by JA Low
“You think that’s funny, do you?” I ask, smiling through my words.
“I do. I never thought I’d see the day you were genuinely jealous.” She grins.
I wrap my hand around her neck, my fingers getting tangled in her blonde waves. “Did you not notice me when you were dating Douchebag Dan? At any moment, and most of the time, I was ready to punch him.” Stella smiles. “I hated the fact he got to touch you, and it wasn’t me.”
“Don’t have to worry about that now, do you?”
“No, because you’re mine now. Forever and ever. You’re stuck with me.”
“Good.” Stella leans in and kisses me.
We lose ourselves in the kiss until a pillow is thrown at our heads, and the room erupts in hollers from her family. I kiss Stella on the temple as I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my side.
“Sorry, guys, I love your sister. You’re going to have to deal with it,” I tell the room, which erupts again in hoots and hollers at my words.
Later on in the evening, Jesse catches up with me by the pool and hands me a beer as he takes a seat beside me. I know what’s coming next, the big brother chat.
“I have a sister. I understand, man.” We clink our beers together.
“Good. I don’t have to explain to you that I have hundreds of acres and a shotgun. No one will find you.”
Okay, well, that got dark quick.
I nod my head and sip my beer. “I love your sister,” I tell him. “There’s not a moment of the day that I’m not thankful for her.”
Jesse mulls over my words and nods his head. “I know we may not have been in her life recently…” he turns the bottle around in his hand, “… but that doesn’t mean we don’t still love her.”
“I get it. I lost my parents when I was young,” I explain to him. “My sister is all I have left. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have Chloe in my life.”
“We never wanted any of this to happen,” Jesse tells me.
“Stella’s sweet but stubborn.” He laughs. “But she wants you guys in her life again.” Looking over at him, he gives me a curt nod. “She wants me to come home with her and talk to her dad.”
“He misses her deeply,” Jesse says sadly.
“I promise you will all be a family very soon.” We clink beers again and look out into the darkness, the waves of the ocean crashing in the distance.
“Stell tells me you have award-winning beef.”
“Yeah. We do pretty well.” He shrugs.
“I’d love to taste it when we’re there. I’m a chef,” I add on.
“Yeah, I know who you are. I googled you.” He takes a long gulp of beer.
“And?” Not giving anything away, Jesse turns his head and grins.
“You’ve dated a lot of women.” Damn internet. “And you’re a good chef.”
I’m the fucking best, but I don’t think he needs to hear that from me.
“Your reputation seems to be quite good in the culinary world,” he adds.
“I do okay.” Trying to be modest makes him chuckle.
“As long as you treat my sister well, then we’re all good.” He gives me his last warning.
And we drink to that.
41
Stella
Sadly, our time is up in The Hamptons. We have had to leave our little bubble and get back to our real life in New York. My cast was cut off the other day. Thankfully, the doctor could do it at home, well, EJ’s and my new home. I’m surprised EJ didn’t run for the hills when my cast came off because I wanted to. My leg was gross and a little smelly. Having a cast on during summer is not ideal. My leg was hairy and scaly. It was a whole bundle of nope from me. But EJ just picked me up and placed me in the bathtub. Then he gently washed my leg and shaved it too, which was pretty hot. Then he wrapped me in a fluffy towel and took me back to his bed, where we were able to fool around without the restraint of the cast to get in our way. I can’t do gymnastics yet in the bedroom, but I sure as hell was able to move into some interesting positions or let EJ move me into them, I should say.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” EJ kisses my temple as I wake from my slumber. “We are almost there.”
Shaking the sleepy fog from my brain, worry fills the pit of my stomach as I remember where we are. We are on our way back to my hometown to see my father and hopefully put the past behind us.
“Don’t be nervous. He’s going to be happy to see you again,” EJ tries to reassure me.
“I know, I haven’t been back since losing Mom, and I guess the closer I get to home, the more the feelings from that time start bubbling to the surface. Maybe I haven’t dealt with it like I thought I had.”
EJ pulls me in tighter to his side. “Once the initial greeting is done, everything will work out,” he tries to reassure me.
I’m so lucky to have him by my side through all this. Through everything, really. I can’t believe it’s only been a couple of months since the accident, and yet it feels like EJ and I have been together forever. And the Stella from before the accident feels like a lifetime ago.
“Maybe you’re right.” Letting out a heavy sigh, I snuggle in closer to him.
The private plane eventually lands at the small airport just outside of town, where my brother Jesse is waiting for us with his red pickup truck.
“You made it,” he greets us on the tarmac, and no security is needed here. Rick runs the airport, which he created in his backyard for his family to come in and visit. I hug Jesse tightly, trying to calm myself down. He shakes EJ’s hand and escorts us to his truck.
I inhale the cool mountain air, which calms my nerves somewhat. I decided to sit up front of the truck with Jesse to take in the scenery around me. The long stretches of road with not a soul on them. The gorgeous golden hues of the grass under the setting sun. The imposing mountaintops with their snowcapped peaks. This is truly spectacular scenery, and one I didn’t realize I was missing until now. I let the country disappear from my blood, and now I’m getting an instant intravenous shot, and it’s warming my soul.
