Page 147 of Cougar

“Says the guy screwing my sister.”

“Nice try on throwing me under the bus.”

“Yeah.” He barks out another laugh. “And you pulled me under with you. Thanks for that, by the way. My mother is never going to let that go for the rest of my life.”

* * *

Opening the front door, I frown at Emerson standing there with her arms wrapped around her middle, shivering. “Oh, good. You’re still here.” Emerson throws herself into my arms. “I was afraid you’d already left for spring training.”

“You could’ve called.” She wraps her legs around my waist when I lift her, and I kick the front door shut before carrying her over to the couch and settling her on my lap. “Why did you knock? You have a key.”

“I don’t have my keys or my phone. I don’t even know where my purse is, or my car for that matter. I have Jay’s car. I haven’t even been home yet, but I wanted to see you before you left.”

“Who’s at the hospital with Jay?”

“Zach.” She pushes out her bottom lip. “Poor kid. I told the nurses to take care of him. Feed him. Bring him coffee. Whatever he needs, make sure he gets it.”

“Any changes?”

She shakes her head. “No. My father said it’s going to be a few days before she wakes up. I need to use this time to deal with press. I’m afraid to look at my phone.” She sighs. “When are you heading back?”

I brush her hair away from her face. “Coach gave me an extra day. I have to be on the road by six, but I doubt he’ll let me play today.”

“Liam and the rest of the gang took off about an hour ago. Lucas and Andrew are staying at the house for a few days.” She drops her gaze to my chest.

“What’s on your mind?”

She inhales a deep breath through her nose and exhales. “I still can’t believe what happened today. It doesn’t even feel real. Marcus always encouraged Jayla to trust her gut until the day he died. Today, I trusted mine. I was at the counter buying a pair of shoes, and it hit me out of nowhere. I felt it down to my core, and it literally made me sick. And when Lexi came walking up to tell me Jay had gone to the car, something in my subconscious told me to go. When I saw Harper running toward me with that horrified look on her face, dragging two hysterical toddlers along with her, I knew my gut was right.”

She shakes her head. “Cam, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to erase that scene from my brain. He was on top of her, punching her, choking her. But she was fighting back. I thought to myself, ‘Just get to her, Emerson, and she’ll be okay.’ It felt like one of those nightmares where you’re running as fast as you can but you’re not going anywhere. And then… she just stopped.” She exhales a shuddered breath. “Her legs went limp and her arms fell to her sides. I thought, ‘Oh my God, she’s dead. He killed my baby.’” She cries out and drops her head to my shoulder, and I instinctively wrap my arms around her.

“I’m so sorry, Em.” I rub my hand up and down her back. “She’s safe now. Okay?” She nods against my shoulder. “I heard the guy was after Jay’s friend?”

“Yeah. Some little punk on a power trip because his daddy is a senator. I’m gonna destroy that motherfucker if I have to spend every dime I have.”

“I hate that I have to leave you to deal with all of this alone. I promise I’ll come back as soon as I have a break.”

She sits up and swipes her hands across her wet cheeks. “I hate that you have to leave, too, but this is your career.” She brings her hand to my face, brushing her thumb over my cheek, and I flinch. “Sorry.” She winces and starts to pull her hand away, but I catch it and kiss the center of her palm. “I can’t believe that shithead hit me.”

I chuckle. “Your brother is an idiot.”

She snorts. “He barely clipped me, but you better believe I’m gonna milk it for as long as I can.” She smirks. “Are you guys okay?”

“We’re good.”

“Did he really marry Vanessa in Vegas?”

“Yes.”

“And you married Juliette?”

“Yes.” I can see the wheels turning in her head. “Ask your questions, Emerson. I won’t lie to you.”

“How long were you married?”

“A few months, and the majority of that time, I was on the road with the team.”

“How come I never met her before?”

---