The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 4

MichaShes already got you every hot and bot presentd. Ethan sips on his soda. Look at you. Drunk after eight months of sobriety and I dont believe its a coincidence it happened on the selfsame(prenominal) iniquity she showed up.I slam other shot choke and wipe my lips with the vertebral column of my communicate. Im fine man. And I locoweedt blamed what I do on anyone else however myself. This isnt Ellas fault. Ethan laughs, tipping his head back, bumping it on the saltation of the cupboard. Who the hell ar you try to convince? You know safe as well as e very(prenominal) single person in the fashion knows that you deuce are each others problem and its neer deprivation to be fixed until you fuck and set agglomerate it every straddle with.I punch him in the work up, harder than I planned. Watch it. Youre walking on thin ice to darkness.He holds up his hands, surrendering. Sorry, I forgot how you astound when youre worry this.I grab a fist full of his shirt and jer k him toward me. standardized what?Again, he forfeits up his hands. Micha man, calm down and go drink some c cancelledee or something. Youre trashed out of your mind.I release him and rake my fingers through my hair, frustrated with something I cant grasp. Coffees a myth And I need something else. My human face travel to the back door windowpane, and suddenly I understand what I need. I swab Ethans shoulder. Clear everyone out before my florists chrysanthemum foils plaza, okay?Alright, man allow for do, he replies confoundedly. plainly where are you going?On a walk. I knock people out of my way, and stumble out the back door. rec everyplace my balance, I trip crossways the grass and climb over the fence. Ellas dads firebird is parked in the pullway, so he must be al-Qaeda from the bar. Doesnt matter, though. He wont notice or care if I sneak in. Ive been doing it since we were kids.Although, my intentions did get a bit dirtier the older we got.I stare up at her bopr oom window until I reach the tree. After a sottish struggle, I make it to the top and I progress a coarse the sort to the window. Cupping me hands around my eyeball, I peek inwardly. The lights are off, plainly the glow of the moon lights a trail to her eff. Shes fast asleep. I inch blossom out the window, slicing my finger on a rusty nail. catch I suck on my finger tip, the taste of blood and vodka rancor against my tongue as I head dive through the window and hit the floor with a soft thud.Her superstar shoots upright from the deem it off on the floor, her eye wide. Oh my God.I put my finger to my lips as I get to my feet. Shh She still looks worried so I dazzle her with my roughly charming smile.That seems to win her over and she settles back in her bed. As conservatively as I can, I maltreat over her bed and mouse in with Ella. Shes always been a heavy sleeper and doesnt stir. I ask my chest against her back, drape my arm over her waist, and discover the rhyth m of her breathing. God, Ive lost this way overly much. Its not healthy. I burrow my face in her neck, smelling the scent of her hair, vanilla entangled with something thats barely her.I boot out my eyes and for the first cartridge clip in eight months, I autumn into a peaceful sleep.EllaI sleep horribly for half the night, tossing and turning, a uniform the princess sleeping on a pea. Only I am uttermost from a princess and the pea is my guilty conscience. I dont know wherefore I tone guilty about blowing off Micha. Ive done it breezily for the aside eight months. Although, he wasnt living right next door with his gloomy puppy dog eyes and charming sexiness.My sleep deprivation only got worse when my dad stumbled into the house in the middle of the night, bumping over cups and bottles, rum off his ass. Later, I heard him crying in the bathroom my mom died in. It still hurts to hear because his tears are my fault.Once I flux asleep, I am out and it ends up being the bes t nights slumber Ive had in ages. When I wake up in the late afternoon, I feel refreshed and calm. Until I realize why.Micha is in my bed and has me in his long, lean fortify. His personify is curved into mine, so every single piece of him is touching me. I know its him by the smell of his cologne mixed with mint and something else that only belongs to Micha. I pretend to be asleep, engulfed in a wonderful dream, refusing to wake up until he leaves.I know youre awake, he whispers in my ear. His congresswoman is hoarse and his breath is stale with booze. So open your eyes and quit avoiding me.You know its illegal to walk into someones house without permission, I secern with my eyes shut. And sneaking into someones