Page 25 of Blitzing Emily

A large, clean-smelling body sat down in the seat next to her. “Hey, sugar. Taking a little break?”

She opened her eyes. “You’re here?”

“Where did you think I’d be?” Brandon wrapped one arm around the back of her seat. “Had to come back here and pick you up.”

“Thanks.” She folded her hands in her lap.

“So,” he continued in a stage whisper, “let me guess. You tried to sing, and it didn’t work.”

“No, it didn’t.” She stared at the floor in front of them. “What if I don’t get better?” The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them.

He leaned closer. “Now you’re being silly. You bumped your head. It’s going to hurt for a couple of days. The doctor didn’t see anything that indicated permanent damage, or he never would have let you out of the hospital.”

Emily’s stomach was a cold knot of fear, but as Brandon talked the knot loosened a bit. “I’ve worked so hard. I really need to sing this role. I can’t take a week off to recover.”

He caught her chin in his fingertips. “You will be fine. I promise.”

BRANDON INSTALLEDEMILYin his Land Rover a few minutes later, swung himself into the driver’s seat, and pulled out into traffic. “We’ll get you some lunch, and then it’s back home. You need some rest.”

Emily was about to respond, but her phone was ringing again. At least she’d be able to find out where her parents had been last night.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Emily Anne Hamilton, what have you done?” her mother cried.

“Mom?”

“You’reengaged?My phone’s ringing off the wall. Reporters are calling. They want to know when the wedding is. When did you meet this Brandon? Your father says that he’s ... What have you done!?”

She saw Brandon glance over out of the corner of her eye, grin a little, and focus on the road again.

“Mom, it’s fine. Really.” Emily swallowed hard. “He’s a nice guy, and I—”

“This is not Las Vegas, young lady.” She heard the catch of tears in her mother’s voice. “I can’t believe that you would take marriage so lightly. Didn’t I teach you better than this? You’re going to marry a man Daddy and I had no idea you were even dating. When did thishappen?”

“Mom. Please don’t cry. We’ll have dinner together and you can meet him. Everything is fine. We just sped things up a little, that’s all.” Emily was surely going to Hell for lying to her mother, but just thinking how she was going to explain this one away made her wonder if her head would explode.

Brandon glanced over at Emily. “Sugar. What’s happening?” She held up one hand to signal she’d talk with him in a moment. He reached out for the phone. “Let me talk to your mama.” She turned slightly so he couldn’t grab it out of her hand.

“Sweetheart,” her mom finally choked out, “Are you pregnant? If you’re pregnant, you know your dad and I will stand by you. You don’t have to marry him. Of course, he’ll want to see the baby, but we can get a custody agreement.”

Emily’s mother had never missed an opportunity to panic since Emily was very young. She was in rare form today. Emily closed her eyes, and took the deepest breath she could in order to calm herself. Her parents were total opposites. Her excitable, passionate, affectionate mother and her calm, controlled, stoic father complemented each other, unless they locked horns. Emily’s mother took any argument as an excuse to increase the volume and dramatics. Emily’s father responded with silence, which made things worse.

She’d lived away from home for the most part since she was fourteen and started her training. She’d had to grow up fast as a result. She loved her parents, but she wished at times they understood each other a little better.

“Mom. Mama. I’m not pregnant.”

Brandon let out a low chuckle. Of course he’d find this hilarious.

“I could help you with that. Just let me know.” His voice was so soft that Emily’s mother couldn’t hear him, but Emily could. She turned in the seat, giving him a look she was sure would melt flesh. His response was to raise one eyebrow.

“This is going to kill your father.” Her mother heaved a huge sigh. “Will we see you before the performances start? How are you feeling today? Amy said you got hurt on that delivery.”

“I have a headache, but I’ll be fine,” Emily said. “The opera company wants me to get a doctor’s release. If I’m feeling any better, I’ll be over on Sunday for dinner.” Emily could still hear her mother sniffling on the other end of the phone.

“Okay. Hopefully, we’ll see you then. If we can’t, we’ll see you when you’re back from Chicago.” Mrs. Hamilton blew her nose. “Promise me you won’t sneak off and get married.”

Chapter Six

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