We ride along in silence, just taking in the scenery. It’s not far from the airport to my childhood home, which isn’t convenient at all for me because I need longer to get myself ready to go back in time.
Jesse drives through the large wooden entryway that reads ‘Price Ranch’ up above us with a cattle skull in the middle. The long dusty road is a kaleidoscope of memories as we travel along.
Everything from my childhood flashes right in front of me.
Prom.
My first kiss.
My first boyfriend.
Coming home drunk from a party and girl’s days shopping in the city with Mom and Claire.
My heart aches to reminisce about it all, and then the overwhelming sense of loss hits me. My hands grip the seat as I try to control my emotions. EJ reaches out to me from behind and touches my shoulder. Just knowing he’s there for me steadies me. Eventually, the log-style chalet comes into view with the sun setting behind the mountain peaks—it looks like something out of a Western movie. Things look the same, just the gardens have grown bigger since I was last here.
The front door swings open, and out steps my father. Seeing him again hits me, and my hands begin to shake.
“It’s going to be okay,” Jesse reassures. “He’s happy you’re home.”
Dad looks like he’s aged so much. His hair has turned from light brown to gray. His body has become a little fuller, his wrinkles a little deeper.
Moments later, Claire walks out behind him, and I want to be sick. He takes her hand in his as they wait for my arrival.
“Remember, Claire is good for him, Stell,” Jesse explains.
They have had six years to get used to them being together. For me, it’s going to take a little while.
Jesse pulls up out in front of my childhood home, and EJ jumps out and opens the door to the truck for me. He helps me down the steps to the dusty ground.
“I’ve got you,” he wh
ispers into my ear as he links my hand in his.
Okay, I can do this.
The slamming of the truck doors brings me back to the situation at hand. Lacey, Austin, and Hadley join Dad and Claire on the front porch.
“You made it.” Lacey rushes down first and pulls me into a hug. Next is Hadley, and then Austin. “You can walk.” Lacey looks down at my leg.
“I have a small limp, but that should go after some rehab,” I explain.
She nods her head at my words before linking her arm with mine. “It’s going to be all okay,” she reassures me as she pulls me from EJ’s grasp and hurtles me toward Dad.
His face lights up in a smile when he sees me. Tears are beginning to well in his light blue eyes, and I’m done for. I was always Daddy’s little girl. We had a special bond between us, and now there’s none. He holds out his arms, and I rush toward them just like I always did when I was younger. He wraps himself around me as we both break down while holding each other.
Claire squeezes his shoulder and walks back inside, leaving us to have our moment.
“I’ve missed you so much, baby girl.” My dad sniffles into my neck.
“I’ve missed you, too,” holding him a little too tight, I murmur in his ear.
“I’m sorry everything turned out the way it has, sweetheart. I want to make things better.” I nod my head in agreement. “Come on. Let’s have some grub and talk, yeah?” My dad wraps his arm around my shoulders and walks me back into my childhood home.
Nothing’s changed.
At all.
The family pictures still hang on the wall, but there are some new additions with the Jennings family being added. He takes me into the cozy living room, and I take a seat on the old leather couch. I can’t believe it’s still functional—it must be twenty years old.
“I’m sorry, young man. I’m Phil Price.” My father holds out his hand to EJ.
“Elliot,” he introduces himself to my father. “I’m the man madly in love with your daughter,” he tells Dad. This makes my father pause. There’s a couple of sighs from Hadley, Lacey, and Claire, who are standing behind EJ.
“Well, son… it’s a pleasure to meet you.” My dad grins widely. “Guess we have much to catch up on, then?” He turns and looks over at Claire. “Sweetheart, could you grab us something to drink… like a beer or whiskey.”
Claire smiles and disappears back into the kitchen with Hadley and Lacey.
“So, shall we have dinner first or a chat?” Dad gets straight to the point.
“Hey, EJ, come with us. We’re going to show you around,” Austin calls out.
EJ looks over at me, and I nod to let him know that I will be okay. Reluctantly—I can tell by the way EJ’s forehead has deep frown lines—he heads off with my brothers.
“I’m happy you’re home, kiddo,” Dad starts. “I wish it hadn’t taken so long for you to come back.”
I take a deep breath and try to steady myself to have this conversation. “I don’t understand how you could do what you did to Mom’s memory.”
Dad is a little taken aback by my words and takes a couple of moments to compose himself. “I loved… love your mother,” he starts. “I would never have moved on with Claire like that if I didn’t have her blessing.”
What? Dad’s confession stills me. My entire body goes completely rigid. “Blessing? I highly doubt Mom would be happy about you and her best friend hooking up.” My head is shaking from side to side, while anger laces over every part of me that my father would say Mom could have possibly been okay with this.
She wouldn’t.
I know it.
And he knows it.
“Were you not there when she told everyone?”
What did he say? I stare at him blankly. Has he gone mad?
“Stell, were you not there when your Mom sat us all down and told us her wishes?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” I reply.
Is this some kind of practical joke?
