Chapter Eighteen
When Blane brought him home on Friday afternoon, Emmett sank down onto the couch gratefully.
"You want me to fetch you a drink before I leave?"Blane asked.
He shook his head slowly."That's okay, I'll get myself one later."
"Don't give me that shit; just tell me what you want."
Emmett cracked an eye open — they’d drifted closed the minute he rested his head back against the pillow."Soda, please."
He listened to Blane moving around in the kitchen.He'd only been out on two appointments, and Blane had been with him every step of the way, but he was exhausted.And the pain...
He looked around for the painkillers that Trip had left him — the ones he'd been trying not to take.
Blane came back and handed him the soda before placing the pill bottle in his other hand."There's no shame in taking them.The girls won't be home until late tonight.Wait — is Harper coming back?You're not gonna be home alone, are you?"
"She'll be here."
One side of Blane's mouth quirked up in a small smile."I'm glad you can finally get some alone time.Not that you'll be able to do anything with it."
Emmett knocked back the pills and set his glass down, forcing himself to take a few deep breaths before he said, "We'll be able to talk.It's been weird, bud.It's been great having her here.But it's been all about keeping the family running, you know?"
Blane cocked an eyebrow.
"Okay, so you don't know, but I'm telling you.In the mornings, it's getting the girls ready for school.In the afternoons, it's picking them up.In the evenings, it's making the meal, making sure everyone's fed and happy, that the homework's done, and..."
Blane smirked."This is exactly why I don't know.You know I love the girls, but that's not how I want to spend my evenings."
"No, you'd rather..."Emmett frowned when he realized that he no longer knew how his friend spent his evenings.He hadn't known for years."What exactly do you do?"
"Whatever the hell I feel like, and not anything I don't.That's the point."
"Yeah, I guess it is."
"But we weren't talking about me, we were talking about you.Are you going to be able to have a chill evening with Harper?Can you guys hang out?Have a drink?"He frowned."Do you have any beer?Do you need me to get you some?Can you have any with the pills?"
"I don't need any with the pills.And Shelley dropped some wine off for Harper when she came with Trip yesterday."
"Well, that's good then.It's not exactly an ideal Friday night kind of date, but it's better than you've had so far.And don't worry about the girls.We'll have fun."
That made Emmett smile."I'm not worried about them.Dinner and whatever else you and Cash decide to get up to with them, I know they'll have fun."He smirked at his friend."And don't worry, they wouldn't be able to convince anyone else that you're the fun uncle even if they wanted to try.Your secret's safe with us."
Blane chuckled."I wasn't worried."
"You should get going.Harper will be back soon, and I'll be just fine."
"You don't need me to walk you to the bathroom or anything before I go?"
"I'm good, thanks.I think I'm gonna close my eyes for ten minutes while I can."
"For what it's worth — I'm proud of you.You did well out there today.Old man Higgins appreciated the visit."
"Yeah."Emmett paused."He won't let anyone else near his herd; I'm his vet, and that's the end of it."
"You know the day will come when he doesn't have a choice."Blane caught himself."Shit, I didn't mean that how it sounded.Not that you aren't gonna be around or anything, but I hope that one day you're gonna retire.Have more time for yourself and the girls."
"Me too."
