Writing On The Wall (The King Brothers Duology #2)

Chapter 48

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

IVY

The whir inside the airplane’s cabin creates a cushion of white noise around Ember and me as we huddle together—or at least as much as our business class seats will allow.

“I can’t believe people travel like this. Look at all the storage nooks in this thing!” I lift open every flap I can find. It will be hard to return to economy class after this.

“It feels like a waste to use these seats for such a short flight.” Ember leans down the aisle to glance at economy class. I snort out a suppressed laugh, because only she would worry about something like that.

“Em, your fiancé wanted to spoil you. Just accept it. Look at him,” I nudge her with an elbow. “He’d do anything to make you happy.”

She straightens, blushing slightly when Colton winks at her. And then she whips her head around and pouts while her eyes get all Disney-princess big. “Your man seems quite taken, too. Look at that smirk…and those love-sick puppy eyes he’s giving you ? I mean, who is that guy and what have you done with Ethan King? ”

I lean forward and stick my tongue out at Ethan before turning my attention back to my friend. “Yeah, he’s a total sap. What can I say? Now, back to the plan.” I blink dramatically, trying to draw her attention away from the subject of Ethan and me. I love him, but I still get a bit squirmy when talking about our relationship in front of Ember, mostly because I feel guilty for hiding it from her. I stir my plastic cup of root beer with the tiny straw, making the ice clink. “How are we doing this? Do you have a dress?”

“I packed the white sundress I planned to change into for the reception, but I guess now it’s getting upgraded to the main event.” She wags her eyebrows over the rim of her glass.

“What are those two wearing? Wait,” I hold up a palm, rolling my lips in. “Don’t tell me. They own their own tuxes, don’t they?”

“See, you’re already fitting into this family so well.” Ember smiles in return. “You’re really happy with him,” she says matter of factly, her eyes softening as her hand squeezes mine. “Have you told your parents?”

I inhale deeply when I remember I need to update them. I’ve been avoiding a conversation with them, mostly because Ross’s name would eventually come up at some point. And even though he finally seems to be making better choices, I’m not sure I’m prepared for my defense of him to fall on deaf ears. Not to mention, I’m still a bit resentful. There are also so many questions I have about our dyslexia, like how a doctor and his wife could remain in denial of their own children’s struggles while going out of their way to help others.

It’s tough admitting that I feel let down by them, even though I have a better understanding of why they tried to set boundaries with Ross. But how could they miss such a huge deficit? Why couldn’t they tell we needed help? Just thinking about it is so upsetting that I’ve put off having any sort of conversation with them besides the usual surface-level texts. It’s always been easier to pretend I’m just peachy and allow them to assume my life is drama-free. But I’m learning that my needs are important, and I have the right to demand those answers from them. It’s past time I brought this up.

I blink away my thoughts, looking up at Ember. “They’re supposed to be back in Texas next week. I’ll introduce them to Ethan then.” I smirk. “What will you tell your parents when you return home as Mrs. Ember King?”

“Wow. That sounds so nice,” she gushes. “I dunno. I’ll figure that out tomorrow. Right now, this is what we want. If I have to endure one more of my mother’s opinions on bouquets, I’m afraid I’ll throw one at her.”

“How very unladylike of you,” I tease, sticking my pinky out with another sip.

“She’d love that,” Ember says with a laugh.

“Excuse me ladies,” Ethan announces, his face sporting a sheepish grin as he nods at Ember. “My brother has informed me that he’s sick of looking at my face and would prefer to see yours, Flames.”

“Or maybe you just wanna make out with your girlfriend.” Ember smirks as she lifts herself out of her seat.

He slides into the empty space beside me, his delicious scent washing over me in an instant. “Always,” he rasps, flashing a wink and his most devilish grin.

Contrary to Ember’s accusation, we actually spend the rest of our short flight Googling things to do tomorrow. Colton and Ember will spend one more night in Vegas before flying home, but Ethan and I will have a good few hours to kill before catching our return flight tomorrow afternoon.

By the time we make it through the airport and to the hotel, it’s already seven o’clock.

“You ladies have a room to yourselves. Eth and I will get ready next door.” Colton smiles after tapping a key card to our door and walking in. He does a quick survey of the room before placing a kiss on Ember’s lips. “Pick you up in forty-five minutes?”

“I’ll be waiting.” She beams, radiating the gooey kind of love that makes your eyes constantly misty from all the undiluted happiness.

Once the guys leave, I tell Ember she can have first dibs on the shower. I plop myself onto the end of the bed, staring blankly at the phone in my hands. I inhale, feeling a tightness in my chest as I navigate to my mom’s contact. My eyes pinch closed as I press call.

