“Hey.” Joel walks to my side, his warm body a direct contrast against the cool of my arm.
“Let’s go.” The biker grunts at Dani and turns back toward the bike. She moves to follow him but I grab her arm, my fingers digging into her soft flesh.
“Please,” I whisper. Because surely she won’t. How can my own sister be involved in something like this?
She meets my gaze with her own, and there’s a fierceness in those brown orbs that I haven’t seen before. “It’s not your choice to make.”
As she walks away, I stare, unmoving. The cool wind from the sea ices my skin until I’m stone cold, from the outside in. I’m numb. This is so much more dangerous than just a small bag in a car. This is so very wrong.
“Hey.”
His voice is soft, and his breath is warm against the shell of my ear.
It makes me feel something.
It thaws my numb.
And I run.
“Hey!” I yell, and I crash my arms around Dani’s waist.
“What the fuck, Ellie?” she spits, spinning to face me.
“She can’t,” I breathe. The biker looks around and meets my wild gaze.
“I’m fine!” She grabs my hand and wrenches it off, but I wrap it back around her waist just as tight. Because this is my sister. I cannot let her do this.
Ever.
“Let go!” She struggles, but I become a bluebottle. Every part of me is a tentacle wrapped around her, branding her, stopping her from leaving.
The biker turns back toward his bike, and it’s the motivation Dani needs. She bites my arm, her teeth sinking into my skin, not far enough to draw blood though.
That’s what lets me know she doesn’t really want this.
That this is a fight worth fighting after all.
Dani stretches out an arm, her body pulling against my hands still wrapped around her waist. “Stay.”
For a long, long moment, he looks as if he’s going to. Then he shakes his head, huffing out a breath. “Forget about it.”
“No, I can explain, I can ...”
But the roar of his engine cuts her cries off. The angry noise that screams louder than the waves on the beach shore, a symphony of machine that’s far deeper than anything I’ve heard before. The helmet clips closed, and then he flies out of the car park, the heat of the engine leaving mist in the cool night air.
When I let my arms drop from my sister’s waist, her body collapses onto the bitumen. She sobs, these heart-wrenching, soul-destroying sobs that shake her body to the core and rattle my blood in empathy.
“Hey.” I drop to my knees and rub circles on her back, like I’ve done so many times before. Like I did back then. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”
She shudders, her small spine shaking, and then she flings her body up, sending my hand flying. “You do not get to tell me it’s going to be okay,” she spits, her eyes wild like a feral cat. “You promised it’d be okay before, and you know what? It wasn’t.”
Those words.
They cut at my soul. They eat at my heart.
“Because he died, Ellie. He died.” A mad smile warps her features, and for once I don’t see the beauty in my younger sister. For now, she’s just wild, untameable—angry. “Now I’m doing what I have to do. And you may have stopped me this time, but you won’t stop me again.”
My heart hammers. It’s fast and furious and loud, so damn loud, and even as I wrap my arm around her, even when she flings it off once more, it seems to get heavier. I retreat, my body shrinking into itself. How will we make it out of here? How can I take Dani back from the brink?
“Hey.”
It’s a hand on my back.
Warm. Slow.
Calm.
I turn my head and meet Joel’s steady gaze. His eyes aren’t judging—instead, they’re calm. Relaxed. Whole.
“Let’s get you two in the car, okay?” he says the words, and glances at me, then at Dani. He puts his hand underneath her chin, tilting it so they make eye contact. “You gonna come home with us?”
I don’t know if she’s as much under his spell as I am, or if she’d already decided to give up and let it go.
All I know is she stops fighting. I reach out and her body goes limp in my arms, her weight against me.
“Here.” Joel opens the door to the back seat, and Dani bites her lips. She squares her gaze and studies me, and a cool composure twists her lips.
“I’m fine.” She strides to the car and, with the grace of a supermodel, folds herself into the back seat.
