Page 39 of The Game

The contestant had been charged by the police, then Shade called me to say he’d stepped in as enforcer of the rules. That guy would never bother me again, which sounded so ominous, but bolstered by my boyfriend’s strong arm around me, I felt just fine.

When we entered the big open gym, it was to a wall of noise from a crowd made up of his family, fighters, Tilly and Jess, who gave me happy waves, and others.

Tables were laid out with food and drink, and a Christmas tree had been put up in a corner. Malachi was pulled in a dozen different ways with people wanting to talk to him. He clutched my hand, keeping me with him. In my pocket, my phone buzzed.

Automatically, I found it and read the screen, expecting an emergency to summon me into the hospital, though I was still on leave. But it was Annie calling.

“Do you mind if I take this?” I asked.

Malachi kissed my hair. “I need a minute, so aye, no trouble.”

I moved to a quieter corner by the tree and accepted the call, making sure to keep Malachi in my eyeline. “Hello?”

A sob met my ears. “Oh, Emmeline, I’m so glad you answered.”

“Annie? What’s wrong?”

“Everything. I was so awful to you, and you have every right never to speak to me again, but you answered. Of course you did. You’re the one person who has always been there for me.”

I clutched the phone tighter. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that it was fine, but it really wasn’t. “Can you explain what happened?”

“Josh has been cheating on me. I found it out because he used the kids’ iPad when we were away with his parents and forgot to log out. I read a long chat thread where he and his girlfriend arranged meet-ups when he told me he was on business trips with Ian, of all people.”

I winced. I’d been upset with her but I couldn’t stay that way. “I’m so sorry.”

“I am, too. I didn’t tackle him for a while and just let it fester, which is why it overspilled when we spoke. Then I found a receipt for him buying her a fucking car. When he told me I was spending too much on our children. It was the final straw.”

“The nerve. I hate him.” I’d never liked the man.

“I do as well. Though on the plus side, I don’t have to deal with his toxic parents anymore. And my lawyer is sure I’ll get the house in the divorce.” She sniffed. “I really am sorry for the way I spoke to you. You’re my best friend, and I blew up on you in the worst way when all you did was tell me how happy you were.”

The collision of the two events made sense in my head now. I’d been so happy when she’d been plummeting.

“What are you doing now?” I asked.

“I made the kids Christmas lunch then Josh’s mother collected them for the afternoon. I get them back later.”

“So you’re free?”

“I am. What’s going on?”

“Get in your car and come to the address I’m about to send you. There’s someone I really want you to meet.” I paused. “In case this is a sore point, I’m pretty sure he’s about to propose.”

“Oh God. Make him wait. I don’t want to miss it!” Annie got off the call.

She was coming. That little gesture and her apology provided the final piece of happiness I needed. The one person I could bring to the party.

I stepped back into the melee, getting a hug from Petra and turning to offer a fist-bump to Maisie. But I pulled up short. She was holding a tiny puppy. A dove-grey French Bulldog with huge ears and a snubbed nose. She handed it to me. Instantly, I fell in love.

“Who’s this sweet girl?”

Their mother, Lucille, crept over, her baby on her shoulder. “A gift from Malachi to you and the girls. He knew you’d be busy at work so asked if we could have joint custody of Bess, but she’s as much yours as Maisie’s and Petra’s.”

I stared at the puppy. “Her name’s Bess?”

Just like the dog I’d shared with my aunt. He’d heard that story then worked out a method to give me that comfort again in a way that worked with my job.

Lucille nodded, and I held the velvet-soft dog close. The puppy licked my nose.

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