“Divorce papers. That’s really fucking cute, Ember.”
Oh shit. “Why are you surprised, Austin? I thought you knew we were over when you attacked me before you left.”
“Attacked you? I think you’re exaggerating quite a bit. You’re not allowed to fucking divorce me. You can’t hide behind that shitbag Bates forever.”
“I’m not talking to you about this. The papers are filed. I refuse to continue being your damn punching bag.”
“This isn’t over, Ember. Mark my words.”
The way he said that last sentence, sent shivers down my spine and left goosebumps all over my body. He hung up before I could respond, not that I had anything left to say anyway.
“What the hell did he want, Ember?”
I completely forgot I had company. His call threw me for a loop. Apparently Piper hasn’t been given the 411 on my relationship, because while Harper looks pissed off, Piper looks terrified, but in a confused way.
“He said that it’s really cute that I sent divorce papers and that this isn’t over. Oh and he added, ‘mark my words’ before he hung up.”
“What… what is going on?” Harper and I both look at Piper. The same expression is still plastered on her face.
“Why don’t we get the girls fed and when they go to bed, I’ll tell you everything?”
She agreed and we headed into the kitchen to browse the takeout menus. I pulled out my phone to shoot Dalton a quick text,
Me: Hi, love. I hope you guys are having fun. I just wanted you to know that Austin just called.
Dalton: What the fuck did he want?
Me: He is pissed off and said that this isn’t over.
Dalton: Great. We will handle this, baby. Don’t worry. Have fun with the girls.
Me: K. Love you
Dalton: I love you too
I didn’t want to ruin Dalton’s night by telling him, but he would be more upset if I waited. I know it was wrong to send those paper while Austin is gone, but I wanted him to have time to calm down before he got back. I hope he isn’t plotting revenge. With the way he acted the last time I saw him, I have no idea what he is capable of doing.
The girls and I went through all the menus, but were unable to agree on where to order food from. Piper grabbed her phone and browsed other restaurants close by, “Let’s order from that diner where they wear roller skates. I love that place.”
“Oh I haven’t eaten there in forever. I could go for some fried chicken.”
“You could always go for some fried chicken, Harp.” I said as I put the menus back into the drawer.
“Umm, yeah. It’s delicious. Plus I’m fat anyway, so I might as well stuff my face with fried food.”
Laughing, Piper said, “You’re not fat, girl. You’re pregnant. There’s a difference.”
“My stretch marks and ever increasing fat ass, beg to differ.”
“I was huge when I was pregnant with Madison.”
“Same here. I gained so much weight with Harlee. I looked like a baby elephant.”
We all laughed as we browsed the diner’s menu on our phones. Once we placed our orders, Harper and I played with the girls while Piper ran out to get food.
“Do you think Austin is plotting something?”
“I don’t know, Harp. I have a really bad feeling.”
“You did the right thing, though. Imagine telling him you want a divorce, face to face. There is no telling what he would have done.”
“I know. That is how I justify doing it while he’s deployed.”
“Stop beating yourself up, Em. You have us. We will help you through it.”
We had a tea party with Harlee and Madison while we waited for Piper to come back. Once she returned and we had eaten, I put in a movie for the little girls and filled Piper in on everything that had happened with Austin. She was shocked, but I think that telling her brought us closer together.
Work has been hectic the last few nights. I worked sixteen-hour shifts and have hardly had any time to spend with Harlee and Dalton. I’m glad to be off for the rest of the week. When I pull into the driveway, I see Dalton and Harlee building a snowman. We have had more snow than usual this year and Harlee loves to play in it.
As soon as I start walking toward them, a snowball hits me right in the face, “Oh. You’re gonna… pay for… that.” I could barely get the words out. The snow was freezing and half of it slid down the front of my shirt.
I picked up a handful of snow and rounded it into a tight ball. When Harlee took his attention away from me for a split second, I threw it, hitting him right in the shoulder. “I see you want a war, babe. I hope you’re prepared for the hypothermia that will set in after I win. I have perfect aim.”
