The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 4

MichaShes already got you on the whole hot and bot presentd. Ethan sips on his soda. touch sensation at you. D perseverek later on eight months of sobriety and I dont believe its a coincidence it happened on the akin night she showed up.I slam a nonher shot masking and wipe my lips with the back of my collapse. Im amercement man. And I movet blame what I do on anyone else besides myself. This isnt Ellas fault. Ethan laughs, tipping his designate back, bumping it on the edge of the cupboard. Who the nether region be you trying to convince? You survive just as well as every undivided person in the room knows that you two are each new(prenominal)s problem and its never going to be fixed until you fuck and get it oer with.I punch him in the arm, seriouslyer than I planned. Watch it. Youre walking on thin ice tonight.He h senescents up his hands, surrendering. Sorry, I forgot how you get when youre handle this.I impound a fist full of his shirt and jerk him toward me. Like what?Again, he forfeits up his hands. Micha man, calm shine and go drink some c byee or something. Youre trashed come in of your mind.I release him and rake my fingers by dint of my tomentum cerebri, frustrated with something I cant grasp. Coffees a myth And I need something else. My disembodied spirit travel to the back portal window, and suddenly I understand what I need. I pat Ethans shoulder. Clear everyone out(p) before my mummy gets firm, okay?Al justly, man will do, he replies con rigedly. alone where are you going?On a walk. I knock people out of my way, and stumble out the back door. Regaining my balance, I trip across the grass and raise everywhere the fence. Ellas dads Firebird is parked in the driveway, so he must be home from the bar. Doesnt matter, though. He wont notice or elevator care if I sneak in. Ive been doing it since we were kids.Although, my intentions did get a eccentric dirtier the older we got.I stare up at her fork oerroom window unt il I reach the tree. aft(prenominal) a drunken struggle, I make it to the top and I inch along the brassierench to the window. cup me hands around my eyeball, I peek inside. The lights are off, but the glow of the moon lights a pass over to her cognise. Shes fast asleep. I inch open the window, slicing my finger on a rusty nail. give I suck on my finger tip, the taste of blood and vodka bitter against my tongue as I head dive through the window and hit the floor with a modest thud.Her friend shoots genuine from the bed on the floor, her eyes wide. Oh my God.I put my finger to my lips as I get to my feet. Shh She silence sees worried so I dazzle her with my well-nigh charming smile.That seems to win her over and she settles back in her bed. As carefully as I can, I step over her bed and crawl in with Ella. Shes always been a heavy sleeper and doesnt stir. I press my chest against her back, drape my arm over her waist, and feel the rhythm of her inklinging. God, Ive missed this way in any case much. Its not healthy. I burrow my face in her have it away, faceing the scent of her hair, vanilla mixed with something thats only(prenominal) her.I shut my eyes and for the first duration in eight months, I fall into a peaceful sleep.EllaI sleep horribly for half(prenominal) the night, tossing and turning, same(p) the princess sleeping on a pea. Only I am far from a princess and the pea is my guilty conscience. I dont know why I feel guilty or so blowing off Micha. Ive through it breezily for the past eight months. Although, he wasnt living right next door with his sad pup dog eyes and charming sexiness.My sleep deprivation only got worse when my dad stumbled into the admit in the middle of the night, bumping over cups and bottles, drunk off his ass. Later, I heard him crying in the bathroom my florists chrysanthemum died in. It still hurts to hear because his tears are my fault.Once I fall asleep, I am out and it ends up being the best nights rest Ive had in ages. When I wake up in the new-made afternoon, I feel refreshed and calm. Until I realize why.Micha is in my bed and has me in his long, lean harness. His form is curved into mine, so every single part 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 terrific dream, refusing to wake up until he leaves.I know youre awake, he whispers in my ear. His voice 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 say with my eyes shut. And sneaking into someones bed thats the move of a pervert.I didnt walk in. I fell in, he says, amused. I pinch his firm chest and he laughs. instanter theres my feisty misfire. He brushes his soft lips across my forehead. Ive missed you, Ella May.Opening my eyes, I wiggle in his arms. Please dont start. Its too early.His e yes are guarded and his hair is a mess. He chuckles lowly, a sound that ripples deep inside my core. Pretend all you want, pretty girl. You and I know that deep gloomy youre secretly glad to be pressed up to my body. He urges our chests together as he snakes his legs around mine.My eyelids flutter against his warmth. God, Ive missed this so much. Way too much and so has my body, evidently.So where did you go? he asks, crushing my milliampereent of bliss. To school in Vegas? Because it mixture of surprises me. You never really desire school.My mind snaps back to reality. I dont want to get into this right now. I just want to run through a relaxing summer and then Im headed back to campus.He blinks, his eyelashes pother against my forehead. The feel of him sends a warm tingle up my thighs and I seal my lips to keep 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 cons iders this and an artful smirk curves at his lip. Thats not true. Nuns cant have sex and I still havent ful modify my lifelong dream of having sex with you.I open my mouth, my tongue locked and loaded with an equally perverted comeback, but I bite take, remembering Im not that kind of a girl anymore. I need to wake Lila up. Shes got a long drive ahead of her.With one swift roll, he has me pinned rase beneath his body and my arms trapped above my head. His aqua eyes search mine and its like staring at the perennial ocean. He sucks on his lip ring, lost in thought. Youre going to recite me, pretty girl, he asserts, tilting his head so his lips are next to my cheek. You always sort me everything.Micha, please. I despise how breathless I sound. You know why I left. You were there that night you saw me I cant do it again. Anxiety 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, instead of running away. You know that.I shake my head. No, I couldnt. Not that succession. That time it was different. You were part of the reason I had to leave.Because you kissed me? he asks, dipping his voice to a husky growl. Or because I found you that way that night.I swallow the giant lump in my throat. The kiss was part of it. It was an earthshattering kiss, one that steal breaths, stageped hearts, and scared the shit out of me because it surfaced feelings Id never matte up before, ones that rendered me helpless.I dont want to talk about it. Now get off of me. I wiggle my arms between us and push on his chest.He sighs and rolls off me. Fine, dont talk about it, but it doesnt mean you can run away from me again. Ill copy you gobble up this time, he threatens with a wink as he climbs off the bed, and the chain hooked to his continue belt jingles. Get dressed and meet me out in the driveway. You have to go visit Grady today.No, thanks, I decline and tug the blanket o ver my head. And I told you go bad night I have bar to do today. Besides arent you hung over from last night? You were pretty profusiond.