I stand there staring, my limbs frozen solid. I can’t tell if it’s the night air or my own heart that’s left me in this state.
I know Joel comes back for me. I see him do it, but my heart isn’t there. My heart is already in the car. My heart is locked up in the back seat.
A warm hand touches my lower back. “You did a good thing, Ellie.”
And it might make me weak. It might mean I’m the least feminist, most pathetic human being known to man, but for right now? His validation is enough.
It’s more than enough. It’s all that matters.
And when I glance up at the stars, I can’t help but hope that my father feels that way, too.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When we get back to my house, Dani stumbles out of the car. I run across the road with her, and help her open the door to her apartment. Zy waits on the couch, his arms folded, a grim expression on his face.
“Where’s she been?” he growls, and I shiver, his words inviting the night air to creep over my skin.
“You really don’t know?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Go to hell,” Dani says to me, then storms down the hall.
Zy stands, and runs his hands through his hair. “Dan, do you need—”
“You too!” Her words are punctuated with the slamming of a door, and the whole building seems to shudder.
“Where was she?” He turns those blue eyes on me, and for the second time tonight I feel shaken to my core.
“I think she was ... She’s doing drugs.”
“Fuck.” Zy runs a hand through his hair and turns away, as if he needs space to digest this news. “Do you think it’s serious?”
I shrug. “No. Probably. Yes.” I shake my head and look out the window at the starry night sky twinkling above us. “I don’t know what serious is when it comes to this kind of thing.”
“I’m gonna sort this out.” Zy’s words are slow and deliberate. “I’m gonna fight this, Eleanor. You have to believe me.”
I want to believe his words so badly. I really do
“Thanks.” I turn to leave. Just as my foot hits the pavement, I hear five quiet words.
I won’t let you down.
***
Joel leans against his car, his ankles crossed, staring at the sky. It’s deep, and dark above us, specks of light glittered through it. His face is serious, so much so that I wonder if this is it for him—if what he’s seen tonight is enough to turn him away for good.
My phone vibrates in my purse, and I quickly pull it out, seeing three new texts from Colin and one from Hope. I shove the phone away and focus on the man in front of me. I’ll deal with them later.
“I’m sorry,” I say as soon as I’m within a few feet of him. Joel looks at me, and I step closer, clenching my hands into fists to stop them from trembling. “I know that you probably think my family is losing it, and that the idea of a future with me is probably so repulsive to you, and my sister is so beautiful, and deep down she’s a good person, but—”
Hot lips mash against mine. Hands tangle in my hair, and he kisses away every word that’s yet to fall from my lips and replaces it with this exquisite, unbridled passion. His tongue demands entrance, and I open my lips and let him because it feels so good to just let go, to embrace this intense desire.
I wrap my arms around him and touch his back, his body firm against mine. He fists a hand in my T-shirt, pulling me closer.
“Joel,”
I breathe. Fire roars through me, and I jump up and wrap my legs around his waist, drawing him as close to my core as I can get. I rub my body against his like a damn cat on heat, but I just can’t stop. I’m so hot for him. My want has become a need.
Fingers race under my shirt, tracing over the lacy bra. My nipples harden into buds beneath his touch, and I shudder as a primal urge roars through me. “Let’s.” Kiss. “Go.” Kiss. “In.” Kiss. “Side.”
“Mm,” Joel agrees, or maybe he just moans. I slide down his body and without breaking lip contact, we move toward the veranda and then to the front door.
“Keys,” I breathe, pulling away to fumble in my purse. My hands shake for an entirely different reason now. I’m a live wire of nerves and tension and sex. And I don’t want this to end.
Finally, metal finds the deadbolt. I turn the lock as Joel places a hand on either side of my head, caging me in with his body. He kisses down my neck, bites at my earlobe, and I tilt my head to the side, desperate for more. My needy body thrills at his touch.
The door falls open and I spin to face Joel again. He reaches for the hem of my shirt and then lifts it over my head, throwing it on the floor behind me. Goosebumps ghost my body and I press closer to him.
