Chapter 16. Coffee
The cold glass of juice in my hand helped my body return to itself as I stood in the early morning darkness of Lakers pure white kitchen, thankfully his blinds were open so that I could watch the sleeping city and the neighbouring park; clouds still painted the sky, making both the moon and stars nonexistent. Snuggling into Emrys hoodie that I wore previously that covered my underwear completely, my thoughts went back to what had just happened - the rush of sparks curled my toes as I smirked at the memory.
Knowing if I didn't get back to Emrys soon, he'd worry, so when I turned around and saw Laker walk into the kitchen, the glass in my hand about dropped.
“Sorry,” Laker chuckled as he passed me, his dark hair ruffled and ice green eyes bright. Basketball shorts were his only article of clothing, and although he was defined and good looking, I couldn't help but compare him to Emrys - the definition of a God. “Just need to get Ana something to drink,” Nodding, I washed out my glass and bit back a smile at the thought of Emrys pouting when I declined his offer to go to the kitchen for me, but I needed to get up and walk; maybe just to clear my head.
"Want some coffee?” He asked as he put grind up coffee beans into his machine that made a loud hissing noise for a moment, only to release coffee into a white mug.
“No, but thanks,” Digging out a water bottle from the fridge, I looked back at Laker who was busy building his drink; that tattoo on his back looked so familiar... Shutting the fridge door, I passed by Laker who stopped me with a hand on my shoulder.
Confused, I raised a brow towards him and his two cups of coffee. “Here,”
He pushed the cup into my hands. “Laker, I don't drink-"
"For Emrys.” Laker pushed one cup into my hand before leaving the kitchen. Oh my God. Wait, could that also mean Laker would know if Emrys is or isn't my brother? They are best friends, maybe they tell each other everything- Or maybe it's due to his cedar and rain scent that probably came off of me in waves.
My feet moved faster than my thoughts but slow enough where the coffee wouldn't scold my skin, and when I pushed Emrys’ door open, he smiled brightly before turning worrisome.
"Are you okay? What happened?” Emrys stood from his bed, now wearing a different set of boxers, and took the hot cup of coffee from my hands with his dark brows raised; setting it on the nightstand then resting his hands on my waist.
“Laker was in the kitchen,” I spoke quietly, watching how his expression changed from worried to confused to something else I couldn't put my finger on and then one of humor.
“That explains the coffee, I suppose.”
“He knows, or he has too- your scent is still on me,” Not knowing what reaction to expect, I bit my lip in anticipation
“Lessie,” Emrys sighed, walking backwards with me following his lead, he then sat down on the edge of the bed, and I took the opportunity to sit in his lap, my legs crossed behind his waist. “To give you a piece of mind, Laker knows. He has known since I've known that you were my mate,”
Oh my lord, I didn't even care to think that Emrys has lived as my mate for longer than I have known about it - selfish much Celeste? He's known since he was sixteen and for three whole years, he was completely silent; no wonder he ran off guys.
"You've known for three years that I was your mate,” I spoke my thoughts aloud, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Why did you stay so quiet?”
He laughed dryly. “Remember the whole brother situation? I don't think my thirteen year old “sibling’ wanted to-"
Shaking my head. "Yuck, please don't continue that talk,” I chuckled, not wanting to think about how awkward of a situation that would be, my head resting on his shoulder. “Speaking of that,” My breathing increased as my heart started to leap faster as I pulled back and looked at his stormy grey orbs of admiration; how could I describe someone so magnificent? “I think I know the truth about you Rhys,"
His body tensed, brows furrowing together, his pink lips opening with a slight slant, and the grip on my hips tightened just a tad. “What... What do you mean Celeste?”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. “I know you are not my brother,” It was almost a shock how much a weight was lifted off my shoulders, my lungs feeling clearer and cleaner, and the clouds of uncertainty disappeared; opening my eyes, I saw the Emrys studying my face. “But I haven't figured out the rest of this... This mystery story.”
"How?"
“I heard you fighting with dad and mom the other night,” I confessed and closed my eyes again, hating the way he searched them for answers I hardly had. “And I heard dad, my dad ask if he should call your dad to which you replied you wouldn't dare instead of something like, you're my dad. That was my wake up call, I guess. Plus, it sorta made sense “cuz you don't look, act, or even do anything that could suggest being related to them, hell I feel stupid for not figuring it out before...” Laughing dryly, I continued. “And to be honest, I'm more than glad. Except,” A stray tear I didn't even know I had, fell down my cheek slowly only to be wiped away by Emrys' thumb.
Opening my eyes, taking a deep breath and focusing on the bedroom window, ignoring those grey orbs. Emrys let me take my time to think, to breathe, and to finally let my thoughts leave my lips. "Except now, I can't even be your mate- I, I mean everyone thinks we're related Rhys!" My voice grew steadily, tears ran down my cheeks slowly, and when Ermys’ gently gripped my chin and turned my head so I would mean his eyes, a sob almost broke out from my lips. I felt broken at the realization closing in on me, we would have to move packs! We would have to start new lives, get new friends, and- and- and I'd do it. I would do all of those things if it meant that I could be with my mate. “We have to start over with our lives!”
“Celeste,” Voice like a feather, touch like cotton, I bit my lip and listened. “Like I said, we are a team, we'll figure this out together,”