Embracing Emma (Companion to Brisé) (10 page)

“What’s that?”

“I hear you lost your spot at UGA.” I clench my fists, wanting another go ‘round. “Seth, Mark, Adam, and I got offers from GSU. Contingent on us bringing you with us.”

“You needed to throw a brick through my window for that?”

“Nope, that was to get your attention. I noticed that house across the street was dark. No parents home, just a feeble old woman, and your girl…all alone.” My blood boils. “I’ll let today go when you commit to GSU.”

No way in hell.

“Pass.”

“I figured you would need some convincing, and I’m willing to give it to you. Don’t forget QB, I know all your weaknesses. Either play for GSU or nowhere.”

“How do you figure?”

“Accidents happen, your career can be blown all to hell with a few broken bones, a blown knee. It’d be a shame if the star’s love interest were in the car when he was run off the road. Of course, I’d have no idea about that.”

“Of course.” He has me, and he knows it.

“So shall I call the coach and let him know he has his man?”

I swallow the bile. “Call him.”

“See you, QB,” he calls as I leave. The immense desire I have to knock the smirk off his face is overridden by the need to protect those I love. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you don’t doubt those Gary boys.

I go below the speed limit the entire drive back to my house, my stomach clenching with the unknown. I have no idea if my parents are home, how they will react to the broken window, but I’m glad I removed the threat. That would have sent them into overdrive and ruined all the plans I just made to protect them. Blue lights flashing illuminate my street, neighbors wrapped in robes gawking on their lawns, and I make the mistake of looking at her house as I creep closer to mine. Her eyes wide, never leaving me, I can see the tear tracks from here, and I know I made the right decision. This may be hard, having violence sneak into our neighborhood, but what will happen if I don’t do what they want? I shut my truck off, and Dad and Pop rush towards me.

“You okay, William?” Emma has snuck up against me, and I pull her close.

“I’m fine. What’s going on?” I should have majored in drama for the performance I need to give.

“Somebody smashed your window, son.” An officer steps up. “Where were you tonight?”

“The bonfire, celebrating the win, sir.” He nods. Emma pinches my side, and I tug her closer. I need her to keep her mouth shut.

“You have any idea who’d do this?”

“No. The other players are still there, but I wanted to get home.”

“You played a hell of a game. I’m sure you’re tired. Is there any drinking over there?”

I shrug my shoulders, the best I can do without lying outright, and he lets it go. He seems to be studying my mannerisms, watching for a crack, but I won’t give him any. “Mr. Jacobs,” he addresses my parents, “we can’t seem to find what was used to smash the window. We are going to take a few more sweeps through the house, but best I can tell with no threat is that it was petty vandalism. We don’t see much around here as you know, but kids get wild.”

Everyone nods like they believe him, except my Em. I feel her eyes boring holes into the side of me, and I know I’m in for an earful. I just have to tell her enough and hope it convinces her. The adults huddle and talk about boarding the window until we can get it replaced and Emma lets me have it.

“You weren’t at the bonfire. Less than an hour ago, you told me you were home.”

Saying a silent prayer this doesn’t ruin us, I open my mouth, “I lied. I didn’t want to fight.”

“You definitely lied, but you’re doing it now. I saw your truck, William. What aren’t you telling me?”

“Leave it. The guys called me to the bonfire to talk, so I went.”

“Called you how? By smashing your window?” I won’t lie again. “You need to tell them, Will. This isn’t a joke.”

“No, Ems. I won’t say anything, and neither will you. It’s not a joke, but I have it handled.”

Her eyes plead with me to give her more. I can’t. I give her what I can—my arms circling her, holding her tight, my lips against the top of her head in reassurance, my heart beating for her, swelling with love I will drown her in. And a resolve to never let the ugliness touch her. I’ll give her that every day, but tonight she gets my silence along with it.

Chapter Eleven

Emma

The window was replaced easily enough. Getting the truth from him is much harder. He and I both know what happened that night, and just because it’s been fixed and forgotten by most doesn’t mean I can let it go. Although at the moment, we have bigger fish to fry. College choice.

“Explain to me
AGAIN
why you are leaning towards Georgia Southern?” Trying to keep the exasperation from my tone is a huge undertaking.

“Football, Em. Same reason I gave you yesterday, the day before, and every day you ask me. I can’t play at University because of the fight.” The one he blames me for, he’s just too chicken to say so.

“There were other colleges that offered. It doesn’t have to be there or nowhere.”

“They are offering a full ride. And it’s the closest.”

“Your parents can afford it, Will.”

He rolls his eyes at me, tired of the same conversation. “I don’t want to be dependent on them. It’s important, and that’s why Southern makes the most sense. Plus, I don’t want to be that far from you.”

Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. Distance won’t matter to us. We’ve got a bond that won’t be broken by miles. “It works better if you tell me you just don’t want to share the real reason.”

“I’m giving you the real reasons. You make things so difficult.”

“You do. You’re the one hiding something. The truth.”

His deep sigh doesn’t deter me. There is a reason why he is going to commit to Southern, and he refuses to admit it. I’d rather him be two thousand miles from those assclowns who committed to play at Southern last week. “Emma, I’ve given you the truth. I want to play football. Georgia Southern isn’t my first choice, but I can’t play as a Bulldog. Southern offered me a full ride. It’s closer than the other schools who recruited me.”

“But you’re locked in for four years.”

“That’s what a full ride means.” I narrow my eyes at his unnecessary clarification.

“What happened to the plan? You were going to switch schools when I graduated. That’s off the table if you commit to a four-year scholarship.”

