EMERY: HI, ROOMIE. Is it okay if I buy this for the house?

As I head out for the rest of my classes, I stare at the picture Emery texted of a rainbow vase. It's something I normally wouldn't choose to contribute to my decor, especially since my house has always been black and white, but a small part of me is happy that I'll be reminded of her every time I walk through the door.

When I look around the lifeless home, I nod in agreement as if she can see it. Aside from her things in the bathroom where she's supposed to keep them, Emery hasn't left a trace of her existence since she's been staying with me. Her fashion magazines are piled high on her dresser rather than the coffee table in the living room, and she never leaves her shoes or coat by the door. For the longest time, she thought I couldn't stand her, but I don't want her to feel like a stranger here. I want this to be her home, too. Well, for the time being. Certainly not permanently.

Being alone has always been what I've longed for. I love having this place to myself. I used to treasure the silence surrounding me as soon as I stepped through the door, but now...

Emery: Rainbow shadows will dance around the living room when the sun hits it! Isn't that so cool?

Emery: I'm going to take your silence as a no. That's okay. I'm supposed to save to get out of there, not buy stupid things while thrifting. Forget I said anything!

Me: Buy the damn vase, Em. It's fine.

Emery: Really? Are you sure?

Me: I wouldn't have said to buy it if I wasn't sure.

Emery: Buying now!

With a sigh, I place my phone on the kitchen counter and wonder what the hell is wrong with me. I know I've been into Emery for years, I'm not that naive to my feelings, but for whatever reason, I thought having sex with her would get her out of my system.

Little did I realize that touching her, being inside her, living with her? I was kidding myself to think I could ever forget her after crossing that boundary. Now I'm forced to continue to play it casually or end the benefits for good, and I'm definitely not ending this. We'll just have to ensure Liam never finds out about our favorite pastime.

The lock clicks on my front door, and I'm starting to think Emery teleported here until my sister Izzy enters with the spare key I gave her. She strides into the room with nothing but confidence, a smug grin on her face as she looks around. She knows Emery has been living with me, and it's like she wanted to catch me in the act with her. "Hello, Everett," she says mischievously. "I was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by and see you."

I arch a brow. "Really? You work on the opposite side of town on Rodeo Drive. What brings you over here?"

She pops a shoulder. "Do I have to have a reason to see my favorite brother?"

"Connor's gonna kill you when I tell him you said that."

Keeping her smile, she joins me by the island, her heels clattering against the hardwood floor. I don't think I've ever seen my sister not dressed to perfection. Growing up, she was the most popular girl in school, and ninety percent of my friends wanted to drop to their knees and worship her, Liam included before he met Emery. It could have been because of her unruly blonde curls like our mom or the emerald eyes from our father, but truthfully, her beauty stems from her personality.

In every single room she walks into, she lights it up. Izzy buzzes with positive energy and always lives life to the fullest. We rarely got along in high school, but that was because Izzy was the big sister. She protected and looked out for me, and that's why she's the most important person in my life. With our parents being gone more often than not, she was always the one I turned to during tough times, and as we got older, we formed an inseparable bond. 

"Is Emery here?" she asks.

I roll my eyes. "No, she's not. And stop coming in here using your key. Text me from now on."

"Why? Are you afraid I'll interrupt something?"

"No. Quit it with the questions, Iz. Nothing is happening between us."

"Because of Liam? They've been broken up for years. Why is it such a big deal?"

Giving her a pointed glare, I say, "You know just as well as I do how close they were and are. They were together for eight years."

Izzy opens my fridge as if she lives here, grabbing a water bottle and screwing the cap off. "And? They chose to end things for a reason. I'm sure Liam would understand if you just talked to him and—"

"I am not talking to him about this at all. Ever. He cares about Emery more than anyone. If he finds out I'm even remotely interested, our friendship will end. You don't cross certain lines, and dating Emery is one of them. She's on his never list."