“Hi, sweetheart!”

“Hey, Mom. How are you and Dad? Are you on your way home?”

“We’re tired, but ready to be home. We’re in Dubai. Our flight leaves in a few hours, but… Oh, Ivy, this trip was phenomenal! I can’t wait to come back here. I could eat this food every day. So many cultures merged together. It’s the most beautifully diverse community,” she rambles.

“That sounds amazing.” I smile, happy to hear the joy in her voice.

“How’s the house coming along? The photos look stunning. I’m so impressed with what you’ve done.”

“Thanks. It’s actually all finished, thanks to some help. Ember’s soon-to-be brother-in-law, Ethan, is a contractor, and we’ve been working together…” Now I’m the one rambling as I spew out little updates while trying not to blurt out the fact that said contractor is also my boyfriend. “He’s actually given Ross a job, too…” I add, feeling my heart drumming in my chest. This is my segue into that taboo topic that usually gets shut down within seconds.

“Oh, honey… ”

My stomach dips at the sympathy coating her words. Like she pities me for falling for another one of Ross’s empty promises.

“Mom, just listen, okay. I know Ross has let you guys down…a lot. But I promise, he’s actually taking responsibility this time. He’s open to getting help…”

“Ivy…he does this?—”

“No. He did this. We did this, trying to deal with something we weren’t equipped to deal with on our own.”

“What are you talking about, sweetheart?”

“Mom…did you know that Ross and I have dyslexia?” I’m staring across the room as a thundering tightness hammers in my chest. This is the most confrontational I’ve ever been with her. It feels like kicking up dust and not knowing what I’ll find when it settles. I’m just waiting to see whether she’ll lump me in with Ross and label me the same way they did him for so many years or if she’s finally willing to look at things a little differently and take up some of this responsibility.

There’s a pause before her whispered reply comes through. “What?”

I go on to explain my coping mechanisms and how I hid it growing up, trying my best to help her see how Ross’s behavior was related to his low self-esteem and his struggles with school. She asks questions every now and again, and by the end I can hear the sniffle in her voice.

“Ivy. I…I don’t know what to say. We knew Ross had some behavioral issues…but we never suspected it was because of a learning difficulty. I don’t know how we missed something like this…I’m just—I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I croak. “But will you please give Ross a chance? He’s really trying.”

“Yes. Of course, honey. I’ll…we’ll call him when we land. I need to fill your Dad in on all of this. I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

I hung up with my heart beating wildly in my chest. We still have a few more difficult conversations before we can process this as a family, but it feels like crawling out of the end of a long tunnel. Now I just need to break the news about having a boyfriend, and we’re all set. Right?

Ember finishes in the shower and I gather my things to take my turn getting ready. I walk out of the bathroom, pulling up short, my breath hitching at the sight of my best friend in her timelessly chic little white dress. The classic silhouette suits her perfectly, and the sleek boat neck is balanced with a playful A-line skirt. Plus, she’s absolutely glowing.

My hands fly up to my face as I simper and fan my eyes with my hands so my makeup doesn’t run. “Em…” I sniffle, taking her in. She turns to me as she fastens an earring, pouting when she sees my watery eyes.

“None of that, missy. Save the crying for after the photos. Seriously, Vee…stop, or I’ll cry, too. Ooh! Look!” She straightens, shoving her hands into the hidden pockets in the dress.

“Of course it has pockets,” I croak over a huge grin, already walking toward her. “I’m so happy for you,” I manage to get out after wrapping her up in a tight hug.

“Likewise. You know this makes us sisters, soon.”

“Pshhh, stop. That’s a long way off. I doubt Ethan will be ready to tie the knot any time soon, if ever.” I wave my hand dismissively before taking a seat at the vanity table.

“I dunno…” Ember sings while stepping into her white heels. “He looks pretty ready to me.”

“Okay, that’s enough of that,” I reply with an eye roll. The man’s barely over his two-date rule. Not to mention, I don’t want to jinx our future by focusing too far ahead. He hasn’t even met my parents, for goodness sake!

One step at a time .

I shake off those thoughts as I apply soft makeup to match the dusty pink color of my wrap-front mini-dress. I straighten my hair, adding one of my favorite bows in the back. When I stand and strap on my heels—yes, I still like to wear them when the occasion calls for it—a knock at the door has Ember and I releasing simultaneous breaths.

“Ready?” I ask, holding my hand out as I stand beside her.

“Yup.” She winks. “ Let’s go girls… ”