8. Ember
Ember
My life had turned into a game of keeping myself busy so that I wouldn't think about Silas Solstice. Anytime I took my camera out, anytime I checked my email—his stupid mask would pop into my mind.
Any sane person would have replied to his ridiculous email and moved on, but I didn't. Over time, I realized it was the opposite for me.
The irritability I felt at the thought of him was like poison, seeping into every part of me.
I racked my brain to understand why I couldn't shake him, but I eventually gave up—only after ordering the dress I'd wear if I ended up going to the masquerade tonight.
That was a lie, and I knew it.
There was no "ended up".
I would be going.
As I rounded the corner toward my house, a voice pulled me from my head. “Hey, doll.”
I froze for a moment, before letting my entire face split into a grin. “Bodhi?!”
I took another step toward him as he pushed away from the wall, and I could immediately tell most of his practices had been outside.
Every inch of him had darkened in just the short time he’d been gone, including his usual backwards cap and faded jersey.
The circle of teammates around him opened as he moved toward me.
“Bodhi!” I squealed louder. Before my brain caught up, I bolted down the remainder of the sidewalk and launched myself at him.
He laughed, catching me and lifting me clean off the ground into a tight hug. “I wanted to surprise you and Kins,” he said into my shoulder. “We’re off for the summer. I thought I’d come spend that time with my girls.”
I leaned back, my hands still hooked behind his neck. “She’s going to lose her mind! Having you on the weekends is never enough for her.”
“I know, now she’ll have to deal with me for two months,” he retorted, smirking.
I squeezed him once more before stepping back and looking at the grass stains covering him. “Dude, come on. Isn’t there a team rule for showering?”
Without warning, Bodhi pulled me into his armpit and wrapped his arm around me. I half-laughed, half-screamed as I pushed him away and gagged.
“Save it for your girlfriend.”
Grabbing for the door handle, he bumped me with his hip, and a small cough from behind us reminded me of his company.
“Oh, these are some of the guys from my team. I offered Kolby's bedroom to them.”
I waved to each of them. “Oh goodie, he’ll love that.” Reaching for the door, I looked back at them. “Cover your ears,” I instructed, as we all stepped into the hallway.
From the kitchen, Kinsley called out to me, “Em, did you get—” She turned the corner and screamed. “BODHI?!”
Dropping the empty bowl in her hands, she sprinted across the room, throwing herself at him. He barely had time to brace before she wrapped herself around him, legs and arms locking in place.
“Oh my god, what are you doing here?!” she yelled.
“I missed you,” he laughed. “Surprise, baby.”
“I thought you had training until Tuesday!”
“They let us off early.”
Excitement lit up her face as she kissed him everywhere.
“Okay, okay,” he muttered between each kiss, “at least let me shower first.”
She laughed back in response, pulling him down the hallway toward the bathroom.
When they disappeared around the corner, I turned to the men and pointed to the living room. “I call dibs on the remote.”
The next couple of hours unfolded easily.
Instead of resting like I’d planned, I ended up on the couch, squished between random men that were now friends and pizza boxes that covered our living room.
Kolby showed up halfway through and threw a whole ass fit when he learned he’d been kicked out of his room.
Checking the time between bites, I debated staying home.
Bohdi being back had turned the house into something full of laughter and comfort, while being around Silas would probably evoke the opposite.
I finally gave in to the nagging in my head and stood, knowing it was well past the time I should’ve have left by.
Maybe showing up late would be a good thing.
Maybe it would do him some good to have to wait on someone else, for once.
“Sorry guys, I have to get ready for work.”
Kinsley looked over at me from Bodhi’s lap. “What?! You’re ditching us?”
Picking up my trash, I nodded. “It’s another photo gig.”
A look of confusion and then recognition washed over her face. “Oh, no!” she yelled, hopping off his lap to follow me into my bedroom. “Absolutely not. You’re going there again!?”
By the time I came out of my closet, I was met by a small crowd. Kinsley stood directly in front of me with her arms crossed. Bodhi was close behind her, sitting on the edge of my bed. Even Kolby had come to see what was going on, leaning into the doorway.
“Ember, come on. Do you really think this is a good idea?” Kinsley’s tone was short, a rare occurrence, but nothing that made me second-guess my plan.
“It’s just work,” I said, before moving into the bathroom and stepping into my dress. From the mirror, I could already tell the yellow color I’d ordered was perfect, mimicking the same one I wore last time. This dress, however, had an added layer of glitter, which made it even more elevated.
Kolby’s hand dropped from the doorframe he was leaning against as I entered the bedroom again. His eyes scanned over me, landing on the slit in my dress exposing my thigh. “You’re wearing that to a work thing?”
Bodhi stood, stepping toward me. “Wait, am I missing something? Did you get a new job?”
“No,”—I said, reaching for the brush on my dresser, “and I’m not sure if you guys are aware of this but I’m actually a big girl and can handle myself.
” I brushed through my hair a few times, deciding to leave it down.
“If it helps, don’t feel like you need to wait for me this time.
The gig is slotted for the whole party. I’ll be fine, even if I’m late.
” None of them replied, but they remained rigid.
I could tell they each had something to say, a different reason for me to stay home.
I honestly understood, but this wasn’t their choice, it was mine.
After another minute of silence, Kolby walked across the room and caught my attention in the reflection. With zero regret, I watched him through the mirror as I applied my lipstick. He sighed in response, he tone a weird form of defeat. “Who are you wearing that for, Em?”
I smiled up at him before standing and turning toward him. “Myself.”
Stepping around him, I grabbed my camera and purse before nodding at Kinsley and leaving them all in my room behind me.