Playbook

Chapter 12: Trace

T: you still need me?

A: I don't need you, but I would appreciate it if you come. Maybe meet Ethan and my parents?

T: sure. I'm on my way.

A: k. See you soon. Text me when you're in the neighborhood.

T: wait, what's the address?

She sent me the address as I started driving again. I got to the house ten minutes later and walked to the door. I knocked, and I heard Ethan yell that he had it. But Aurelia came running out of the kitchen and slid on her socks to the door.

Ethan stumbled back and gave her a look before looking at me, chuckling, and then turning around.

What was that for?

Aurelia opened the door after quickly fixing her hair. I laughed and came inside, hugging her shortly.

I walked over to a small table with a bunch of pictures. There were pictures of Sean, Mallory, and El together.

Then there was my favorite picture of the four of us. El was over my shoulder, Mallory over Sean's. I remember how good she looked that day. Her hair in the wind...

Be quiet, Trace.

Then there was one of me kissing El's cheek. Something sparked within me.

God, she was beautiful.

"Trace?" She asked. I turned around and she smiled at me. "C'mere," she said, taking my wrist. She pulled me close, our lips almost touching. I was about to close the centimeter of space between us, but she smiled and pulled me after her as she ran around and finally into a kitchen.

"Mom, Dad, Ethan. This is Trace. Trace, this is my family."

She had the biggest grin I have ever seen on her face before as she joined the side her family was lined up on.

I shook hands with her dad, her mom hugged me, and Ethan head nodded me before laughing and bro-hugging me.

"Trace, are you staying the night?" Her mom asked. I saw her dad swallow, I could tell he was uncomfortable, but frankly I didn't care.

"El?" She nodded and stepped closer to me. "Then yes."

"Alright," Ethan said, pushing himself off the counter. "You can borrow a clean pair of boxers. Cause that's all you're gonna need tonight, if that, I'm guessing." Their dad cleared his throat and his mom's eyes went wide.

"May I borrow some sweatpants too?"

"And a shirt," her mom added.

"And a shirt."

Ethan laughed and went to his room, then threw the clothes at me.

"Goodnight, kiddo's!" Her mom's voice rang through the house.

"Night!" El answered. I went into the bathroom to change, but I left the shirt off. I threw my clothes to the side when I got in the room. El looked at me and bit her lip very settle-y. I smirked and walked over to where she was and hugged her. Over her shoulder I saw frames cluttering the shelves of her desk. I pulled away and looked at them. There were ones of her when she was a kid, some with Ethan.

Then there was a whole column of shelves that had pictures of her, Sean, Mallory, and even some with me.

When did she put these up? She hasn't been home in a while. Not since she's met me.

I looked through all the pictures. From the day that they met to a picture of them from Monday morning.

There were a few pictures with her and me together... just us. Silly pictures, cute relationship pictures, and normal pictures. There's one from McGuire's in Destin on a shelve, front and center.