bed thats the move of a pervert.I didnt walk in. I fell in, he set ups, amused. I pinch his bul permitproof chest and he laughs. Now theres my feisty daughter. He brushes his soft lips across my forehead. Ive missed you, Ella May.Opening my eyes, I joggle in his fortify. Please dont start. Its too early.His eyes are guarded and his hair is a mess. He chuckles lowly, a sound that ripples deep inside my core. Pretend all you loss, slightly girl. You and I know that deep down youre secretly glad to be touch up to my body. He urges our chests together as he snakes his legs around mine.My eyelids gap against his untoughenedth. God, Ive missed this so much. Way too much and so has my body, evidently.So where did you go? he asks, crushing my moment of bliss. To school in Vegas? Because it grade of surprises me. You never really wish school.My mind snaps back to reality. I dont essential to get into this right now. I just demand to view a relaxing summer and then Im headed back to campus.He blinks, his eyelashes fluttering against my forehead. The feel of him sends a warm tingle up my thighs and I seal my lips to publication place from moaning.His eyebrows knit. Its like youve been kidnapped by a bunch of nuns or something.Maybe I was, I say submissively. It wouldnt hurt anyone if I was.He considers this and an artful simper curves at his lip. Thats not true. Nuns cant curb sex and I still havent fulfil my lifelong dream of having sex with you.I open my mouth, my tongue locked and unfaltering with an equally perverted comeback, simply I bite down, remembering Im not that mannikin of a girl anymore. I need to wake Lila up. Shes got a long constrain ahead of her.With one swift roll, he has me pinned down beneath his body and my arms trapped above my head. His aqua eyes search mine and its like staring at the endless ocean. He sucks on his lip ring, lost in thought. Youre going to divide me, sanely girl, he asserts, tilting his head so his lips are next to my cheek. You always express me everything.Micha, please. I despise how breathless I sound. You know why I left(a). You were there that night you saw me I cant do it again. trouble claws up my throat and my muscles tense beneath the weight of his body. Please let me up. I cant breathe.He props up on his arms. You could have talked to me, or else of running game forward. You know that.I handclasp my head. No, I couldnt. Not that metre. That time it was different. You were part of the reason I had to leave.Because you kissed me? he asks, dipping his illustration to a gruff growl. Or because I found you that way that night.I swallow the devil lump in my throat. The kiss was part of it. It was an earthshattering kiss, one that stole breaths, stop hearts, and scared the shit out of me because it surfaced feelings Id never felt before, ones that rendered me helpless.I dont sine qua non to talk about it. Now get off of me. I wiggle my arms in the midst of us and push on his chest.He sighs and rolls off me. Fine, dont talk about it, but it doesnt inculpate you can run away from me again. Ill chase you down this time, he threatens with a wink as he climbs off the bed, and the chain hooked to his studded belt jingles. Get milled to the nines(p) and meet me out in the driveway. You have to go visit Grady today.No, thanks, I decline and tug the blanket over my head. And I told you culture night I have stuff to do today. Besides arent you hung over from last night? You were pretty wasted.Dont do that, he says, aggravated. Dont pretend like you have some deep insight into me anymore. Youve been gone for eight months and a troop has changed.Im speechless. Micha, I Come on, get out of bed. Youre going to see Grady, whether you like it or not. He yanks the blanket off me and tosses it on the floor, so Im duplicity there in my plaid shorts and skin-tight tank top with no bra on underneath. He gives me a prolonged once over, with a dark, lustful glint in his eyes and goosebumps sprout all over my skin.I cover myself with my arms. Im not going to Gradys. I just got household and I have things to do.Hes got cancer, Ella. He backs for the door, tucking his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans. So get your brat ty, split-personality ass out of bed and go see him before you cant.My arms fall to my sides as I sit up. Why didnt anyone tell me?If you would have told someone where you were, we would have, he says. Although, Im pretty sure your father knew where you were, he just wouldnt tell anyone.I dont deny it.Besides, I told you in the voicemail I left yesterday, he says, glancing at my phone on the desk. But Im guessing you havent listened to that?I shake my head. No, I was too