CHAPTER FOURTEEN

AMBER

 

WHEN I WOKE up, I felt like shit. Michael sat on a chair outside my bedroom door; he looked like he had a good eight hours of sleep. He greeted me cheerfully. I only managed to grunt back. I needed a cup of tea before I started to function like a normal human being. The silence around the house really felt peaceful. I didn’t complain, as the constant chatter and movements of people in the house would get to anyone eventually.

I searched each room I passed. When I reached the kitchen, I sat down with disappointment heavy on my shoulders. I was looking for him, for Emmett. I needed to stop this.

 

***

I did a little more exploring after I drank my tea. Michael trailed behind me. I didn’t mind his presence today, but Matthew lingered around the house, and I had caught his eye a few times, making me feel uncomfortable. I think he was watching me.

As I entered the room, a dazzlingly blue indoor swimming pool spanned out amongst pristine marble tiles. I was stunned. It was beautiful. I let out a long whistle. “This place has its own pool?”

Michael grinned, relaxing. “You getting in, Amber?”

I sauntered around the pool, glancing at him over my shoulder. “Are you?” I asked, and he smiled.

“I have to go where you go.”

I rolled my eyes as I slipped off boots and socks. Sitting down on the edge of the pool, I dangled my feet in. The water was heated, and it had a rhythm to it that lapped against my feet, like the movement of water at the beach. I wondered if Emmett had put in this feature intentionally. Did it mean he liked the beach? I needed to stop thinking about him. “Do you know what I would love right now, Michael?” I asked as he moved closer still smiling, still hopeful. “Space. Time alone. Could you please wait outside the pool area so I can go for a swim?” 

“You don’t have any swimwear.” And I doubted Emmett had stocked some for me, during the chaos to get me here. I stared at Michael without answering and color entered his cheeks. “Are you going nude?” he asked, even as his cheeks darkened.

I laughed, like really laughed. “No I’m not,” I said and did something I hadn't intended to do. I dived into the pool fully clothed. I swam to the end of the pool. I felt such freedom in it.

When I came up for air, Michael still stood where I had left him. “You’re not right in the head,” he said, while pointing to his own head. I laughed again, before swimming another length in my clothes. Now the jeans and sweater didn’t feel as free as they first had, I wanted to strip down, but I couldn’t do that with Michael standing watch.

When I returned for air, I was surprised to find Michael gone. He had given me the space that I had asked for. The jeans clung to me like a second skin, but I finally managed to pull them off while standing in the water. I tossed them and my sweater out of the pool. I always found freedom and peace in water. The beach was my favorite place to go. I loved swimming in the sea and had spent many happy days there. I hadn’t gone back in a long time. I think I was afraid to be happy, in case it was taken away again. I pushed my body harder, freeing myself from my thoughts and focused on each stroke, the swell of my lungs, how the water parted for me. I stayed in that zone for a while.

A lone figure appeared just as I broke through the water and grabbed the ledge, panting from the exercise and eyeing the unwelcome visitor suspiciously. Matthew kneeled down smiling at me, holding a towel. My initial reaction to push back and swim away kicked in, but I didn’t move. “You’re a great swimmer,” Matthew smiled.

I didn’t pretend. “What do you want?” I quickly looked at the door for Michael, and Matthew followed my gaze.

“I told him to take a break, that I would keep an eye on you,” he said.

“And is that what you are going to do, Matthew? Keep an eye on me?” My heart pounded. He could use the towel to strangle me or hold me down under the water. I knew I could out-swim him, but I didn't think I would be a match for his strength.  

“I know we got off on the wrong foot, Amber, and for that, I’m sorry. But I know what you mean to Emmett, and he is like a son to me. I just want us to get along.” I would have laughed, but fear of this man had me nodding. “Amber, I can see you don’t want to, but you don’t have to fear me. I would never hurt you.” This time, I couldn’t stop the disbelief that crossed my face. His hand touched my joined hands, and it took everything for me not to move. “I saved you from those monsters, Amber.” If he knew I knew, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

“I know, Matthew, and thank you for that,” Goosebumps broke out all over my exposed skin; but the cold air in the pool wasn't the cause of the goosebumps. 

“I know you know about Liam, but it isn’t what you think. Emmett knows what happened. I can’t say any more than that.” Matthew looked at me like he was letting me in on a secret, as if this knowledge made me part of the group. He smiled now, and all the milk spots that coated his forehead and cheeks stood out more, his hand still covered mine and he patted it. “I’m sorry for what they did.”

I shivered now at the memory. “I’m glad it’s over,” I said carefully, playing my role as I looked back up at Matthew, who watched me carefully and closely. I moved to push back into the water but Matthew’s hold on my hand held me still.

