Embracing Emma (Companion to Brisé) (20 page)

“That was so long ago, Emma. I don’t remember. I was so happy my friends were creating their dream, and I had just had you.” Her tone rises in volume, and she rushes her words.

“Okay, Mom. Calm down.” Her teeth bite into her lip, and she lets out a shrill laugh.

“Goodness, you’d think you already had this job. You’ll be good the way you interrogate people.”

“I asked a question. A quite simple one. You’re the one freaking.”

“I’m not
freaking
. I’m just anxious to get home.” I let it go. I’m just as anxious to get home. What feels like hours later, we pull into the driveway, and I make a mad dash for the boy who stole my heart. He’s waiting on his tailgate for me and catches me with ease when I tackle him.

“Hi, honey. Don’t worry, I’ll get your bags. Nice to see you,” my dad hollers across the street. I laugh, and Will grabs me tighter.

“I’ll be home in a few. Mom must have learned her sarcasm skills from you. At least you’re still master of some of your domain.”

“Smart ass,” he throws back at me. “William, bring her home shortly.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You’ll be coming home with me. I’m not letting you go until I have to.”

“Bossy aren’t you. How was New York?”

I shrug, non-committal. I know he’ll want me to pursue whatever school I want, and if I tell him about Washington, he’ll push me. “Too big for me.” It’s not a lie; it’s a huge, bustling city. One that doesn’t offer me anything. Seattle, on the other hand, is a city I’d love to get lost in. Each have big populations in their own right, but one holds an appeal the other doesn’t. In New York, I’d lose myself because I’m not following my dream, but my best friend. In Seattle I’d follow my dreams but not my heart.

“My country girl.”

“Whatever. I think University will be plenty big for me.” And as far as I want to venture from my family and him.

“I have five days home before camp.”

“Well, we have five days to reacquaint with one another.”

“Sounds promising.”

“Oh, it will be.”

And it was.

Five days of bliss.

Five days of whispered promises.

Five days of shared moments.

Five days to get us through the next five weeks, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Chapter Twenty

William

Camp and training were brutal. I had five days with my girl and five weeks without her. To make matters worse, Brian and Seth have been in my rearview the entire drive home, so my wish for them to stay at school is squashed in front of my eyes. I called Ems last night and told her Blake was coming home with me for a few weeks, I couldn’t get a read on her emotions, but he promised to run interference with the asshole squad.

“Quit looking. They aren’t going anywhere.”

“I don’t know why I thought they’d make my life easier.”

“I got this. They are taking me to a kegger tonight, and I’ll keep them busy until I talk them into going back to campus. Just focus, QB.”

I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t dealt with the taunts all year or the fact we haven’t been in town where the triggers lie, but now the memories are flooding back and making my blood boil. “I’m trying. I know my girl, and if they act like the fools they are, she won’t stay out of it.”

“Leave it to me. Trust me, I’ve got your back.” I nod and concentrate on the highway and miles separating me from the other half of my heart. We reach my street before I know it. I pull into my driveway with Seth and Brian speeding past, blowing their horn. “God, they’re dicks. I don’t know how you dealt with that shit growing up.”

“My best tactic was avoidance, but they don’t like being ignored. I had it all planned, and that shit the bed.”

“At least you knocked his ass down. I’d love to see a repeat of that.”

“You may get your wish if they don’t leave Emma alone.”

“Nah, it won’t come to that.” I lead him up the stairs to the front door. Emma hasn’t barged out of her house yet, and that worries me. I’m sure she thinks Blake will cramp our style, but he’s here to help our time. I introduce Blake to my parents and leave them getting to know each other while I jog across the street.

Luke opens the door. “She’ll be back in a bit. Nana was having a good day, and she didn’t want to leave.” I nod. I am happy she is getting these moments, but I’d be a liar if I said I am not disappointed that she isn’t in my arms.

“That’s great, Mr. N. I’ll be at home. Just let her know.”

“How was camp?”

“Tough. Hot. Good.”

“This is your year, I can feel it.”

“I hope so. We need the wins.” I lift my hand in a wave as I head back home. Blake is sprawled on the living room floor, stuffing his face with my dad’s famous salsa perched against his stomach and chips in hand.

“This shit is the best,” he manages with his mouth full.

I laugh, expecting the slap to the back of the head for his language. That shit never happens, and I look at the grinning loons realizing they don’t care. “Yep, I grew up eating that.”

“Lucky bastard.” I smirk and shake my head. My parents just sit back, soaking it in, beaming with pride. I stop mid-step, and it hits me. I robbed them of this—the camaraderie of my friends because I didn’t really have any. Emma was my lifeline, and Brian and Seth had skewed my image on what friendship was. I’m a coward. I didn’t invite anyone over thinking they would feel the same as those twats, I never wanted my parents to hear the things being said. I’m almost twenty fucking one years old, and this is the first time anyone other than Ems has been here. Shit…what a screw-up I am.

I plop down on the recliner and watch their interaction. Jokes, most of them crude from Blake, laughter, smiles, and fun are happening in my home. Blake knew I had two dads, and he took it in stride. It didn’t phase him one iota. He assured me most people are like him, but I have my doubts. I’ve never experienced that, only dealing with the opposite. He’s at ease with them, and informing them how we ran the new plays and drills in camp. “You ready for the season?” Brett asks me.

“Yep. I’m pumped. We have a shot to make it to playoffs.”

“That’s good.”