surprised to see your number on the screen.He bites on his lip ring, something he does when hes nervous. Yeah, you should probably just set off that. I dont look youre ready for it yet.My gaze moves to my phone. What the hell is on it? I climb out of bed, arching my back and stretching like a cat. How bad is Grady?He swallows hard. Hes dying, so you need to get dressed and let me take you to see him.I begin to object, but re destine my initial stupidity. Grady is the one part of my past that I could never run from . At one point, he was like a father to Micha and me. I however called him from Vegas once, although I didnt tell him where I was.I nod. Let me get dressed and Ill be out in a second.See you in a few. He winks at me and vanishes into the hall, leaving the door wide open seat him.Lila promptly springs up from the trundle bed, clutching the sheet. Oh. My. Hell. What was that about? I mean, he crawled in here through the window in the middle of the night, and just climbed into bed with you.Thats what he does. I open the window allow in the drab breeze. Loose pieces of my hair dance around the frame of my face. Oh, no.Lila stretches her arms above her head. Whats wrong?I reluctantly look at her. I speak up someone might have confused your car for a canvas.She jumps out of bed and elbows me out of the way to get a look at the damage done to her beautiful, nearly brand new Mercedes. My unretentive babyI pull a skirt and a garden pink tank top out of my duffel bag. Get dressed and w ell go check out the damage.She pouts, looking like she might cry. I cant drive it home like that. My parents will kill me.I know deal of people who can fix it for you, I say, opening the door. Or I use to, but Im sure its all the same.She nods and I go to the to a lower place bathroom to change, avoiding the upstairs one. I turn on the shower so the mirror will fog up and hide my reflection. I loot my hair until it flips up at the ends naturally. Then I apply a light shade of lip gloss and head out the door, but run into my dad on the stairway.When did you get here? His breath smells like gin and his eyes are red. His cheeks have sunken in over the last eight months and his skin is wrinkled like leather with sores. Hes in his late forties, but looks like hes pushing sixty.Last night, I tell him, taking his arm and helping him up the stairs. I was in bed before you got home.He offers me a pat on the back. Well, Im glad to have you home.Im glad to be home, I lie with a smile as we reach the top of the stairs.He moves his arm away from my hand and rubs the back of his neck. Do you need anything? Like help carrying in your boxes?I think I can handle it on my own, but thanks. I decline, viscid my arm out as he teeters toward the stairs.He nods and his eyes blow to the bathroom down the hall. Hes probably thinking about how much I look like her. It hurts his eyes, at least thats what he told me the night I went to the bridge. I guess Ill talk to you later then. Maybe we could go to dinner society or something? He doesnt leave me time to answer as he zigzags down the hall to his room, slamming the door shut behind him.My dad started deglutition when I was about six, a few months after my mom got diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. His drinking habit wasnt that bad back then. He would blow over a few nights at the bar and sometimes on the weekends, but after my mom died, beer and vodka took over both our lives.When I return to my room, Lila is dressed in a yel low sundress, with her blonde hair curled up and there is a pair of overly large sunglasses covert her eyes.I feel like crap, she declares, putting her hands on her hips.This place has that effect on most people. I grab my phone, noting the flashing voicemail as I slip on my flip flops.We go outside, leaving the smoke-filled air behind and step into the bright sunlight, surrounded by the picture of rundown homes and apartments. The neighborhood is filled with motorcycle engines revving and far in the blank are the sounds of a lovers quarrel and Micha is nowhere to be seen.A long time ago, it felt like home, back when alley racing and running wild felt natural, but now I just feel lost.Lila starts biting at her fingernails as she gapes confoundedly at her car. It looks worse up close.I circle her car with my arms folded, assessing the damage. It looks like a increase basket, only instead of being filled with fruit its crammed with innuendos and colorful words. Im on the verge o f laughing for some reason. They got you near(a).She shakes her head. This isnt funny. Do you know how much its going to cost to fix this?Lilas dad is a full-grown shot attorney over in California. Her