Emmett and I know every single thing about each other’s pasts. Once we started getting comfortable together, we’d drink and spill every traumatic thing.
He knows about the foster home, about being taken, being held at Gideon’s place for years. About how we were forced to be shaped into these perfect Omegas to be sold off like we were animals.
He’s been witness to the times I’d wake up in a cold sweat, screaming as I relived the horrors of my past.
He knows why I went on suppressants in the first place, petrified of going into heat and being put into a vulnerable situation. Of being used, being forced.
Maybe it’s foolish of me to still be scared after all these years. The fact is, I am.
He’s never judged me or made me feel like it’s ridiculous.
Emmett holds me like I’m something precious, rocking me in his lap as he murmurs reassuring words.
Before, I knew I’d be fine on my own as long as I needed to be. I was getting by. Surviving.
Then Emmett came into my life and became my whole world. I went from surviving to living. From getting by, to waking up every day with excitement, knowing I’d get to see him.
“You’re going to be okay, Lexi. No one will hurt you again. I promise you that. You have me. And I’d never let anyone get close enough to harm you. You will be okay because I’ll make sure of it. We’ll get through it. You and me. Just like always.”
My sobs turn to hiccups, my body growing weak with exhaustion.
When I stop crying, we just sit there for a little while longer before Emmett slides over to the driver's side, me still in his lap.
“What are you doing?” My voice cracks from crying.
“I’m taking you home.” He pushes his seat back, giving himself more room.
“You can’t drive with me in your lap,” I protest.
“Yeah?” he asks, starting the truck up. “And who’s going to stop me, Peaches?” he chuckles. “You’re the motherfucking mayor of this town. No one will blink an eye.”
I’m not really; the six of us are equals in Widows Peak. Still, in this scary moment, he’s the sunshine that peeks through the clouds, letting me know that things aren’t completely lost.
I don’t argue, burying my face back into his neck, breathing his scent in deeply, letting it cloak me like a safety blanket.
He’s my lifeline, and I fear that if I let him go, I’m going to drift away forever.
Chapter 5
Emmett
The sound of the music hums in the background. People are laughing, drinking, and having the time of their lives on this Friday night.
I stand in the back, watching the crowd of people like a hawk, making sure things are running smoothly.
I take my job very seriously, and my top priority is making sure everyone has a safe and fun time.
But tonight I’m struggling to keep my attention on other people when all I want to do is search for her.
She’s at the bar helping her sister. Tonight is the busiest night of the week, so Lexi often helps Silva out.
I’ve been a worried mess since the visit with the doctor. I’m not sure if Lexi is sick of me by now, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to go home. I’ve been camping out on her couch the past few nights.
She’s not herself right now, and it kills me. Holding her as she broke wrecked my soul. All I wanted to do was take her worries and pain away.
I can’t, and I know that, but I can do my best to make her feel a little bit better. Even if that’s making sure she eats when she refuses to, checking in on her to make sure she’s feeling alright, and just giving her company so she’s not alone with her thoughts.
We’ve always had a close bond. It clicked almost immediately after I came to Widows Peak. She didn’t care that I was obviously a lovesick puppy when it came to her.