Picking up another handful of snow, I give Dalton a mischievous look, “I think you underestimate me, Mr. Bates. I have no plans to lose.”
Harlee joined in on our snowball fight. We made small ones to toss at her. When we were wet and shivering, we headed inside for some homemade hot chocolate, a recipe my grandmother made every winter.
“Mommy. I need marmallows in mine.”
“Marshmallows, honey.”
“Das what I said.”
Dalton started a fire in the fireplace, while Harlee helped me put marshmallows into each of our mugs. While the hot chocolate cooled, I pulled chicken from the freezer to thaw in time for dinner, and Harlee went upstairs to pick out a movie to watch.
Dalton snuck into the kitchen and startled me. He walked slowly toward me and pushed me against the fridge, causing photos and magnets to fly everywhere, “My bad. I just missed you, a lot.” His lips met mine in a hungry, desire driven kiss. We crave each other so deeply, but I don’t feel right about taking our relationship any further until I’m divorced, no matter how awful Austin is.
“Mmm, I missed you too. How was physical therapy today?”
“I want to taste every inch of your body, and you want to talk about therapy. You are such a buzzkill, babe.”
Grabbing a handful of his shirt, I pull him closer to me and press my lips firmly against his. Dalton’s hands reach behind my neck as he presses his hardness into me. I want to feel him inside me so badly. He moves one hand to my ass as he grinds his erection against me. Wetness pools between my legs and it takes every ounce of strength I have to keep my clothes on.
“Fuck, I want you so damn bad, Ember.”
“I want you, too. Fuck, do I want you.” I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth and bit it gently, causing him to shudder against me. Cupping his cheeks, I press my forehead to his, “It will happen soon, I promise.”
As Harlee made her way back downstairs, Dalton and I broke apart. I instantly missed the connection and desperately wanted to grab him and pull his body back against mine. Sensing my slight distress, Dalton stepped toward me and lightly pressed his lips to my forehead. When he pulled back, he raised an eyebrow at me in a seductive manner, and smiled. I shook my head and bumped him in the shoulder with my fist. He makes it really difficult to resist him.
“Alright, Moose. What movie are we watching tonight?” Harlee’s face lit up as she handed Dalton the movie. “Secondhand Lions. I love this one. Good choice.”
“I love it toooooo, Peaches! The lion is so cute. I want one.”
“I don’t know, Moose. I don’t think your buddy Sniper would like having a lion around the house.”
Harlee gasped, “Oh no! He might eat my dog. No lion. No.”
“We won’t let anyone hurt your dog. Let’s go watch the movie.”
Harlee took Dalton’s hand and led him into the living room. I’m glad her desire to have a lion was short lived. She is relentless when she wants something, and it’s usually something she cannot possibly have like a fairy, unicorn, or in this case, a lion. I give her props for trying though.
Halfway through the movie, Harlee fell asleep. I was in desperate need of a nap myself and Dalton looks equally as exhausted as I do. I picked Harlee up and carried her to bed. When I
can back down, Dalton was laying on his good side on the couch.
I snuggled my way next to him, my back to his front, “You never said how PT went today.”
Wrapping his arm around my waist, he sighed, “It’s a struggle, Em. I should be a lot further along than I am now.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could help.”
“There are a few new exercises that require another person in order to do them. I made an extra appointment for tomorrow in case you are able to come. Will you be able to make it?”
I intertwined his fingers with mine, and pulled his arm tighter around me, “Of course I will.”
He kissed my hair and then sleep claimed us.
All three of us took a ridiculously long nap. I felt more tired when I woke up, than I did before I fell asleep. The rest of the night we played with Harlee and I cooked dinner. We got Harlee to bed early and went to bed ourselves shortly after. I don’t even remember pulling the covers over me before I fell into a sleep induced coma.