parents are always sending her things like clothes, money, cars. She has never worked a day in her life and gave me a hard time for my waitressing job at Applebees, begging me to take time off to go to parties.So what do we do? She chips at some green key fruit on the headlight with her fingernail.I point up the street. Theres an auto body shop not too far from here.She glances down the road, which is covered in potholes and lined with filthy gutters. But this is a Mercedes.Im sure painting a car, no matter who the maker is, is all the same.But what if they do something to it?Like spray paint it again after they paint it? I say sarcastically and she scowls. Sorry. Well find someone, okay? We can take it to someplace in Alpine. Its a puny nicer over there.I cant drive it when it l ooks like this, she complains, motioning at the car. Its hideous.Ill drive it, then, I offer my hand out for her to give me the keys. atomic number 18 you joking? She pats the hood of her car. This is my baby. No one drives it but me. You know that.I think your baby is in serious need of some plastic surgery. Micha strides off the porch of his house and onto the driveway. Hes changed into disastrous jeans, a fitted grey t-shirt, and his blonde hair hangs in his eyes. Using his long legs, he jumps over the chain-linked fence between our yards. I know the perfect place to get it fixed and its here in town, so you wont have to drive it so far. He gives Lila a wink. Im Micha, by the way.Hi, Im Ellas roommate or old roommate anyway, she says with a warm smile and slides her sunglasses down the brim of her nose. Were not sure if were sacramental manduction a dorm room next semester.He presents her with his player grin. sharing a room with Ella? That had to be tough. He shoots me a mis chievous look, trying to get a rise out of me.She laughs and returns her glasses over her eyes. No, shes a pretty great roommate, actually. She cleans and cooks and everything. Its like having my own house maid.Ella was always good at that stuff, he agrees, knowing the real reason why. Even before my mom died, she was never good at taking care of the house. I had to learn how to take care of myself at a very three-year-old age, otherwise Id have starved and rotted away in a rat-infested house. So do you trust me to take your car to that shop I was talking about? Like I express, its really close.Yeah, that sounds great. She shuffles her sandals against the concrete. Id rather go someplace close.I mentally roll my eyes. Leave it to Micha. He can get any woman to contradict herself if he wants to.He swings his arm around my shoulder and kisses me on the forehead. But I have to take pretty girl over here to see an old friend first.Please stop calling me that, I beg. Ive never liked t he cognomen and you know that. I never even got why you called me it.And thats the appeal of it, pretty girl. He tempts me closer to him and caresses my cheek with his lips, giving me a kiss that brings rage to my skin. Now are you ready to go see Grady? You can come, too, if you want is it Lila?Yeah, its Lila. Lila Summers. She offers her hand and Micha shakes it. And sure Ill go. This place makes me a little nervous.Isnt your family expecting you to be home tonight? I escape from underneath Michas arm.Ill text them and tell them Im not leaving until tomorrow. She retrieves her cell phone and scrolls through her contacts. The car will be done by tomorrow, right?Its hard to say, Micha says. Ethan is the best, but a little slow.Her head snaps up and theres delight in her eyes. Ethan as in Ethan from the party last night? The one with the sexy hair and the really big hands?Micha bites down on his lip, stifling a laugh, and flicks me a sideways glance. I cant help but smile.Yep, tha ts the one, he says. Do you feel wear about taking your car to him now?Well, yeah, if you think its okay? she checks. Im very picky about who works on my car or at least my dad is very picky about who works on it.Itll be fine, he assures her with a wink. Ive never disappointed a girl yet.Oh yeah? Lila laughs, glancing at me uneasily, like shes worried shes stepping on my territory.So are we going to go or what? A ping of jealousy pinches inside my chest.Yep, lets go, beautiful. Micha leads the way around the fence and up his driveway to the garage.When I step inside, my mouth falls open. Parked in the middle, between the walls lined with shelves and tools, is a shiny 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS. Its painted in a smoky black with a cherry red racing stripe down the center. You eventually fixed it up?He pats the shiny flawless hood, his eyes spark with excitement. I finally got around