Page 18 of Beaten

Emily

Chris ordered an appetizer sampler while we waited for Jamie and Jack so there’d be food on the table when they got here. I played with my glass of water and worried about facing Jamie.I can’t believeI hugged him. I didn’t think about it, didn’t plan it, it just happened. Sure he hugged me first, but he was just being nice. Then I’d held on to him like a drowning person clinging to a life preserver and slobbered all over his shirt as I cried my eyes out.I’m sure he’s mad at me for telling him not to call the cops, but I didn’t want to give Craig another reason to come after me.

I felt stupid, weak, and pathetic for still being afraid of him after Jamie and Jack tied his hands, but I couldn’t help it.If I’m lucky, I’ll never have to see him again.

I don’t know what I would have done without Jamie, and Jack.Who am I kidding? I wouldn’t have gone back. I would’ve let Craig keep everything.

I mumbled, “Hi,” when Jamie and Jack sat down, too embarrassed to say anything else or look them in the eyes.All I want to do is go home, drink a bottle of wine, and eat a tub of caramel brownie ice cream.

“How are you holding up?” Jamie asked softly after he and Jack settled in.

“I’m doing better now that we’re out of there.” Damn it, my squeaky voice didn’t sound like I was doing better. I stared at the appetizer plate in front of me to avoid looking at him. “Do you think he followed you?”Stupid question.We wouldn’t be sitting here if they thought Craig had followed them.

“No.” Jamie and Jack answered together. Their confidence helped put me at ease.

“We watched for him.” Jamie reassured me.

“We tail people professionally, so we know exactly what to look for to make sure we aren’t being followed. Craig isn’t smart enough to get the drop on us twice.” Jack sounded a little too confident and if I hadn’t seen him in action earlier I might have thought he was arrogant.

Chris looked at me then to Jack. “It’s rather arrogant to assume he’s not smart enough to surprise you, don’t you think?” He was still freaked out by what happened. And he had a point, Craig had surprised us all by climbing up the tree to the bedroom balcony. Though, if I hadn’t opened the door he couldn’t have gotten in.

“Not arrogant, confident. Trust me Chris, we’re taking this very seriously.” Jack said, as he and Jamie exchanged a tense look. “And we won’t make the same mistake twice.”

I wish I could understand their silent communications.

“So, he’s not a threat?” I asked.Please tell me he isn’t a threat anymore. Somehow I knew they wouldn’t.

“That’s not what I said, and I’m sorry if I implied it.” Jack’s sounded apologetic. “We know he didn’t follow us here. But he was pissed off when we left, and there’s every possibility he’ll make more bad decisions.”

“We’ll be watching for him. We won’t let him get to you.” Jamie added before asking, “Does he know about this place?”

“Maybe, but he’s never been here with me. I love this place and would ask him if we could stop but he never wanted to. Ashley and I used to come here all the time when we drove back and forth from college.”

Damn, I hadn’t talked to Ashley in what felt like forever and made a mental note to call her. We were best friends in high school and went to college in Houston together. We stopped hanging out after I moved in with Craig because he didn’t like her. He thought she was a bad influence. I’d admit she was a bit of a party girl, but she was hardly a bad influence on me. I did my fair share of partying without her influence, especially that first year away from home. I’d never been a wild child, but I wasn’t innocent either.She’ll be thrilled I finally left him. Ashley thought he was too controlling, and she was right. Unfortunately, I didn’t see it until it was too late.

“Good. Let’s eat, then we’ll take you home.” Jamie said as he grabbed a mozzarella stick.

I didn’t realize my hands were still shaking until Jamie reached over and placed his hand on top of mine. His touchwas gentle and comforting. I could feel the callouses on his warm palm. Jamie was a man who used his hands a lot. Craig had soft hands;I don’t think he ever lifted anything heavier than a pen.

“It’ll be okay Emily. I can’t promise he won’t, as Jack said, make more bad decisions, but I can promise we won’t let him hurt you again.”

I shivered, not from the cold but from the conviction in his voice.I wonder if he talks to all his clients like this?

“Thank you.” I raised my head and looked him in the eye, tired of hiding, of feeling scared and embarrassed. “For everything.” His hazel eyes held mine and I couldn’t help but notice they were more green than blue. They were gorgeous, and I was staring.

I heard Chris clear his throat. “Do you know what you want, Em?”

Color crept up my neck and face, I was so preoccupied thinking about Jamie’s eyes I hadn’t heard our waitress approach. I pulled my hand away from the table, and Jamie’s touch, and placed it in my lap. Chris managed to look curious and annoyed at the same time, but I ignored it. I glanced at Jack, wondering if he’d noticed anything. Judging by the way he was smirking at his brother he had.Oh God, I hope he doesn’t think I like Jamie. It’s not like that.I’m just overwhelmed and it was nice to have a man be nice to me.A nice, protective, good looking man with gorgeous eyes.

“What’ll you have sweetie?” The waitress asked.

At least I didn’t have to look at the menu, I always ordered the same thing, a grilled ham and cheese with a side ofhomemade tomato bisque. The sandwich was generously buttered and grilled to golden brown perfection, and they sprinkled fresh shaved parmesan on the soup, I always asked for extra. It was one of their house specials, and my favorite dish.

My brother ordered a tuna salad sandwich with a side salad. Jack and Jamie both ordered burgers, with bacon and cheese, and french fries. They were clearly not watching what they ate.Not that they have to.

The three of them had played football together in high school and spent a lot of time practicing and working out so they could eat whatever they wanted to back then. But now Chris had a desk job and was developing a dad bod. It wasn’t a judgement, fatherhood suited him. But Jack and Jamie had physically demanding jobs and looked like they still spent a lot of time working out, so they could eat whatever they wanted.I wonder if Chris is as jealous as I am?

By the time our food arrived, I’d finally calmed down enough to enjoy our late lunch. It was the first time we had a chance to talk like old friends since I’d come home. Jack asked me if I planned on staying in Weatherford, and if I’d be able to keep my job if I did. I didn’t actually know what my plans were, so I told them I planned on staying with my parents for a few more weeks while I figured things out, and since I worked remotely, I could keep my job no matter where I lived. Luckily, my boss had been supportive when I called to ask for a few days off. I didn’t want anyone in the office to get hurt, so I told him Craig had been arrested and they shouldn’t let him in. They didn’t need to know the details, but I felt likeI needed to warn them, just in case. The chances were slim since he knew I only went in once or twice a month, but slim wasn’t none.

---