Impatiently Patient

by Amelia Shea

  He watched her body tense and her head wrench in his direction. Roxanne slammed the folder and her hands on the table, glaring at him. “Ethan, just stop, okay?”

  “Stop what? I can’t ask about how she is doing?”

  “That’s not what you’re doing and you know it.”

  “Then what am I doing?”

  She scowled down at Ethan. “She’s fine, Ethan. Just let it go.”

  His lips tightened in a straight line. He had “let it go” and look where it got him. He took a few steady breaths trying to bite back his anger at Emory and his sister. His growing frustration over Emory not coming was about to surface. He had waited on her, thinking she needed the time away from him. He gave her that. He knew by letting her go he was risking her meeting someone else, although he was fully prepared to deal with that scenario. He clenched his jaw, fighting the desire to leave now and go after her. Fuck all the waiting and giving her time bullshit, he should go after her, claim what was his.

  Ethan stared at the wall across from the table. He stared at the sunset picture that hung on the wall. He was trying to regain his control. Emory had a way of bringing out the caveman in him he never knew existed. He needed to calm down he recited to himself, breathing steady.

  Ethan slid his finger around the base of his wine glass. He wasn’t going to get any information from his sister. As much as she had always had his back, she always had Emory’s too. He knew where Roxanne’s anger stemmed from and hated to admit that it was warranted. It might have been the right decision to come clean to Roxanne, tell her how he truly felt about Emory but he didn’t. He needed his relationship with Emory to be about them and only them.

  The last thing he wanted was to fight with his sister, which he realized might be inevitable at this point.

  “I apologized, Roxanne. I don’t know how much more I can do.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, you apologized. To me. You ever say you’re sorry to her?”

  He had tried but she refused to answer his calls. All eighty-two of them. He kept that to himself, and apparently Emory hadn’t mentioned it to Roxanne either.

  “As I recall, she regrets my existence and has avoided me at every opportunity.” He threw Emory’s parting words to him that night in his sister’s face.

  Emory had made it next to impossible to talk to her after their fight at the dinner. He allowed his anger to get the best of him and spewed a bunch of bullshit in retaliation. Ultimately ruining any chance they might have had in one simple fight. He had a lot of regrets when it came to Emory, the biggest being everything he said to her that night.

  After that night and his talk with Stone, he decided it would be best to wait it out, give her time. That had been a big mistake.

  She nodded and licked her lips. Her body tensed again. “You want the truth, E? Is that what you want? Fine. Here it is, she’s freakin’ miserable. So miserable that she’s now lying to me about it.” Roxanne held her hand over her heart, the hurt showing in her eyes. “Her numbers, is that what you want? They suck, okay? She ran away to a place where she doesn’t know anyone for a job that is complete shit. And she won’t come home. As in, never coming back.”

  Ethan saw the tears threatening her eyes. He stood up but was halted when Roxanne put her hand up. “Look, you both are to blame. You both did this. She baited you at the table, I know that. Hell, I called her out on it. She was mean and cruel.” She swiped the lone tear that fell down her cheek. “I’m not making excuses for her—it was fucked up. But you’re to blame, too. You weren’t innocent, Ethan.”

  “I said I was sorry for the family comment.”

  She shouted, “So what? You said sorry, it doesn’t change anything except make you feel better. She can’t unhear those words! No matter how many times you apologize, which have been zero to Emory, it wouldn’t matter, why don’t you get that? She will always hear that she isn’t part of this family. And her not being part of this family leaves her with no family.” Roxanne sniffed. “She may have hurt your pride with her comments but you hurt her heart. I’d say you got the better end of that deal.”

  With her last blow, she stormed out the door. Ethan watched her leave before dropping down in his chair. His elbows rested on the table and he stared down at his almost empty glass.

  He’d fucked up, he knew that. But somehow, hearing it coming from Roxanne reminded him of how badly he hurt her. All this time waiting might be useless if Emory could never forgive him.

