Chapter 34
Sadie
S itting on the Mackenzie’s front porch swing holding hands with Ellie was low-key becoming Sadie’s favorite thing to do on summer nights. They’d spent the day at the lake with Ellie’s family before coming back to the house for a barbecue. Sadie had never had such delicious food, and wanted every future meal to be made by Isla and Vera. As her bare feet gently touched the concrete porch floor, Sadie gently set the swing in motion again. Ellie rested her head on Sadie’s shoulder and yawned.
“I’m so sleepy.”
“Then go to bed,” Sadie giggled.
“It’s not even nine.”
“But you have a big day tomorrow.”
Ellie had been talking about shadowing Vera at work for days. Her excitement was so cute to Sadie, and she couldn’t wait to hear all about Ellie’s day. Like Sadie, Ellie was still undecided on a major. She thought she might want to go into the medical field, which was when Vera suggested shadowing her at work.
Sadie knew that Ellie would be great at whatever she did, but she could definitely picture her in scrubs. Ellie was a natural helper and loved people, so the career made sense for her. At least to Sadie. But she knew it would have to be Ellie’s call.
As for Sadie, she was still leaning toward education. It would be a career that would allow her to coach softball on the side, which she definitely wanted to do. Or at least that was the plan for now. The truth of the matter was Sadie had no clue what she wanted to do with her softball career after college. Hell, even in college.
She hadn’t dared to vocalize her new concerns over going away to college to play softball. Would she have time to come back to the Cove and see Ellie and her family? Would she even get playing time as a freshman? Was it really worth it to travel a thousand miles away to college when she only had a vague clue as to what major she wanted to pursue?
Sadie lacked answers to any of her questions, so instead she focused back on Ellie.
“I can’t wait to hear about your day tomorrow. You’re going to have so much fun.”
“I hope so.” Ellie smiled as she pulled her legs up onto the swing, hugged her knees to her chest. “I’m excited. Mama said Alexis has an appointment tomorrow, so I should be able to sit in on hers. And you know Molly Jaymes? The photographer?”
Sadie nodded.
“She’s pregnant and has an appointment too, so I’ll get to see a baby.” Ellie’s little high-pitched squeal when she said the word baby was beyond adorable to Sadie. “I just hope it helps me figure out what I want to do.”
“I hope so too. And the good thing is, your mama can always let you shadow her more if you think you might be interested in it.”
“Yeah, totally. And Mason’s already said I can be there for her next procedure.” Ellie paused, shrugging. “I still don’t think I want to deliver babies, but maybe being a nurse or an ultrasound tech would be cool.”
“And besides,” Sadie playfully bumped her shoulder against Ellie’s, “you’d look hot in scrubs.”
Ellie blushed in the fading sunlight. “Stop it.”
“I’m serious. And if you put a stethoscope on and dramatically badge yourself into an authorized personnel only door?” Sadie dramatically fanned herself with her hand as Ellie giggled. “ Hot , babe.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re gonna love it.”
“Me, too.”
Turning her head toward Sadie, Ellie leaned in and kissed her. Sadie had been keenly aware that Ellie had not invited her up to her room after dinner. And after the events in the backseat of her of her Mustang the night before, Sadie understood why. While she was glad they were both on the same page, Sadie wasn’t going to rush things. Especially not with Ellie having such a big week. Between shadowing her mama and her eighteenth birthday party, Ellie had to have more on her mind than sex with Sadie.
Granted, Ellie’s hand casually slipping down Sadie’s inner thigh might contradict that assumption.
Sadie thought about asking Ellie if she wanted to go up to her room, but before she could, the front porch lights flickered on and off twice. Ellie dramatically groaned as she jumped up from the swing and ran to the front door. As she opened it, Sadie heard Everleigh giggling on the other side of the door.
“Evie, are you spying on us?”
“No,” Everleigh laughed as she stepped out onto the porch. Her service dog, Willow, was close behind her. “Mama told me to go check on you two.”
“Ahh.” Plopping back down on the swing, Ellie planted her feet on the ground to keep it from moving. “Well, you can report back that we’re just swinging on the front porch.”
“And making out.”
“Please don’t tell her that.”
“It’ll cost you.”
“What this time?” Ellie groaned as Sadie laughed. It was obvious the youngest Mackenzie was used to playfully manipulating her older siblings.
“Can you take me to the drive-in next week? It’s The Shining and you know how much I love that movie. I won’t even tell Mom or Mama if Sadie goes and you two make out the whole time.”
Ellie snapped her head toward Sadie as they both looked at each other in panic. Had someone seen them at the drive-in and told Ellie’s parents? But even if they had, how would Everleigh have found out?
“Geez, relax,” Everleigh snorted a laugh. “I’m just assuming what teens do at drive-ins. So, will you take me?”
“Yeah, fine. We’ll take you.”
“Thank you.” Looking more like Vera than Sadie had ever realized, Everleigh smiled and headed back to the front door. “I’ll be sure to report to the parents that there was absolutely no making out on the front porch.”
