Pointing a finger at Gemma, Embry let out a pfft and rolled her eyes. “Nice try but you have to pay the swear jar for that.” She put her hand out, palm up, and tapped her foot.
“Just go with it and pay up.” Kace muttered as he walked up to the group and wrapped his arms around his pregnant wife from behind, letting them rest protectively on her belly.
A wave of nostalgia washed over me, remembering when Isabelle had been pregnant with the twins and what a happy time that was for us. Then, in the next second, fear gripped me and I prayed that not only Teal, but Ruby too, would be okay throughout their pregnancy and birth.
“Yeah, Gemma, listen to Uncle Kace. He’s a smart cookie.” Embry gave Kace a radiant smile laying it on thick.
“Damn straight,” Kace said to the group.
Everyone that was standing close enough to hear and see what had played out, burst into laughter when Embry pushed her other hand out toward Kace.
“You’re smart but obviously notsupersmart,” the little girl said as she laughed.
Kace dropped his arms from around his wife and reached for his wallet in his back pocket.
“Pay mine too while you’re at it and I’ll owe you,” Gemma told him.
“I swear I’m going to go broke one day with this one around,” he said, motioning to Embry. He handed her the money for both him and Gemma then added, “Shouldn’t I have gotten a pass for being your favorite Uncle?”
Embry swiped the money and grinned. “I don’t play favorites.” And then trotted off, gloating.
“I’m pretty sure your kid has more money than you now,” Gemma told Jurnee. “I guess I know where I should go for a loan if I ever need one.”
The raven-haired beauty plopped the bite-size Hershey bar she’d scored off one of the kids into her mouth, a satisfied smile crossing her face as she licked the chocolate off her finger.
It was a simple action but one that made a huge impact on me. As the ladies laughed at Gemma, I slipped away quickly so nobody noticed the tightening of my jeans.
And just how big that impact had been.
* * *
“Night Daddy,”the girls said as I flipped off their bedroom light.
“Goodnight my wild princesses who better get their butts to bed.”
High-pitched giggles echoed through the room as I pulled the door halfway closed and then padded out to the kitchen. They’d had enough candy to keep them up for a week so it had been a chore getting them to wind down. But they’d had the time of their life so it had been worth it.
I reached into the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, before heading over to the couch to sit down. Once seated, I had just raised the container to my lips to take a drink when there was a soft knock at the door.
It wasn’t too late and it was a Friday night, but I still was unsure who would be at my place at nine in the evening. Everyone I knew would have probably called first. I reached into my pocket and pulled my cell phone out to check it as I stood to head toward the door.
Shit, I’d missed five calls from Gemma.
I’d put my phone on silent while we enjoyed the evening and never changed it back to ring mode. I hadn’t even felt it buzz since I’d been busy with the girls. We’d followed Gemma home and walked her to her door so I knew she’d made it there safely, but what if she had gone out after?
A sensation of dread slithered down my spine. I picked up my pace and without even looking I yanked my door open frantically, worried that something was wrong.
The ashen color of her cheeks and the look of distress on her face had me reaching out to pull her inside as I glanced up and down the hall to make sure nobody was there. I’d barely gotten the door shut before the petite woman threw herself into my chest.
My arms came up instinctively and I held her shivering body. Resting my head on top of hers, I struggled between the way she felt in my arms again and feeling unnerved about what had her so upset. Needing to be sure she was physically okay, I leaned her back away from me a bit and scanned her from head to toe.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
She was shaking her head side to side.
“Sweetheart, tell me with words. I need to know for sure?” A vision of the bruises she obtained previously flashed in my mind and I knew I never wanted to see another mark on her smooth, beautiful skin again.
“I’m not hurt physically but I…” she trailed off as she pulled out of my embrace completely and started pacing in front of me. “I got another note, Bodie.”
