I tell them…everything.
Margot puts a hand to her heart. “My Ember isnotdull or mousy.”
“And she’s not immature. Has more maturity than these two.” Jean waves a hand toward his older children.
“That is true,” Freja agrees. “Also, if you were looking for maturity, what the fuck were you doing with Calypso? Did she give good head?”
I send her a flat, unimpressed stare. “Not this again.”
Aksel sits down on my left side. The siblings are flanking me. Preventing my escape? Not needed. I’m done running.
“So why exactly are you telling us about something that happened five years ago—regardless of how poorly you behaved—that’s upset my lovely Ember?” Jean picks up a hazelnut and cracks it with a nutcracker.
He’s subtle as a fucking chainsaw…or nutcracker.
“I…I just…I’m in love with Ember.”
Before Aksel can hit me again, I deflect. “Cut it out. If we go hand-to-hand I’ll kick your ass.”
Aksel puffs up. “You can try, you?—”
“He’s right, and you know it,” Margot admonishes, cutting her son off. “You fenced in college, and he boxed.”
“He has a mean right hook,” Jean adds, and crushes another nut.
Ouch!
“You hurt my baby.” Margot shakes her head in dismay. “She’s such a happy, bright woman and…. You know, Ransom, when I tell your mother about this, she’s going to cause you physical pain.”
Ember is a favorite of my parents. They adore her. On the other hand, if I can convince Em to give my sorry old ass a chance, then my mother and father can have her as a daughter-in-law, which will give me brownie points for life.
I nod, swallowing hard. “I’m going to fix it.”
“Oh, with what? A magic wand? Or your talented dick?” Freja barks.
“Please!” Aksel protests. “I don’t need that imagein my head. My best friend and my baby sister. Fuck, Ransom, what the fuck is wrong with you?”
I give him an exasperated look. “How much time do you have?”
“She cried half the night,” Freja says softly.
That hurts like a motherfucker. I…can’t stand the idea of her in pain. I never liked it. Even five years ago, I…damn it.
How could I have fucked up the best thing that happened to me, not once buttwice?
“She doesn’t break easy, but once she does….” Margot shakes her head. “Freja, are we supposed to know about her and Ransom?”
“Yes,” I say before Freja can say a thing. “Not hiding us.”
“There is nous, asshole.” Aksel gives me a withering look.
“There will be,” I say with more confidence than I feel. About 90% more confidence than I feel. Maybe 99%?
“She won’t take you back.” Aksel taps his fingers on the table. “And I wouldn’t let her if you aren’t serious.”
“He’s serious.” Margot gives me a measured look. “Wouldn’t tell us if he wasn’t.”
Bob and Tanya walk in, laughing, their cheeks flushed from the cold. They’ve clearly just returned from a brisk walk—Tanya’s scarf is askew, and what’s left of Bob’s hair is windblown.