In the morning, I made breakfast and helped Harlee get ready for a playdate with Madison. Piper offered to watch her so that I could go with Dalton to his appointment. I’ve been to several, but my work schedule has gotten in the way lately. It was a lot easier when the therapist came to the house.
“Babe, are you ready? The roads are slick and I don’t want to rush.”
I zipped Harlee’s coat and yelled downstairs, “Sorry. Just a minute.”
We made it to his appointment with ten minutes to spare. The roads were slick in a few spots, but not nearly as bad as we thought. Spring cannot come soon enough. I sat beside Dalton in the waiting room as he nervously bounced his good leg.
Placing my hand on his knee to stop his excessive movements, I lean into him and whisper, “Are you okay? You’re a lot more anxious than usual.”
He turned his head toward me, half his mouth was turned up in a hesitant smile, “Yeah, Em. I just hate this shit. I feel like I’m not making any progress.” He directed his gaze down at the floor, as he ran his hand through his hair, “I’m still in pain, I mean, sure I can walk a hell of a lot better, but I can’t do anything else.”
“Hey, look at me.” Dalton’s eyes slowly shifted up and locked with mine, “You broke a lot of bones. It’s a long, grueling process. You’re doing so great. Don’t let it drag you down.”
Before he could respond, the nurse called him back. Dalton put his frustrations aside as soon as we walked into the room and he worked really hard to do everything he was asked to do. The therapist showed me all the exercises I could help him with and then showed him a few new ones to do on his own.
After we left, we stopped at my favorite Italian restaurant for lunch. I order my usual, chicken fettucine alfredo and when the waitress walks away, I reach across the table to grab Dalton’s hand, “You were amazing today. You can do this. You are doing this.”
“Thanks, babe. It just sucks. I’m used to being active and independent. I hate having to depend on you and everyone else.”
“We’re a team. I depend on you just as much as you depend on me. Don’t for one minute think that you are a burden to me or any of our friends. If the roles were reversed, I know damn well that you would do everything you could to help one of them, or me for that matter.”
“You’re right. But, I need to work extra hard to get fully mobile again. I’m starting to get a bit stir crazy.”
“That’s understandable. You’ll be back to one hundred percent in no time. I know it.”
Our food was delicious as always. I am quite skilled at pasta making, but the chef here puts me to shame. I avoided bringing up anything relating to his injury or recovery for the rest of the meal. I hate that he is being so hard on himself. I wish he could see how far he has come, but he doesn’t want to see progress, he wants to see himself completely normal again. I just need to do my best to keep him positive and motivated.
It’s been a week since my PT appointment. I’ve been working really hard on all the exercises the doc gave me, but I don’t feel like I’m making any damn progress. Ember insists that I am, but I just don’t see it. Blake borrowed a small trampoline from his buddy’s wife and dropped it off on his lunch break. I think it will be a lot easier to work on the running and jumping motion when I have a little give under my feet instead of solid ground.
Ember is with Harper at her doctor’s appointment, and Harlee is spending the day with Madison. Piper and Blake went on a short getaway this past weekend and Madison stayed with us, so Piper asked if she could keep Harlee for the day. More time than not, the little girls are together either here or at her house. That’s how Blake and I were as kids, inseparable. Hell, we still are.
Ember should be home soon and I don’t want to make an ass of myself in front of her or anyone else, so I’m going to try this thing out while I can. After connecting my phone to my speakers, I blast some motivating music and step onto the tramp.
I started out slowly, allowing my legs to get used to the motion. The first time I bounced higher, my leg gave out and I fell backward on the couch. The second time I tried, I over bounced and flew forward. Luckily I caught myself with my good leg. After chugging a bottle of water from the fridge, I decide to try one more time. I’m already pissed off and I know it isn’t smart to try again, but I need to do this.
I stepped back on the tramp and started slowly again. My leg felt a lot looser than it was when I tried the first time. Every twenty seconds I jumped a little higher. After a few minutes, I lost my train of thought and started jumping higher than I should have. When a shooting pain shot up my leg, I fell to the side and landed hard on my stomach, knocking the air out of me.