Ellie stuck her tongue out at her, while Everleigh did the same back.
“Man, I never wanted siblings until I got to know your family.”
“They’re all assholes.”
“You love them.”
“Some days.”
“ Every day ,” Sadie corrected. “Admit it, you love them.”
Ellie failed to hide her smile from Sadie. “I mean, they’re alright.”
“You’re lucky.” Leaning back in the swing, Sadie put her arm on the back as she set it in motion again. “You have parents who love you and siblings that annoy you while loving you. Your sisters-in-law are amazing. Your nieces and nephew rock. You’re lucky. I don’t have any of that, minus the supportive parents.”
“Well, lucky for you, you’re basically an honorary Mackenzie now.” Snuggling into Sadie, Ellie wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her head on Sadie’s chest. “My family loves you.”
“It’s mutual.”
For a few moments, the only sound between them was the methodical creak of the porch swing. Sadie could hear voices from the backyard still, and knew the rest of the Mackenzies must still be out there. Despite how much fun she’d had that day, Sadie suddenly became overwhelmed with the fact that she would be leaving Moonflower Cove in a matter of weeks.
While the move hadn’t fully hit her yet, it was starting to hit harder and more frequently as the day approached. Especially when she thought about leaving Ellie. Sadie’s stomach immediately knotted up every time she thought about it. But this time, Sadie decided to tell Ellie about her worries.
“Ellie?”
“Hmm?”
“What happens when I go to college?”
The question hung in the air as neither of them seemed to breathe or move. Slowly, Ellie sat up and looked at Sadie. Sadie could see in her eyes that she’d been avoiding asking the question as well.
“What do you mean?”
Sadie’s voice was lower when she spoke. “You know what I mean.”
“I don’t want to break up,” Ellie quickly answered.
“I don’t want to either.”
“Okay. Good. We’re on the same page there.”
“We can do long distance, right? I mean we have phones. We can talk all the time. And it’s not like you’re never coming back, right? Like you’ll be home on breaks, won’t you?”
“Yeah, I will.” Sadie grimaced. “As long as I don’t have practice.”
“Okay, well,” the wheels seemed to be turning rapidly in Ellie’s mind. “If you can’t come here, I can go there. Right? They make planes.”
“Planes are expensive, and you’ll have school, too.”
“I know, but,” Ellie sighed, and Sadie could see the tears starting to form in her eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes to see you. I love you, Sadie.”
“I love you, too, Ellie.”
Pulling Ellie into a hug, Sadie held onto her until she felt both of them were okay with letting go. She gently brushed Ellie’s hair out of her face and behind her ear before kissing her. Sadie needed Ellie to know she loved her. Needed her to know that her going away wasn’t going to change things between them.
“Sadie?”
“Hmm?”
“I need to say one more thing.”
Sadie’s heart felt as if it fell to the floor as she nodded and waited for Ellie to continue.
“I want you to promise me one thing.”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Okay,” Ellie took a deep breath. “I need you to promise me that if at any point in this relationship you need a break for whatever reason, we talk about it, okay?”
“I won’t need a break.”
“Sadie,” Ellie’s voice was gentle as she spoke, “we’re eighteen. I just want to be realistic about things.”
Sadie’s brow furrowed in confusion as panic settled into the pit of her stomach.
“Realistic?” Sadie stood, putting her hands on her hips as she looked down at Ellie. “What does that mean? Are you already planning on us breaking up?”
Ellie stood as well. “Sadie, no, come on. Where is this coming from? We were just talking about how I’d come and visit you and…”
“And now you’re basically saying that we’re eighteen so we shouldn’t commit to anything long-term.”
“I never said that! I was just saying we need open lines of communication to…”
“Oh, stop sounding like you’re just repeating what your moms have told you.” Sadie took a few steps away from Ellie before turning back around to face her. She knew she was overreacting, but couldn’t get her mind to settle down. “I don’t want this to end, but how can we go on if you’re thinking about us breaking up?”
“Sadie.” Ellie closed the space between them but stopped just short of hugging her. “I’m not thinking about that. Believe me. All I was saying was long distance can be hard and we need to always be open and honest with each other. That’s it.”
Angrily, Sadie wiped a tear from her eyes. “That’s it?”
“I promise.” Gently, Ellie took Sadie’s hand and squeezed it. “I love you, Sadie Baxter. And there is no one else I’d be willing to have a long-distance relationship with other than you.”
Reluctantly, Sadie smiled and laughed as she pulled Ellie into a hug. “You’re such a dork.”
“It’s why you love me.”
“Yeah,” Sadie giggled as she kissed her, “it is.”
“So, are we okay?”
Sadie nodded. “Yeah. Sorry for freaking out.”
“Hey, it’s nothing to be sorry about. And if anything this just proves that we can communicate our feelings like adults and not just kids. So I think this is going to work out splendidly.”
“See? Such a dork.”
“Shut up and kiss me again.”