Because You're Mine (The Gallaghers)

by Layla Hagen

  My brother got me a massive travel book from Lonely Planet. My mom and stepdad got me a thick winter coat, making me laugh. This was just like Mom, always thinking I didn’t dress warm enough. But I couldn't argue, because it was true. My dad and stepmom sent me a gift card to my favorite online shop that sold handmade candles. Oh, that was so thoughtful of them.

  I called everyone right away to thank them. While I spoke to Mom, I heard the doorbell ring. Harper answered it, and a few minutes later, she knocked at mine.

  "Mom. I've got to go. I'll talk to you later, okay?" I said.

  "Sure, honey."

  "What is it, Harper?" I asked, opening the door.

  "Something arrived for you."

  "More presents!!"

  "Happy birthday, Ellie." Harper was holding a giant package of chocolate in her arms.

  "Wow. You outdid yourself, roomie."

  "Oh no, no. These are not from me. They're from a certain hunk you've been spending time with lately."

  "Ian sent me this?" I asked in a strangled voice. Suddenly I was even giddier than before.

  "He did. The delivery guy said that there was a card with them, but he got water on it, so it was all wet and illegible."

  "I'll take the chocolates, even without the card." I took it from her, putting it on the dresser.

  Harper smiled. "You’re going to share those, aren't you? I mean, you can't possibly eat them all."

  I burst out laughing. "Well, I could, but because I'm generous, I'm going to allow you to have a few."

  "Define a few."

  "I'm not sure yet. You can start by having one, and we'll go from there."

  "Come on. Let's have a celebratory breakfast," Harper said, and I followed her out of the room. "I have to go in twenty minutes, but we have time."

  I was surprised to see that she had already set up the table. We usually took turns preparing breakfast, but she insisted that she wanted to do it all. She put ham and cheese and tomatoes in the oven, which was my trick for getting tomatoes to have taste in the winter months. When we loaded our plates and were ready to sit down, Harper and I clinked our coffee cups. "Cheers. I’d toast with champagne, but it's frowned upon for a teacher to show up at school reeking of alcohol. Happy birthday, Ellie. Since I'm not going to see you tonight, I hope you have a great day."

  "Wait. Why aren't you seeing me tonight?"

  "Oh shit. You're not supposed to know."

  "Know what?"

  "I can't tell you anything."

  "Harper!"

  She pressed her lips together, then mumbled, "My lips are sealed. I have to go."

  "No, you don't. You still have a few minutes."

  "I am starting early today," she said, making me laugh even more.

  "Right. You're just afraid I'm going to question you."

  "Obviously." She kissed my cheek and left, but not before heading to my bedroom.

  "Oh, so you don't have time, but you can sneak in my bedroom and steal a chocolate?" I called after her.

  "I have my priorities," Harper replied before ducking out of the apartment.

  I cleaned up quickly after she left, smiling from ear to ear. Ian had sent me chocolate. That was so thoughtful of him, and I loved that he knew just the right kind to get. I went back to my bedroom after the kitchen was clean and looked at the chocolates, then decided to text him. I had some suspicions regarding what Harper said, but I had to be smart to make Ian talk.

  Snapping a photo, I added it to my text.

  Ellie: Morning. I just got these. Thank you so much. The delivery guy said the card was damaged, care to tell me what was on it?

  Ian replied right away.

  Ian: I'll tell you when I see you.

  Ellie: And when will that be?

  He didn't reply. I messaged him again.

  Ellie: Harper just told me she wouldn't be seeing me tonight. Do you have anything to do with this?

  Ian: Harper's bad with secrets.

  Ellie: OMG.

  Ian: You think I wouldn't spoil my birthday girl?

  Ellie: But it's my birthday. I'm supposed to be the one throwing a party or something.

  Ian: You can do that when Henry’s visiting on Saturday. This evening you're all mine.

  Oh wow.

