CHAPTER NINETEEN
Chris
I hated being away from her for the night. I managed to sneak away to visit for a bit on the pretense of saying hello to the family. Everyone insisted that I hurry home for dinner and I honored that reluctantly as I took one last look at Ellie on the couch. She looked happy there and Miller’s family loved her.
Her eyes were on mine as I closed the door, preparing for the short walk home. My family was there along with Bonnie, the woman that Devin wanted me to meet. She was brunette and my age. In a different time, she’d be great for me with her beauty and sharp intelligence. I was civil to her but her subtle flirting went to waste as I saw the light fade from her espresso colored eyes.
Devin and his wife Taylor watched curiously as we chatted. They had high hopes for this but his eyes darkened when Bonnie moved to the kitchen for more wine. Taylor squeezed his hand and followed her as I shrugged at my brother.
He brought his beer to sit beside me and I prepared myself for his words.
“What’s up with you? She’s a great girl,” Devin told me in a low voice as I pictured Ellie in my mind.
“Yeah, I know. She’s gorgeous, but it’s not time yet.” I argued as he sipped his bottle. “I was supposed to marry her, Dev. That isn’t something you snap back from.”
“Okay. I get it. I just want to see you happy.” He smiled at me.
“Not everyone is as lucky as you are, brother.” He chuckled and nodded in agreement as I felt the tense moment fade. If anyone would be able to see through me, it would be Devin. He was my other best friend in life, making me hate the fact that I had to hide Ellie from him.
Once everyone retired for the night in anticipation of the following busy day, I stared at my ceiling with the TV on. I sent Ellie a text and waited for something back, but it never came. I wondered if she was with Miller and the idea made me crazy until I controlled it. We should have stayed at one of the condos so we could all be together. Nobody would understand that, given the amount of time that we’d been gone.
I fell asleep waiting for a text back, waking up to the sound of voices in the hallway. I glanced at my clock to see that it was just after six, cursing and rolling to my side.
“Too fucking early.” I knew that Mom was always up early for this and that a lot of family members would be coming over. The meal would be worth it but I was tired and longing for Ellie right now. I wanted to bury myself inside of her that way that I did most mornings. I had to settle for more sleep and hid under the blankets as I closed my eyes again. I woke up again at nine and sighed as I considered staying in bed. I threw the covers back to shower, dressing in worn jeans and a thick gray Henley. I pulled some socks on and headed downstairs to the kitchen to find Mom and Taylor busy with food preparation. I poured some coffee and got out of their way as I walked into the living room to find Devin and Dad drinking their own.
“Morning,” Dad greeted me with a smile as I sat down in the recliner.
“Morning. Dad. Devin.” I sipped the hot liquid needing that and so much more today. “It looks busy in there.”
“Every Thanksgiving,” Dad remarked proudly as I forced myself to focus on the tradition of it. I always loved holidays here and while my ex was with me last year, she was gone now. I couldn’t bring Ellie into this like I wanted, at least not yet. “The rest of the family should be arriving soon with even more food. Didn’t you say a friend came with you?”
“Ellie. She’s at Miller’s helping with food today. Monica recruited her immediately. She’ll be by to meet you guys,” I kept my voice light as Devin looked over at me. I knew that he was trying to read between the lines and hoped that I gave nothing away.
“How did you meet her?” Dad asked as I narrowed my eyes in thought.
“I think at the local store. She’s staying in her own family cabin to get some peace and we got along well. We’ve helped her with some smaller stuff around her place and she’s cooked for us. It’s worked out well.” I sipped my coffee again and imagined that first night with Ellie.
“She’s not with her own family?” Devin asked as I swallowed the steaming liquid.
“Her parents died. She inherited the cabin from them and said it reminds her of the past. It’s sad to see.” I lied as my brother and father exchanged a long look.
“That is sad.” Dad agreed as I nodded. We started talking about the games that were on today and I enjoyed the lighter topics as I leaned back in my chair. Everyone started to arrive and hugs and warm greeting were exchanged. I settled into the situation, accepting it for what it was.
I checked my phone later that day to find a message from Ellie. She wanted to say hi, and I replied with an invitation to stop in. My heart skipped a beat as she agreed and I slipped the device back into my pocket. I walked downstairs and heard the doorbell, glancing around before I answered it. I opened the door to see blue eyes and red hair and smiled.
“Hey,” Ellie said as I took her in slowly. I remembered where I was and opened the door, inviting her in. Ellie nodded and walked in, taking a look around as family members looked over. Ellie was wearing a pair of soft black leggings and a burgundy sweater. She looked beautiful and my mom came over to greet her during a quick break from cooking.
“Mom. This my friend Ellie, the one I told you about.” I told her as a reminder as Mom smiled and reached out to hug her. Ellie widened her eyes and embraced her as I smiled softly. Ellie met everyone over the next several minutes and a glass of wine was placed into her hands as she shot me a look. She looked overwhelmed but happy as she smiled and shook my aunt’s hand. We had a moment in front of the fire and she searched my face.
“Did you meet her?” Ellie whispered as I frowned.
“Her?” It occurred to me that she meant Bonnie and I laughed a little.
“It didn’t go well. She left last night and went back to her family’s house.” Ellie looked relieved, and I realized that she was jealous. “Did you think that I’d want her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?” There was a knock at the door and we both looked over to see Mom hugging Miller. Fuck. This was it. He nodded at something she said and then looked over at us. Miller nodded and spoke to a few other people on his way across the room, pausing in front of us. We looked silently at one another for a moment before I asked how it was going over at his house.
“His family is great. I was helping with dinner earlier and they welcomed me in so much.” Ellie smiled. “It smells great in here.”
“His mom is a great cook. I think she rivals mine.” Miller said with a warm smile.
“How are the festivities going at your house, Miller?’ Devin approached us and shook hands with my best friend.
“You know. Millions of family members and enough food cooking for an army. Kind of like it is over here.” Miller smiled warmly at my brother and Devin chuckled before he looked at Ellie. They had met, but it was brief.
“How are you enjoying it? Ellie, is it?” Devin asked with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
“They’re so nice. I appreciate both of them for inviting me since I lost my family a couple of years ago.” Her smile was sad and convincing as she looked at Devin. Ellie was playing this to the hilt. Though she did lose her family in a different way, which might make her equally regretful.
“I’m sorry about that. I forgot about Chris telling me about it. Sorry.” Devin apologized to her as Ellie shrugged.
“It’s okay. Life happens.” Mom came out of the kitchen to tell everyone to take their seats. The food was being taken to the table and Ellie looked at Miller. “Oh. I suppose we should go.”
“Stay if you’d like. Monica serves her dinner in about an hour if memory serves me.” Mom said as Miller nodded. “Eat some here and there. Miller has been doing that for years.”
We found three places at the table as Ellie asked if Monica would mind.
“I have been doing this for years. That wasn’t a joke. She’ll be fine and I can eat at both places.” Miller chuckled as I grinned. My aunt prayed for the meal and everyone started filling their plates and handing dishes around the long table. Ellie was in between us and my free hand slipped over her thigh as we waited for food. I touched a hand and looked into Miller’s face as something passed between the three of us. I had to push it down, letting go as the potatoes made their way to us. I scooped them on my plate and did the same with everything else as Miller and Ellie followed my lead. She was shy about her portions but once it was all said and done, Ellie had a lot of food. She took a fork full of Brussel sprouts and moaned in delight. Everyone chatted around the table, together and on their own in pairs as she ate and watched.
There was a tension in the air but it was washed away through the laughter and chatter. We felt it but it seemed like everyone else was caught up in their own lives. We were good for the moment but I wished that we weren’t deep down.