Embrace (12 page)

             
I know Alec. Maybe better than I know another living person, besides Emma of course. But even still, I can't begin to imagine how he would react to finding out that his baby sister, who he is very protective over, is seeing his best friend behind his back. A friend who is known to use women and dispose of them like worn clothing. Or that said friend deflowered his baby sister and then proceeded to sleep with another women right under her nose.

             
Yeah, don't think any of this would go over well with him. But then again, finding out about me and Zayne doesn't mean he would need the whole story. Maybe if he knew how happy Zayne makes me, maybe that would be enough for him.

I didn't get to kiss you goodbye:(

             
I laugh at my ridiculousness but hit the send button anyways.

             
Within seconds my phone buzzes a response just as a knock sounds at the door.

Well now that simply can not happen.

             
Is what I read just as I pull the door open to see Zayne standing in my doorway.

             
“What.....” I start to say but then his lips crash down on mine and every word, every thought, loses any relevance and simply floats away.

Chapter Fourteen

             
“You realize that if you don't start calling more often, Mom is gonna think you disowned her.” Ian jokes on the other end of the phone.

             
“Oh shut up and let me talk to her.” I say. “I called for her, not you.” I joke, purposely taking jabs at him. Serves him right for trying to make me feel guilty.

             
“She's not here.” He says, voice clipped.

             
“Bullshit Ian. Now let me talk to her.” I say, exasperated.

             
“No seriously Gracie, she's not here. Rob took her to Pigeon Forge for the week. I'm house sitting. Hence, why I am answering the house phone.” He says.

             
A flash of guilt floods my body and suddenly Ian's words sound far from playful. He's right, about me not calling enough that is. How is it that my mother and step dad are on vacation and I had no clue they even had anything planned? How horrible I must seem to them. How self absorbed.

             
“Gracie, you still there?” Ian's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

             
“Yeah sorry. What?”

             
“I asked if there was something you needed?” He says, laughter evident in his voice. “Man, has New York fried your brain or something?”

             
“Oh shut up.” I sigh out. “I was calling to let her know that Emma is leaving to go on tour tomorrow and she has a show in Colorado Springs at the end of next month.”

             
“No shit?” Ian says, surprise mingling with a bit a pleasure. “That's awesome.
Century Theater
I'm assuming?” He asks, referring to the old theater where Emma and I have visited more times than I care to even admit.

             
She knew very early on what she was born to do in this life and spent every waking moment she had studying the art, and that included dragging me to every single theater performance, play, or show that came to town.

             
“That's the one. Anyways, I thought maybe you guys could go, you know, show your support. I'm sure being away from everyone and out on the road is going to be overwhelming for her. I think it will be good for her to see you and mom. I think her parents will probably be there too.”

             
“Mom wouldn't miss it. I'll give her the message, or you could just call her cell and tell her yourself.” He says, clearly pushing me in that direction.

             
“I don't want to disturb her and Rob's trip. Just pass the message along and tell her I will call her soon.” I say. “You'll go too right?”

             
“What? The chance of seeing Emma up on stage in all her hotness. No way I am missing out on that.” He says, enthusiasm strong in his voice.

             
“You're a pig. You realize this right?” I laugh.

             
“No, I'm a man who appreciates a woman gifted by god.” He says, his laughter vibrating through the phone.

             
“I repeat.... Pig.” I say, not able to control the giggles now ripping through me.

             
“You seem good Grace.” Ian's laughter is now gone and there is an edge of hesitation to his voice.

             
“I am good.” I say, still smiling even though the conversation has turned more serious. “Really good actually.” I say, realizing for the first time just how true my words are.

             
“Hey listen, I gotta go. I have a best friend who owes her last night in town to me and I need to find out where the hell she is.” I laugh.

             
“Yeah yeah. I'll talk to you later. Have fun and tell Em I say Congrats.”

             
“I will. Love you.” I say, quickly ending the call and then immediately dialing Emma's number.

It goes straight to voice mail for the fifth time in the last hour and honestly, I'm starting to worry.

              Now I understand what I put her through when she would try to get a hold of me when I would up and disappear with Zayne for two days. Deciding to shoot her a quick text, I pull up my messages and start typing but before I have a chance to press send, I hear keys and then a red faced Emma pushes her way inside.

             
“Em!” I exclaim, pushing up from my seat on the couch. “Where have you been?”

             
“Sorry Gracie. Just a few people I needed to say goodbye to before tomorrow. My phone died.” She says, tossing her keys and dead cell phone on the island before making her way into the living room and plopping down on the opposite end of the couch.

             
I settle back into my seat and then turn my attention to her. Something is off, I can feel it. While her appearance is crisp and perfect as usual, there's something not quite right and I can feel it in my gut. Whether it's intuition or just the simple fact that I have known her my whole life and I can read her like a book. Either way, I know.

             
“Everything okay?” I ask, shifting my position to face her.

             
“Yeah... Fine.” She breathes, propping her feet up on the coffee table. “This whole thing is just exhausting. I didn't realize how much goes into touring.” She sighs, running her hands through her long, light brown hair.

             
“I know I will only be gone for a few months but leaving... I don't know, it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.” She turns her eyes on me and only then do I see the tears welling behind them.