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 lot has c settleed.Im speechless. Micha, I light 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 lying 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 home and I have things to do.Hes got cancer, Ella. He backs for the door, tucking his hands into the dismissions of his faded jeans. So get your bratty, 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 tel l 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 delete that. I dont hold youre ready for it yet.My esteem 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 have a bun in the oven you to see him.I begin to object, but rethink 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 even called him from Vegas once, although I didnt tel l him where I was.I nod. Let me get dressed and Ill be out in a second. befool you in a few. He winks at me and vanishes into the hall, leaving the door wide open behind him.Lila readily 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 letting in the prosperous 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 get wind at her. I think 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 price done to her beautiful, nearly brand new Mercedes. My poor babyI pull a wall and a pink tank top out of my duffel bag. Get dressed and well go wait out the damage.She pouts, looking like she might cry. I cant drive it home like that. My parents will decimate me.I know plenty 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 downstairs bathroom to change, avoiding the upstairs one. I turn on the shower so the mirror will fog up and hide my reflection. I comb my hair until it flips up at the ends naturally. Then I apply a light tincture 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 force sixty.Last night, I tell him, pickings his arm and helping him up the stairs. I was in bed before you got home.He passings 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 any thing? Like help carrying in your boxes?I think I can handle it on my own, but thanks. I decline, sticking my arm out as he teeters toward the stairs.He nods and his eyes drift 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 on then. Maybe we could go to dinner 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 drinking 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 spend 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 yellow sundress, with her blonde hair curled up and there is a pair of overly large sunglasses concealing 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 blackened air behind and step into the bright sunlight, surrounded by the scenery of rundown homes and apartments. The neighborhood is filled with motorcycle engines revving and far in the distance are the sounds of a lovers quarrel and Micha is nowhere to be seen.A long time ago, it felt like home, back when street 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 fruit basket, only instead of being filled with fruit its crammed with innuendos and colorful words. Im on the verge of laughing for some reason. They got you good.She shakes her head. This isnt funny. Do you know how much its going to cost to fix this?Lilas dad is a big shot lawyer 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 paint on the headlamp with her fingernail.I point up the street. Theres an auto body shop not too far from here.She glistens 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 little nicer over there.I cant drive it when it looks 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.Are you jok ing? 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 black 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 overlap 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 mischievous 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 young age, differently Id have starved and rotted away in a rat-infested house. So do you want me to take your car to that shop I was talking about? Like I said, 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 cleaning 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 the nickname 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 warmth 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, thats the one, he says. Do you feel better about taking your car to him now?Well, yeah, if you think its okay? she checks. Im very grouchy about who works on my car or at least my dad is very peculiar(a) 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 bother Chevelle SS. Its painted in a smoky black with a cherry red racing run down the center. You finally fixed it up?He pats the shiny flawless hood, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I finally got around to it, after talking about it for four 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 lighten 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 motility 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 twitch to drive it, but I wont buckle. Its fine, Micha. Id rather be the passenger.What does that mean? A blown big block or some(prenominal) you said? Lila wonders as she walk s 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 mask 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 played 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 get energized , I cant. Those hot summer nights, flying down the highway, neck and neck with another 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 focus 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 burning with a hidden desire that I wont admit exists. My heart beats in my chest, rock steady and alive again. For a second, Im back in the place I lost.Then Micha decrepitudes it.See, the same old Ella still lives. He grins arrogantly as he drives through the intersection. She just needed a lit tle push out.I click the seatbelt locked, proving a point. No, she doesnt. Shes gone forever.Try all you want, but Im obstetrical delivery 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.