Ember

23 - Everything will be alright

Marco

Ember didn’t come out of her room to join us tonight. She seemed upset when she got back to the bus. She made no comment on the gig in Florida. I know a thirteen-hour drive isn’t all that appealing, but we get a break from the rush of life for the next little while.

It’s late, but the boys wanted to celebrate the fact that we have a legitimate record deal. I’m not in the mood for alcohol. I’m not because my mind won’t settle. Something is wrong with Ember. She always joins in with stuff like this, but tonight was just for the band, and I thought Ember would be joining us.

We had an enormous celebratory party for signing the contracts, so we wanted something intimate for the band. Ember always laughs with us, drinks, and even dances around like no one is watching. Shi.t, she’s even competitive on the games console.

So why is tonight different?

What upset Ember so badly that she would hide from us?

The music plays loudly as my friends drink and laugh. But I can’t enjoy myself when my gut tells me that something is wrong with Ember. I need to check on her, and I won’t be able to settle unless I do. I place my beer on the counter and make my way toward Ember’s door.

“Where the fuc.k do you think you’re going?”

I raise my eyebrow at Colin as he blocks my way. “I’m gonna check on Ember, as no one else seems to be bothered to see if she’s okay.”

Colin grits his teeth at me. “I know very well where you’re going and what you want, Marco. You’ve been warned to stay away from Ember.”

I run my tongue over my top teeth and nod my head. “Let’s just get one thing straight. I am not going in there for what you think I am. Ember and I have already spoken, and we’re better as friends.” I laugh and run my hand through my hair. “She’s probably one of the best friends I’ve ever had.”

“Thanks,” Colin huffs.

I chuckle because he’s such a child sometimes. “Ember has no intention of being with me in any way, so you have nothing to worry about, Colin.”

“You’re so fuckin’ blind sometimes, Marco,” I won’t dignify that with an answer. “I’ve seen the way Ember looks at you. We’ve all noticed how she hangs off your every damn word. Ember has been through hell, Marco. It’s too soon for her to fall into bed or in love with you. Her head is messed up,”

I nod because Colin is right. I also meant what I said to Ember; I won’t chase after her when she’s not ready. All I want is to make sure she’s okay.

“Nothing is going on between us, Colin. Ember asked me for friendship, and that’s what I’m providing. I just want to check she’s okay, that’s all.”

Colin nods and walks away from me without another word.

I tap Ember’s door with my knuckles but get no answer. I don’t hear one, at least. She might be asleep, or it could be the loud music. I should walk away, but something tells me to press my ear to the door to make sure, so that’s what I do.

I close my eyes when I hear soft crying coming from inside. I knew something was wrong; I felt it in my gut. I take a deep breath and open the door. I slip inside and sigh when I see Ember in her little shorts and Cami top, curled up in the small bed to the left. Her eyes are closed, but the tears fall over the bridge of her nose.

I waste no time in climbing onto the bed beside Ember. I don’t say anything; I just pull her into my arms, and she comes willingly. Ember’s head rests in the crook of my neck, and she clings to me tightly.

“Shh,” I soothe as she sobs harder.

I don’t know what happened to make Ember so upset; all I know is that it hurts to see her like this. I don’t understand what it is that I’m feeling for this girl, but I do know that I’d take all of this pain away from her if I could.

“It’s okay, Ember, I’m here.”

She doesn’t reply, but she moves even closer to me, and my arms tighten around her slim body. If Ember doesn’t want me to let go all night, then I won’t.

“Marco,” Ember sobs my name softly.

“I’m here, darlin’, and I’m not going anywhere. Tell me what’s got you this upset.”

Ember shakes her head against me. Whatever happened, Ember is not ready to let it out. However, it doesn’t take a genius to work it out.

“Is this about Toby?”

She doesn’t reply, but she doesn’t need to. I’ve been where she is right now, and I know how much it hurts to lose the one you love. It doesn’t make a difference that the love was one-sided; it hurts just the same.

“Whatever he did to hurt you,” I kiss Ember’s head. “Is over now. The pain won’t last forever, baby. I know that’s easy for me to say when I don’t know what happened between you, but I have a pretty good idea. It’s okay to cry for what you’ve lost, Ember. Everything will feel better once you’ve cried it all out.” I don’t say anything for a few minutes as Ember’s sobs quieten.

I feel her wipe her nose on the tissue in her hand. “I’m sorry, Marco,” Her voice is hoarse from crying. “I didn’t mean to bawl all over you.”

“Don’t apologize, Ember. I understand, and I’m here for you, now and always.”