  She was right, he’d never formally apologized to Emory. She didn’t give him a chance to. She wouldn’t answer his calls and refused to be alone with him during the few times they’d been in the same room. Then she stopped showing up for family gatherings altogether.

  At Stone’s wedding, he had followed her to the bathroom, waiting outside the door. The hall was empty except for him. He was leaning against the wall when she opened the door and came out. She was looking down at her feet, her face was soft. She looked beautiful with her hair pulled up, small curls framing her face.

  “Em,” he whispered.

  She met his eyes. Her soft relaxed face hardened before his eyes. She scowled at him two lines etched at her eyebrows.

  Ethan stepped forward and she retreated a foot back into the bathroom. He could feel her anger. He gave her a sad smile, spreading his hands out to his sides. “I just want to talk to you. Please, Em.” For a brief second he saw her scowl falter. She looked down at her feet again and he could see her lips twitching. She always bit her lip when she was thinking deeply.

  He inhaled a breath and held it. If he could just talk to her, he could fix this.

  As if she could hear his thoughts, she raised shaking head, glaring at him. “No.”

  Ethan was left watching her scurry down the hall, never giving him a second glance.

  Later when she announced she was taking a job in South Carolina, he fought his urge to grab her, haul her away and make her listen. That’s what Stone and T would have done but not Ethan.

  Wiping his hand over his mouth, he sat back in his chair. He’d made mistakes in the last eighteen months, waiting patiently proved to be the biggest. He was done. It was time to go get his girl!

  Chapter 2

  THIS was a mistake. One of those mistakes that doesn’t feel like a mistake until the very last second. Then boom! Huge fucking mistake. Emory had been sitting in her rental car for ten minutes, staring at the entrance doors to the Highland Manor Country Club. The twinkling white lights streamed through the trees along the paver walkway. This place screamed money.

  Of course Roxanne would have his party there. Nothing but the best for that pompous arrogant jerk. Sighing a deep breath and shaking her head she muttered, “I shouldn’t have come.”

  She tried to convince herself she was over it, and over him. It was a lie that she continually recited to herself all the way to Texas. On the plane, in the cab, at the hotel, and the entire drive over to the country club, she chanted the past is just that, the past. Ethan Barrett was no longer her everything, he was just nothing now. He was just a guy who was having a party.

  She inhaled a deep breath and rested her head against the seat. She had spent almost her whole life infatuated with him. For her, there was no one else. Stupidly, she convinced herself that one day, he’d see her as more than just Roxanne’s best friend. But it never happened. Emory snorted and shook her head. Stupid girl.

  She reached for the keys which remained in the ignition. She should just go. No one would even know she had been there. If she left now she’d be back in Beaufort by early morning. Roxanne would be furious if she ever found out. Her heart ached. She missed Roxanne and Sadie and the rest of the Garrisons. Ethan was right when he said they weren’t her family. But her heart felt differently.

  “Fuck it!”

  She grabbed the keys and his present and opened the door to the car. The cool breeze ruffled her hair as she walked up the walkway. Her arms broke out in goosebumps fro
m the chill in the air. She should have brought a jacket, or even a light sweater. She looked down at her dress and scoffed at the idea of covering up. This dress was meant to be on display!

  She smirked to herself. The birthday boy was in for a real treat. She had picked out the black dress especially for him. He may not want her, and she may be over him, sort of, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t give him a small glimpse of what he was missing. Her confidence was back on track—she was going to do this!

  Pulling open the old wood door, Emory walked into the foyer. A small reception table was set up a few feet away. The entry foyer was empty except for a girl sitting at the table. She was looking down at the book in front of her, glasses sliding down to the tip of her nose. Her mousy brown hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail with her too long bangs almost covering her eyes.

  The girl peeked up from the table and Emory knew exactly who she was. She had met Evie Smith briefly at Roxanne’s office once. Emory smiled as she sauntered up to the table. The girl gave her a head to toe glance before her eyes widened and she smiled awkwardly.

  “Welcome to Mr. Barrett’s party.” Her voice squeaked on the last word.

