All About Us

by Ashley Erin

  “Emma, we know that this is not easy for you and wanted to show our support. Okay, well I think pictures speak better than any words right now.” Heart pounding as I speak, her brilliant green eyes fixed on mine. Reluctantly I push play and she looks to the screen. My eyes stay glued on hers.

  Her hand is shaking as she lifts it to her mouth, watching the pictures and words on the screen. Alex did an impeccable job melding three people’s lifetimes into a five minute slideshow.

  As the last picture fades Ryan stands up and gives her a hug. Speaking lowly in her ear as she wipes tears from her cheeks. She giggles and I’m glad for my big brother and his ability to make people find joy in even the toughest of times.

  “Before we eat, we wanted to share some of our favorite memories with you. This is a celebration of life and let’s celebrate them.” Ryan’s deep voice booms over the room. He starts with a story of how William worked with him tirelessly teaching him how to be a farrier. The art of trimming a horse’s hoof correctly.

  One by one each of us tells our story until it’s my turn. Taking a deep breath I stand and look at Emma. “When you were seven I sat down with your mom and dad to have a serious conversation. You had hurt yourself and even though it wasn’t my fault, my eight year old brain felt bad for not protecting you. I told them that I was going to marry you one day and that I would always do my best not to let you hurt.

  “Back then I thought I could prevent the hurts and your parents just smiled and listened as I proclaimed how much I loved you. I haven’t kept up with my promises to them. But what sticks out to me the most is when your mom looked at me and said that love isn’t preventing the hurt, it’s being there during the hurt. Those words have always stuck with me. It may not always seem like it, but I’m here for you when you’re hurting, when you’re angry or sad. When you’re happy or excited. No matter what, I’m here.” Lia coughs slightly and I realize I am rambling so I sit down quickly while Mom demands everyone eats.

  Emma gets up from the table, her eyes on me, before grabbing a plate and dishing up some food. After she has a full plate, she slips out the door.

  Needing a breather, I step outside and sit on the bench under a tall elm tree. Dane’s words in my head as I eat a delectable slice of cheese cake. He has loved me since he was eight? Why didn’t he tell me?

  After everyone had gone inside, Alex had told me Dane arranged the entire day with the help of everyone. He has been watching me all afternoon and any doubts I had, even the shame and embarrassment has diminished. Mom would have said that to him, and it was fitting that was the memory he told. It’s something I need to remember. Love, friendship, family. It does not matter, you are there for the hurts. We’ve hit some bumps along the way, that wisdom easily forgotten.

  “Emma . . .” Dane sits next to me and takes my empty plate. Huh. I didn’t even realize I had eaten everything. “I was going to wait until we were home. Until you were ready to talk to me. I can’t anymore. I swear nothing happened. I . . .”

  Reaching out my hand, I lace my fingers with his. “I know. In the moment, I didn’t have the capacity to see that, but I know.” He traces circles over my hand, and the feeling of love and comfort I always get from him fills me. “Thank you for today.”

  “Anything. I will always do anything for you.”

  “Your words, that is so my Mom. I can’t believe you remembered that all this time.” He smiles at me, his dimples creeping out.

  “They stuck with me. I know I’ve forgotten them sometimes, I haven’t always been there, but I have one promise that I can keep. I won’t forget them again. I know now I can’t keep hurt from you, I can’t protect you from everything not even myself, but what I can do is always be there.” Dane lifts his hand to my face and I lean into it. The rough skin of his palm scratching me, but I barely notice.

  “We’ve both forgotten to do that. What we have is worth it. I’m not going to run away from my fears anymore, I’m going to face them head on. With you by my side.” Sliding my hands around his head and into his hair, I pull him in and kiss him. As our lips touch, the pieces of my heart that had yet to be repaired fall back into place.

  With a moan, I deepen the kiss, forgetting where we are or that people will notice us missing and enjoy the feeling of Dane’s lips on mine. We’ve spent time together and time apart, yet from the moment I walked, er fell, back into Dane’s life my heart knew what it needed. In that moment it started a journey that I needed to go through and still need to go through. Yet as he pulls away and smiles at me with that mischievous and promising smirk, I know I’m finally whole again.

  Collapsing onto the bed, sweaty and satiated, I smirk proudly at Emma. “I think we’ve found your favorite.” Her arm is flung out to the side as she regains her breath, eyes twinkling humorously at me.

  “Hmmm. Are you sure about that?” Her teasing voice sends shivers down my spine and if I didn’t have something I needed to do, I would be wiping that smirk of her satisfied face.

  “Well . . . If it’s not we don’t need to do that anymore, although . . .” I stroke her, feeling how wet she is, her body betraying her lie as she moans. “It’s really too bad though, I had plans for tonight.” Keeping my tone of disappointment, I pull my hand away and climb out of bed.

  Emma pouts from my bed as I pull my jeans on. “What are you doing? I wasn’t finished with you.” She stands and stretches, never moving her eyes from mine, purposefully taunting me.

