She turns to look at me, tears streaming down her face. Ember isn’t a crier and I don’t like seeing her do it.
“If anyone else says you are like your father again, I will have them in that cage. Whether it be Carm, Trent, or even Emmett himself. I’m not going to listen to it anymore.”
I hear a small chuckle and turn to face her. Her eyes still shine with tears but now they hold a hint of humor.
“You would fight Emmett?” She asks.
“Yes.” I answer. “No hesitation. You will always come first, Em. While you look after all of us, I will always be looking after you.”
“Like following me to Carm’s office?”
I roll my eyes, of course she knows I was there the entire time. “Especially when you put yourself in dangerous situations.”
“I love you, Vincent Greene.”
“I love you, Ember soon-to-be Greene.”
She throws her pretty little head back and lets loose a laugh, a real one. I wasn’t kidding, if one more person compares her to her piece of shit dad again, I’ll fucking lose it.
“I found something else in Carm’s office too. I just need to read through it some more and process it before I talk about it.” She murmurs.
“Bad?” I ask her.
“I’m not sure.”
We end up getting home before the others and I carry a sleeping Ember into the house and up to her room. I haven’t officially moved in here yet, although I spend six out of seven nights here. My mom is alone and I hate the thought of her being that way, so I make sure to see her as much as I can and stay at least one night a week.
My mom works long hours at the restaurant and it hasn’t been a big deal that I stay here most of the time. I just know once I say I’m moving out, she’ll get all sappy about it. Kind of like when I asked for Nana’s ring. She was surprised and at first she tried to talk me out of it. Not because she doesn’t like Em but because she still feels we are too young to take this step. I know where she’s coming from, her young love turned out to be her worst. Thankfully, her and Em have patched everything up and Em makes sure to visit my mom once a week too. Are they as close as I’d like? No, but it’s getting there. My mom is having a hard time relinquishing the title of woman most loved by me to Em.
Speaking of, my phone begins to vibrate and Ma flashes across the screen. I throw a blanket over Em and kiss her cheek before I step out into the hall to answer the call.
“Hey Ma.”
“Hi Baby, just making sure you got in okay.” She says.
“Yeah, just got in. How was your weekend?”
“The restaurant has been steadily getting busier.” She sighs. I know she’s been tired and trying to find extra help.
“Did you hire anyone yet?”
“Actually, Adrianna came by and asked if I had something open. I told her to come in on Monday.” Adrianna has been privy to my concerns about my mother being too busy.
“That’s good. Probably wants to pass the time before college.”
“It was really sweet of her, God knows she doesn’t need the money.”
“Hey Ma, can you tell me a bit more about Jack and Rebecca’s relationship? Were they close?”
“They were close, yes.” She pauses, “but she was always worried about upsetting him or disappointing him. Rebecca never dated because she didn’t want to upset her father. He was strict about boys. That’s why I figured she ran because he wouldn’t let her be with Ray.”
I bet he didn’t approve of guys, probably because he wanted to be the only one touching her. The thought makes me feel slightly sick.
“Why the questions?” She asks.
“Em went by the storage unit and found some of their belongings, I just wanted to know.”
“He was a really serious and stern man. The neighbourhood kids and teenagers stayed away from his property unless invited by Rebecca. I was there often because I was best friends with both her and Debby but no boys were allowed and if he caught one on the property… well, let’s just say he had a favourite rifle.”
“Sounds intense.” I mutter. “I’ll be by later. Just waiting for everyone else to get home.”
“Okay Son, see you soon.”
I hang up the phone with my mom and head back into Em’s room. She’s still out because of the physical drain her body has gone through this weekend. Her words still replay in my head about her and her father comparisons. I think I’m like mine too, in the way that I don’t convey emotions well and I also have a darkness that has settled inside me. If anyone ever comes at Em, I will obliterate them. This woman will carry my children and be my wife until we grow old and die together. There’s no other scenario I will accept.
My security app pings on my phone, letting me know a car is turning into the driveway. I see it’s the Mercedes and head downstairs to meet them.
Travis is the first to enter, his tawny hair tousled on top of his head and his green eyes looking tired.
“Bro,” he shakes his head. “I need like twenty-four hours of sleep.”
“Em does too.”
“Hey,” Emmett says as he strides in the house. “Where’s Ember?”
“She’s sleeping. I thought the four of us could have a quick meeting before I leave to check on my mom.” I tell them as Adri steps in the foyer.
“Is everything okay?” She asks. A meeting to us means something or someone needs dealing with in some nefarious way.
“Yeah, I just want to go over something.”
They follow me into the
