CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Emery

I left that morning when the sun was barely rising. I knew that Sebastian did nothing wrong in sleeping with someone else. I knew that, but it hurt that he did it so quickly after me. It started as an auction to me but ended up being something that changed my life.

I got through the week working and finished packing for the trip. I was numb, and Mollie told me that I should give him another chance. I didn’t understand what it was like to be single now. I knew she was right, but it still hurt, maybe more so now that I knew what our connection was. The fact that our parents were married told me to end things anyway, so walking out on him after his admission wasn’t awful. He would know that, and everything would work out. The holidays weren’t for a few months and everything would settle by then. We’d be fine.

I told myself that every night when I cried myself to sleep. I didn’t think it was possible to care for someone so quickly, but I did. I missed him.

I loaded up the car Saturday morning with Mollie’s help. It was just a few boxes and some clothes, but it felt like I was leaving so much behind.

“Am I doing the right thing?” I asked Mollie when everything was locked inside, and the key had been returned to my landlord.

“Moving to Boston or leaving Sebastian?” She pressed as I looked at her.

“A bit of both. Mom is going to be all over me and I’m starting a new job. I don’t even know Phil that well if at all.” I sighed. “Sebastian will be fine. This would have ended sooner rather than later.”

“You’re going to see him, eventually. There’s no avoiding that.” Her eyes were sharp, and I nodded.

“Things will be fine by then.” I hugged her like I was leaving the country, holding her tight. “I am going to miss you.”

“You’re not that far. I am coming up there for a job next weekend and we’re going to hang out.” She squeezed me. “Call me when you’re settled in.”

I made the drive trying to sing to the radio and pretend I wasn’t heartbroken. I told myself that we’d be okay when Sebastian visited his dad, or I might see him in the city.

I told myself that he’d fill the void with another woman if he hadn’t already.

I told myself so many things to make me feel better as I drove into Boston. I was starting a new life here and working at an amazing clinic. I’d get to spend some time with my mom and learn the best places in a beautiful city.

I wanted to think that I might meet a nice man and start a relationship, a healthy one. Why did I think of Sebastian when I pictured that future? He was just helping a charity and got my virginity in the process. He didn’t want more… did he?

Tears slid down my cheeks and I wiped them away with one hand. This was like the plot of a bad romance novel and I gripped the steering wheel tightly. I needed to pull it together before I got to the house and I breathed in and out several times.

I pulled into the first gate, then the second. Parking near the front door, I looked up at the house and took it all in. I could get a place in a while using the money that I got from the auction to furnish it and get the upfront cost out of the way. This would all work out.

Mom bounced out of the house as I got out of the car, ready to help. I hugged her, and she exclaimed how happy she was that I was here. When we pulled apart. She looked closely at me.

“Are you okay?” Her voice was worried, and I forced a laugh.

“I got a little sappy leaving Mollie,” I lied, and she nodded. “She’s going to be here next weekend and we’ll hang out. There’s a lot to do here.”

“There is, Em. I am so glad that you’re here.” We unloaded the boxes and took them into the room that I slept in last time I was here.

Fantastic.

It was a large room with some space for the boxes until I decided what I wanted to do. I put my clothes away with the ones that she already had here and tried to think positive thoughts. My phone was in my purse and I heard it chime, signaling a text. I walked over to get it, seeing something from Sebastian.

S: Are you in Boston already?

E: I am.

I knew that I had to tell him something.

S: I am coming tonight and we’re going to talk.

E: Please don’t. I’ll see you next time I am in New York, Sebastian.

I waited for a response and set the phone down when there was nothing. I finished getting my clothes put away and added some of my things to the room for a personal touch. I put a collage photo of me and Mollie, my salt lamp that I bought before moving here, and my Bluetooth speaker. I looked around with a small smile before glancing towards my phone.

“Emery?” I looked up when I heard Mom. “Phil wants to take us to dinner to celebrate your arrival. How does that sound?”

“Great,” I replied as she looked around.

“If you were planning to stay, I’d suggest fixing it up the way you want.” Mom left my childhood home behind in New York, though it was only a rental.

“It’s beautiful, Mom.” The room was large with cream colored walls and pale pink curtains. It had a window seat and attached bathroom, the one that joined the room that Sebastian slept in when he was here. I smiled at the memory of him pinning me to the tiles and fucking me before I blinked it away. “You’ve done a great job with this place.”

“It’s such a big house but Phil loves it. I just made the best of it.” We’d lived in a little townhouse together and I had great memories there.

We went to the living room and chatted until Phil arrived home. He changed and drove us into Boston for dinner at a five-star steak house, where we ate and clinked glasses of wine together in a toast. It was nice.

When we headed back to the house, I noticed that Sebastian’s car was in the driveway. I froze in the back seat and Phil pulled into the garage, telling Mom that he wasn’t expecting his son. We walked into the kitchen to see Sebastian drinking a beer in the living room and Phil called out to him.

“If I knew you were coming, I would have held off on dinner.” He walked into the living room and Sebastian glanced up, meeting my eyes.

“It’s okay. I just got here.”

“What brings you here?” Phil asked as he took a seat on the couch. Mom followed suit, and I joined her, terrified of what he was going to do.

“I came here for Emery, Dad.” Surprise crossed Phil’s face. “We met in New York and didn’t know that we were somewhat related. It was new, and I let her walk away from me because of that. I can’t keep doing that to protect you and Laura. We just started dating a little while ago, but there is something right about this. I’d like to keep trying, as long as I have your blessing.” He looked at Mom as my mouth dropped open.

“I… well, you’re not related. I guess we can’t protest but Emery is…” I stepped forward as I realized what she was going to say.

“Mom, it’s okay. I’m okay and we’re okay.” I stared at him as he grinned at me.

They went to bed later that night even though Mom was twitching on the couch beside Phil. Sebastian led me to my room, and we walked in as I stared at him.

“You are insane,” I told him as he smiled at me. “What are we doing here?”

“I’d like to date. Exclusively. We had an odd start and I just want to get to know you.” He reached for my hand, squeezing it.

“What happens in the future?” I asked as he shrugged.

“We’ll play it by year. For now, we’ll visit each other in our respective cities. We’ll have fun and talk. You can tell me about your dad and I’ll tell you about my mom. We can watch our own parents be happy together and know that there is nothing wrong with this.” I laughed. “I’ll fuck you harder in New York than I will here. When we’re here, we’ll be quiet.”

“Oh, God.” I pressed a hand to my forehead as he laughed.

“We will try to take it out of this house.” He pressed a chaste kiss to my lips and looked around.