“Hey.” Joel reaches for my shoulders and takes a step back. “Let me look at you.”
I lick my lips. I’m not a supermodel. I know I have curves, and that my figure is hardly Dani’s perfect waif.
Joel inspects me in the dim light. The kitchen door has been left open, and a yellow beam casts me in shadow. His eyes start at my feet and run up my legs, lingering over my chest. He swallows, and his Adam’s apple bobs up and down.
“Ellie,” he says on a whisper. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
That’s all it takes.
I launch at him and our lips meet in a passionate frenzy once more. His hand finds the back of my bra, and—
“Well it does look like I’m interrupting.”
Oh. My. God.
My heart stops.
Then it decides to jump ship and relocate to my throat.
Joel freezes, and when I open my eyes I see his bright blues blaring into mine.
“Colin.” I manage to say, despite the fact that I’m dying a million embarrassing deaths on the inside.
“Ellie. I didn’t realise you were coming home with company. Or that you had a boyfriend.”
I pull back and mouth sorry to Joel, then turn and with what I hope is ninja speed, grab my shirt up off the floor, spinning away to put it on.
Colin stands in front of me, his lips puckered, a frown creasing his forehead. Behind him, Hope rushes into the room, her eyes wide.
“I’m sorry,” she says, and purses her lips. “I tried to call. I thought you weren’t bringing ...”
Our conversation from earlier races through my mind. “My phone was on silent.” The words are lead weights. “What are you doing here, Colin?”
He has the grace to look embarrassed, and studies the floor before raising his head in an answer. “Hope was kind enough to let me use your bathroom. I just stopped by to give you these.” He points to wo boxes labelled Sauvignon Blanc sitting by the front door. “They’re for your deliveries next week. I know your mum has that big function Wednesday, so I wanted to get in early. I didn’t realise you’d be ...”
“It’s fine.”
“Okay, well ... can I have a quick word?” Colin jerks his head toward the kitchen. I nod and walk ahead of him, leaving Joel and Hope in the lounge room together.
Colin leans up against the chipped blue cupboard that lines the wall. He folds his arms across his chest. “I’m worried about your sister.”
His words open a floodgate of emotion inside me. “Really?” I step closer. “Me too.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “It’s probably nothing, but I think she’s involved in some dangerous things.”
It’s all the confirmation I need. “Let’s talk to Mum—”
“No.” He pushes off the counter and steps closer to me. “We don’t want to worry your mum. Not when she’s got this big event on Wednesday.”
“So we should wait?”
“We should be there for her, kid.” Colin places a hand on my arm and squeezes. It’s an innocent enough gesture, but my skin prickles under his touch. The last few weeks, he’s definitely become a little more touchy-feely than usual. “She’s lucky she has you.”
“Okay, well, good to know you know. Maybe we can chat to Mum next week.” I step backward and Colin’s hand drops as I paste a fake smile upon my face. On the one hand, he’s a nice guy who’s clearly concerned for my sister. On the other, he keeps doing these things that make my insides turn.
I walk back out into the lounge room, Colin thumping behind. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“Any time,” he says, then turns to Joel. “It was nice to meet you. You know, I don’t think Ellie has had a boyfriend in—”
“Colin!” I protest. We haven’t had the talk yet. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“He’s not?” he says.
“Aren’t I?”
Slowly, I swivel on my heel to face Joel. “We haven’t really had that talk ...”
“I’ll leave you to it, then.” Colin gives me a less-than-subtle wink and walks outside. I follow him and pull the door closed behind us, protecting Hope and Joel from the rest of the conversation.
“So the fundraiser on Wednesday, then we talk to her. Yes?” I lean in, anxious for confirmation that this is a problem with a very clear solution.
“Eleanor.” Colin wraps his arms around me. The scent of strawberries chokes me. Each breath is harder and harder to suck in as he squeezes tight.
