Page 63 of Beaten

I got up, looked out the window, and sighed in relief when I saw a familiar car parked out front. SSI was here.That was fast. I sucked in a deep breath and felt some of the tension leave my shoulders as I exhaled. If Craig somehow got here, they’d see him and stop him. I tried convincing myself there was nothing to worry about, but it didn’t work.

I saw Ashley get out of a truck, which I assumed was AJ’s, then let herself in with the key I’d given her yesterday.

“Emily? Are you okay?” She closed the distance and pulled me into a hug.

How does she know?Did Jamie tell her?

I decided to talk to Ashley before messaging Jamie. I couldn’t handle talking to him after what had happened, and the last thing I wanted right now was run to him crying about Craig.

I shook my head but didn’t answer. It was pretty obvious I wasn’t okay.Which problem do I tell her about first?

“What happened with Jamie?” Ashley asked, saving me the trouble of having to decide. She walked me to the couch, then sat next to me and put her arm around me.

Could this night get any worse? Guilt washed over me because I’d cock-blocked my best friend. Or whatever the female equivalent was. It wasn’t my biggest concern, but it was the easiest, least painful one, to think about.

“I kissed Jamie, and,” I sniffled, “and he said kissing me was a mistake.”

“What the fuck.” My head snapped up when I heard Chris’s voice from the doorway.

Shit, I didn’t hear him come in.My night had officially gotten worse.I was already upset about Jamie, worried about Craig, and feeling guilty for ruining Ashley’s night, the last thing I needed was to add my brother’s self-righteous anger to my list of problems.

My phone buzzed, alerting me to a text message. I held my breath as I picked it up, scared it might be Craig again.

But it was Jamie. Ashley read the text over my shoulder, “Jamie’s here.”

Before I could say anything, or even process that Jamie was outside, Chris said, “I’ll handle this.” Then he stalked out the door looking like he wanted to kill his best friend. The sound of the door when he slammed it made me jump.

Vicky sat next to me as I buried my face in my hands and cried.

This is all too much.

Chapter 30

Jamie

Iparked on the street in front of the Taylor’s house, texted Emily from my SUV, and waited.

She didn’t text back, but I saw the door swing open, so I got out of my car and started up the driveway.

It was Chris, not Emily, and he was closing the distance fast as he marched towards me. I stopped in the middle of the driveway, put my hand out to signal to Dean to stay put, and waited.

Chris’s body language, and the look of murderous rage in his eyes, made it clear I was about to get punched.

“You asshole!” He pulled his right arm back, closing his fist. I could have easily blocked his punch, but I braced myself for the hit instead.I deserve it.

I rubbed my jaw as he stepped back, shaking his hand in pain. “I’m paying you to protect my sister, not to kiss her.”

I growled. “Watch it.” I’d let him punch me for being a stupid idiot as much as he wanted, but I wouldn’t let him insult Emily. “You don’t know what happened.”

“What I do know is that when I came to pick up my daughter after a lovely evening with my wife, I found my baby sister crying.” He poked me in the chest. “Because of you.” He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You need to leave. Now.”

“Please, give me two minutes to explain.” I repeated, “Please.”

After glaring at me through squinted eyes for what felt like an eternity, he barked, “Two minutes.”

“We were kissing,” I ignored the fury in his eyes, “and I realized I was out of line. Emily deserves better-”

“Damn straight she does.”

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