“So we're good?” he asked with a smile.

I smiled back. “Yeah, we are.” We both smiled at one another. He had to have known I wasn’t buying his shit, no more than he was buying mine. When I pushed back this time, he let go. Relieved, I swam backways, watching him, he left the towel on the side of the pool and left. Once the door closed, I moved to the side and tried to slow down my racing heart. If I didn’t get out of this place soon, I would die. I could feel it in my bones.

I left the pool, picking up my clothes and passing the towel that Matthew had left for me. I left the pool area in search of Michael. I really couldn’t be left unattended; Matthew’s unnerving visit had reminded me of that.  I entered the large kitchen, and everyone stopped talking as they looked at me. A few raised eyebrows, and some smiles made me remember that I stood in my underwear, soaking wet.

Mandy nearly spat out her tea. “Jesus Amber, what happened to you? You’re soaking wet,” she added, stating the obvious.

“I went for a swim, anyone seen Michael?” I held the clothes a little tighter to myself, feeling really exposed now.

JP had been smiling, but now stopped. “Let’s get you a towel,” he said, sounding worried and somewhat panicked. Calm down sunshine, I thought. Everyone had grown way too serious. 

“Seriously I just went for a swim. I’ll find Michael myself.” I turned to leave and slammed into a solid chest. His smell had my cheeks reddening. I didn’t look up at him; my mind tried to sort through what I was feeling. The raw emotions that I knew he would see if I did look up at him kept my head down. I felt like the world was holding its breath as a towel was draped over my shoulders.

I looked back at JP. He looked from me to Emmett, who hadn’t spoken. My hands brushed his chest as I pulled the towel tight around myself before my eyes travelled from his chest to his eyes, my stomach erupted. The blue was like ice; once again I couldn’t get a read on him. I swallowed my emotions, so many of them. I took a small step back trying to put space between us. I felt like I just needed fresh air. Right now, all I could smell was Emmett’s aftershave filling my lungs. I shivered, this time from the cold that came with the loss of his warmth.

“I better get dressed,” I said. He still hadn’t said a word, and the silence behind me was making this more awkward. I moved around Emmett, but his fingers tightened on my forearm that was covered by the towel, yet his touch still felt like fire.

“What were you doing?” His voice startled me. It sounded different, deeper.

“Swimming.” I stated, as if it were obvious.

“In your clothes?” His words were accompanied with the slightest smile that had me nearly flipping my shit, but a stupid-ass smile spread across my face without my permission.

“Yeah, I like swimming.” I admitted. Emmett looked pointedly over my head at the nosy lot behind us. Noise erupted behind us, and instead of giving me the relief I thought I would feel, it just made this moment with Emmett more intimate.

“In your clothes,” Emmett said again.

“I do prefer a swimsuit. But I was too lazy to go into town and get one.” My words had his face turn to stone.

“Don’t even think about leaving, Amber, it’s too dangerous.” His fingers were heavy on my arm now.

“Jesus, calm down. It was meant to be a joke. You know what normal people do?” Why the fuck was I so angry? He was confusing me, and I didn’t like it. I yanked away angrily and slipped on a puddle of water that had pooled under me. Emmett caught me, and I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled as he held me steady.

“I’m sorry.”

I looked at Emmett, searching his face. “For what?” I asked. For dragging me into this shit, I thought.

“For not getting your joke.” He was so serious, and I found myself laughing. That’s what he was sorry for? “You find me funny?” He asked sounding amused, almost playful.

“Yeah you’re a real hoot, Emmett,” I told him.

 

EMMETT

Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkled playfully, and she looked at me like no one ever had. She was so...alive. I wanted to kiss her in that moment. I didn’t care that we were still being watched. I didn’t want the conversation to stop, but I also didn’t like how everyone was getting an eyeful.

“Yeah, comedy is one of my talents.” She laughed again, and I watched as she covered her mouth. She did that every time she laughed. I watched as small crinkles appeared at the side of her eyes, beautiful dimples appeared also, and when she opened her eyes, they sparkled. “You shouldn’t hide your smile,” I told her.

It was beautiful. She was beautiful.

I loved studying her, but every time she noticed, she grew serious. She would either get smart and pull me up or grow shy.

This time, she went for smart. “I had braces when I was younger for like two years. So, it’s a habit. And, if we are on the topic of smiling, you should just smile more. Like, I think you have smiled three times since I met you."

“You’ve been keeping count?” Her blush was the answer. “Well, I best work on that, then,” I told her, and I was delighted to see surprise light up her eyes.