason would give her more advice than Ellie would ever ask for. That much had been determined when Ellie first asked her about how to kiss someone when a role in a musical required it.
And her moms? Ellie knew they’d pepper her with a hundred questions and give her the safe sex talk. Because no child of Vera Mackenzie was safe from that talk. In fact, Ellie had already been given it once already. But she knew an encore would happen.
Ugh. Maybe I’ll ask Eden.
Her aunt was more like a big sister than anything to Ellie. Eden was in theater on Broadway, which immediately made her Ellie’s idol. Ellie also felt comfortable talking with Eden about anything.
Yeah, maybe I’ll talk to her at the Cape.
As the ceremony ended, Brayden and Ellie made their way over to their family where their parents immediately engulfed them in hugs and kisses. Ellie savored the moment, knowing how special it would always mean to them.
“I love you both so much.” Isla kissed them both before Vera did the same.
“I’m so proud of you, babies.”
The hugs and tears lasted a few minutes longer before Molly gathered them all together for one more family picture before they headed off to the bar.
Her mom had closed the bar down for their graduation party, and Ellie couldn’t wait to see it. Emily Crawford and Hayden Jaymes had been put in charge of decorating it. There were banners, balloons, and pictures all over the bar, which made Ellie insanely happy. She hugged her mom, who held her tightly.
“Thanks, Mom. I love it.”
“You’re welcome, Ellie.” Isla kissed the top of her head. “I love you so much, Care Bear.”
The nickname from when she was a kid had stuck over the years, but Ellie didn’t care. She snuggled closer to Isla before joining the rest of the family at the tables near the stage. Eden and her cousin River Bennet were on the stage with what seemed like a makeshift DJ stand.
That can only mean show tunes all night long , Ellie chuckled to herself as she sat down beside Mason. Who, of course, immediately hugged her.
“I’m just so proud of my little sis.”
“Really? I couldn’t tell.”
“Oh, hush. Let me be sentimental on your graduation day.”
The party was filled with amazing food, lots of laughs, and her amazing family. It was beyond perfect, and Ellie was glad she had decided not to go away for college. She’d applied to several out-of-state school theater programs and gotten into all of them, a fact she might have hidden from her parents.
Ellie just wasn’t sure she was ready to fly the coop just yet. The Cove was her turf and the local theater was her domain. She’d been the lead in plays since she was a kid and knew that her chances would only grow as she got older.
So Ellie didn’t regret her decision to go to the local college. Especially since she was pretty sure she only wanted theater to be a hobby and not her job. She’d seen firsthand from Eden and River how tough and demanding a full-time theater contract was, and Ellie knew deep down she wanted it to always be fun.
Which of course meant at some point, she’d have to figure out a career.
After Cape Cod. We’ll focus on that after the Cape.
A few tables away, Ellie caught Sadie’s eye. She was at a table with her parents and Ellie’s Aunt Cameron, along with Dylan and her brother Jonah. Ellie waited a beat for Sadie to look her way before nodding her head toward the bathroom. Despite not having a single clue what she was doing, Ellie stood and walked toward the hallway where the bathrooms were.
Ellie nervously paced the wooden floorboards for a moment before Sadie rounded the corner. The two smiled at each other, and Ellie resisted the urge to close the space between her and kiss her.
Oh, my god. I’m turning into Mason.
Shaking the thought from her head, Ellie took a step toward Sadie.
“How does it feel to be a high school graduate?”
“Pretty good,” Sadie giggled as she took a step toward Ellie. They were barely a foot away from each other now, and Sadie quickly closed the gap for a quick kiss. “Sorry, I’ve been thinking about doing that for hours.”
“Never apologize for that.”
Beside them, one of the bathroom doors opened as one of Brayden’s friend’s parents stepped out. Ellie knew their chances of getting caught kissing in a hallway were high, especially given her nosy family. So Ellie opened a door to another bathroom and ushered Sadie inside.
I am living up to that mini-Mason name every day.
“What are we doing?” Sadie asked in a whisper as she giggled.
Ellie giggled. “I have no clue. I just wanted to kiss you without worrying about someone interrupting us.”
“Oh, yeah?”
The look in Sadie’s eyes was one Ellie hadn’t seen before. Maybe it was the darkened light in the bathroom. Maybe it was because, for the first time since they admitted their feelings, they were finally alone together. Whatever it was, it made Ellie’s heart beat faster in her chest. Before she knew what her brain was doing, Ellie closed the gap between them and kissed Sadie again.
She ran her hands up the back of her dress as she tried to remember everything she’d learned at acting camp when it came to kissing someone. But none of that seemed to matter because all Ellie could focus on was Sadie’s lips on her neck.
God, how do you learn to kiss like that?
Ellie was glad her words stayed internally.
Especially as a knock came at the door.
“Ellie?”
Mom. Shit.
“Ellie, you in there?”
“Um, yeah.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, Mom.” She looked at Sadie, unsure what to do. Shrugging, she opened the bathroom door and stepped out into the hallway. “All’s good.”
But her mother’s narrowed eyes seemed to negate that statement. Isla flipped Ellie’s hair behind her shoulder as she arched an eyebrow.
Shit.
“Did you leave Sadie in the bathroom?”
Ellie felt her cheeks blush. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
She knew her mom well enough to know she wasn’t mad. The playful smirk as she opened the bathroom door and motioned for Sadie to come out told her that much. Sadie looked as embarrassed as Ellie felt. Never did she think her mom would find them making out.
“Sorry, Isla.”
“It’s okay, Sadie.” Isla smiled softly at them. “Ellie isn’t the first daughter I’ve caught making out in this bathroom and I doubt she’ll be the last.”
“Wait,” Ellie shook her head, laughing, “what?”
“Oh, yeah, go ask your sister about that.”
“I should probably get back to my moms anyway.” Sadie expertly excused herself as Ellie stayed back with her mom. Who, if the smirk on her face was any indication, was enjoying the moment a little too much.
“You’re not gonna tell Mama, are you?”
“You want me to lie to my wife?”
Ellie sheepishly smiled. “What if I said please?”
Isla laughed, pulling Ellie into a hug. “Oh, baby girl. Mama already knows. Who do you think told me you and Sadie snuck off together?”
“She really missed her calling to be in the FBI.”
“You’re telling me.” Putting her arm around Ellie’s shoulder, Isla led her back over to the table. Ellie sat between her parents, not missing the bemused look on her mama’s face as she patted her leg.
“I told your mom she was going to have to lock those bathroom doors.” Vera winked at Ellie before pulling her into a hug to let her know she was teasing.
Note to self: we’ll have to be more careful in the Cape.