Chapter 35
thirty-five
At Embers, be home tomorrow. I love you.
I stare at the text Everett sent me last night for the hundredth time today.
I don’t blame him for not wanting to come home last night.
Breaker gave me a lot to think about after our talk yesterday, and I know I didn’t really react well to Everett’s spontaneous declaration.
I don’t think either of us did. Right now I’m just hanging on to the ‘ I love you’ at the end of his message.
He wouldn’t say it if he didn’t mean it, so I know I haven’t completely blown it.
I've been erratically cleaning the townhouse all day, scrubbing every inch of every surface I can possibly reach. I've always been an anxious cleaner. Taylor Swift blares through the sound bar in the living room, singing about being somebody’s end game. I’d give anything to be Everett’s.
All of my fears from yesterday seem so stupid now, and I’ve only spent one night away from him.
Resting my hands on the cool granite of the bar, I shut off the water after scrubbing every dish we own. Rory has steered clear of me all day, and I don’t blame her. My phone buzzes on the counter next to me and I pick it up without even checking the caller ID.
“Everett?” I say.
“Hello, Kelsea,” my dad’s familiar baritone trickles through the speaker. An uneasy feeling instantly washes over me.
“Dad. I wasn’t expecting you,” I reply.
“Obviously. I need to speak with you,” he says, his ever-present haughty tone annoying me already.
“What can I do for you, dad?” I ask, not really interested in anything he has to say.
“You can come home immediately. You’ve done enough to disgrace our family name, Kelsea. I’ve already purchased your plane ticket. The details are in your email now,” he commands.
In the past, I might have jumped the second he demanded. But now I feel utterly unaffected by any order he gives me. I’ve never had any misconceptions about my parents, but I didn’t think they would be so willing to sacrifice their only daughter’s happiness to fulfill some political aspirations.
“Sorry, dad. You should know by now that isn’t going to happen,” I sigh, wanting this conversation to end.
“It wasn’t an optional request, Kelsea. It was a demand.
” He tries to force dominance into his voice, but it falls short.
I no longer feel intimidated by him, or by my mother, for that matter.
I know who my people are, the people who love and support me against all odds, and my parents are not those people.
“Dad, I’m 21. I’m more than capable of making my own decisions.
I’ve been doing it since I was five. Theres nothing you could possibly say that would sway my choices at this point.
You and mom made your choice when you sided with the family that literally scarred me for life.
I have an amazing family. I’m not lacking for love in my life.
If anything, I feel sorry for the two of you. ” I say, my tone icy and rigid.
“Now listen here, girl,” he starts, but I don’t let him continue. I hang up the phone without another word.
Taking a deep breath, I wait for the feeling of disappointment to sink into me.
I should feel angry, sad maybe. But I feel lighter than I ever have before.
If the past year of my life has taught me anything, it’s that life is so fucking short.
It’s fragile. There’s no room in my heart or my mind for people who tear me down or brush off my opinions as if they’re insignificant.
I have an amazing family, and my parents aren’t a part of it.
The shrill ring of my phone sounds again and this time I check the caller ID, smiling when I see my best friend’s name flash across the screen.
“Em, I’m glad you called. I could use a distraction,” I say.
“Uh oh, still in a holding pattern with Ev? Minus the holding,” she laughs.
“Actually, I just got off the phone with dear ol’ dad. You know that always puts me in the best mood,” I say, walking into Everett’s room and falling flat onto the bed. His scent assaults my system, bringing tears to my eyes that I blink away.
“Oh Kels, I’m sorry, babe. Don’t let them get to you. They’ve never deserved the amazing daughter they were given,” she says, her voice soft and reassuring the way it always is.
“Is he still there?” I whisper.
“I don’t know. He was earlier but I’ve been rearranging the twins’ room all day,” she heaves out a sigh, sounding exhausted.
“Why didn’t you call? I would have helped you,” I say.
“I didn’t know if you’d want to run in to each other, yet,” she replies. I know she means well. Still, I feel the loneliness that has surrounded me since Ev left yesterday squeeze even tighter around my heart.
“I could use a distraction. Be there in 10?” I ask.
“Sounds perfect! See you in a few,” she says, hanging up.
I quickly throw on some leggings and head out the door, desperate for anything that will distract me from thinking about Everett and our future.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m driving down Ember and Eli’s long driveway, stopping my Subaru in front of their beautiful home.
I shut off the car, shuffling up the steps and across the front porch.
I don’t bother knocking. I don’t think I’ve knocked on Ember’s door since the first week after we met. We became come-on-in friends overnight.
“Em?” I call, as I move through the entryway.
I don’t see her or hear the twins. Assuming they must be in the nursery, I make my way down the hall.
When I open the door, their room is completely untouched.
Ember’s bedroom door is open across the hall, but I don’t see any sign of her.
