Page 109 of Cougar

I roll my eyes. “Cast my baby so I can get out of here.” I hold up my phone. “I’m gonna make a call and then check on Harper. Where’s her room?” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward the room directly across the hall.

Stopping just outside her door, I pull up the number to Heritage Bay Academy and press Call, bringing the phone to my ear. “Heritage Academy, Ms. Patty speaking.”

“Hey, Ms. Patty. It’s Emerson.”

“We’ve been expecting your call. How are Jayla and Harper?”

“Jayla’s hand is fractured and her finger is broken. I’m on my way to check on Harper now.”

She gasps. “I’m so sorry. Let me connect you with David.”

“No, it’s okay. Can you just let him know I’ll be by as soon as Dad is finished with her cast?”

“Absolutely.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

Just as I end the call, someone calls my name. “Emerson?”

I turn around. “Hey, Chris.”

“What’s going on?”

I press my index finger to my temple and rub in a circle. “Jayla got into a fight with a couple of bullies at school.”

“Is she okay?”

“Fractured hand, broken finger.” I purse my lips, angry. “She was defending her friend, who also got hurt.”

“What the hell?”

“You’ll never believe whose kid is responsible.”

He raises his brows. “Who?”

I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the wall. “Harold Scott.”

Chris rolls his eyes. “That guy was and still is a fucking asshole. I know his kid, Hannah. She’s friends with my daughter, Chelsea. Luckily, she’s away at college and hopefully surrounding herself with better friends.”

“Hopefully. I gotta get going.” I push off the wall and start toward Harper’s room. “See ya later, Chris.”

* * *

I step into Harper’s room, and Cole looks at me over his shoulder.

“Cole, can I have a minute with Harper, please?”

“Sure,” he says before he turns back to kiss her, then leaves the room.

I move to sit in one of the empty leather chairs against the wall. Crossing my legs, I prop my purse in my lap and exhale a deep breath through my nose.

“I’m sorry,” Harper says.

I raise my brows. “For what?”

“I’m sorry Jay got hurt because of me.”

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