Page 49 of Over the Moon (Rosewood River #3)
We were back in the city after a winning game last night. Thankfully, we had the morning off from practice, and Eloise and I were sleeping in later than usual.
“This is my favorite way to wake up,” I said, as we sipped our coffee in bed.
“Which part? Sleeping in or coffee in bed?”
“You skipped over the best part. Waking you up with my head buried between your thighs. Hearing you cry out my name. Tasting you on my lips for the rest of the day.” I chuckled when her cheeks pinked at my words. “I love that you can still be shy with me.”
“You have a filthy mouth,” she said with a laugh. “But yes, that was a nice way to wake up.”
“I say we make it part of our routine,” I teased as we both set our coffees down on the nightstands.
“Yeah? I could get on board with that. But only if you let me return the favor.”
I tucked the hair behind her ears and stroked her jaw. “We’ve got all day to do whatever we want.”
Her phone rang on the nightstand for the third time, and she glanced over at it. “I better see who that is.”
I leaned back against the headboard, as she reached for her phone.
“Hey, Emilia,” she said, before switching it to speakerphone. “Everything okay?”
A small sob came from the other side of the phone, and I sat forward.
“Emilia? Are you okay?” Eloise asked, concern in her voice.
“Yeah, sorry. I just need to vent.”
“I’m here. Tell me what’s happening,” my girlfriend said.
“It’s a busy day at the floral shop, with everyone in holiday mode, you know?”
“Yeah, that’s a good thing, though, right?” Eloise asked, her free hand lacing with mine.
“Usually, yes.” Emilia sucked in a few breaths, clearly trying to calm herself down.
“But the flower shop was packed, and Bridger came in and basically told me off in front of everyone. He said I ruined Lulu and Rafe’s engagement, and I should be ashamed of myself.
” She hiccupped and sniffed, and it was clear that she was crying as her voice shook with every word.
“He basically insinuated that I was an awful person, and everyone in the flower shop was staring at me, and it was awful and embarrassing. I just don’t know why the guy hates me so much. ”
I reached for my phone and texted in the group chat.
Seriously, Bridger. Did you just walk into the flower shop and go off on Emilia Taylor?
Rafe
Tell me you didn’t do that, dude. She’s friends with all the girls. This is not going to go over well.
Easton
Let’s give him a chance to speak before we decide he’s guilty.
Axel
Always the lawyer.
Archer
All right, let’s hear it. What happened?
Bridger
News travels fast when you’re the author of an anonymous column. Did she already put it in print?
She did not. She’s on the phone, crying right now to Eloise. Dude. You yelled at her in front of a bunch of customers? You’ve got to let this go.
Bridger
So she can just print about relationships, engagement rings, or whatever the fuck she wants to write about our family, and no one gives a fuck?
Rafe
We’re not even upset about the ring. We’ve talked about getting engaged, so shopping for a ring isn’t a big deal.
Bridger
She outed you for buying a ring.
Rafe
The engagement will still be a surprise.
Bridger
I wouldn’t tell the girls your plans, or I promise you, it’ll end up in the paper.
Easton
You don’t even know that it’s her. I think avoiding her because you dislike her is one thing, but yelling at her at her place of business is not okay.
Bridger
I’m going to hit you in the dick with a pickleball next time I see you.
Axel
Just apologize to her and move on.
Bridger
Not apologizing unless she has proof that it isn’t her. Which she doesn’t because I’m telling you, she writes that fucking column.
Rafe
Not sure you’re the best “reader of people.” I don’t think it’s her.
Bridger
Because Lulu doesn’t think it’s her?
Rafe
Correct.
Bridger
Lulu also thinks gummy bears are a food group. I’m basing my assessment on facts. She is privy to every single thing that’s been written.
Archer
So is Melody. Maybe she’s writing the column.
Bridger
You need to apologize. If she wrote the damn column, I don’t think she’d be befriending everyone in the family… aside from you.
Bridger
Wake the fuck up, man. Of course, she is. This gives her better access to material.
Easton
Don’t be a dick. Apologize.
Rafe
Agreed. I hate conflict. Make this right.
Archer
I’m taking Melody for some flowers today. Maybe I can apologize on your behalf.
Bridger
I’ll shave your eyebrows off in your sleep.
Axel
I’d like to see that.
“I’m so sorry, Em. Call me after work. Love you,” Eloise said.
“Love you, too.”
I set my phone down when she ended the call. “Is she okay?”
“Not really. She’s going to talk to Henley because she wants to file a defamation of character claim against Bridger,” Eloise said, throwing her hands in the air. “He needs to let this go.”
“I think having Henley file the complaint is a bit of a conflict, seeing as Bridger is our brother.”
“She’s the only lawyer Emilia knows,” Eloise chuckled. “Maybe she’ll get over it, but I think he made a scene today, and it is just not okay. Can you talk to him?”
I sighed. “I was just texting about it. Everyone told him to apologize, but he’s insistent that it’s her. And when Bridger gets something in his head, it’s hard to change his mind. But what he did is not okay, so he needs to do something to fix this.”
Eloise slipped back down, resting her head on my chest. “Emilia wouldn’t have written that about Rafe buying the ring because she adores Lulu. She wouldn’t do that to her.”
“Listen, Weeze, I don’t think it’s her. I don’t think anyone in the family thinks it’s her anymore, now that we’ve been around her more. But Bridger is all about family, and in his mind, he thinks he’s protecting the family by calling her out.”
“She was crying pretty hard. I feel bad for her. I want to send her flowers, but I’d have to order them from her,” she chuckled. “We need to make this right.”
“I’ll talk to him about it one-on-one and see if I can get through to him,” I said, moving quickly and flipping her onto her back and settling between her thighs. “But right now, I want to have my way with my woman.”
“You’re such a caveman.” Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. “How about you have your way with me in the shower?”
“Ahhhh… a naked, sudsy Eloise is my favorite.” I leaned down and kissed her.
“You’re my favorite, Clark Chadwick,” she whispered.
I moved to my feet, flipping her over my shoulder fireman-style, and smacking her on the ass. “You’re my favorite, too, Weeze.”
Laughter bellowed from her sweet little body as I carried her to the bathroom.
I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I’d been this happy.
This content.
I was definitely over the moon for this girl.
Hockey was no longer my first love. I hadn’t even known what love was before.
Hockey was my passion.
Eloise Gable was my first love.
My only love.
The End