  Emory snorted. “Mr. Barrett,” she whispered, and rolled her eyes.

  Evie’s eyes grew larger and Emory could see the uncertainty on her face.

  “Can I have your n-name, p-please?” she stammered.

  Emory tilted her head to Evie. She didn’t remember her? That’s strange.

  “I won’t be on the list, I’m sort of a surprise guest.”

  “Oh. Um…a good surprise?”

  Emory laughed. “Well, I think that will depend on who you ask. But I can almost guarantee your boss will lose her shit when she sees me.” Emory winked. “In a good way, I promise. I’m Emory Kern.”

  Relief washed over her face and Evie smiled. Emory cocked her head to the side smiling back at her. “Oh my gosh, Emory, I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you.” Evie looked over Emory again. “You look so different, I mean beautiful. Not that you didn’t before.” Her words were sputtered and her face turned bright red.

  Emory giggled. “Thanks, Evie.”

  Emory knew she looked very different from the last time everyone saw her. She had lost about ten pounds and had a chemical relaxer treatment. Her once curly hair was now full and straight with a slight wave.

  “She’s going to be so happy you’re here. They all will be.”

  “Well, I don’t know about all but…”

  “Well, this sucks! Nothing worse than seeing a hot chick in a tiny black dress, only to find out it’s Emory.”

  Emory turned to watch Bogs grinning with his dimples on display and strutting her way looking incredibly handsome. God, she missed that asshole! Emory gave him a fake smile and pulled up her hand to draw up her middle finger.

  Bogs burst out laughing before pulling her in for a bear hug. She tightened her arms around him and laughed. He lifted her off the ground and she yelped.

  “Still a prick, I see.” She squeezed him once more before releasing him from the hug. He kept his arm over her shoulder.

  “Sweetheart, don’t talk about my prick in front of innocent ears.” Bogs nodded over at Evie and winked.

  Emory watched Evie’s face redden and dart her eyes back to the table. Emory quickly elbowed Bogs in the ribs. He leaned forward slightly, grasping his side with his free hand.

  “Ow, Em, that hurt.”

  “Then maybe you should remember your manners,” she whispered, giving a slight nod toward Evie. Poor girl looked like she wanted to crawl under the table. She knew from everything Roxanne had told her about Evie that she was very quiet and extremely shy.

  “Oh c’mon, Evie knows I’m just busting her chops.” He pulled Emory into his side, glancing over his shoulder. “Remember to save me a dance, shy girl.”

  Emory looked back to see Evie get up from the table and hurry through a doorway.

  Looking back at Bogs she shook her head. “Still making the girls run and hide from ya?”

  He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. “You know what they say about the quiet ones.”

  Emory burst out laughing. “Oh my God, how do you get laid, seriously?”

  “I got video, ya wanna see?”

  “Ew, Bogs!” She cringed trying to pull away from him but couldn’t contain her laughter. She really did miss this asshole.

  He squeezed her to his side and they walked into the main room. The room was filled with guests, some she knew. It looked amazing inside. The decorations were elegant, colored with black and silver. Not one birthday banner or anything fun. Beautiful and elegant. Very Ethan.

  “Well, look who fucking decided to show up!” A hint of a smile played on T’s lips. He stood near the bar, drink in one hand, and the other wrapped around his girl, Cassie.

  Stone and Sadie, whose backs had been turned, both smiled when they saw her. Sadie practically ran to meet Emory and threw her arms around her. “Em, I thought you weren’t coming,” she said, squeezing her.

  “Yeah, well, it’s not a party without me. Didn’t want Ethan’s day to be an epic fail.”

  Sadie let her go and Stone moved in to give her a hug. “Ain’t that the fucking truth.”

  She walked over to Cassie and gave her a quick hug, then T. T held her in the hug a brief second longer than everyone else. He whispered, “We miss you, girl.” Em’s eyes threatened to tear. She missed them too. Gathering herself together, she pulled back to meet T’s eyes. Usually those eyes were hard, along with his face and everything about him, but not this time. He was lighter, somehow softer. She glanced over at Cassie. That was who made him softer.

