From Different Walks of Life

Siblings

I've loved sunrises for as long as I can remember.  The colors have always fascinated me, and it didn't matter where I was, they were always different.  That's what had me lying awake this early in the morning on a Sunday, in the middle of paradise, when I should still have been asleep in my lover's arms.  My lover.  Good lord, had things taken a turn.   I sounded like a songwriter, a love-torn storyteller, lost in my thoughts. I needed to get out of bed.

I had slept incredibly well, considering I wasn't used to sharing my bed with anyone.  Tom had me wrapped in his arms, and to be honest it was the most comfortable I had been in a long time.  Even now, as I listened to him breathe beside me, it seemed all too natural a place to be.  I carefully sat up, still wearing his shirt, and let my legs hang over the side of the bed.  I smiled, brushing my hair over my ear, seeing Tom sprawled across the bed, his long legs bent and stretched all over to keep his feet from falling over the end.  He looked so – innocent, and sweet.  Yet the way he had driven me over the edge the night before, the way he'd made me scream his name?  Damn.

I knew Tom needed to sleep – when we got back to LA, his busy schedule would resume and sleep would be a luxury for him.  I carefully padded over to my small suitcase and grabbed a tank top and yoga pants, then moved to the bathroom to change. 

The sun was just peeking over the horizon when I reached the upper deck, my Longmire book and a blanket in hand. The humidity in the early morning air was a little cool, so I curled up in one of the couches with my blanket, and opened the book, waiting to see the sun rise.  About 10 minutes into the peace and quiet, I heard a door open behind me, and soft footsteps approaching.

"Little early for tanning." Emma's voice made me grit my teeth – not exactly who I had wanted to see first thing in the morning.  Still, she sat down in a deck chair across from me, curling her legs underneath of her.  She had no makeup on, and her hair was pulled into a messy bun on top of her head.  Her eyes were narrowed at me.

"I'm not trying to tan.  Not my thing." I said simply, turning a page in my book.  We sat in silence for a moment.

"But my brother is 'your thing?" She asked snidely.  I looked up at her for a moment.  "Or is it his money that's 'your thing'?  Maybe it's the chance for 15 minutes of fame, is that it?" I shut my book, sighing.  "Oh, that's it, isn't it?  You're hoping to get your picture in People magazine, maybe a tabloid or two, get famous in a small town?" I frowned.

"I –"

"Have you fucked him?" My mouth fell open at her words.

"What?" The word barely came out as a whisper, as I couldn't believe what she had asked.

"Answer me." She said simply.  "Have.  You.  Fucked.  Him."

"I don't see how that is any of your . . ." I stuttered.

"Oh it's definitely my business, when you aren't on the pill, whisper a few sweet words in his ear, and then get knocked up . . ."

"Emma." I felt tears threatening to fall when Tom's voice interrupted her words.  Emma stopped talking immediately as Tom stepped between us.  "That will be quite enough.  What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"What are  doing, Tom?" Emma shot back.  "Do you even know this girl?  You just bring her along out here, not knowing anything about her, and think you're just going to have a little vacay with her?  With no consequences?"

"Consequences?  What consequences? Emma, I don't know why you are so against me having a relationship with Kat!  We know plenty about each other . . ."