“I broke the law for you last night and you couldn’t give me the common courtesy of leaving a text message so I knew you were safe?”
“You’re right. I should have.” Emerson grimaced. “It wasn’t fair after all you did. I should’ve reached out and told you all was well.”
“It’s not like this is the first time you’ve done something like this, Em. You say you’ll be somewhere and show up late, if you show at all, then you end up leaving early, too. It’s almost like you don’t want to be around me.”
“Of course I want you around.” Emerson lowered his head. “I’m sorry I’ve made you feel like I don’t.”
“Saying you’re sorry doesn’t do shit. If you want to be there, prove it,” Randall snapped. “Do better.”
“Okay,”Emerson said. “I will. I came today to thank you, if that counts for anything?”
Randall glared, hurt etched into the features of his face.
“I know I’ve kept you at arm’s length… all of you… for a reason.”
Randall’s brows furrowed.
“So… you wouldn’t see.”
“See what?”
“Seeme,”Emerson said. “The real me. I didn’t want you all to have too much time to… see things you shouldn’t.”
Randall’s expression hardened. “You reallyarean asshole.”
“An asshole?”
“Get out,” Randall said, shoving the hoagie and paper it was wrapped in away from him. “I don’t feel like doing this right now.”
“Rand…”
“Get out!”Rand barked.
Emerson sighed. If he stayed, he’d just be banging his head against an exhausted brick wall. He walked towards the door, but stopped at it, remembering his promise. “Can I ask if you plan to turn either Dash or me in?”
“So now I know therealreason you came over,” Randall snapped. “To make sure your ass was covered.”
“I don’t care about me. Just tell me Dash is safe and I’ll go.”
“Dashis safe.” Randall glared.“You?I’m not so sure.”
Emerson cringed.
“Now get out.”
Emerson flew through the front door, slamming it on his way out. As soon as there was a door between them, he stopped on the porch, his knees weak. He dragged in a breath, his lungs burning. That hadn’t gone anywhere near as well as he’d hoped.
If nothing else, he knew Dash would be okay.
That was better than nothing.
While deep down he sensed he would be, too, he couldn’t be sure anymore. He’d hoped Randall might be able to accept him, but that clearly wasn’t going to be the case. He fought back tearsas he walked down the couple of steps to the sidewalk. After he climbed into his truck, he clenched the wheel and thought back to his comments the night before with Dash.
How relieved he’d feel if his family knew the truth.
He wasn’t feeling very relieved.
Emerson sat there a couple of minutes, fighting off the need to throw up. His cell rang and for a second, he wondered if it might be Randall. Instead, he saw his Papa’s number flashed on the screen. After a deep breath, he took the call and forced a smile onto his lips.
