Wrecked (Clayton Falls) (21 page)

“I have a better idea.” I paid the bill and we walked out to her car. “I’m glad we dropped Noah’s car seat off with Molly in case they need it.”

“Why?”

“You’ll see.”

She figured out where we were going as soon as I told her the first turn. “The drive in? That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it?”

“You did say you might be interested in the real experience.”

She laughed. “Why not?”

She parked the car in the empty field. “So we just need to find the correct station, right? Isn’t that how these things work?”

“You weren’t actually planning to watch the movie, were you?” I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to her.

“What else would we do?” Then her eyes widened with understanding. “That’s why you mentioned the car seat…”

“You up for it?” I grinned.

“We’re not kids, Jake.”

“No, so what’s the problem?” I decided to take matters into my own hands. I leaned over the center console and kissed her, unbuckling her seatbelt while I had her distracted. She moaned, and I continued the kiss. She still tasted faintly of chocolate. I slipped a hand under her sweater and she ran her fingers through my hair. “Still not interested in moving to the back seat?”

She looked out the window, and a look of understanding crossed her face. “Why are we the only ones here, Jake?”

“They only show movies on Fridays and Saturdays. An old friend of mine manages this place.” I smiled. “I told him to pick any movie, because we wouldn’t be watching it.”

“You got your friend to come into work and set up a movie just so we could make out in the backseat?”

“Make out? I did buy you dinner, you know.”

She smacked my arm playfully. “You’re something else.”

“I know I am.” I reached over her and pushed open her door.

“You’re sure no one else is going to show up?”

“I promise.”

I didn’t waste any time once we were in the backseat. I wanted her so bad. Emily’s Camry wasn’t huge, but it had more than enough room. I had those cowboy boots of hers off in seconds, and her sweater and jeans didn’t last much longer. She pulled off my shirt, and unzipped my jeans. I groaned as she grabbed me just as I was moving down over her. I unclasped her bra and slid off her panties. It was dark, but the faint light from the movie screen and the moon was enough to illuminate her amazing body. She was perfection—absolute perfection—and she was mine.

“I love you so much.” I kissed her lips gently, letting my hand glide down her body. “I love you so damn much.”

“I love you too.” She pulled my head back down to hers. “I need you, Jake. I need you, now.”

“Anytime, anywhere. I’ll never make you wait.” Sex with Emily was beyond incredible. It’s like nothing else in the world existed when I was inside her. I used to wonder if sex with the same partner got boring after a while, but it was the opposite. The more I was with Emily—the more I got to know every inch of her, just made it better—more intense. She called out my name, digging her nails into my back, and everything else faded away.

I was one of the first guests at Becca and Gavin’s party. I was going to wait for Emily, but she insisted I go ahead.

“Hey, Jake!” Becca hugged me when she opened the door. She was wearing a very un-Becca like outfit, a sparkly red top. Becca usually went for black.

“Looking festive.”

She punched my arm lightly. “We’re celebrating my engagement, and it’s Christmas time—I’m dressed very appropriately.”

“Is he giving you a hard time?” Gavin strolled over. As much as the former Clayton Falls cop and I didn’t see eye to eye, he wasn’t a bad guy. He tried to act all serious, but even he couldn’t hide his good mood.

“Congrats, man. You’re lucky.”

“I know.” He put an arm around Becca.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” Gavin offered.

Becca gave him a look.

“I mean soda or anything?”

I shook my head at Becca. “I’m capable of turning down alcohol.”

“I know. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable…”

“Stop worrying.”

“Okay. But do you want anything?”

“A Coke would be great.”

Gavin got one out of the fridge and tossed it to me.

I went over to the window and looked out. I had to hand it to Gavin, his condo had a nice view. I’d have thought about buying it off him, but it wouldn’t have been practical for Emily and Noah. I liked that I had to take them into consideration.

The place filled up. I caught up with Becca a bit, and tried to enjoy the party, but I was getting worried.

I checked my phone for the millionth time. Emily ran late a lot and sometimes didn’t call, but it was getting extremely late even for her. I was just about to slide my phone back into my pocket when I got a text.
Sorry, we’re not going to make it. I’ll give you more details later.