  I had a lot of energy while I showered and dressed. I still had plenty of time until my shift started, but I had too much energy to sit inside the apartment. Dressing warmly in the coat Mom gave me, I hurried outside. November didn’t have the best weather for walking. It was pretty cold, but I still loved it. I thought about my family and how much I missed them as I walked leisurely through the city.

  My biggest dream was to get everyone in the same place for my birthday once. But it never really worked out. I wasn't sure, but I sometimes I wondered if it was because everyone was actively avoiding each other. I dreamed of celebrating something together as a big extended family. If not my birthday, then maybe Christmas, or just any occasion.

  My good mood continued even after my shift started. I’d listened to a catchy tune in the morning, and I played it in my mind even after removing my headphones and starting the salads. I danced to it all day. In the afternoon, when there was a bit of a lull in customers, my boss, the restaurant manager, came to me. "Ellie, it's your birthday today, right?"

  "Yes."

  "Happy birthday."

  "Thank you, Nancy."

  "You and I haven't had time to chat, but I've heard lots of good things from everyone in the kitchen."

  "Thank you."

  "Let's talk some more next week. I’ll look at my calendar and let you know when I have time.”

  I panicked a little but just nodded.

  "Okay." It was never a good thing when the boss was extra nice to you and then wanted to talk to you. I'd been fired that way twice when the boss politely invited me to sit down and drink something together, only to tell me that they were cutting staff or whatever. But I pushed it all to the back of my mind. Maybe it would be good news for once, or perhaps I’d have to move to New Orleans sooner than I thought.

  My mood dampened a bit after my boss left. I didn't want to think about moving. Before, I always looked forward to a new city and a new challenge. But recently, something had changed inside me, and I knew it was because of Ian. I loved our evenings together and the casual messages we sent during the day, just to catch up with each other. For the first time, I wasn’t happy with my nomad life. With Ian, I felt like I belonged right where I was.

  My good mood was back once my shift ended. I ran home to change, and Ian was already in front of my building.

  "When did you arrive?" I asked him.

  “I know your shift ends at six, and you typically only need fifteen minutes to get home, so that's your answer."

  "Someone’s extremely punctual.”

  "I was really looking forward to starting our evening together." He was gazing at me with hungry eyes. I pointed a finger at him.

  "No, no. Wait with the kissing until we're upstairs."

  "Why?"

  "Because I don't want the whole street to see us. What will they think?"

  "That we're about to have a great night."

  "Ian," I warned playfully, walking inside the building. Even though I was tired from work, I chose not to get inside the elevator. After standing on my feet, I needed to move. I took the stairs two at a time, smiling as I heard him behind me. "So, are you going to tell me what we're doing?"

  "Yes. You said you don't want to go out because you're tired. So I'm going to cook for you at my place. Pack an overnight bag." That command sounded delicious. It sent shivers all over my body. My heart sighed with happiness. He wanted to spoil me on my birthday. Who was this man? And what was he doing with me?

  "Okay," I said, fully aware that my voice was high-pitched. Going into my bedroom, I pulled a backpack from under the bed and filled it with a cute dress I'd change into when I arrived at his place. It was semisexy, but if I didn't wear a bra, it was superhot, a
nd I planned on not wearing a bra. It was black with long sleeves and a deep V-neckline. It only reached midthigh, so it wasn't exactly winter appropriate, but it didn't matter indoors. I also packed a nightgown, and I was contemplating two types of panties. One was black lace. The other was red silk.

  "Pack them both." Startled, I looked over my shoulder. Ian was peeking from the doorway.

  "How long have you been standing there like a Peeping Tom?"

  "A while. You're cute as fuck."

  I blushed.

  "Well, get out. You’re distracting me. And I don't need two sets of panties."

  "Yes, you do."

  "Why?"

  He stalked closer to me, pinning me with his intense gaze. My breath caught. I licked my lips when he tilted in closer, bringing his mouth to my ear.

  "I can use one of them to tie your wrists."

