Page 38 of Unwrapping Ember
“Too late for that,” Ember smirks, her smile breaking through the tension like dawn breaking through dusk. “I’m already in it. Just promise me you’ll let me help.”
“I promise,” I agree, feeling a surge of warmth radiate from her as I lean in to kiss her again.
This time, the kiss is different—not just electric but filled with urgency—a shared ambition.
We settle into a rhythm of planning; each suggestion we toss back and forth, building upon the last. We spend hours going through my phone, searching for old contacts, texts, and anything that might shed light on the truth. The deeper we delve, the more real this feels—this fight for my vindication, our possible future together.
"You’re incredible, you know that?" I say, unable to hide my admiration.
Ember looks up, her cheeks flushed, and she shrugs with mock nonchalance, though I can tell she’s pleased. “I’m just being who I am. And I’ll always be this way for you. We’ll break down every wall that stands between us, Koda.”
With her by my side, I feel a rush of hope—hope that we can transform this darkness into something illuminating, shedding light on the truth, and reclaiming my life—the life I thought was stripped away by someone else's cruelty.
"We’re going to fix this," I declare, squeezing her hands and holding her gaze as she nods, infectious determination sparking a fire in my chest. "Together."
"Together," she echoes, and in that one word, a world of promise is forged.
nine
Straddle Me in The Snow
Ember
With Christmas just two days away and the snow falling steadily, keeping me snowed in, I’ve come to terms with my situation. For the first time in ages, I feel an unexpected lightness in my heart. As I stroll around the house with a genuine smile—one that doesn’t feel forced—I spot Baine sitting on the back porch, seemingly lost in thought. Curiosity piqued, I slip on my coat and join him.
“Hey, what are you doing out here?” I ask.
He glances up, a smile breaking across his face as he waves a thickly rolled blunt in the air.
“I needed to relax. Want to join?” He pats the snowy spot beside him, and I settle in, leaning my head against his shoulder. “Is everything okay, doll?”
I let out a soft sigh, watching my breath rise and disappear into the chilly air. “I suppose so. I didn’t expect to be away from my parents during Christmas, but after learning about what they did to Koda, honestly, I’d rather not be there.”
He wraps an arm around my back, his fingertips teasingly tracing the side of my body. Surprised, I laugh and swat his hand away. “Hey, cut it out,” I say, though a smile can’t help but bloom on my face.
Baine leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear. “I’m really glad you’re here with me, doll. You don’t need them to have a good Christmas.”
His words wrap around my heart, and I realize he’s right. Perhaps being snowed in isn’t such a bad thing after all. As we sit together, the snowflakes fall softly around us, and a soothing peace washes over me.
“How come you’ve been so quiet since I arrived?” I break the stillness, observing the way his jaw tightens and his eyes remain fixated on the falling snow.
“Just reminiscing... last year around this time, I got divorced. I’m still trying to adjust to being alone.”
“But you’re not alone,” I insist. “You have Koda, Everest, and now you have me.”
He grins, brushing his fingers against my cheek. “As lovely as that sounds, you’re only here for a little while.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, his touch lingering as he traces my dimples with his fingers.
“I can always come visit; my college isn’t too far away.”
“Or you could transfer here... I’m sure the guys would love to have you around.”
The thought of uprooting my life makes my heart race, but curiosity ignites within me. What would it be like to move away and start over?
“That’s definitely something I’d have to think about. But I don’t dislike the idea.” I shift closer, my legs growing numb from the cold.
“Is everything going well at school?”
I shake my head, the truth lingering on my tongue. “No, it’s not.”