She chuckles softly. “Thank you, I’m always here for you, too. You’re a good friend, Marco. I’d be lost without you right now.” I smile and kiss her head. “Can I ask something of you?”

I run my fingertips softly up and down Ember’s bare arm. “Anything,”

“Will you lay with me tonight? I don’t want to be alone.”

“Of course, I will,”

“Thank you.”

“Go to sleep, Ember, I’m right here with you.” And here is where I’ll stay until Ember asks me to leave.

****

I groan and shake my head at whoever is shaking me. “Marco, wake up, I have a surprise for you.”

I crack one eye open, then both as my brows furrow. I don’t know who the young woman sitting beside me on Ember’s bed is, and I don’t know how she got in here. I do know that she needs to leave before Ember wakes up. I look to the right and find Ember isn’t beside me.

Isn’t that just brilliant?

“Who are you?” I ask while rubbing my left eye with the palm of my hand.

“Breakfast,” The girl licks her lips and slips her shirt off, revealing her naked breasts.

“Whoa!” I hold my hands up while pulling myself back against the wooden headboard. “Put your top back on and leave.”

“Don’t you want this?” She grabs my hand and holds it against her large breast.

I instantly snatch my hand away. “Are you insane? Do you even know whose room you’re in?”

The leggy blonde giggles while twirling her hair around her finger. “Sure, Bob told me. He also said that you two weren’t together, so what’s the problem?”

I’m going to kill Bob for not only bringing his whore.s onboard but for letting one walk into Ember’s room looking for me.

“This problem is that you walked into my girlfriend’s room, looking for me, thinking… What were you thinking?”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Both the girl and I turn our heads to see an angry Ember standing in the doorway.

“This is not what it seems,” I hold my hands up in surrender while shaking my head.

The girl quickly covers herself, and Ember raises an eyebrow in her direction.

“I leave Marco asleep while I use the bathroom. I’m gone a few minutes, and you’re on my bed with your fake tit.s out. Didn’t Bob satisfy you enough last night? Or this morning, for that matter? Because from how loud you were an hour ago, I’d say he did an alright job.”

“I… I…”

“You what? Thought you’d get a piece of the lead singer while you were here? Let me give you some advice,” Ember folds her arms across her chest. “Men don’t respect women like you,”

“Women like me?” The girl looks affronted.

“Yes, women like you. Girls who throw themselves at musicians just so you can say that you slept with them. You’re a whor.e in their eyes, an object to dump themselves into. You could be a wonderful woman underneath the desire to drop your panties for every man you come into contact with. But just remember, if you act like a whor.e no one will treat you as anything more.”

“Oh, my God, I can’t believe you’re talking to me like this! He,” She points at me. “Already had a go at me. I didn’t know you were his girlfriend, I’m sorry,”

Ember looks at me, and I wince and shrug my shoulders. She looks at the girl again. “You should be. Have a little self-respect, and others might find some for you. Now, get the hell out of my room and stay away from my man!” She yells, and my dic.k stirs.

Fuc.k, that was hot!

The girl jumps out of her seat and leaves. As soon as the door is closed, I expect Ember to turn on me and give me what for. Instead, she bursts out laughing and drops down on the bed beside me. “Your girlfriend?”

“First thing I could think of to make her leave. Anyway, you told her to stay away from your man.”

“Didn’t wanna make you look like a liar in front of the girl.”

“To be honest, I thought you’d blow your top,”

Ember chuckles. “Remember where I grew up, Marco. I’ve seen girls like her a thousand times. I’ve also known men caught in situations similar to the one I caught you in. My mother told me never to jump to conclusions. After the things you’ve told me and the fact you’re my friend, I know you wouldn’t have done anything with that girl, not in here anyway,” Ember laughs.

I’m awed by Ember right now. She really is one of a kind. Few women would have walked in on what Ember did and reacted the way she did.

“You’re a special kind of lady, Ember Marshall.”

Ember looks at me and rolls her eyes with a smirk on her face. “You’re not too bad yourself, Marco Russo. Thank you for last night. I don’t know what came over me.”

I take her hand in mine and wink. “Any time, beautiful. What are friends for?”

“Getting you out of sticky situations with Bob’s castoffs?” We both laugh loudly.

It’s good to hear Ember laughing. She seems much more at peace with things today. I don’t expect Ember to suddenly be over whatever happened with Toby. But I hope she’s finally coming to terms with things. Ember deserves to be happy; she deserves to smile every day.

“I don’t know about you,” I climb off the bed and run my hand through my messy hair. “But I’m starving.”

“I think you could do with a shower first,” Ember laughs as I look down at myself, still in yesterday’s clothes.

“I think you’re right.”