“Excuse me, isn’t it some kind of girl code that you’re not supposed to tell each other’s secrets? Jeez, Rory.” I lean my elbows on the bar but see the smile on Kelsea’s face out of the corner of my eye.
“Luckily for me, you’re not a girl, Everett.” She plopsthe last pancake onto the stack and slides the plate across the counter. It’s definitely a relief to know Rory is cool with the shift in dynamics because I like her living here. She’s become a great friend. Besides, the family holidays would be really awkward if we didn’t get along.
I take in the scene in front of me. Me, basically living in a damn sorority house with these two girls conspiring against me. I never thought I’d see the day.
fourteen
“Well,how’s my favorite baby mama?” My voice sounds chipper compared to the exhausted groan coming from Ember on the other end of the line. I’m mindlessly tagging new inventory in the stockroom at work, finally catching up with her after the whirlwind of her becoming a twin mama.
“Indefinitely exhausted, how about you?” I can imagine her right now, hiding in the bathroom while Eli takes on baby patrol solo.
“Just living the dream, babe.” It’s been a few weeks since her sweet babies were born and since Everett and I made things official. So far, he seems to be a natural at this whole boyfriend thing. I was skeptical at first, but he’s been amazing. Between him bringing me coffee in bed every morning and orgasms in the sheets every night, a girl could get used to this.
“Things are going well?” I know she’s waiting for me to spill the tea on what’s going on between me and Ev. Subtlety has never been Ember’s strongest quality.
“You mean is your brother keeping me blissfully happy with consistent screaming ‘O’s every night?” I say, smirking even though she can’t see me through the phone.
“EW! NO NO NO NO! NOT WHAT I MEANT AND YOU KNOW IT!” she screeches and I laugh. I see Malcolm come through the doorway and I take Ember off speakerphone.
“Yeah, I’m happy, sis. He’s been a dream, honestly.” I tell her, looking over at my boss out of the corner of my eye. I can tell he’s totally eavesdropping, but trying not to make it look obvious.
“Well, good. Make sure you let me know if that changes and I’ll whip his ass into shape,” I hear a tiny baby cry and Elijah yelling for her in the background, and I feel the tiniest pang of jealousy. “Shit, I gotta go, Kels. Scarlett is having a meltdown, as usual.”
“She gets that from Auntie K. Go handle your hellions. We’ll talk again later. Love you!” I say.
“Love you, more. Seriously, I’m so happy for you guys, babe.” Her voice softens and I smile.
“Thank you, Em. Peace, love, and orgasms to you, honey. You deserve it.” She scoffs, and I swear I can hear her eyes rolling through the phone.
“That is not a thing, Kelsea Scarlett Sawyer. Do notmake that a catch phrase,” she scolds, and I just laugh. We hang up without another word and I sit in silence for a minute, soaking up my happiness.
“Ahem,” Malcolm clears his throat behind me and I roll my eyes.
“Yes, Malcolm? Need something?” turning to face him, my voice already sounds annoyed, and he’s barely said anything to me.
“Are you finished with your personal call, Kelsea? This is work time, you know.” He tries to look intimidating, but he’s not. Nothing about him screams authority. I wonder if that’s why he feels the need to act like such a perv all the time. It’s the only way he can gain any attention from the opposite sex.
“I was working the entire time, Malcolm. I’ve got to put these on the floor.” Picking up the stack of shirts and brushing past him, I catch the scent of stale beer and body odor that perpetually clings to his body. Doing my best not to gag, I try to put more distance between us.
“Thats not the point, Kelsea,” he follows me out onto the floor, standing much closer than necessary. Magnolia eyes me over the customer she’s helping at the counter, shooting me a questioning look. I give her a quick shake of my head, telling her I can handle him and she doesn’t need to intervene.
“Look Malcolm, I’m sorry something crawled up your ass today, but I got all of the work I was supposed to finish done and more. I wasn’t on the floor and myphone call didn’t disturb anyone but you, apparently. So I’d appreciate it if you could lay off me. I need to finish getting these new arrivals put out.” I know I have an attitude, but I’m getting really tired of his constant bullshit.
I try to walk back in to the stockroom but he grabs my upper arm as I pass. The contact is shocking and seriously unwelcome. My muscles tense instantly under his touch. “Watch yourself, little girl,” his tone is low and threatening, putting me immediately on edge.
My mind flashes back to Justin’s grip around my arms, throwing me to the ground and plunging a blade into my side. Moments like this, when my memories flood back to me, are what I’ve come to understand as a post-trauma response. I hate the feeling of weakness overwhelming me right now. I hate it even more that it’s happening in front of Malcolm.
“You must really not value that hand,” I hear Everett’s familiar deep voice behind us and it’s an instant balm to my fears. “You’ve got about half a second to remove it from my girl’s body before I rip it from yours.” His eyes blaze with anger, shooting daggers straight through Malcolm. But his body exudes a calm energy, totally comfortable with the threats he’s leveling. I know he has no problem following through with them. Malcolm’s hand on my arm instantly loosens and I rip myself away from him, stepping behind Everett as the men continue their silent stare-down.
I look around the store, hoping we aren’t causing a huge scene. All the evening customers have cleared out, and it’s only the three of us and Magnolia in the space, no one daring to move. Maggie’s eyes are trained on mine, wide and cautious. I’m not sure if she fears more for my safety or Malcolms at this moment, but I know if I don’t diffuse Everett’s anger this could end badly.
“I’m fine, honey,” I tell him, sliding my hand into his and lacing our fingers together. I feel the racing beat of his pulse pounding in his wrist, his eyes never leaving Malcolms. “It was just a misunderstanding, right?”
“Yeah, no harm, no foul. Just a misunderstanding.” Malcolm sounds pathetic in his defense, and I know Ev isn’t buying it.
“You put your hands on her again and you’ll never have to worry about another misunderstanding. They’ll never find you,” Everett’s voice is cold and sinister. But for some reason I totally don’t want to analyze, the venom in his voice rolls across my skin, liquid heat shooting straight to my core. I can’t remember a time in my life when I’ve ever been turned on by violence, but I’ve also never had a man threaten violenceforme, not against me. Malcolm’s face pales, but he doesn’t make a move.
“I think Kelsea’s shift is over. Magnolia’s too, right?” Ev looks over to her, and she gives him a sharp nod, grabbing both of our bags from under the counter and coming to stand beside me. “You can close up on yourown, right?” Everett doesn’t wait for a response, turning on his heels and striding towards the door. I hurry behind him, pulling Magnolia along with us.