             
“Emma Davenport.” I say, scooting next to her on the couch and wrapping my arm around her shoulder. “You were born to do this. You are going to go out there and experience everything life has to offer. You are going to see the country and meet fans. You are going to live your dream. And you are going to have so much fun doing it, by the time it's over, you're not going to want to come back.” I say, squeezing her to me.

             
“I know. But leaving you..... You came here for me Grace and now I am leaving you here alone.” She says, a slight tremor in her voice. While I don't doubt she will miss me, this isn't typical Emma behavior and I can't help but feel like this isn't just about me.

             
“I'm not alone. I have Carver and Alec and Becca and Jake. And...”

             
“Zayne?” It's more of a question off her lips then a statement.

             
“Yes.” I answer confidently. “And Zayne. And I am going to be just fine. Of course I will miss the hell out of you but Carver has been well trained and I think will at least keep me from pulling my hair out or jumping off of a building.” Emma's eyes immediately go wide.

             
“Don't say things like that Grace.” She scolds. “It's not funny.”

             
“I never said it was funny. But that's the point isn't it? To find humor where there is none? Besides, you know what I mean. Carver will keep me safe, grounded. I'm in good hands.” I say, reassuring her.

             
“Is there something else bothering you?” I can't help but voice the question even though I know that she won't give me anything unless she really wants to.

             
“No. I'm just stressed is all.” She blows off my question which is a tell tale sign that something is off. I choose not to push it. If there's one thing you can say about people who have known each other their whole lives, it's that we know when to push and when to let things go.

             
“Well shake it off sister because tonight we are sending you off in style.” I say, pushing up off the couch and holding my hands out for her.

             
“Come on. Let's go get all dolled up and drink the night away.” I say, pulling her up when she takes my hands.

             
“So let me get this straight. We have Carver, an extremely hot and easily distracted man, acting as our chaperone while we venture the streets of New York City and drink all our cares away?” She says, lifting an eyebrow for added effect. “And none of this  has
bad idea
written all over it for you?” She laughs.

             
“Oh please. It's the Morgan and Davenport show.” I say, wrapping my arm around her as we walk towards her bedroom. “The way I see it, if something doesn't go wrong, then there's a problem.”

             
I drop my arm from her shoulder and spin to face her in the hallway.

             
“You are my sister, you know that right. No matter what happens or how famous you become, you will always be my sister and I will always be here for you. You know that don't you?”

             
Tears well behind her eyes and within seconds they are streaming down her face. “Em...” She holds her hand up to stop me from hugging her.

             
“I'm okay. Happy tears.” She says, gesturing to her face. “And you are my sister too Gracie. Always and forever.”

             
“Now that the sad stuff is out of the way, I say you dress me in whatever ridiculous outfit you will end up forcing me to wear anyways and we go out and live it up.” I say, giving her a wide smile.

             
“Wait, so you're going to wear whatever I pick without a fight?” She steps back, a look of sheer disbelief widening her soft brown eyes.

             
“It's the last time I'm going to see you for months. I prefer not to waste my evening fighting the inevitable. Go ahead Em, do your worst.” I say, holding my arms out to my sides in surrender.

             
“Ahhh.” Emma squeals, grabbing my hands and pulling me into her bedroom. “Oh my god this is
awesome
.” She sings, making her way across the small space.

             
“Remember, no arguing.” She says, reemerging from her closet in ten seconds flat, an article of clothing hiding behind her back.

             
“Em?” I question, suddenly very nervous.

             
“You trust me right?” She asks, a slow smile falling into place.

             
“Yessssss.” I drag out.

             
“Tada!” She exclaims, pulling out a tiny red number that makes all the other dresses she's put me in seem modest in comparison.

             
“Oh Em, I don't know.” I start, quickly stopping when her expression clearly tells me not to argue. “Fine.” I sigh, grabbing the red dress from her. “A deal is a deal.”

             
“This is going to be so much fun.” She sings, skipping back towards the closet and pulling out an equally skimpy looking silver number.

             
“Go get changed and meet me in the bathroom in fifteen. Hair and makeup is on me tonight!” She chimes just as I exit the bedroom.

             
Holding up the scrap of material in front of me, I realize that the only option I really have is to embrace it. Besides, Emma has never steered me wrong before, even when I am convinced she has lost her mind.

             
I shoot Carver a quick text to let him know we will be ready in about an hour and then quickly slip into the red dress that hugs tight to my bust and then flows free, landing about six inches above my knee. It's not as revealing as I originally thought and has a lot of give in the material so it doesn't feel like it's painted on my body.

             
The straps are about an inch thick and the neckline plunges dangerously low. Making a mental note to be mindful that my girls don't come toppling out at some point during the night, I quickly make my way to the bathroom where Emma has already begun primping and teasing away at her own hair.

             
Approximately ninety minutes later, we are dressed to the nines and following a very handsome, suit wearing Carver out of our apartment. I can't remember a time when I was so excited to go out with my friends. To live and laugh and just be twenty-two.

             
If nothing else, Zayne has given me this. The ability to experience life as it is meant to be experienced. As I climb into the car behind my two best friends, I can't help but feel anything but extremely blessed.