I exhale sharply. “I don’t know. But if he does, I doubt he’s happy about it.”
Her fingers brush mine. “This can’t be good.”
I hesitate before saying anything else. The last time I left her alone, she ended up in the hospital. I don’t want to make that mistake again. “Do you think you’ll be okay for a little while?”
She nods, offering a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine.”
I cup her face, searching her eyes for any sign of warning. “I mean it, Em. The second you feel any different, you call me.”
She nods again, and I press a quick kiss to her forehead before grabbing my keys and heading out the door.
When I getto the bar, it’s still locked up. I let myself in and barely make it behind the bartop before Cam storms in. He doesn’t say a word at first, just slams his hands down on the bar top so hard the bottles on the shelf rattle. His chest is rising and falling with barely contained fury, and I know whatever is coming next is going to be bad.
“What the fuck are you doing with my sister?” he growls, low and dangerous.
I straighten, bracing myself. “Cam?—”
“Don’t,” he snaps, pointing a finger at me. “I saw your truck at her house all night, Alex. You spent the fucking night. Are you kidding me?”
I exhale, trying to come up with something to calm him down. I knew this would happen one day and yet, I ‘m still not prepared. “I?—”
“Shut the fuck up,” he cuts me off. “You think I don’t see what’s happening? I know you, Alex. You’re playing house with her like this is some kind of fucking game. She issick. She doesn’t need this, doesn’t need you messing with her head.”
My temper flares. “You really think that’s what this is? That I’m messing with her?” I take a step closer. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The hell I don’t!” he shouts. “I know how you are. You’ve never been the guy to settle down. Emma… she doesn’t have time for you to figure your shit out.”
I see red. “I fucking know, Cam!” My voice cuts through the tension like a blade. “You think I don’t wake up every damn day terrified that I could lose her again? Before, it was figuratively, and now, it’s a very real fucking possibility.”
Cam glares at me. His breathing is ragged as he tries to contain himself. “Then what is your end goal, Alex?”
I try to rein in my frustration. “I love her, Cam. That’s it.”
His jaw ticks. “That’s not enough. Loving her isn’t enough. She needs stability. She needs someone who won’t bail when shit gets hard, because it’s going to get hard, Alex. You have to understand that.”
I step right up to him, eyes piercing into his. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He shakes his head, exhaling sharply. “She’s been through enough. If you hurt her, if you make her shed one single tear, I will fuckingendyou.”
My gaze is unwavering. “I know. I would do the same.”
Cam stares at me for a long moment, searching my face for any sign of doubt. Finally, he exhales, rubbing a hand down his face. “Don’t make me regret this.” He mutters before turning and walking out, leaving me standing in the empty bar with my heart pounding in my chest.
29
EMMA
The past week has been a blur of late-night whispers and the unfamiliar comfort of waking up next to Alex. He’s been at my house every night, making sure I eat, keeping an eye on me at all hours of the day. It should annoy me, maybe a part of me wishes it did, but it’s been kind of nice. I know it can’t last forever.
Eventually, we’re going to have to figure out what this is, but I still don’t know if I’m ready for that.
Alex pulls up in front of the bakery, the scent of sugar and butter already teasing my senses through the truck window. He shifts in his seat, glancing over at me. “You sure you don’t want me to come in?”
I roll my eyes. “What, to protect me from the terrifying force that is Liv and Sophia? I think I’ll survive.”
I grab my bag and open the door, but before I can get out, Alex tugs me back, fingers gripping gently around my wrist. “Text or call me if you need anything.”
I press a dramatic hand to my chest. “Wow, what did I do to deserve this VIP treatment?”
