“That’s not the reason, Em, and you know it. Have you visited Mom’s, Dad’s and Emily’s graves yet?”

“That’s none of your business,” I spoke through gritted teeth.

“You haven’t.” He shook his head and looked at Alex. “Did she tell you that she never visited their graves, ever?!”

“No. I wasn’t aware of that,” Alex responded.

“You buried them when I was lying in a hospital bed fighting for my life,” I yelled.

“I had no choice! It had to be done and I didn’t know if you would ever wake up. Do you have any idea how hard it was to bury three members of my family at the same time and to maybe have to bury a fourth? Do you even care how I felt?!”

“I know that must have been hard on you and I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? I had to take a year off of college to take care of you. I sat by your bedside every fucking day begging you to wake up because the thought of losing the only person I had left killed me. Then, when you finally woke up, I took care of you. I was there for you every night while you cried yourself to sleep and asked God why he didn’t just take you. I supported you and provided for you so you could get better and move on with your life. And what’s the first thing you do? You take off and leave me here alone. You weren’t the only one who lost Mom, Dad, and Emily! I lost them too! They were just as much my family as they were yours! I needed you here for support and you didn’t care.”

“I never asked you to take care of me,” I cried.

“You didn’t have to. You’re my sister and I’m your brother. It was my obligation to our parents and sister to make sure you came through everything that happened okay. But I failed the day you walked out that door and never looked back. Because you know what, Em? You’re not okay and you won’t be until you accept their deaths.”

“I have accepted it!” I screamed.

Alex got up from his chair and attempted to wrap his arms around me. I pushed him away. “Don’t.”

“If you accepted it, then why haven’t you gone to their graves? Why do you keep running from this place? You had just as many good memories here as bad. Shit happens, Em. People die. It’s life. I lost you too that day and I’m sorry that I couldn’t bring you back.”

I fell to my knees because I couldn’t take it anymore, and it was at that moment that I realized my brother’s anger and attitude were because he felt as if he’d failed me. In reality, though, I was the one who had failed him.

“Adam, I’m—”

“Save it, Em. I need you to sign these papers.” He threw them on the table. “I lied to you. You have money left, and as soon as you sign those papers, it’s all yours. I am no longer responsible for your finances. I wanted you to see that it was time for you to settle down and stop running from the past. But obviously, you aren’t ever going to stop running until something happens to you and I won’t be there to pick up the pieces.” He turned and walked out of the living room. A few moments later, the slamming of the front door startled me.

I sat on the floor, crying and enraged by everything that had just happened. Alex walked over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Emerson.”

“Don’t touch me!” I yelled as I stood up. “You lost that right when you shut me out this past week.”

“Calm down.” He grabbed my arms and pulled me into him, holding me so tight that I could barely breathe.

I tried to loosen myself from his grip, but couldn’t. Finally, I gave up and just sank to the ground with him as I held on to him for dear life.

****

Alex

Seeing her in so much pain broke my heart into a million pieces. She needed me and I was going to be there for her. I put all my thoughts and the shit that had happened aside because I loved her and I was going to see that she got through this. I picked her up and carried her to her bedroom. As I gently laid her on the bed, she grabbed my hand.

“Please stay,” she begged.

“Of course.”

I climbed in next to her and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t want to talk and I respected that. She didn’t want to be alone and I didn’t want to leave her alone. After falling asleep for a couple of hours, I awoke to Emerson coming out of the bathroom in her nightshirt.

“How are you?” I asked as I sat up.

“I don’t know. God, Alex, so much shit was revealed tonight. Things Adam never told me.”

“I know.” I held out my hand to her.

She placed her hand in mine and crawled back into bed.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

“Kind of. You?”

“Yeah. I am. How about a pizza?”

She gave me a small smile. “Sounds good.”

We walked to the kitchen and I placed the order for the pizza while Emerson poured us each a glass of wine. Her eyes were swollen and she looked tired. I just wanted to whisk her away from all of this. I saw Emerson’s point, but I also understood Adam’s. We took a seat outside on the patio.

“How do you feel about Adam lying to you about your money situation?”

She looked up at me with her sad eyes. “I’m mad, but I get why he did it.”

“He wants his sister back, Em.”

She gave me a small smile. “That’s the first time you’ve called me that.”

“It is. Isn’t it?” I tilted my head at her.

I heard the doorbell ring and, when I got up, Emerson took hold of my hand.

“Bring the pizza down to the beach. I want to eat down there by the water.”

“In the sand?” I arched my brow.

“Yeah. In the sand.”

I nodded my head and walked inside. After I paid for the pizza, I took the box down to the beach and sat down next to Emerson, handing her a slice of pizza.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier,” she spoke.

“Don’t apologize. You were stressed out and upset.”

“I shouldn’t have said that to you.”

I chuckled. “There were a lot of things you never should have said to me. Like, you were going to break my balls.”

She laughed. “I apologized to you for saying that.”

“You did, but you also said you wouldn’t hesitate to say it again.” I smiled as I shoulder bumped her.

“Have you ever really listened closely to the ocean?” she asked with seriousness.

“What do you mean? Oh shit!” I dropped my pizza in the sand. “Now see, if were sitting at the table, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Just grab another piece.” She laughed.

Reaching into the box, I grabbed another slice and looked over at her. “What did you mean by that?”

“Just listen for a minute. Do you hear the subtle hissing sound?”

“Actually, I do.” I listened carefully. “Why haven’t you ever visited your parents’ and Emily’s graves?”

“The truth?” She looked over at me.

“Always.”

“Because if I did, it would mean I would have to say goodbye.” She wiped her eye.

I set down my pizza on top of the box and pulled her into me. “Come here.” I softly kissed the top of her head. “You never have to say goodbye, Emerson. You told me that Emily is always with you. She was at Nationals with the dove and in Napa when it rained. You asked for a sign and she gave it to you. Visiting their graves won’t change that.”

“Then why do it?”

“Everyone is different. I visit my father’s grave occasionally and make sure the area is kept up. Plus, I feel closer to him when I’m there.”

“Were you and your father close?”

“Yes, we were, and we grew closer after my mother left. I don’t know. It just gives me a sense of peace. Come on. Let’s go back up to the house. I think you’re going to need to shower since you’re covered in sand. You are only wearing that nightshirt.”

“True. Plus, I’m tired. It’s been a clusterfuck of a day and I’m ready for it to end.”

I helped her up and grabbed the pizza box. Emerson grabbed our glasses and we walked back up to the house.

Chapter 29

Emerson

After setting the glasses on the counter, I walked to my room and Alex followed, walking into the bathroom and starting the shower for me. I took off my nightshirt and stood before him in nothing but my panties. His eyes raked over my body and the need to make love to him intensified. He slowly walked over to me and placed his hand on my cheek while our eyes locked on each other.