  Oh my God. If I felt I was blushing before, it was nothing compared to now. My whole face was on fire—even the roots of my hair felt hot. He captured my mouth the next second in a deep kiss. I moaned as my thighs shook. His mouth was relentless, exploring me deeper and faster. I knew that if we continued like this, we wouldn’t leave at all, so I took a step back, turning around.

  He put an arm around my waist, kissing the back of my neck as I finished packing my backpack. I felt so special and valued, and my defenses were utterly shattered.

  It was strange in a way that I’d been a virgin so many years wondering if I’d ever find someone I cared about, and after meeting Ian, I felt like it all was meant to be. Like I was waiting for this man, for Ian. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. Ian was my first and only...

  "I've never felt like this before," I said. My stomach constricted. Am I scaring him away?

  “I'm glad I am the first to make you feel new things," he said in my ear. "You're important to me, Ellie. So damn important."

  I put a hand over his on my belly. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask just how important, but I didn’t get the chance because the doorbell rang.

  "Are you expecting someone?" he asked.

  “No. It’s probably a package delivery. I'm not sure why, but it's never just one person delivering all the packages. They come up at least twice a day. It drives Harper crazy."

  "I'll answer. You finish up your packing.”

  "Thanks." Once he left, I stuffed my panties in my bag of toiletries. That’s it. I had everything I needed. I zipped up the backpack just as Ian opened the front door.

  "What are you doing here?"

  It wasn't a delivery guy. It was Henry.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ian

  "Hey, come on in," I said, opening the door widely. Ellie burst out of her room the next second. She was still flustered from our kiss before. Her brown hair was wild, her lips red. It would take Henry no time to figure us out. She threw her arms around him, and he lifted her off her feet in a hug.

  "What are you doing here? Thought you were coming on Saturday," she said, laughing.

  "I wanted to surprise you.”

  "Oh, you should have told me you're coming today. How long are you staying?"

  "Until Sunday. What are you doing tonight?" he asked her. She stepped back from the hug. His eyes zeroed in on her mouth. He turned to look at me. "What's going on?"

  Damn. It took him even less time than I predicted.

  “I can explain," Ellie said.

  "I will." I knew how Henry could get. I felt protective of Ellie. He could be harsh, even though he had her best interest in mind.

  "Yes, you will. What the fuck, Ian? I told you to stay away from her."

  "I tried, but not very hard," I admitted. "Look, we're together." I couldn’t think of the right words to say, and I knew what I just said did not defuse the situation.

  "What the—”

  "Don't be like this, Henry," Ellie said. "I'm not a kid."

  Henry shook his head, looking between the two of us. He was disappointed in me, I could see it in his eyes, and it fucking sucked. I didn't like disappointing anyone.

  "Define you're together," he demanded.

  Ellie pressed her lips together, looking at me. I stepped next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders. She felt tense. I wondered if it was because her brother had found out or because she was curious about how I was defining our relationship.

  "We're dating and spending a lot of time with each other. In fact, I was going to cook for Ellie tonight at my place."

  Henry's eyes bulged as Ellie leaned into me. I touched her shoulders, skimming my thumb up to her neck, and felt her relaxing, finally.

  I’d given a lot of thought about what to do tonight. Ellie went out in the city a lot, but she seemed happiest when it was the two of us either at her place or mine, so that’s what I planned.

  "How about we all go out to dinner instead?" she asked. "I'm sure we can get a reservation somewhere."

  I looked down at her. "But you don’t like going out in the evening. You’re too tired. I have enough food for everyone."

  "Okay. That sounds like a plan," Ellie said. "I'll just pick up my backpack."

  "I'll wait in the living room," Henry said. I went with Ellie, wanting to make sure she was okay. I closed the door to her room, and she looked up at me, pointing her finger at me.

  "No, no. No kissing."

  I frowned at her. "I understood your stance in front of the building, but what's your excuse this time?"

  "Henry has X-ray vision, I swear to God. So keep your hands and eyes off me while we're eating. Okay?"