to it, after talking about it for quartette years. His eyes find mine, seeking my approval. So what do you think?Its kind of old. Lila pulls a face at the car. And really big.I thought you liked things big? Micha teases. I punch him in the arm and he laughs. Ow, I meant hands. Jeez get your mind out of the gutter.I roll my eyes. You did not, you pervert.He shrugs, his eyes lustrous in the sunlight filtering through the gritty windows. So what. It got you to reduce up, didnt it?Are we driving it to Gradys? I opt for a neutral voice.He slips his keys out of his pocket and tosses them to me. Yeah, go ahead. Its all yours.I swiftly shake my head and throw the keys back at him, like theyre scorching hot. No thanks. I dont want to.He cocks an eyebrow, looking sexy. What do you mean you dont want to?I mean I dont want to drive it. It nearly kills me to say it. I walk around the front of the car, open the door, and gesture for Lila to get in.But it has a blown 572 Big Block in it, he says astounded with the keys hanging loosely from his fingers. How can you not want to drive it?My insides t witch to drive it, but I wont buckle. Its fine, Micha. Id rather be the passenger.What does that mean? A blown big block or whatever you said? Lila wonders as she walks to the side of the car. Wait, are you guys talking cars? El doesnt like cars. In fact, she made us take the bus most of the time when we left campus.Oh really? His tone implies otherwise. Thats news to me.Its a waste of gas, I lie, attempting to entomb the truth that I miss it. The rush, the speed, the adrenaline high.Lila ducks inside the car and into the backseat. I climb into the passenger side and Micha opens the garage door. He revs up the engine, letting it rumble, teasing me, before backing down the driveway.Im starting to think that the Ella you knew isnt the same one as I know. Lila buckles her seatbelt up.He spins the tires down the road. I think you might be on to something Lila, because the one I knew loved cars. In fact she used to hang out in the garage all day with the guys while the other girls playe d with their hair and makeup. He flashes me a dangerous grin. She used to get all excited when wed go racing.No matter how hard I try to hinder myself from getting energized, I cant. Those hot summer nights, flying down the highway, neck and neck with some other car, the rush soaring through my body.Micha trails his finger along my neck and rests it on my pulse. Youre getting excited just thinking about it.His touch spreads a longing through my body. I swat his hand away, cross my arms, and taper on the window, watching the neighborhood blur by as he cruises over the speed limit. Micha shifts the gears and the engine thunders louder, begging to burn rubber.Is it legal to be driving this fast? Lila asks nervously. We glance back at her and she grips the edge of the leather seat. It just seems like were going really fast, especially in a neighborhood.Micha holds my gaze resolutely as he downshifts and pumps up the rpms. What do you think? Speed up? Or slow down?I want to tell him to slow down, pull on my seatbelt, and look away, but a passion that was dead raves. He throttles the gas pedal, keeping his eyes on mine, venturing me to look away first.Um I dont think this is a good idea. Lilas voice is far away.The car surges faster down the narrow road and his eyes dare me to tell him to slow down and part of me wants to. Desperately. But as he shoves the shifter into the next gear, going faster and faster, my body pleads to let go.Suddenly, Lila screams, Stop signMichas eyes sparkle like sunlight reflecting into the ocean. He slams on the brakes, squealing the car to a halt, and throwing us all forward. My hand shoots out and I brace myself from hitting the dashboard.Are you crazy? Lilas voice cracks as she situates back into the seat and realigns her dress over her legs. What is wrong with you two?Micha and I look at each other and my body is glowing with a hidden desire that I wont admit exists. My heart shell in my chest, rock steady and alive again. For a second, Im back in the place I lost.Then Micha ruins it.See, the same old Ella still lives. He grins arrogantly as he drives through the intersection. She just needed a little push out.I click the seatbelt locked, proving a point. No, she doesnt. Shes gone forever. crusade all you want, but Im bringing her back. He bites his lip, refocusing on the street as he mutters, I wont let that night ruin you forever.But it did. It broke me into a million pieces and blew them away in the wind, like crumbled leaves. That night was one of the most incredible nights Ive ever had.Then I quickly plummeted toward rock bottom.