Are you okay? Do you need me?

Enjoy the party. I’ll fill you in later.

Let me know if you need anything

OK

“Is everything okay?” Becca asked, taking a seat next to me on one of the bar stools at the counter.

“Yeah, but Emily’s not coming.”

“Is she okay? Noah?”

“I think so. She said she’d tell me more later.”

“Oh. Well, if you need to leave, I get it.” Becca bit her lip. It made her nervous and she barely knew Emily.

“I’ll wait until she calls.”

I tried to relax, but I didn’t like it. Why didn’t Emily tell me what was going on? I was about to walk outside to call her when I heard the tinkering of a glass. Someone was going to toast.

Gavin easily commanded the attention of everyone in the room. He was definitely the biggest guy there. “Becca and I are so happy you could all be here to celebrate with us tonight. We’ve missed you guys so much the past few months, which is why we’re excited to share some other news.”

Was she pregnant too? Becca didn’t seem like the type to have kids so quickly, but as Emily would say, sometimes it wasn’t planned.

“We’re moving back in May!” Becca squealed.

“Oh my god, that’s awesome!” Molly hugged her.

“Wait, did you take the job with the Blue Rocks?” Tom asked, referring to the local Minor League baseball team. Gavin had been doing some assistant coaching for the Boston Red Sox.

“Yeah. And Becca’s lined up a great job too.” Gavin beamed at her.

Becca grinned. “I’m working for the DA in Wilmington!”

“That’s incredible, Becca!” I gave her a hug. I knew how much she wanted to be a prosecutor. I was glad she was going to be doing it close by.

My phone vibrated. I had a new text.
Can you talk?

I slipped down the hall and called her. “What’s going on?”

“It’s my dad,” Emily choked out.

“What about him? Is he worse?”

“Mom says if I want to talk to him, it’s got to be now. They sent him home with hospice.” She could barely talk, she was crying so hard.

“Oh, Em. I’m so sorry.”

“I need to go up there. I’m going tonight. I can’t wait.”

“I’ll come with you. Can you stop and pick me up at my house, or should I get a ride to you?”

“You don’t have to come, Jake.”

“I want to. If nothing else, I can help watch Noah.”

“We’ll pick you up. Can you be ready by nine?” Her voice sounded stronger. Maybe knowing she’d have me with her helped.

“Yes. I love you, Em.”

“I love you too.”

I walked back to the party.

“Is everything okay?” Ben put down his beer.

“No. Emily’s dad took a turn for the worse. I need to get home and pack.”

“Are you going up to Ridgeview?” Ben asked.

“Yeah. I don’t have much time, and don’t want to ruin the mood. Can you tell Becca I left?”

“Sure.” Ben hugged me. We weren’t the kind of brothers who hugged, but I appreciated the gesture.

***

I walked outside my house and locked up before Emily had even pulled into the driveway. I didn’t want her to waste any more time. Even without traffic, it was still a five hour drive. I got right in, leaning over to kiss Emily on the cheek before turning around to say hi to Noah.

“Thanks for coming. I know you wanted to spend time with Becca.” Emily pulled out onto the road.

“This is much more important.” I took her hand and squeezed it. She was shaking.

“Have you talked to your mom again since you called me?”

“Yeah. He’s all settled in. Mom sounded so scared though.” She took her hand from mine to brush away a tear. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through. They’ve been married thirty-five years. How do you say goodbye to someone after so long?”

“I don’t know.” The truth was, I’d only been dating Emily a few months and I already knew I couldn’t say goodbye to her.

I tried to keep Emily relaxed as she drove, but I knew how upset she was. Noah fell asleep before we even left town, so most of the ride was quiet. I wished I could just take over the driving to let her sleep.

I’d had my hand on her leg for a while and went to move it.

She placed her hand on top of mine to stop me. “No, don’t. I need to feel your touch right now. It’s what’s keeping me from breaking apart. I don’t know what we’d do without you, Jake. You’re my rock.” She glanced over at me for a second as she said it before returning her eyes to the dark road.

There was something about those words, something on her face. I turned around and watched Noah sleep. I already knew it, but holding Emily’s hand and watching Noah solidified it all for me. I needed them in my life forever.

