Page 36 of Hat Trick
"What happened?"
She groans. "I started dating my ex. He really did a number on my self-esteem. He'd shower me with pretty words but didn't want to be seen in public with me. Didn't tell his friends about me. He was sweet behind closed doors, but never spent the night. I really thought I loved him, but in hindsight he was just using me for sex. He was embarrassed of me."
The ember of rage that had started in my belly explodes. I ball and flex my fingers, anxious to find this punk and beat the ever-loving shit out of him. How could anyone be embarrassed of her? She's fucking gorgeous and the best woman I've ever met.
"How did you break up?" I need to hear that she got wise and kicked his ass to the curb. I need to know she was okay.
"I was walking to class and saw him hanging on his other girlfriend. A tall, pretty blonde."
FUCK!
I spin around so I'm laying on my back. The move gets the other guys' attention and they pause the game. She turns her face away, trying not to let them see her wipe a tear off of her cheek.
"What happened?" Carter asks, sliding to the edge of the couch, likely ready to pummel me if I hurt her.
"Nothing. I'm fine." Emily quips back, using her hand to signal me to turn back over.
"Fuck them. Emily. Seriously. Fuck all of them." My tone is harsher than I mean it to be, but she's hit that part of my soul that needs to defend people. I have a very small inner circle - in fact, only the people in this house are in it - but these people are my family, my home, mine to protect.
Now both boys look the right amount of concerned.
"What. Happened." The words are a question but the tone is not.
"People Ems entire life have been telling her she's not good enough and it's fucking bullshit."
"I'm fine, really. I dropped out of college so I wouldn't have to see him again and went no contact. I went back to therapy and got the job with the Titans. And now I have you guys." She looks at the three of us with a sad smile. "Really. I'm okay now."
I grip her shoulders, forcing her to look into my eyes. “You are perfect, Emily. Perfect in every way.”
She blinks, stunned by the intensity of my words. “Gabe, you don’t have to—”
“I mean it,” I say fiercely. “You’re smart, kind, beautiful, and strong. You’ve been through so much, and you’re still standing. That makes you incredible. Anyone who can’t see that is a fool.”
A tear escapes down her cheek, and I gently wipe it away with my thumb.
Luca joins us on the floor, interlacing her fingers with his. “You are more than good enough, Emily. You’re amazing. And don’t you ever let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
She nods and swallows. I know she doesn't believe us yet, but a plan to speak praise and confidence into her every day until she sees that we do takes place. I just need to get the boys alone so we can tag team her.
Chapter twenty
Emily
Carter arranged an afternoon with the boys, Novy, his wife Lauren and their son Kyle on one of their off days, so I can get to know one of the WAGs and Carter could ask parenting questions. We pull up to a stately home in a gated neighborhood. The house is large but not obnoxious, and it's well manicured, no doubt by a gardener.
The door swings open and Lauren, the team's physical therapist comes out, Kyle on her hip.
"Emily!" She squeals. I've met Lauren before when she picked up and dropped Kyle off at the center, but we never exchanged more than just friendly greetings and debriefs on what Kyle did while he was in our care. Her friendly smile immediately puts me at ease. She drags me to her in a fierce one-handed embrace while Carter gets Annie out of the car seat. Her smile is stunning and I'm immediately put at ease. I never got along with other girls. I was shy and insecure in High School and the mean girls immediately picked up on my weakness. A few bullying interactions later and I stuck to myself, head down, and barely made it out of High School intact.
But Lauren's friendly, welcoming smile is a different story. There's no fakeness behind it, no ulterior motive.
"When Novy told me about Annie and that Carter was bringing you on full-time I was so disappointed you wouldn't be taking care of Kyle anymore. But Carter couldn't have picked a better person as a nanny, so I can't really blame him!"
I smile up at her gratefully, before turning to Kyle. "May I?" She immediately presses him into my arms.
"Hey buddy! I've missed you!" I say, pressing my face into his belly and rubbing it back and forth, making him giggle. He coos and grabs my hair. "Em-ma." He says. My heart explodes and I look at Lauren, surprised.
"I may have told him you were coming, and we may have been practicing your name."
