“Why are you sorry? That’s all on your sister.” And thankfully, the woman is now gone. Hopefully on her way back to Illinois. She promised to leave Madison if we didn’t call the police and show them the video of her antics tonight. Yes, we recorded the entire episode. Emma’s idea. “If she doesn’t leave town, we’ll call the police.”
“Speaking of calls, I got in touch with my parents.” Emma looks exhausted and defeated. I don’t blame her. It’s obvious Amber needs help. Professional help. “I told them everything. They were horrified when I told them she tried to walk out of here with your old coins. I knew she was up to something when, after she was out of the house, she said she had to use the bathroom before she left. That’s why I went back into the house.” We had her out the door––on the front porch––doing our damn best to get her to leave.
“That’s because you’re smart, Em.”
I watch as Emma flips through her phone messages. “You should read the stuff she told my parents the night before she took off.”
Apparently, Amber used Emma’s phone to message her about how great Amber was doing. That Emma was convinced Amber was going to turn a new leaf up here in Madison. Complete bullshit.
Reaching out, I hold my palm up. “Come on. Stop with the phone. Let’s get into bed. We’re both wiped out.”
She places it in my palm, and I set it on top of my dresser. Before crawling in, I take a minute to look at Emma. I’ve got her in one of my Wisconsin Badger Hockey T-shirts and I’m not going to lie, she looks hot as fuck. When she stepped out of my en-suite bathroom in it, I nearly choked she looked so damn good. I even told her I could get used to seeing her in my clothes.
When I had, she fiddled nervously with the bottom of the shirt, saying, “Kinda long.”
Immediately, I answered, “That’s because you’re tiny.”
I guess those weren’t words Emma was expecting because she rolled her eyes and scoffed, “Right.”
I wasn’t going to argue with her about that negative bullshit that came out of her mouth. Not after everything that happened tonight. But, tomorrow, hell yes. No, now I just want to focus on the beautiful girl who’s only wearing underwear beneath the light gray fabric of my favorite shirt. It’s too bad I’m so tired.
Lifting up my quilt and sheet, I slide onto the cool cotton sheets. I move closer to the middle of the bed and reach out for her. “Come ’ere.” She gives me that shy smile I love and moves in, turning her back to me so we’re spooning.
“God, I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.”
With my arms around her, I nestle in until there’s no light or air between us.
“Don’t you think it’s weird that this is so comfortable?” Emma asks softly. “It seems too easy.”
I nearly choke. “Too easy?” I feel a laugh start, and it’s one that I won’t be able to stop anytime soon.
Rolling over to face me, Emma looks confused. “What?” She’s frowning now. “What’s so funny about that?”
I stop laughing, but only for a second. “Nothing about you and me has been fucking easy, sweetheart.”
“Oh.” She looks to her right like she’s got to think about it, then back at me. “I guess you’re right.”
Leaning into her, I press her shoulders down onto the mattress. Not hard or anything. It’s just so I can look down into her eyes. “You’re worth it, Emma. All the misunderstandings, the crazy sisters, overbearing best friends—”
Emma has one to add, “The jerky fathers. Yours. Not mine.”
I nod. “You’re worth all of it.”
Her lashes flutter and her cheeks turn pink. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now give me a goodnight kiss and let’s get some shut-eye.”
