I don’t disagree.
“What do you want me to do?” he asks.
Murder the pair of them in cold blood?The thought pings in my mind but I don’t articulate it. Seeing him brought to justice is what I want andneedto draw closure.
I pin him with determined eyes. “Call the cops, Dad. I want them both arrested, and we’ve no time to waste.”
27
Adam
Ipace outside Emily’s house as Coach leans against his car. The front door is wide open, and I can see into the hallway. Packing boxes line the wall on one side. While Em’s in rehab, Coach will be moving all their stuff back to their old home. The college is in the process of appointing a new president to replace Mrs. Parker, and whoever that is will be moving in here in due course.
“Adam,” Coach says. “Calm down.”
I throw my head back, glancing up at the clear blue sky. “I’m trying to.” The warm morning sun feels good on my face. I inhale deeply, and the scent of fresh-cut grass tickles my nostrils. “I know she needs this, but I want to be there for her.” I return my gaze to Coach who is placid as the fall air. “What if she feels alone and can’t cope? Who will be there for her?”
Coach pops off his car and grips the sides of my arms. “Son, rehab is the best place for her. And she wants this.” His hazel eyes are pleading as though I have a say on whether she goes or not. “The last time she went to rehab, her mother and I forced her to go. She wasn’t ready then.” He lets go of me. “This time, it’s her decision. She’s facing her demons head-on, and we need to fully support her.”
I nod. And I’m proud of my girl even if I’ll miss her like crazy.
“She has you and me,” Coach continues. “And she’ll be fine. You will too.”
I’m not so sure about me. I’m just getting her back, and now, she’ll be gone until at least Christmas, depending on her progress.Man upchants through me. He’s right. Rehab is best for her. When she returns, I know she’ll be that strong woman I’ve come to love.
I exhale heavily. “I’m cool,” I lie. The time without her will be hard, but I have to be strong for Emily. Just like I do with Phoebe and Mom. And I can keep myself busy with football and my studies.
Coach chuckles as though he’s been in my shoes. Maybe he has been although I can’t imagine how he could love a woman like President Parker. She doesn’t have a caring bone in her body. Hell, she doesn’t have a soul or the nerve to stick around for her daughter. Two days after word broke about a rapist on campus, President Parker came under fire. The media descended in droves. If she hadn’t already gone into hiding, there’s no doubt she would’ve been removed from her position. A rapist on campus is ugly enough, but when you add the Wes Blakely scandal to the mix, her removal as president was inevitable.
Her lover fled with her, and there are international warrants out for their arrest. We learned from the cops when they questioned Emily in the hospital that Richard Bennett, the man who President Parker is in love with, is a serial rapist, and law enforcement in several states have been looking for him for years.
Coach rolls back his shoulders. “We’ve got football games to play. I need you focused on that.”
I will do everything in my power not to let Coach or the team down again. I’m grateful he’s given me a second chance, and I’ll do my best to make him proud of me.
“You got it, sir,” I say before sucking in a sharp breath when my eyes land on Emily.
My heart sputters. My body warms, and my mouth is suddenly bone dry.
She’s more beautiful than I remember. Her strawberry-blonde hair is twisted up on her head in a messy bun. Her blue eyes are as bright and clear as the sky above.
She sashays down the porch steps with a suitcase in one hand and her purse in the other, locking eyes with me. Her lips feather into a ball-busting smile, and fuck if my dick doesn’t notice her too. If that isn’t enough, her look saysI want to fuck you but it will have to wait. As tough as it’s going to be, I’ll wait for her forever.
Coach walks over and grabs her suitcase. “I’ll give you two a minute.” He puts her things in the trunk then runs into the house.
In two strides, we’re standing toe to toe. “Hey,” I say. The urge to touch her is strong, but I’m afraid if I do I won’t let her leave. I’m even afraid to kiss her. The minute I do, I’ll be a blubbering mess. I know this isn’t a permanent goodbye. But my heart doesn’t agree because it’s beating out of my chest.
She peers up at me seductively, sliding her small hands up my abs. “Will you wait for me?” Her tone belies the smile she gives me.
I rear back. “Baby, of course, I’ll wait for you. I’m not going anywhere.” I have a feeling she’s asking if I’ll date other women while she’s gone. I wrap my arms around her. “You’re the only woman for me, Emily Parker. I don’t want anyone else.”
She trembles in my arms. “I’m a little scared and not about rehab. I want that. I’m scared things will be different when I get back.”
I tip her chin up to look at me. “It will be. But it’ll be a better life, Em. A new beginning. For you. For me. For your dad.” I press my forehead to hers. “I love you, and I’m holding on to you forever.”
A tear slips down her cheek as she lifts up on her toes and brushes her lips over mine. “My heart is yours, Adam Miller. And I’m going to miss you so much.”
I crash my mouth to hers, my resolve shattering. I need one last good kiss to commit to memory so I can replay it over and over for the next several weeks while she’s away. I will need that kiss to keep me going until she’s back in my arms again.
