“Believe what you want. Until you apologize to Holly for being a bitch to her I’m not up for playing brother dear.”
She’s shocked, hell, even I’m shocked. It wasn’t what I intended to say but I mean every word. “Ethan?”
“I knew you were lying to me the last time you came to my office. At the time, I let it go because I believed it was just between you and me. Then you drag Holly into it. She tells you no politely, twice, and still you won’t let it go. I’m tired Amelia, really fucking tired of doing the same stupid song and dance. If you want me to treat you like an adult then act like one. You hurt Holly because she wouldn’t give you your way. You don’t have to go back to being best friends, but you will respect her and her place in my life, or your place in my life will go to a minimum. As my sister, I will always love you, however, I refuse to give you access to Holly as the brat you are, enabling you to further upset or hurt her.”
Her eyes are big, she nods. “I’ll apologize. I am sorry for putting her in that position, it will never happen again.”
“Make sure of it. There won’t be any second chances. Now, if you’ll excuse, I need to get back to work.” I turn back to my computer, my mind already back on the contract. Amelia walks out slowly, I’m sure what I said was a surprise. For the first time in a long time, she knew I was dead serious. As much as I love Amelia and hate the idea of limiting her place in my life, I’m sick of the merry-go-round.
The idea of going home to Holly gets me to push hard enough, that at this rate, the day after tomorrow I could go home extra early. Hopefully, Holly’s period will be over and she’ll be up for my plans for her.
Holly texts me with her order of spaghetti and meatballs from Giorgio’s. I add my own order of baked rigatoni. Giorgio’s doesn’t usually do take out or delivery, but damn it feels good being one of the top rainmakers of the city. Special treatment is always given, a picture of me coming out of their restaurant is good for business.
I pick up dinner then text Holly to let her know I’m on my way home. She knows me well, she has a bottle of red wine waiting for me. Plates are already out on the table where she’s sitting. My poor baby, she’s still in pain. It’s obvious, even though she’s trying to hide it.
“I hate seeing you in pain.”
“I’m not going to complain. The doctor did warn me of this, but I had no idea. All I thought is no periods, yay. I do want to say thank you for not being a typical guy, and brushing me off as a baby. Even my mom used to just brush me off with the excuse, ‘it’s part of being a woman—get used to it.’ So, I have you to thank for Amelia calling me today, metaphorically on her knees begging for forgiveness?”
“Of course, she’s not going to do it on her own. I’m glad she called. It’s my fault, really, for letting her become such a brat. I know she places a lot more stress on herself than she needs to or should. She’s the baby, whose early life I missed out on. The excuses I made for giving her way too much freedom to be a brat were endless. Only now, I’m really tired of going around and around with her. While I’m glad she called to apologize, she’s the last thing I want to talk to about. You stayed in bed resting.”
Plating our food, she laughs, and fuck, I’m glad to hear it. “Yes, I followed your instructions. Although I did have to get out of bed and come rest on the couch for a little while. I think I was beginning to get bedsores. Plus, I felt a little guilty while the women were working in there. I caught up on some of the movies you called classics that you have saved on the cable box.”
The rest of the night passes quickly. I order her onto the couch, remembering her complaint about getting tired of bed. We find a movie she hadn’t watched I couldn’t believe she had yet to see. She yawns as the movie ends. “Ready for bed?”
“Yes, I’m sorry it’s only ten. After such a long nap today I thought I would be up late.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. You need your sleep. Go get ready for bed. I will too, meet you in bed in a little bit.”
She kisses my cheek. “I’m really missing you. My flow is nearly non-existent.”
Her hand on my chest makes it clear what she’s inviting. She is killing me. “Holly, sweetheart, you are in pain. Sleeping with you is hard enough. Another day, or so. We’ll make it to when you don’t look like you’re about to fall down in pain.”
With a sigh, she snuggles into me. “That’s true, but I do miss you. It’s even harder sleeping with you, but I don’t like not sleeping with you.”
“I won’t disagree. We’ll survive a few more days.” I urge her into her room.
She goes with a sigh. Her snack is a boiled egg. She promises she drank four bottles of water today when she only takes a sip with her pill. Tonight she has pity on me, we sleep spoon position.
The next day she wakes up with the alarm. I’m awake in an instant. She moves slowly into a sitting position. While she winces slightly, the intense pain of the last few days is clearly gone. Looking at me, our eyes meet, her smile is bright.
“You feel better?” Relief makes me smile.
Holly nods kissing me lightly. “The last few days have been a ten on the pain scale, right now I’m at six, maybe a seven. I know an over-the-counter will cut it.”
“I’m glad.” I allow myself a tight hug. Oh damn, her breasts are heavy, her nipples hard.
She moans my name. Fuck, I almost drop her and am off the bed fast. “Holly, you are killing me. Sweetheart, you are still in pain. I know for a fact sex too soon can bring on pain and a heavy flow.”
“Ethan, I’m really... okay, no, I’m not a hundred percent. I just miss you. Can’t I at least taste you?”
“I’m lucky to have you. I know that, but no. No way am I walking out of here satisfied when you aren’t. One more day. I’ve been working my ass off; tomorrow I can maybe get out as early as five. We can make use of my jetted tub you’ve grown addicted to.”
With a blush she smiles, “You’ve noticed? I adore it. That sounds like a great plan. Let me get washed up and get your morning snack.”
Leaving the room, she practically skips down the hall. Seeing her happy again, no longer in pain, shit... something shifts inside me. The feeling is so strong I press my hand to my chest, I don’t know what it is. I’m not ready to know what it is.
The morning goes perfectly on schedule. She skips coffee this morning and I’m relieved. Her eggs are scrambled on toast. “Now remember, you still have the day off. I’ll get dinner again. Please don’t go out running around today doing errands or shopping, just rest.” Damn it, from the way she doesn’t meet my eyes I knew I was right to order her to stay home. “Holly?”