“Y’all should come to some games if you can.” It’s been so long since I’ve included them. I hid a huge part of my life for no good reason. I didn’t believe the slurs and jokes spoken to me, I knew my parents loved one another, and when there is that much love, it can’t be wrong. But while I didn’t believe them, I wasn’t sure others didn’t. It was easier to bury my head in the sand. Struggling against the grain wasn’t embedded in me, I was taught from an early age to go with the flow, do anything to stay under the radar. I’m sure that came from my formative years being spent making sure I wasn’t sent back. Brett and James adopted me, brought me into their home, and included me in their life . . . I didn’t want to go back, I wanted them to be proud of me. I didn’t want to create problems. I didn’t want them to regret choosing me.

James opens his mouth, shuts it. Brett stares at me like he doesn’t understand the language I’m speaking. “That’d be epic. After the game, I’ll let y’all buy us dinner and bring me some of this salsa.”

James shoots him a smirk, “How kind of you.” His gaze shifts to me, “You want us to see you play?”

I swallow the shame, “Yes. I’d love you to come.”

“Done.” Brett tries to play off his excitement but fails. His knees bounce, his smile broadens, his eyes light up with expectation.

“I’ll get my schedule to you.”

“No need.” James jumps up and goes to the kitchen. He comes back carrying the schedule. “I printed it last week when it was released. And I can’t tell you how nice it will be to be able to sit on the correct side this time.”

“What?”

“Son, we’ve been coming to your games since you started playing. You never knew it, we know you liked your independence, but we haven’t missed a home game since your freshman year. It was getting awkward sitting in the rivals’ section with all our gear. We were easy targets.”

I’m flabbergasted. “How’d I miss this?”

“Luke came to a few. He didn’t tell Emma.” I’m eerily elated and embarrassed. I’ve reduced them to hiding.

Blake hops up. “They are picking me up in an hour. Mind if I hit the shower?”

“Nope, follow me, I’ll show you where everything is.” I get him situated and head down to wait for Emma to get home.

“Where is he going?” Brett asks.

“Out with Brian and Seth.” I watch James rolls his eyes, and Brett crinkles his nose like a skunk just sprayed our house.

That’s odd. They haven’t said anything pro or con on the dashing duo, but it seems like they don’t care for them. “Have you thought more about a major?” James won’t quit harping when it comes to my future.

“No.” I wish I had an answer. I know I want to play pro. I know I’m good enough.

“After the NFL, I don’t know what I want to do.”

“You’ve got to declare a major, William.”

I roll my eyes, “I know. I’m thinking journalism.”

“That’s good. You’ve got to have a back-up plan.”

“I’m good enough for the NFL.” I’m getting defensive.

“We know, son.” Brett cups my shoulder. “God forbid something happens…an injury. You’ve got to have a career to fall back on . . . think about Emma and how you plan to take care of her.”

Shit. “You’re right. Sorry, I’m just a bit defensive because nothing excites me like ball. I just want to play.”

“We just want you to do what you love, but be smart.”

“I get it.” Our conversation is halted when the door opens and slams. I see a flash of yellow seconds before her body is in my arms, her nose buried in my neck, her arms squeezing me and her legs surrounding my hips.

“Hell, if that’s a standard greeting here, I want to be next in line,” Blake jokes as he walks in the kitchen.

Em’s finger goes up in the one finger salute, my dads laugh, and Blake tickles her making her squirm in my arms. “Hands off my girl,” I warn.

“I’d like to at least meet the men that feel me up. You must be Blake.” Emma lets her legs fall and shimmies down.

He grabs her and tosses her in the air. “You’re fun-sized. And yes I’m Blake. You must be Ems.”

“Emma.” She steps from his hold. “Ems isn’t anyone’s but his.”

“Greedy, isn’t he?” His good-natured personality makes everyone he meets at ease.

“Well, once you’ve had the best you do whatever you can to keep it. He has to work hard.” She winks at me and links her arm through Blake’s. “So tell me, what is my QB up to in school.”

“Oh no.” Blake steps back from her. “You aren’t having me spill all my secrets. I’m not your spy toy.”

“I have a mean ice cream pie recipe.” She bats her eyelashes at him.

“Better than James’s salsa?”

“One hundred percent.” He throws his arm around her shoulder and leads her into the living room. I’m not worried, I don’t do anything besides train, play, eat, study, go to class, and sleep. I hear their laughter, and I can’t help the smile that stretches my cheeks. My girl and my friend getting along.

A horn interrupts their banter. “Who is that?”

“Blake’s hanging with Brian and Seth.” I snake my arms around her waist.

“And here I thought I liked you.”

“You’ll love me this summer when I keep those jackals out of your life. I’m the diversion. You should thank me for letting QB pimp out my services.”

“You just earned apple pie to go with your ice cream pie.”

“Hell yes.” He high-fives her and runs out of the house.

“He’s a good apple.” She smiles at me.

“He is.” I kiss her sassy mouth. Over and over. Throats clearing make me break my kiss. I sigh as I rest my forehead against hers. This is a moment in life I want to remember. The feeling inside of me. The smiles gracing the faces of everyone I love. The friendship I just experienced. The love . . . I will draw on the strength of it when I’m at my weakest.

“Wow, Blake kept his promise. We didn’t see the beast brigade, at all.” Her smile lights up her face, her skin sun-kissed from many days spent lazing in the sun. I picked her up after classes and hijacked her days, her evenings, and we’ve managed to sneak a few nights in. I hate her lying to her parents, I think her mom knows, but Luke would freak. We managed somehow, and tomorrow I have to say goodbye again.