A gasp from the door startled me. I didn’t hear Ember pull up or come inside. Rushing over, she knelt beside me and put her hand on my back, “Oh my God. Are you alright? What the hell were you doing?”
“Exercising. He told me to exercise so that’s what I was doing.”
“On a trampoline! Do you know how dangerous that is? You could have fallen wrong and reinjured yourself.”
“Reinjured? I’m still injured, Ember. Do you see that? This leg is worthless.”
The back of her hand grazed across my cheek and she let out a heavy sigh, “Your leg is not worthless. Why can’t you see how far you’ve come? You have been working so hard and I wish you realized that. Come on, let me help you up.”
“No. I can do it.”
“I know you can. Geeze. I just wanted to help.”
“I know you do, babe, but I don’t need your help. I don’t need or want anyone’s fucking help. My career is over. Don’t you realize that? This injury destroyed my career. They might keep me around to push papers on a desk all day, but I belong on the fucking frontlines. I’m ruined. All of my hard work was flushed down the toilet like a piece of shit.”
“Don’t say that. You’re not ruined. You…”
“Stop. Stop trying to be sweet and sugar coat this situation. You know as well as I do that I am fucked. So please, quit trying to help me. I don’t want your help, okay? Why can’t everyone just leave me alone?”
I instantly regretted those words as soon as they left my mouth. God knows I’m not mad at her. This injury has put me on edge and the stress is consuming me. Ember stood up and took a step away from me as I got myself to a sitting position. “So that’s what you want? Huh? Having us around is too much for you? Fine.” I reached for her as tears rolled recklessly down her cheeks. She took another step back and buried her face into the sleeve of her sweater.
“Baby, I didn’t mean that. I’m so sorry. Please…”
“No. You did mean it. You want to be left alone. I get it. You haven’t had any time alone since you got back. No worries, you will have plenty of space now.”
I stood up as Ember headed for the door, “Ember, stop! Don’t leave. Please don’t leave.”
Before I could make it halfway to her truck, she was in the driver’s seat and cranking the engine. I yelled her name and
begged her to come back inside, but it was no use. She was gone.
“Dalton! Get the fuck off the couch already, man.”
“No. I’ve called and texted her a million times. She won’t respond and Harper won’t tell me a damn thing. Her truck hasn’t been anywhere, either. I fucked up, bro.”
Blake sat next to me on the couch and slapped me on the back, “You fucked up big time, but sitting around here feeling sorry for yourself, won’t solve shit. If you love her as much as I think you do, then do something about it. You need to win her back, but not until you get your own shit together.”
“I need her back now, Blake. I can’t live without her or Moose.”
“I know, but you need to work on yourself before you can do anything else. I’m going to help you whether you like it or not. Get your ripe ass off the couch and get dressed. We’re hitting the gym.”
He’s right. I need to stop acting like a little bitch and get myself together. I begrudgingly get off the couch and head to my room to change. When I pull open the drawers, they are empty. All empty. What the hell?
“Blake? Where the hell are my clothes?”
Blake walks into the room with a smug look on his face, “I moved them back upstairs to your actual bedroom. If you want clothes, you better climb those stairs and get them. Any sense of comfort you had is now gone. You’ve got five minutes, bro. You better start climbing.”
My fists clench by my side and he smiles. Alright then. I nod and walk out of the room. The first couple of stairs were easy. I have to climb a few every time I walk outside so I’m used to that, and by the time I was near the top, I felt invincible, until I tripped and slid halfway down the stairs.
“You alright, bud?”
“Yup. Just fine.” I said through gritted teeth.
“That’s what I thought. Four minutes. Tick tock.”
That smug bastard is enjoying this. I’ll show him. I’ll show everyone. When I finally get to my room and change, I open my phone and send Ember a text message for the 75th time today.
Ember Skies Page 16
