EMBER
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
We get in the car and head back to my house. We sit in silence as we make our way across town. Just as Harley starts to speak, my phone rings, cutting him off.
Glancing down at my phone, prepared to let it keep ringing, I see that Ensley is calling again. I forgot I ignored her call earlier when shit was hitting the fan.
I hit answer and bring the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Rude. You sent me to voicemail earlier.” Ensley’s voice comes through the speaker in my ear.
“Yeah, sorry. Had some shit going on,” I tell her quietly, watching out the window as we get closer to the house. “What’s going on?”
”You gonna give me the deets now or later?” she asks me.
“Later,” I respond quickly, my eyes sliding over to Harley and then back to the window. His eyes are trained on the road, his knuckles white as he grips the steering wheel.
“Okay. I’m holding you to it,” she declares. “What time are you coming over tonight?”
Mother fucking shit balls. I completely forgot about my best friend's birthday party at her family lake house.
“Oh, Ensley, I might stay in tonight. It’s been a long…” I try to back out of going out and avoid being around people.
“Absolutely the fuck not, Ember Rose Alden,” she stops me immediately. “You hop your little ass in that car and come the fuck over.”
Fuck my life.
“Okay, okay, damn. I’ll head over when I get home,” I utter. “Oh, do you have the wings I needed for my costume?”
Harley looks over and raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t say a word. He pulls into the driveway and makes no move to get out of the car. He just sits quietly while I finish talking to Ensley.
”Yes! I have the wings. They’re already sitting out.” I hear her shuffling around on the other end of the phone. “Just don’t forget the fishnets and the boots.”
“Yes, mother. I’ll be sure to bring my fishnets and boots.” I laugh as I mock her. “I’ll let you know when I’m on my way.”
”Okay! Love you. Byyyyyye!” she yells into the phone before ending the call.
The phone goes silent and I lock it before setting it in my lap. I look over at Harley.
“Plans for the night?” he asks, his tone sharp.
“Yeah, I forgot about Ensley’s birthday party tonight. I don’t really want to go, but she’s not letting me out of it,” I say quietly, looking down at my hands.
“Maybe a good thing,” he says, matter of factly.
Oh, really? Hmph.
“Yeah, I guess maybe it will be.” I find myself snapping back quickly.
“Alright if I come in and get my gym bag?” he asks, hand on the door handle.
“By all means,” I tell him, shoving the car door open. I slam the door shut, harder than I’d intended, but fuck it. I’m not entirely sure what has his ass hairs in a twist, but he can shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
We enter the house, and Harley immediately walks down the hall to the bedroom. I walk forward, getting a glass of water from the kitchen. I stand with my hip resting against the counter.
Harley shuffles around for a few minutes in the bedroom before he approaches the kitchen, stopping at the doorway. He holds the strap of the gym bag as it rests at his side.
“Have a good night, Ember. Be safe.” He walks over, stopping in front of me. He places his hand on the side of my head and kisses my forehead. “I set your overnight bag on the bed for you, since I was already grabbing mine from the closet.”
“Thanks. I’ll be safe.” I give him a clipped smile.
“I love you, Ember,” he says, and before I can respond, he strides out of the house.
I stand there for a minute, trying to process the emotions I’m feeling. Before I can take too much time, my phone buzzes. A text from Ensley, reminding me to bring another item for the costume.
I push off the counter and head to my room.
Just as he said, the bag sits on the bed.
I jump into the shower for a quick all over shower.
I wash my hair, shave my legs, and wash my face.
I quickly slip on some loose fitting sweat pants and a tank top.
I bend over with my hair fallen forward and blow dry my wet hair.
Usually, I would have my GRWM playlist playing, but I get ready in complete silence. My own thoughts are loud enough right now, never mind the sound of the blow dryer that’s about to send me into a fit of overstimulation.
Once my hair is dried and twisted into a claw clip, I enter my bedroom.
I round up all of the items Ensley demanded I bring for my costume, tossing them carelessly into the overnight bag.
I dig in my closet and pull out my knock off Doc Martins I’ve had for years.
I throw them on my bed and head back into the bathroom to find all the make up I’m going to need for my costume makeup tonight.
After I’ve done a final roll call for all the items I need, I grab the bag and head into the living room. I grab my phone charger and toss it on top of my bag.