"Never list?"

"Yeah, like, the women I'm not allowed to go after because he was into them first."

"I thought you were into her first?"

My jaw clenches as I remember that day in middle school—Emery's first day. We were in the same class during first period, and she came into English wearing a bright-colored sundress that brought the entire room to life. I still remember how breathless I got. I can still picture that braid she wore cascading down her shoulder—how two strands were left out to frame her face.

But then I got to lunch, and Liam called dibs. He saw her the period after, and at the time, I didn't think Emery would have a lingering effect on me, so I let him ask her out the following week, keeping my opinions to myself.

It was the worst mistake of my life.

"Technically, yes, but Liam doesn't know that." I shake my head, frustrated. "None of it matters. She's just staying here to get back on her feet. That's it."

My sister has never been a fool. She can read me like a book, her eyes softening as she scans my face. "You've been in love with her since middle school, Everett," she whispers. "Throughout high school, I would tease you about her because she was the only one to make you feel something. I couldn't get a reaction out of you unless I mentioned her, so I always did it. Partly so I could reassure myself that you still had some feelings inside of you."

My eyes have a rare burning, but I blink it away and stare at the hardwood floors.

"I wish just once you wouldn't be so afraid of getting close to someone. I understand where you're coming from, but if you just let her in, you can allow yourself to be happy finally. It's all I've ever wanted for you, and to see you so close to getting what you've dreamed of for so long..."

It's an effort not to reveal on my face what's thrumming through my head, but I keep my face neutral, despite my heart threatening to burst. Letting someone in is dangerous territory. I know it stems from my dad hardly being around as a kid. I found it hard to trust people because I never knew when they'd leave. Even though my dad would always come back after being gone for months, as a kid, I didn't always understand it, especially when I was young. I still fear he'll decide to play for the league and leave again.

Keeping everyone at arm's length has always been what I'm best at. It's what will keep me safe in the long run.

"I'm fine," I say. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, Iz. I'm a grown man now."

Leaning over to squeeze my forearm, she sends me another smile, but this one doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm always going to worry about you. It's my job. We're family."

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Since Emery started staying with me, I've been cooking more than usual. Before, making meals felt redundant when it was just me staying here. I'd have leftovers I'd never get the chance to eat, so I always resorted to fast food and takeout every night, but now, I enjoy cooking dinner. Spending time with Emery when she gets home from work is something I look forward to.

I'm plating up our dishes of chicken alfredo when she comes barreling through the front door like a tornado of color. She's wearing a bright pink dress that hugs her figure just right, and the wedges on her feet look new. They're ones I purchased her from the wardrobe I filled her closet with, and a smile tugs on my lips to find out she didn't return them after all.

"I had the best time with Lana today!" she says excitedly. The rainbow vase is tucked in her elbow as she awkwardly tries to undo the strap of her wedge with her free hand. She's rattling on and on about the details of her day. Coffee, bookstore, thrifting, and the entire time, I'm hanging onto her every word.

"And it smells so good in here," she continues, kicking off her wedges beside the door. For once, there's a sign of her in here, and I make a mental note to ensure she doesn't bring her shoes up to her room. I like them there. "What'd you make?" She peers over my shoulder to stare at the plates, and I let myself inhale the scent of honey from her hair.

"Chicken Alfredo. Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

I finish dishing up the food with my back still turned to her, and when she claps her hands together excitedly behind me, I glance over my shoulder, my entire body stilling when I do.

The sun is just setting outside, and the sunlight is hitting the vase, coating the entire living room in rainbow shadows, just as she promised it would. But the way the mixture of colors is hitting her tan skin... How she's smiling like a little kid on Christmas... She's glowing, and I don't think I've ever seen her look more beautiful.

Izzy told me to risk letting Emery into my life, but dammit, I'm pretty sure she's already punctured her way in.

Author's Note:

I can't explain to anyone how in love I am with Everett.

He has my whole heart!!

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