“Yes.”
“Where are you? I’ll come get you right this second.” With each word, the worry turned into something else that I couldn’t place.
“He’s safe, Ma’am. If you’d like, we can arrange a time and place to meet up in the next day or two.” I spoke quickly, seeing Emery’s look of concern already chasing away the good day he was having.
“Fine.” She huffed. If I were a parent, I'd have pushed more. “Can we meet at the police department, then?”
Emery shook his head, eyes still wide.
“I’m sorry, that isn't going to work,” I said. “Too many men. Emery would prefer a safe house, where he’s currently staying. And his therapist to join in case there are any panic attacks.”
“What in the world is this? He’s my son, and I have the right to collect him when I see fit.”
“Mother.” Emery swallowed and took a deep breath. “I get to say when, where and with whom. Meet me where I feel comfortable, or don’t come at all.”
“Fine. Your father isn’t going to like that.” She took a deep breath, getting her anger under control. Afterwards, I gave out the address of the house next door—because there was no way I was going to let this woman into my own home.
“My mother would have torn her a new one.” My words were grumbled more to myself than anyone else, but both boys peeked up at the small tidbit.
“You haven’t talked about your parents at all.”
“Because they passed away years ago. Dad died of lung cancer, and my mom died a year later in a boat accident with her then boyfriend.”
“I’m sorry,” Emery said, wrapping his arms around my waist. Since I was still standing, his head rested right at my belly button.
“It was years ago,” I said, tangling my hand in his hair.
“My parents have only thought about what they wanted and how people would think of them,” Emery confessed. “Sounds like she hasn’t changed.”
It didn’t sound like she lived more than an hour away from here, either.
“Remember, you don’t have to leave with her when you meet tomorrow.”
“Oh, I'm not.” He lifted his head. Even though there was a strong determination about Emery right that minute, I feared it wouldn’t take much from his parents to talk him into going. “I can’t leave you or Enzo.”
“I won’t let you, anyway,” Enzo promised. Then, surprising me, he stood and wrapped his arms around both me and Emery. His hold was light and barely there against my back, but the heat from his arm was what kept me in place. “You have us, baby.”
Emery
It was a long, sleepless night. I could feel the panic under the surface. It was clawing its way up, scratching and hissing like it wanted out of hell.
I was already regretting the meet with my parents. They hadn’t changed one bit. I bet they were happy I’d gone.
Like almost every night, I crawled into Ryker’s bed and used him as my pillow. With my head on his chest, I let my fingers play with the dark dusting of hair that traveled up his stomach.
Ryker didn’t put a stop to my fingers, but he certainly held me closer than normal. I wanted to be pulled tighter against him, but that would mean I’d have to wake him up.
Instead, I slipped a leg between his and pulled our bodies as flush as possible. I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would find me.
It didn’t.
Sighing, I gave up and let my mind wander.
I didn’t know what would happen in a matter of hours, except for possible yelling and demands. Mom wasn’t going to be pleased I wouldn’t want to go, and she’d no doubt do whatever she could to talk me into it.
If I was alone, I wouldn't put up a fight. When I had no one, it was easier to just do what everyone expected of me.
I had to remember I wasn’t alone in this. I had Ryker and Enzo and even Scarlett. All three knew my wants in this situation, and they wouldn’t force me to do something I was very clear about not doing.
