Chapter 23
Ellie
E llie was all too aware of the way her and Sadie’s hands kept brushing up against each other’s as they walked along the beach. Each time they touched, Ellie wanted to take hold of Sadie’s hand and hold it. But what if Sadie wasn’t feeling the same way? She could just as easily take Ellie’s hand if she wanted to.
Omg, Ellie. Stop overthinking. You KNOW she likes you.
Taking a deep breath, Ellie tried to think of something to say. They’d been walking for a few minutes with the water gently lapping up against their ankles. While Ellie usually spent most of the summer barefoot at the Cape, Sadie had discarded her sandals as they walked in the water and was holding them in her hand.
The hand farthest away from Ellie.
Which meant she could hold Ellie’s hand. If she wanted to.
You know what? Screw it.
Slowly reaching her hand out, Ellie took hold of Sadie’s hand as she watched her smile and looked at her.
“About time,” Sadie said with a smirk.
“You could have done it sooner, you know.”
“I was waiting on you.”
“Well, I was waiting on you ,” Ellie laughed.
They made their way up the beach to the handful of beach chairs the Mackenzies left out when they were at the Cape. The beach was semi-private, which meant only the people in their neighborhood had access to it. No one ever bothered their things, and Ellie rarely even saw people on the beach aside from a few kids every now and then. Even her family preferred the pool over the beach.
Taking seats in two of the Adirondack chairs that sat tucked into a makeshift alcove between some trees, Ellie leaned onto the armrest as Sadie did the same. Their lips were tantalizingly close together, but Ellie didn’t lean in for a kiss. Not yet. She stared into Sadie’s ice-blue eyes, memorizing every detail about them, along with the freckles on her cheeks.
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
Sadie leaned in then, pressing her lips into Ellie’s. For two people who were beyond awkward around each other a few weeks ago, they’d mastered the art of kissing very quickly. Ellie caressed Sadie’s cheek in her hand as Sadie pushed her tongue into Ellie’s mouth. She’d never been kissed like that before, and her head was spinning from all the emotions and thoughts running through her mind.
But the thought trying to ruin the moment was the fact her family was notorious for “accidentally” interrupting private moments. Ellie had seen it happen countless times with her older sisters and brother, even her aunt and cousins. The Mackenzies seemed to have a radar to know when someone was having a good time with their significant other.
Not that Sadie was her significant other. They so weren’t there yet.
Sadie’s lips moved slowly down Ellie’s jawline to her neck. The same place where she’d left a hickey the night of graduation that Ellie was still trying to conceal until it was gone.
Okay, maybe we’re getting there faster than I thought.
Sadie ran her hand through Ellie’s hair, caressing the back of her head as Ellie arched her neck to give her easier access. Never in her life did she think being kissed like that would turn her on as much as it was. In her seventeen years, Ellie had never seriously thought about kissing someone or going farther with someone.
But now?
With Sadie kissing her in ways she wasn’t prepared for, her mind was running wild with thoughts she knew she’d have to explore—and soon.
“We’re going to get caught,” Ellie whispered as Sadie moved her lips back to Ellie’s.
Her breath was warm against Ellie’s skin as she said, “Isn’t that what makes it fun?”
Ellie giggled as she pressed her forehead into Sadie’s. It was something her family always did when they were expressing happiness or, really, any emotion. But in that moment, it was pure bliss for Ellie.
That was until she caught a glimpse of her parents walking toward them.
“I told you,” Ellie whispered under her breath as the two sat back into their chairs as if they hadn’t just been making out moments before.
Vera looked bemused, while Isla crossed her arms over her chest and seemed to be suppressing a smile as they looked at each other. Ellie felt she was about to get lectured, but instead, her parents looked at each other and laughed.
“I’m having Mason flashbacks,” Vera chuckled as Isla did the same. Ellie felt the slightest relief that at least they weren’t mad at her.
Or, well. Didn’t seem mad at her.
“We’re going to start dinner soon. Sadie,” Vera smiled at her, “do you want to help me?”
Sadie seemed to know it was less of an option and more of a demand, so she nodded and stood. Vera put her arm around her shoulder as they walked back up the nearby path to the house. When her mom didn’t follow them, Ellie knew what was about to happen.