  “So, where is she?” Emory asked, looking around.

  “She was talking to the caterer and the servers.” Cassie pointed to a doorway.

  Bogs handed her a glass of wine and took the present out of her hand. He nearly dropped it. “Jeez, girl, what the hell did you get him, a paperweight?”

  “Just something from the south.” He would probably hate it but she didn’t care. The first time she saw it, it made her laugh.

  “Hey, Bogs, how come you don’t have a nickname for Emory? Baker girl and I would really like to know,” Sadie asked sarcastically, narrowing her eyes.

  “Yeah.” Cassie moved next to Sadie, folding her arms.

  Emory laughed. “Oh, he tried it but it only lasted a few days.”

  “Why is that?” Cassie asked.

  “’Because I kneed him in the balls and threatened I’d do it every time he called me cherry girl.”

  Stone and T burst out laughing, along with all the girls. Emory smirked at Bogs, who was openly glaring at them all. She remembered it like it was yesterday. She hated that nickname or any reference to her hair color. At seven, she wished for any hair other than red. But she got through to him and after a stern talking from John to both of them, Emory never again kneed him in the balls and Bogs never again uttered the words cherry girl.

  “So, that’s it? All I have to do to get you to stop is kick you in the nuts?” Sadie’s playful smile aimed at Bogs.

  Bogs, always one to have the last word, turned to Stone. “Man, control your woman and keep her away from my balls.” He turned around and walked to the present table while the group snickered.

  They were gathered in a circle talking. She forgot how easy being with them all felt. There was no trying, conversation was effortless. She missed this, she missed them.

  “So, do you love Beaufort?” Sadie asked.

  “It’s so beautiful, the people are awesome, the food is amazing, it’s a wonder I’ve lost any weight since I’ve moved there.”

  “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it, you look great, Em. And that dress is gorgeous on you.” Sadie winked. She knew exactly why this dress had to be amazing.

  “Thanks!”

  They all continued to talk and Emory looked around for Roxanne. She lied to herself saying s
he wasn’t looking to see Ethan. Her plan was to wish him a happy birthday and then avoid him for the rest of the night. Scanning around the room, that wouldn’t be hard, there had to be over a hundred people at the party.

  She saw some of the Garrison family. John, Roxanne’s dad, had made his way over and gushed about how wonderful it was that all his kids could be there. She gulped and again held her tears back with his comment. He and his wife, Darla, had made a place in their family for Emory years ago. A place that she felt she lost when Ethan spewed his nasty words.

  She looked around again for Roxanne and when she peered through the crowd, her eyes were met with a beautiful set of blues. Identical to the ones she was looking for but the last ones she wanted to see. Her breath hitched at the sight of him. His black hair perfectly styled, his sculpted face with high cheekbones and thick lashes. No guy should look that good—perfect and unattainable. Her heart beat faster and she tried to tear her eyes away from him but it was as if he had a hold of her. It’s hard to not be in awe of a man she had loved most of your life.

  This was a mistake. Where the hell was all that confidence she walked in with? She realized she had two choices. She could run out, which was ridiculous, or she could be the girl that just didn’t give a shit anymore. Put that armor up, Em.

  He looked unsure of himself, almost regretful. He probably regretted that she was invited. Ethan, usually the calm one, looked almost uneasy. Good! His eyes never faltered and he kept his gaze on her. Someone passed in front of him and Emory saw his head lift. When the guest passed, his eyes remained on her. She gulped a breath, ignoring her beating heart.

  She raised her head slightly, squinted and smiled. She mouthed, “Happy Birthday,” then winked and turned around before she could catch a reaction. This way she could think maybe Ethan had been thrown off balance by her presence.

  Emory put her drink down on the bar, turning to T. “Hey, watch my drink a sec.”

  She walked over to the bathroom to get herself in check. She knew she was going to see him. Over the last few days after her conversation with Roxanne, she gained a strange confidence.