  I tilted closer and brought my hand to her neck, skimming and splaying my fingers widely. "I'll behave while he's with us, but once he leaves, you're mine, Ellie. And then I'll devour you." Her eyes widened, and her lips parted as she exhaled a breath. I loved keeping her on edge.

  “If you can’t behave,” she said, totally flustered, “wait for me in the living room with Henry.”

  I took a step back, holding both hands up. “I’ll do that. I can’t be in the same room with you and not touch you. Kiss you.”

  “Or talk dirty.”

  “That too.”

  Still holding up my hands, I stepped out of the room. Henry was pacing the living room.

  “Don’t be a dick to your sister,” I said.

  He narrowed his eyes. “This is exactly what I was afraid of. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “She wanted to do it face-to-face when you came to the city. Don’t ruin her birthday.”

  “I’m not going to.” I hated that my best friend didn’t trust me—but all he knew was a version of me from the past, not who I was now, who I was with Ellie.

  “Good. Because we’re going to have a problem if you do.”

  “You have some balls to tell me that.” He narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything else.

  After Ellie joined us in the living room, we Ubered to my place. Henry seemed a bit more relaxed when we arrived. When I opened the door, I barely recognized my apartment.

  "What's this?" Ellie asked.

  “I asked Isabelle to help me decorate everything to look more festive." My sister had asked if candles were okay, and I said yes, thinking she'd bring one or two, but I saw at least a dozen. Henry jerked his head back, but Ellie looked damn happy.

  Whatever. I'd get used to 100 candles if that's what it took to see her like this.

  “This is amazing,” she whispered. Her eyes were a bit watery. Why was this such a big deal for her?

  Henry and Ellie sat down on the barstools at my kitchen island. I walked to the other side, where the stove was. She glanced at the ingredients with a grin.

  “You’re making risotto?” she asked.

  “It’s your favorite,” I replied. She’d mentioned that during the weekend at Bear Mountain, and I filed it in my memory. “I also have cake in the fridge.”

  I poured all of us a glass of white wine before I chopped the onion.

  “We’re meeting tomorrow, right?” Ellie asked her brother.<
br />
  “Obviously! I came to visit you,” Henry replied.

  They both seemed far more relaxed than before. I kept a close eye on Henry while the risotto cooked, ready to intervene if needed. I understood his concerns, but I didn’t want him to spoil her birthday.

  "Where are you staying?" I asked him.

  "I just crashed at an Airbnb downtown."

  "Why didn't you tell me? I would have arranged something with Harper so you could stay with us."

  "No, you know me, sis. I don't like doing that."

  That was true. Henry had never liked crashing with people, even when we were in college. The risotto was done a while later. I put a ton of parmesan on top before we brought the plates to the table.

  "So, how long has this been going on?" he asked as we finally started to eat.

  "Um, a while," Ellie said nervously. “Almost since I came to the city.”

  "You’ve been lying to me all this time?"

  "No, Henry. We just knew you'd react like this."

  "So no one else knows. She's your dirty little secret?"

  “Henry!” My tone was a warning. I was on edge.

  “I’m not a secret.”

  "My family knows we’re together," I said calmly.

  "So I'm the only one who doesn't know?" Henry replied.

  Ellie grinned. "There's no winning with him when he's like this."

  "I know. He's my best friend.”

  "Dude, no offense, but you do realize I had a front seat to all of the shit you did in college. Obviously, I have a problem that you're now going out with my sister."

  "I've changed, Henry. I'm not in college anymore. Neither are you; we’ve both grown up."

  He looked at Ellie, who was just smiling widely. "Oh, come on, Henry. It's my birthday. Behave. You're not getting cake and champagne otherwise."

  Henry sat back in his chair, finally smiling. "Fine, whatever, you two are adults. I don't have to get in the middle of it. But just so you know, when you hurt her, you and I are going to have a big problem."

  I didn’t like the use of when. It implied it was a sure thing, but I didn’t want to be the one to spoil the mood by starting a fight.