The Talk.
They’d all gotten the safe sex talk years ago. Vera had brought home posters of STDs and made them watch a video of a woman giving birth. To Ellie’s relief, it had at least been edited so she wasn’t too traumatized. They’d also set rules that significant others could be in their rooms with them, but the doors had to remain open at all times.
Of course, that rule was in place before Ellie came out.
Well. Not that she had to come out.
Her parents knew before Ellie did that she was gay. But they’d yet to talk about how or if that would change the rules. Ellie had a feeling that was what was about to be discussed though.
Isla sat down beside her in the chair but didn’t lean all the way back like Ellie was.
“So,” she took a deep breath in and let it out, “Mama and I have talked and we’re going to let Sadie stay in your room even though clearly there’s more going on there than just friends.”
Ellie couldn’t stop herself from blushing as she nodded her head.
“All we ask is that you and Sadie talk—and I mean really talk—before anything more than kissing happens okay? And always know you can come to me or Mama about anything okay?”
“I know.” Leaning over the armrest, Ellie wrapped her arms around Isla’s neck. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re a good kid, and I know Sadie is, too. I don’t want to say you’re lucky to come after Mason, but you are. Mason taught us a lot, and Mama and I have learned to be better parents thanks to her. We know telling you two to not do something isn’t the way to parent. But what we can do is give you all the resources and help and safe space you need to process everything that’s happening with Sadie.”
Ellie held tighter onto Isla and soaked in the way her mom gently rubbed her back as she talked.
“You and Mama are the best parents ever.”
“And you’re the best kid ever.” Isla kissed her cheek as she leaned back in the chair. Ellie did the same, smirking at Isla. “I tell all my kids that though.”
“But I’m your favorite.”
“If you say so,” Isla teased as she crossed her legs. She was wearing shorts, a tank top, and no shoes, a typical summer look for Isla Mackenzie. There was a gleam in her eyes as she smiled at Ellie. “So, tell me about Sadie.”
“ Mom ,” Ellie dramatically groaned as she covered her face with her hands. It was less from embarrassment and more from the fact she didn’t want her mom to see her smile at the mention of Sadie’s name.
“Oh, come on now.” Isla tickled her side; a surefire way to get Ellie to giggle. “I need to know if I’m going to keep running into you all kissing everywhere.”
Ellie lowered her hands, smiling at Isla. “I think you just have a weird sixth sense and know when to interrupt us.”
“Um, dude,” Isla chuckled. “I’m your mom. I created you. I’m biologically pre-programmed to know what my kiddos are up to at all times.”
“That sounds like a superpower.”
“Oh, it is.” She firmly nodded, the faintest smirk on her lips. “It’s taken me years of practice to hone in the skill. Now, it’s one of my and Mama’s best assets.”
Ellie rolled her eyes.
“So, come on, Care Bear. Tell me about you and Sadie. When did things start between you two? Obviously, before the play, right?”
“That freakin’ play,” Ellie laughed under her breath. Had she known then how obvious things were by simply hugging Sadie, she would have chosen a more private place to do so. “As a matter of fact, it started after prom.”
As Ellie recounted the story of the last few months, her mom listened as if it were the most interesting story she’d ever been told. They giggled together when Ellie told her about their first kiss and Isla laughed out loud when she told her how Mason and Blake had caught them kissing at the party.
Ellie knew how lucky she was to have a mom that not only cared about her, but truly loved her and wanted to be a part of her life. Neither of her sets of grandparents wanted to be in their kids’ lives, so Ellie was thankful her parents had broken the generational curse for their kids. Isla and Vera were the envy of all Ellie’s friends, and even her parents’ friends. Everyone either wanted to be Isla and Vera or have parents like them.
“You look really happy, Ellie.”
“I am happy, Mom.”
“Good.” Standing, Isla pulled Ellie up and into a tight hug. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
“I just can’t believe my baby girl has her first girlfriend.”
“Well, not officially.”
“Well, then you know what you need to do then, hmm?”
“Ask Mason about how to ask her out?”
Isla busted out laughing as she put an arm around Ellie’s waist. They walked up to the pathway laughing.
“Whatever you do, don’t take Mason’s dating advice.”