I couldn’t have made the drive without Jake. I would have tried, but I probably would have stopped somewhere along the way. Having the conversation I needed to have with my dad would be hard. Doing it knowing he had almost no time left would be nearly impossible.

Mom greeted me with a hug. She didn’t let go for a minute, and I was once again grateful for Jake. He carried a sleeping Noah inside.

Mom let go of me long enough to notice we weren’t alone. “Hi, you must be Jake.”

“Hi, Mrs. Taylor. I’m so sorry about what you’re going through.”

She sighed. “Thank you for coming up with Emily. I felt better knowing they weren’t on the road alone.”

“Is there anywhere I should put him down?” Jake adjusted Noah in his arms.

“Of course. I still have the crib set up in Noah’s old room.” I led Jake upstairs, pausing for a second in front of my parents’ room before continuing down the hall. I kissed Noah before Jake set him down. We left the room, closing the door behind us.

“Emily, can you come here for a second?” Mom called from downstairs.

Jake put a hand on my arm. “I’ll get our stuff from the car. Which room are we in? Or do you want me to stay on the couch or something?”

“No. I need you with me. My room’s that one.” I pointed to my door.

“Okay, go talk to your mom.” He kissed me, before walking downstairs.

I was glad Mom wanted to talk first, because I certainly wasn’t ready to talk to Dad yet. Not that he was awake. It was after two a.m.

“I’m so glad you came. Your father needs this. You need this.”

“I know.” That’s when the tears started. I wanted to be strong for Mom, but I couldn’t be.

I heard the door swing open and closed as Jake brought in our stuff.

“He seems nice.”

“He is. He’s wonderful.”

“And he’s good with Noah.” She smiled. Mom had been really supportive when I’d finally told her about him. She said she hadn’t heard me so happy in years.

“Noah can’t get enough of him.”

“I’m glad you’ve found someone.”

“Me too.” I still couldn’t believe I’d gotten so lucky.

I sat with Mom for a while longer before heading upstairs. She decided to stay up a little later. I had a feeling she wouldn’t be going to bed at all. The light was on in my room, but it was empty. I glanced into the bathroom, but that was empty too. I was about to go back downstairs, when my parents’ door opened and Jake walked out.

“Jake? What were you doing in there?”

He closed the door and walked into my room. I followed.

When we walked inside, he closed my door. “I heard your dad calling out for Noah. I assumed he was confused and was asking for your brother…”

“Oh…”

“I was going to get your mom, but I heard you guys talking. I looked in to see if he was okay.”

“Was he awake?”

“Yeah. He asked who I was.” Jake smiled. “We had a long talk about football. I think I won him over when I told him I coached it now.”

“Won him over?”

“He wanted to make sure I was good enough to date his daughter.”

“Is he still awake?”

“No. He fell asleep while we were discussing the sorry shape the NFL was in.”

I smiled. “Now that sounds like Dad.”

“Do you want to try to talk to him, or wait until tomorrow?”

“I’ll wait.” I was too exhausted to see straight let alone have the hardest conversation of my life.

“All right, let’s head to bed then.”

“That sounds great.” We dug out toothbrushes and changed. Twenty minutes later, I was curled up in Jake’s arms.

***

“Dad?” I stepped into the room quietly. Mom said he was awake, but I didn’t want to disturb him if he was sleeping. Jake was giving Noah breakfast, and I knew it was now or never.

“Come in, Emily.”

I tentatively moved toward the bed. “Hi, Daddy.” I tried to choke back the tears, but he looked so weak. He never looked weak.

“Daddy? You haven’t called me that in years.”

I smiled through the tears. “I know.”

“You can at least sit down.” He raised his hand to gesture to an empty chair.

I sat down on the edge of the chair.

“I met your boyfriend.”

“What did you think?” I asked nervously.

“I like him. He’s real, and he cares about you.”

“And he coaches football…”

Dad smiled. “That too.”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. I scooted my chair closer. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. You were right about Tim. You were right about everything, but I was too stubborn to admit it.”

“I wish I wasn’t right. I just wanted what was best for you.”