“And I’ve told you visits can be frequent. I have to live in the dorms until I’m second year, and I have a private room. Junior year I’ll look into apartments.”

“And a grueling football schedule, so I can visit and spend no time with you. That sounds like a blast.”

“Football season will be tough, I’ll admit it. But the rest of the time I’ll be yours.”

“Except for half of summer for training camp.”

“Are you trying to be difficult? When did we stop supporting each other’s dreams? I must have missed the memo.”

Way to make me feel like shit. I resign myself to his choice. “I’m sorry. I support you playing football in college and after if that’s what you want. I just worry.”

“Don’t. That’s my job.”

“Okay, QB. I’ll sit on the sidelines while you revel in your glory. Better?”

“Almost. I need the obligatory kiss to stake your claim. You’ll need to hang on my every word. Gaze at me adoringly.”

“You’re pushing it.”

“Gazing at me pushed you over the top?”

“No, describing all those cheerleaders waiting to get in your pads pushed me over the edge. Let’s leave it at I’ll be your doting girlfriend, as I always am. Both of us win.”

“Deal.” He shoots me a wink as he pulls into the school parking lot. “Don’t forget I want you by my side when I sign today.”

I turn to him, stare into his eyes. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I am proud of you.”

“I love you.” He squeezes my hand and plants a quick kiss to my lips. “Let’s get to class.”

The day drags. I’m waiting for the dismissal of class to get to the signing ceremony. He’s kind of a big deal in small town football news, and with being a starter as a true freshman; he has a lot of curiosity surrounding him. Originally, he was going to be back-up and start as a red shirt freshman, but Georgia Southern’s quarterback went down in the last game with a career-ending knee injury. The coaches have confidence that William can start as a true freshman, and I agree with him. Pressure doesn’t get to him, he treats each game like it’s a championship game, and executes flawlessly. He was born to play. Besides his college choice, another bone of contention was his career aspirations. He had no idea after football. I’m sure he has the talent, the drive, the ambition to play at a professional level, but he needs a back-up plan. I try and point that out but it’s met with resistance. Injuries happen, careers have a timeline, but he has no interests outside of football. I suggested broadcasting major or teacher, so he could coach. I hope once he’s settled and gets a feel for the program, he will ease into a major. Hell, I’d settle for a minor at this point. For someone who doesn’t want to accept his parents help for school, he needs to understand that without a career he may find himself living in his childhood bedroom for a lifetime. I’m not high maintenance, but I do require things like a roof over my head, food in my belly, clothes on my back . . . and I will be able to provide those things after college, but I refuse to support an adolescent who refused to have a back-up plan.

After the bell rings, I hurry to the courtyard where the table is set up and the media has gathered. It’s crazy, our local news stations along with the news from Statesboro is here; I’m guessing they want to pump up their alumni and locals and introduce them to their new star. He’s deep in conversation with the head coach, and I look for Brett and James. I see his cronies in the corner, looking smug and full of themselves; I can imagine their glee, damn near one-fourth of the football team will be playing together. It makes a pretty impressive roster, and other than easing into college ball, these guys have years of history being teammates. It’s a rare thing to have the consistency this team will have. No wonder Georgia Southern’s coaching staff looks so happy. I make my way to the table and stand in the melee until he needs me. I catch him gesturing for me to join him, and before I can get close enough, his high school coaches, teammates, and new coaches surround him. He’s ushered to take a seat, and the papers are set in front of him with a flourish. Brandishing a pen, he quickly signs his name, and it’s official.

He’s now a Georgia Southern Eagle . . . let’s hope he soars and doesn’t plummet.

He’s posing for pictures, standing with whom they tell him. Reporters are clamoring to get a statement, and he seems to be living the dream…placed upon a pedestal and standing by his decision. He shoots me a wink, and the reporters catch his movement, I’m swamped with questions and not prepared for any of this. I’m speechless. William quickly is at my side, pulling me towards him.

“Who is this?”

“Will she be joining you at school?”

“How long have you been dating?” Questions are shouted quicker than I can answer. I take a deep breath and prepare to answer them to the best of my ability.

“This is Emma. Her privacy is important to us, and while she won’t be joining me at school, she fully supports me and will be in my life.” His statement seems to put an end to the questions being peppered at us, and they must feel like their story is over because they are all packing up, and we have a moment of silence.

“How do you feel?” I ask, pushing up on my toes to give him a kiss.

“Good. Glad this is over with. Now I can spend the rest of the school year with you.”

“Charmer.” I wink at him. “Where are your parents?”

“Work or home, I guess.”

“I’m surprised they aren’t here.” I notice him avoiding my gaze. “William?”

“I didn’t tell them.”

“What? Why?” He astounds me sometimes, and not in a good way.

“I’m eighteen, Ems. I don’t need their permission or signature.”

“No, but how about their support? How about letting them be here for an important day? You are so damn selfish sometimes.”

“Leave it.”

“I’m so tired of that line. I won’t leave it, you need to wake up and fix this shit. You are creating a rift that is getting wider and wider. Soon it may not be fixable.”

“You’re wrong. It’s called growing up. I’m doing it, maybe you should try it.” I see the regret flash in his eyes, but I’m too pissed.

“I prefer walking away.” And I do. I walk right past his asshole friends, all of our friends, the faculty, so I don’t have to hear him calling my name. I grab my cell and call Nana. She assures me she will be here in minutes, so I stay hidden on the side of the school until I see her car. It was unnecessary because he didn’t come looking for me.

“What’s wrong, Emma?” Nana is watching the door to the school, and I shoo her along.

“I’m pissed at that boy.”

“Honey, it won’t be the first time. What did he do?”

“Selfish.”