  “Temptress. I want to stay in bed with you all day, clearly.” She smirks as she sees my cock standing erect out of my jeans. “But we have something we need to do.”

  “I know, Arwen jumped out again.” Emma starts to get dressed and despite myself, I can’t help but look at the clock to see if we have a bit more time.

  “Nope, I’m dressed now. You need to wait.” Damn. Smiling as I pull her in for a kiss, she knows me too well already. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Arwen stands outside Emma’s house and comes trotting over when she sees us. Automatically nuzzling Emma. The bond those two have formed has surpassed my dreams. Now that we are no longer in my bedroom, nerves are creeping up on me. I can feel the eyes of everyone watching from inside Emma’s house. If I didn’t need Alex’s help no one would know, but of course now everyone does.

  Emma is too busy cooing at Arwen to notice the delicate leather strap around Arwen’s neck, and I’m starting to panic. Palms are sweating as I anxiously wait for the hand that is stroking the filly’s neck to finally feel the strap.

  The love I feel for this woman is overwhelming at times. We’ve both stood by each other through so many moments of happiness, anger and sadness in the past two months. Emma continues her counseling sessions and more recently, I have attended with her.

  She’s finally starting to forgive herself for the part she feels she played in her parent’s death, but at times I see the guilt flicker in her eyes. In those moments, I wrap her in my arms and just hold her.

  Emma’s fingers get closer to the leather around Arwen’s neck and I swallow nervously, the words I’ve been practicing running through my head.

  She pauses as they brush the strap, heart pounding as she moves to Arwen’s side and examines it more closely.

  The gasp when she sees what is hanging there.

  “What is thi . . .” She freezes as she turns and sees me on one knee.

  “Emma, I have known I wanted to marry you since I was eight years old. Time, distance, misunderstandings . . . none of that diminished how deeply I love you. I want to be by your side for the rest of my life, grow old with you, make love to you and build a family with you. You are my past, present and future. Emma Hayle . . . will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” None of those words are the ones I planned out in my head, but as her shocked green eyes glistened at me, I spoke from my heart.

  Her silence sets my heart pounding until she collapses to her knees and is kissing me. “Yes!” One word. I thought when she said ‘I love you�
� was the happiest moment, but hearing that one word has knocked it out of the park.

  Kissing her deeply, we stand and I untie the leather, sliding the ring off the strap and onto her finger. Hugging her, bliss washes over me as I cherish this moment.

  Our time is fleeting, made up of events varying in significance. Every second spent with Emma is significant and I intend to enjoy each and every second, taking none for granted.

  “I love you.” Her eyes shine with happiness and I press my forehead to hers.

  “I love you too.”

  Alex and Lia’s story, All About Hope, is coming soon!

  I want to start out by thanking everyone for taking a chance on me and reading my debut novel. It has been a long time dream of mine to put the stories in my head down on paper and share them. The road to publishing All About Us has been a life altering one and I am so grateful that you have read Emma and Dane’s story.

  Thank you to my family and friends for your encouragement and support. I know it’s not easy when I’m online trying to promote, or distracted as I get lost in the world of my characters. Your understanding throughout this whole process has been amazing.

  Fabiola and Autumn . . . seriously ladies. Many of my words have been typed while chatting with you. Sharing tidbits here and there, getting feedback on teasers and just all around supporting each other when we have doubts, or are excited about a part in our books. This journey would not have been the same without you.

  Kristi and Lori, you ladies are the first two to read All About Us in its entirety. Your honesty in critiquing the flow of All About Us in its roughest state really helped the story become what it has. Throughout this process you have stood by my side and are crucial to my everyday life. To top it all off, you’ve both stepped up to help me as my Pas and patiently deal with me as I figure out what that entails. I love you both.

  Jessica, my beautiful, pain in the ass and brutally honest editor: You. Are. My. Rock. I found you or you found me, I can’t even remember anymore, but we both kind of barreled into each other’s lives and there is no turning back. Your ability to give it to me straight, deal with my insecurities and still make me feel on top of the world . . . that’s a gift that is rare and precious. No amount of words will ever be able to express just how much you mean to me and how much I love you.

  Mandy and Julio. Thank you for being an amazing team and providing me with such amazing photos for my cover and teasers. You brought Dane to life and did it to perfection.

  Kari, my cover is so beautiful. You took what I couldn’t put into words and brought it to life.

  Stacy. You are a beautiful soul, a wonderful friend and an amazing person. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how grateful I am to call you my friend. We have laughed together and cried together. You are one of the most important people in my life and I love you.

  S Moose. Thank you for being my sounding board, my friend and a light in my life. We’ve shared so much with each other and you are stuck with me for life.

  To my Rule Breakers. Thank you for sharing teasers, pimping me out and participating in my street team. Y’all are priceless, you’re fun and wonderful. It’s an amazing feeling to know that I have a whole group of people rooting for me and doing everything in their power to get All About Us out there.

  Team ASA. Y’all know who you are. You are all amazing and talented. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, providing me with a support network when I needed it most. I know I would not have gotten to this point without you.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements