Page 55 of Mine to Hold
“If I had known that name was going to stick, I would have never said it.”
“Trust me. They will tire of it. They always do.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He nodded. “We used to call Miles Mr. Fingers. It lasted a month. And Jameson was Fireball for a while and after Stephanie, everyone called me Houdini, so yeah, it will disappear eventually.”
“Good.”
Ding-dong.
“My dad doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” He waved his finger over the bed.
She pulled the covers over her head. “I have no idea why I’m so utterly embarrassed.”
“Of all the people in my family, he’s the least likely to razz either one of us too hard. But everyone still acts like a bunch of stupid teenagers, so expect a little teasing.” He leaned over, yanked the covers, and kissed her sweet lips. He’d never get enough of her. “Just remember it’s more about me, than you. And they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t like you.”
“Right.”
“I’ll see you out there.” He snagged a shirt and made his way out of the bedroom and to the front door. “You could have used your key.”
His father stepped into the foyer. He was starting to look his age with deep-set lines around his eyes and lips. His hair had begun to gray and thin and he’d put on a few pounds over the years, but he was still fit.
And handsome.
His dad was one of the fairest men Emmerson had ever known. Growing up, he’d always been the voice of reason,where his mom ruled with an iron gavel. Whenever any of the boys needed advice, they generally went to their dad, unless it was regarding police work. But even then, there were times Emmerson wanted his father’s perspective. He could always see both sides of the coin, something his mother struggled with.
“You have a young woman in this house. I wasn’t walking in on that.” His dad slapped his shoulder. “I’ve only met her a couple of times, but she seems like a nice girl and your mother really likes her. Can’t shut up about her. It’s Rumor this. And Rumor that.”
“Could have fooled me. One minute she was all over me to take her out. Next minute she was up my ass to stay away.”
“It was all about the timeline, never the girl, but that’s been cleared up.”
“Do you want anything to drink? Eat?”
“I wouldn’t say no to a beer.” His dad eased onto one of the stools at the island, setting his briefcase on the counter. “I have to ask. Where did this Mr. Saucy shit come from? I feel so out of the loop.”
“Believe it or not, Rumor started it.” Emmerson pulled out two beers, setting one in front of his father. “It all started with a random comment about handcuffs.” He waggled his finger. “At the time, she had no idea about Stephanie or what happened.”
“And she does now?”
Emmerson ran his fingers through his hair. “Yeah.”
“Wow. I’m shocked. You hate telling that story to anyone and we’re not allowed to bring it up.”
“I find myself willing to tell her all sorts of things.” Emmerson leaned against the counter. “This thing with Rumor has come on hard and way too quick. I can’t seem to slow it down and honestly, I’m not sure I want to and that’s not like me.” Emmerson often saved these types of conversations for Emmett. Or Rhett. They both shared some major heartbreak. Sohad Jameson. They commiserated with one another at different times in their lives. But now that they all had wives and were happy in their relationships, Emmerson found himself at a crossroads with his brothers. It wasn’t that he couldn’t confide in them.
He could.
But it was different.
And he didn’t want to bring them down.
Besides, his father had always been a good sounding board and he understood Emmerson like no one else.
“Are you telling me this because you want my opinion? Or are you just saying it out loud to sort your thoughts.”
“Perhaps a little of both.”