I plop on the couch, opening my phone, and I can’t deny the disappointment that I feel. No calls or texts from Harley. Maybe he needs space.
Is that what he meant earlier?
At that thought, I panic. I was mad about him hacking my system, and I feel like I have a valid reason to be upset. I never would have thought he would want space like this. I try to reign myself in, seeing it's been just over two hours since he left.
Ensley sends one more text and I roll my eyes, responding to let her know I’m about to leave.
I put out some fresh water for Maggie, and refill her food bowl.
The moment the kibble hits the metal bowl, I hear her tiny paws scatter across the floor.
She brushes up my leg and then immediately settles at the bowl to feast, purring away.
I give her some ear scratches and a kiss on the head and turn the little nightlight on for her while I’m away for the night.
I turn down the rest of the house, locking it up, and jump in my car. I press start, and just as the car turns on, a text comes through.
HARLEY
Be safe. Call if you need me. I love you.
I quickly respond, letting him know that I’m leaving the house now and I’ll probably lose service once I get closer to Ensley’s party.
He heart reacts to my message and that’s all I get. I lightly toss my phone into the slot, trying not to lose my patience.
It’s roughly a fifty-minute drive to the lake house, and I blast my trap music playlist the entire way.
By the time I pull into the long wooded driveway, I’ve somehow hyped myself up to be pissed at Harley for being so short with me. I didn’t do a damn thing wrong.
I’m glad Ensley forced me to come, I’ve got some shit to say.
I hop out of the car, and the moment my door is shut, the front door of the house opens. Ensley’s figure fills the doorway.
“Get that beautiful ass in here and help my pregame!” she screams, not moving from the porch.
“I’m coming!” I holler back as I grab my bag from the passenger seat and bound up the stairs.
Once I’m inside, I find all the snacks already sitting on the counter, waiting to be prepped and put out for guests.
“Mkay, spill,” Ensley says as she begins making a mixed drink.
“Do you want all the details, or like a shortened version?” I ask her, even though I know she loves all the juicy shit. The only difference is that when she wants all the juicy shit, it’s usually over petty B.S. But that’s not the case this time.
“Give it to me.” She passes me a red solo cup, bringing her own up to her lips and tasting it.
I go into detail about everything the past few weeks. Starting from the day of Aria’s birthday party.
Ensley has always despised Dean with a lethal force.
Ensley and I had been best friends since we were three, and our parents lived across the street from each other.
When I was in first grade, her parents moved across town, and we didn’t go to the same school anymore.
We stayed close, but we drifted for a bit, around the time I met Dean, so they never met.
“You’re telling me Dean still can’t fucking take a hint?” Her expression a stink face.
“I guess not. Since we installed the cameras, we’ve caught him coming close to the house three times,” I relay to her, polishing off my drink.
“So, you really think this is your baby?” Her voice goes soft as she meets my eyes.
“Yeah, I met his mom. His adopted mom, Charlee. She knew the second she saw me who I was,” I confirm. I lean back in my chair.
“Let’s start getting ready and you can keep telling me about your insane life.” Ensley grabs my hand and pulls me up the stairs.
We lay our costumes out onto the bed, making sure we have everything we need. For the first time in a minute, I find myself excited for tonight.
I sit to pee while Ensley runs back down stairs after she demands we need to continue our pregame drinking.
I check my phone, and still don’t see any communication from Harley. I open Facebook, not willing to admit I’m hoping to see if Harley has posted there.
When Ensley comes in, setting the drinks on the counter, she flips on the light and begins pulling out her makeup.
Once I’m done, I wash my hands and follow suit, dragging all my makeup out on the counter. We keep chatting while we start getting ready
“So, hold the fuck up.” She angles her body towards me while I look in the mirror, shaping my eyebrows. I stop and look towards her.
“So, Harley hacked into YOUR security system, and now HE needs space?” she questions with a look that can only be described as a “WTF” face.
“Dude, YES. I’m genuinely so confused about what I did wrong here?” I cock my head to the left and pull my eyebrows together. “Am I not fucking allowed to be mad? Does he not fucking know who I am?”
Ensley huffs. “I knew he sounded too good to be true.”
“I do love him,” I tell her, frowning. “But this shit has me so fucked up.”
“Well. I guess we better add some slutty touches to your costume.” She stands there confidently, a devious grin on her face.
“Why would we add slutty touches to my costume? He’s not going to be here?” I ask her in confusion.