Finally, he relaxes his grip, and I step back. His hands trail around my body and—
They brush over my breasts. Just the sides, but still. It’s not a natural place for his hands to fall. Memories of his recent too-friendly gestures play in vivid colour through my mind. I wrap my arms over my chest. “What the hell?”
He cocks his head to the side, a frown creasing his brow. “What are you talking about?”
“You just touched ...” I search for words to fill the blank.
“We hugged, Eleanor. Nothing more.” He coughs a laugh, then shakes his head. “Have you been drinking?”
I step back. Did I imagine it? My knees are unsteady beneath me. Part of me, the old Ellie, the one who’d never rock the boat—she wants to ignore this, to let it go. To look on the positive side and give him the benefit of the doubt.
The girl Joel sees, though? The one he thinks is something better than she allows herself to be?
She’s not having a bar of it.
“Get the hell out of here.” I point to the street.
“Ellie, what—”
“Now,” I seethe. My hand wobbles the slightest bit. Mum’s face flashes in my mind. She is going to kill me for this.
Colin stiffens and takes a step backward. “You are overreacting, young lady.” He shakes his head and turns to the street. “Your mother will be hearing about this.”
For the briefest moment, fear wraps my heart in its icy talons. Then I set my jaw and roll my shoulders back. It’s one small aspect of my life I’m taking control over. “Good. I can’t wait to tell her my version of events.”
I stamp my hands on my hips. When Colin reaches the driveway, he turns back to me. “There’s still time to apologise, Ellie.”
I turn and reach for the door to the house. “Yeah, there is. I’ll be waiting.”
Pulling the door open, I step inside. My hands tremble, adrenaline pumping through me. Joel glances up at me from the red velvet sofa.
“Are you okay?”
Slowly, I nod. “Yeah,” I breathe. “I think I am.”
I walk over and collapse onto the couch next to him. My heart thuds double time in my chest, and sweat sticks my arms to my sides. This whole night is so surreal. Dani. Joel. And now ... this.
“Did something happen
out there?” Joel asks, concern knotting his hands together. “You seem stressed.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I shake my head. “I’m just worried about my sister, I guess. That’s what Colin came here for.” Or did he?
“Does everyone always treat you like that?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Like what?”
“Like you’re your sister’s keeper. Her babysitter. She’s a grown woman.” Joel touches my arm, and even though his hand is warm, it sends shivers through me.
“I know.” I shake my head. “It’s complicated. You saw her tonight. She needs someone to look after her, and that someone is me.”
“Tell me this, then.” This time Joel leans close, so close his warm breath ghosts over my lips. “Why didn’t Colin go next door instead of coming here?”
“I ...” I work my mouth like a goldfish. “I ... don’t know.”
And I don’t. The only answer that comes to mind is because maybe he was after something else.
“Maybe you need to give Dani the chance to swim on her own. To be her sister—not just her keeper,” he says.
“Ha.” I bark out a laugh. “I can’t just let her sink.”
“Maybe she’ll surprise you.” Joel tilts his head to the side. “Maybe she’ll swim.”
I rest my head back on the couch and stare up at the white roof, the ornate latticework in the corners. My brain is working a million miles an hour. I need to speak to Mum. No. I need to quit my job. I need to—
“When do you wanna hang out again?” Joel asks, shifting his weight to the side.
I need to let this man in.
“I have this thing for Mum on Wednesday,” I finally say, thinking of the Cancer Australia event.
“I’m working then anyway,” Joel says, and I cock my head.
“Working?” I smile and poke at his chest. “I thought you worked for some corporation. Are they open late at night?”
“Sometimes.” Darkness flashes over Joel’s features. He cups my face with his hand. “I can’t concentrate when I’m falling for you, Ellie.” He leans close, and the fresh scents of pine and sandalwood hit me.
All the worry in my life melts away with those words, and I lean closer to him, revelling in this moment.
The Twenty-One (Emerald Cove #2) Page 10