All characters are 18 or older. Any resemblance to real persons or events is coincidental. Stay safe and responsible out there :-)
Chapter One
"You don't look too good," Emily remarked.
"Yeah, I've been feeling a bit under the weather," I smirked.
Somehow, I had managed to survive my foolishness. A rogue wave knocked me off my balance, but luck was on my side, and I ended up face-down in the sand.
My chest felt like it was on fire — an icy underwater fire that burnt like hell. The only other injury I suffered was a bruised ego. And maybe, just maybe, I had a new phobia of the ocean.
My little sister glared at me, "No. You don't look sick, you look sad."
"Sad? Nah, Sis, I promise that I'm a-okay."
"Mmm," Emily's eyes narrowed, "if you say so."
My sister knew me too well to miss all the clues coming off my face. She'd been born with a gift for snuffing out my bullshit.
Unlike other older brothers, I could never sell her any nonsense stories. Then again, even Riley seemed to notice something was off after I returned from the beach.
My skin was somehow both pale and red, while I tried to conceal a suffocating cough. I felt like I was shaking; vibrating. Everything seemed so obvious to me, so what was the use in trying to hide it.
"You were down there for a while," Emily raised an eyebrow and looked toward the beach. Surely, she had already put everything together in her head.
"I was watching the ocean," I lied.
Emily found comfort in the people around her being tough, so I wanted to be tough. Her birthday was that Sunday and I didn't want to upset her. Other than that, I couldn't explain why I felt the need to conceal what had happened.
My little sister shrugged; accepting that there were other ways to get me to talk. She put her hand on my arm, "You should call Blake. She'll answer even if she's still at work."
In our relationship of four, everyone could make a unique contribution. It was something that took us a while to get used to: that we wouldn't be perfect for every situation. Once we did, things became a lot easier.
Years ago, the events that ended with us all living together in our lover's commune started with Blake. But the love I had for Blake went back to the day I was born and went beyond any ordinary affection.
I embraced Emily; so tight that she probably thought it was strange. Then, I didn't want to let go. Holding her triggered strong emotions that I wished would stay unseen. Tears were beginning to well up, and as her hands gripped me more tightly, they began to flow. Minutes passed before we ended our hug.
I tried to hide my eyes from her, but I caught a glimpse of her face and saw two wet streaks down her cheeks. We shared a special bond. Even though she didn't know exactly what had happened, she could feel it in every fibre of her being.
Hell, I should have told her that I'd had a scare in the water. Maybe I should've also told her I was afraid of losing her — told her to choose between her family or her girlfriend. Then again, I loved the way Riley made her happy.
Instead of saying anything, I forced a smile before retreating upstairs.
My phone was next to the bed, where I'd left it. There wasn't a single text or missed call, but that was expected. It was early evening, and Blake usually worked until late. Usually, I wouldn't bug her until after 7 pm, but that night really I wanted to hear her voice.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Hey, Boyfriend!"
My mouth twisted in delight at her greeting. "God, it's so good to hear your voice!"
There was a brief pause before Blake spoke again. Her voice was filled with a mixture of care and concern that only a big sister could manage, "What's wrong?"
I didn't bother holding anything back. She heard everything that happened that day, from the moment I woke up to the moment I almost drowned. I even told her about how I watched the two girls have sex and wondered aloud if that makes me a bad person. My mouth wouldn't stop moving until she interrupted me with a stern clearing of her throat.
"My darling man, listen to me," she instructed. "We're all excited and a little scared right now."
"Really? You too?!"
"Definitely, but Emily isn't going anywhere," Blake said with incredible confidence.
"How—"
"How do I know?" my question got preempted as my sister chuckled on the other end of the line. "You know, I used to be so jealous of her because her hands were made to fit into yours."
"Sis, we were also made for each other."
"It's different for us..."
"Different?"
I could feel Blake grin smugly in the short pause before she spoke again. "The benefit of having three women in your life, Dear Brother, is that each can give you something unique. That's why you're talking to me about this, and not to her."
My sister was only three years older than me, but she was infinitely wiser. When we were kids, she'd read up on whatever seemed necessary. Like when our parents weren't 'around', Blake bought parenting books. She learnt magic tricks to entertain me and read stories to Emily until she fell asleep.
The love between us was indeed different from the love between Emily and me, but it was just as powerful.
Blake had only been home occasionally since she took on an acting judgeship. It was her dream, and I loved seeing it become a reality. Still, I had to admit, "I miss you, Sis."
"I miss you too, Boyfriend," I imagined my sister twirling the phone-line like a love-sick girl in a sitcom. "Emily's birthday weekend is going to be a blast."
There wasn't much planned for Emily's birthday. To protect the privacy of our relationship, we didn't get out much. But one thing that was sure to make the day special was the gift we'd gone and got. It was a beautiful emerald ring — a symbol of our lifelong commitment to one another. Blake and I wanted 'marry' our little sister in the same way we'd married one another three years ago.
Blake's voice turned a little husky; a touch more flirtatious while still keeping her cool. "Are we going to have a little fun in the bedroom this weekend?"
"Why keep it in the bedroom when we have a whole house to explore?"
"I'd love being bent over the kitchen counter," my sister confessed.
"What about sex in the shower?"
"Why not a nice bubble bath?"
"Or on top of the dining room table?"
We started laughing at ourselves, trying to be all sultry. Then Blake sighed, "Think the blonde would ever join?"
