Page 6 of Unwrapping Ember
“Yeah, what he said,” Everest chimes in, nudging me playfully. His spicy scent surrounds me, a comforting reminder of the connection we share. “The storm is only going to worsen. You might just find yourself stranded here with us until it blows over.” He winks, mischief dancing behind his crystal blue eyes.
An enveloping silence descends upon us, the howling wind outside and the crackling fire in the fireplace serving as the only soundtrack.
“You mean, stay here with you guys for Christmas?” My heart races at the thought, and I sense the anticipation in the air, knowing that whatever unfolds will only tempt me further than before.
But perhaps this unexpected time with them is exactly what I need to finally shake off the haunting memories of my nightmare and reclaim a sense of peace.
Koda nods slowly, a serious look crossing his face. “You don’t have to go home if you don’t want to. We're family, and we want you here with us. There’s no point in risking your safety on the roads tonight.” His tone is calm, yet there’s an underlying insistence, as if he knows more than he’s letting on about what this storm might mean for me.
I glance at Baine and Everest, their expressions echoing Koda's sentiments. My heart swells at the warmth radiating from my brothers, but I’m also acutely aware of the questions simmering in my mind.Can I really stay here? Can I face whatever that means?
As if sensing my hesitation, Everest leans in slightly, his muscular arm brushing against mine, grounding me in the moment.
“Christmas here means big dinners, late-night games, and maybe even some adult fun.” He grins, and I remember the laughter that always erupted whenever we hung out; it didn’t matter that I was ten years younger than them—they treated me like I was one of them. “Wouldn’t you rather be doing that than stuck in some lonely house surrounded by family tension?”
His words resonate, stirring a desire within me that I can’t quite suppress. I catch Koda's eyes again, and, for a second, I see the worry shadowing his gaze—a flicker of Protector Mode—my heart swelling.
“Okay, let’s do it,” I finally say, the excitement bubbling up into my voice, quelling the storm of fear that had initially gripped me. “I’m in. I’ll stay for Christmas.”
The room erupts in a chorus of cheers, making me beam with a warmth that had been foreign for far too long. Koda claps me on the back, his grin as wide as I’d seen it in years. “That's the fucking spirit.”
As we dive further into small talk over drinks, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Yet, beneath that warmth, a part of me remains vigilant. Something lingers in the corners of this cozy home. There are pieces of my past that could come rushing back, unexpected and unwelcome. But for now, the laughter surrounds me, blessing me with the reminder that, even in chaos, we can find joy.
As the light dims in the living room and we gather around the fire to reminisce and share our fondest memories of the holidays, I watch Baine and Everest tease Koda about his infamous knitting phase when he’d insisted on making everyone Christmas sweaters. Laughter fills the air, and an easy camaraderie wraps us like a familiar blanket.
“So what are you planning to do while you're here? Any special requests?” Koda asks, nudging me with his shoulder, breaking my reverie.
“Honestly?” I say, biting back a smile. “I’d love to bake cookies and go skating. Oh, and we have to watch Home Alone—all of them.” The mention of the classic films sends a wave of nostalgia rushing over me, and I feel the childlike glee bubbling up within.
“Count me in for all of that, especially the cookies,” Baine says, leaning back with a playful smirk. “I can already promise you I’ll try to sneak the best ones when you're not looking.”
The banter continues, and I relish every moment—the warmth, the laughter, the familiarity—drowning out the chilling memories that have haunted me for too long. Yet deep down, I can’t ignore the nagging feeling that my arrival wasn’t purely coincidental.
In the corner of my mind, shadows whisper reminders of why I left and of the elusive truth behind the gaps in our story. But surrounded by my brothers, wrapped in their laughter and love, I momentarily push those thoughts away, granting myself permission to enjoy this unexpected gift of time together.
The wind howls a little louder outside, shaking the windows just enough to make us all chuckle uneasily. As I observe the warmth in the room, I can’t help but believe that this Christmaswill be the start of healing broken bridges, rekindling buried memories, and ultimately uncovering truths best left not hidden.
With my heart settled for the time being, I nestle deeper into the couch cushions, surrounded by laughter and light, feeling ready to reclaim who I am and forge new memories as the storm rages outside. I had found my way back home, and this time, I wouldn’t let fear guide my steps.
two
Fighting Feelings
Koda
Her presence is fucking impossible to ignore.Utterly impossible. It has been years since I last saw Ember, so her sudden appearance on my doorstep caught me completely off guard—the guys too.
After being warned to stay away from her, I did my best to maintain my distance. I didn’t want her entangled in our world back then, and I don’t want her mixed up in our world now. My friends and I make our living as male dancers, leading a life doused in secrecy, darkness, seduction, and crime. Ember is still unaware of it—completely innocent—and fuck, I still intend to keep it that way.
Seeing her again has stirred up emotions I thought I had tucked away since moving out—excuse me, being kicked out. Now that she’s in my home, resisting the temptation that's seeping into my bones is going to be even more challenging. I know how Everest and Baine feel about her too, which complicates matters even further.
Ember was always the one girl who felt just out of reach—none of us could have her. It wasn't just the age difference; our parents outright forbade it. I was never good enough for her, just a fuck-up in their eyes,and I couldn’t bear the thought of dragging her down with me—at least, that’s what they believed.
Leaving her behind was one of the hardest decisions I ever fucking made, and to this day, I haven’t explained to her why I left. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s forgotten all about it by now, but the thought of her—the sight of her—brings everything rushing back.
I can still picture her laughing in the summer sun, her hair dancing like fire against the breeze. The way she lit up a room without even trying—the way her smile could cut through the darkness of my world like a knife. Yet here she is, standing in my space, and I can feel the tension crackling between us like dry kindling ready to ignite.
As she brushes past me, I inhale her scent—something warm, vanilla, and delicious, and fuck, entirely too inviting, a reminder of everything I tried so hard to forget.