“Your mother and Reg knew they didn’t have much time and got together before they passed and came up with this hair-brained scheme.” What? I feel like I’ve been sucker-punched in the stomach. “Are you seriously telling me you weren’t there?” Dad looks at me, his eyebrows are pulled together, and he’s maintaining strong eye contact with me.
“I don’t remember the conversation at all,” I reply.
Dad rakes his hand through his silver hair.
“Girls,” Dad calls out. “We know you’re listening at the door.”
Three heads pop out from the doorframe. Claire walks in with a whiskey for Dad and a glass of champagne for me. I take it gladly, needing something to calm my nerves.
“Lacey, sweetie… was Stella not there when Mom told us all about her and Reg’s plan?”
Lacey turns to me then back to Dad. Her eyes then widen as if she suddenly remembers something that has been hidden from me all these years. “Shit, Stelly, we thought you were there. But remember when you got food poisoning from something in the hospital cafeteria, and that charming intern looked after you?” Yeah, I remember that. I was so sick. “I think Mom told us then.”
My entire life is shaken.
I feel sick.
Standing, I throw back what’s left in my champagne glass and place it on the coffee table before walking right out the front door. I step into the darkness and scream, over and over again.
Until I have a strong pair of arms wrapping themselves around me.
EJ.
42
Stella
“I’ve got you, Stell,” he tells me as I collapse in EJ’s arms. I’m unable to breathe as I begin to panic, and I don’t like the feeling one little bit. “Bend over, Stella,” EJ tells me. “Just take a deep breath in.”
After some coaxing, eventually, I’m able to get myself under control. Turning around, I look up at EJ, then wrap my arms around him. He does the same and whispers reassurances to me, then rubs the errant tears from my face as he kisses my cheeks.
“It’s going to be okay,” he tells me.
Movement from behind him brings me back to the situation as my family stands on the front porch watching me lose my shit.
“Stella.” My dad walks down the steps and toward me. “Stella, Stella…” he calls my name over and over again.
EJ holds my hand as we turn to face him.
“I’m so sorry, Stella. I thought you knew. We all thought you were there and heard your mother.” I gulp air, trying to calm myself. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I had no idea.”
“Why did none of you tell me?” I ask. They all stare back at me blankly. “When I had trouble accepting Dad and Claire’s relationship.” I look around at them all. “Why did you not remind me of Mom’s choice?”
“I thought you were being dramatic.” Lacey is the first one to speak up.
Her words hit me like an arrow through the heart.
“As the baby, you always had the attention, and I assumed you were being melodramatic and didn’t…” she sighs, “… accept Mom’s wishes for some reason that only you knew. I’m sorry, Stelly, if I’d have even thought for one minute you didn’t know, I would have said something.” Lacey looks down at the wooden porch.
“Everyone was overcome with grief, Stell,” Jesse adds.
“But why did you not say anything to me?” pointing to my chest, I ask them all again.
They look around at each other unable to come up with a perfectly good reason.
“Claire, why did you not say anything?” There are tears in her eyes as she looks at me. “I hated you. I thought this was all your fault. I was so horrible to you.”
“Sweetie, I thought you were grieving. I thought you needed time. I thought, eventually, you would come around. I didn’t realize you never knew anything about your mother’s wishes. No one said otherwise.”
All this lost time could have been prevented if someone had reminded me about Mom’s wishes—my stomach aches over the entire situat
ion.
“I don’t understand how this happened?” Shaking my head. “Did you always love Claire, Dad?”
I’m trying to think about this situation as though it’s my friends. There is no way in hell any of my friends would say, ‘here, Stell, have my husband.’
Dad looks over at Claire then back to me. “It’s a complicated story, Stell.”
I shake my head at his answer.
This shit’s not a complicated story. It’s plain weird.
“It’s been six years… I’m owed an explanation.”
My father nods slowly in agreement. “Come back inside, and I’ll explain it all,” he tells me.
Everyone turns around and heads back inside, with EJ and I following after them. When I walk back into the living room, both Claire and Dad sit while the rest of my family have left the room.
EJ sits beside me this time for support.
“Not sure where to start on all this...” Dad shuffles his feet nervously on the floor in front of him. Claire pats his knee, reassuring him.
“You know we all knew each other practically our entire lives?” Claire starts. Yes, I remember the stories. “What you may not have known was how close the four of us were all that time,” Claire explains strangely as if I should be picking up on some kind of hidden meaning. They were best friends, so of course, I know how close they were.
“Your father and I dated in high school.” What? I didn’t know that. “Your mom and Reg did, too,” she adds. “The four of us did everything together,” Claire explains. “But the more time we spent together, the more we fell for the other person’s partner.”
Claire looks over at Dad, who reaches out and clasps her hand. “We were young and experimental.” My eyes widen as I realize what she might be saying. “We started swapping in high school.”
No. No. No. I shake my head slowly.
“It was a little bit of naughty fun in such a conservative town,” Claire continues.
Just rip it off like a damn Band-Aid, please.
“Your mom and I realized we had more in common with the other’s partner, so we decided to date them.” Claire smiles, remembering the memory. “Things felt right when we did. Reg was my missing piece, and Phil was your mother’s.”