Pulling my phone out, I dial her number.
“Hey, babe. You here?” Her cheery voice asks.
“Yeah, where are you? Doesn’t seem like you got far in the twins’ room,” I scoff.
“Yeah, it’s such a pretty evening. I brought them out back to enjoy the sunset. Come on back,” she says.
“Ok, on my way.” I slide my phone back into my pocket.
Walking through the kitchen, I set my stuff on the counter and make my way to the back door.
I know they built a gorgeous gazebo overlooking the river that lines the back of their property, so I’m sure the sunset is beautiful out there.
When I walk out the back door, the sun is barely kissing the tips of the tall pine trees lining the river.
I expect to see three silhouettes in the gazebo, but strangely I only see one. One I immediately recognize.
Even Everett’s posture exudes confidence.
When I met him, I assumed he was another cocky asshole.
But he surprised me over the years by proving to me he’s kind, caring, and loyal to a fault to those he loves.
He truly is one of the best men I've ever known. When I look into my future, all I want to see is him. I don’t know why I let my insecurities get the best of me, but I'll never make that mistake again.
Walking across the enormous garden, I see tiny twinkling lights scattered around the gazebo.
As I get closer, I realize they’re candles.
Dozens of them. My brows furrow in confusion as I reach the steps.
Everett stands at the far railing, his back turned to me, looking out over the water.
I take a moment to appreciate how absolutely delectable he looks right now.
He has tailored black slacks on, perfectly fitted to his lean hips and thighs.
His white dress shirt is tucked in, but the sleeves are rolled up in true Everett fashion, revealing every beautiful inch of artwork he's collected over the years.
His usually messy hair is slicked back, combed neatly in place.
He stands with his legs apart, hands in his pockets.
So simple, but so fucking sexy I could climb on top of him right now.
“Hi,” I said quietly. He spins at the sound of my voice, flashing me a blinding smile that steals my heart all over again. “I feel a little underdressed.” I motion to his Foo Fighters tee hanging from my shoulders and my leggings.
“Never,” he says, his voice devilishly dark and gravelly. “This is exactly how I prefer you, goddess.” He reaches out a hand to help me up the steps, and my heart beats faster as soon as I touch his skin. A shiver racks my body as I come to stand in front of him.
“What’s all this?” I ask, not wanting to sound too hopeful.
“Well, I was thinking. Kelsea, I am sorry for springing everything on you before. I understand why you’re scared. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm scared, too. Scared that I won't be able to give you the kind of life you deserve,” he says.
“But Ev, you-” his slender finger covers my lips.
“Let me finish, please. I want to get all of this out,” he says, and I nod for him to continue.
“I want to be the kind of man that makes every damn dream you have come true. But it’s not realistic for me to promise you that.
I know that life gets in the way of big promises like that and when reality sets in, people are often left feeling disappointed.
I don’t want that for us. So instead, I want to promise you I'll do everything within my power to make you happy and satisfied with our life together. I assure you there will be times when you want to strangle me. We’ll fight and fuck and love each other so hard it hurts.
Because I can promise you, Kelsea, if I don’t ask you to be mine, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.
I know in my fucking soul that you are the only one for me, Kelsea Sawyer.
” the sincerity in his words takes my breath away.
Tears stream freely down my cheeks as I choke back ugly sobs.
He drops to his knee in front of me, just like I always imagined the perfect man would.
“Kelsea Scarlett Sawyer, will you-” he says, but I cut him off. He already said the rest yesterday and I already know my answer.
“Yes!” I reply, launching myself at him.
I squish the jewelry box in between us in a rush to kiss him, and he has to throw one arm out to brace himself on the floor so we don’t topple over.
But I don't care. I thread my fingers through his neatly coiffed hair, tugging at the roots as I pour every emotion coursing through me right now into this kiss.
He breaks away, laughing as he regains his balance and stands.
“Damn, didn’t even want to see the ring first before you signed your life away?
” He asks, holding up a green velvet box in the palm of his hand.
I pick it up, snapping open the lid and gasping loudly when I see the most beautiful ring sparkling back at me.
I couldn’t have created anything better if I’d designed it myself.
“Oh god, Ev. It’s beautiful,” I say as he plucks it from the box and slides it onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit, just another nod from the universe that this is where I’m supposed to be.
“Some day I’ll tell you the entire story about this ring.
Just know that it really was meant for you to wear,” he says, brushing a rough finger over my knuckle.
He pulls me back in for a searing kiss, his tongue exploring every inch of my mouth until I’m lightheaded, needing to take a breath before I pass out.
“I love you, Everett. There’s no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life arguing about reality TV and whose music is better than you,” I say with a smile.
“One day you’ll realize you’re just wrong and all will be solved, goddess,” he says with that signature smirk that kills me every single time.