by Dawn Brower
Wes laughed. “Easy princess. I’ll back off.”
“Can we see her?” Emma asked. “How are her mama and daddy doing?”
“Probably in a little while. Ginnifer is doing great. Dallas was touch and go for a little while there. That man’s a mess for his two girls. They made me leave.” Tori scrunched up her nose. “Here, I snapped a quick picture of her with my phone before they kicked me out.”
They crowded around Tori and stared at the scrunched up red face of their new niece. Emma thought she was absolutely wonderful and couldn’t wait to hold her in her arms. She loved babies and couldn’t wait to have some of her own—if she was ever lucky enough to find love again with a good man. Babies were so precious, and she wanted one.
“Have they named her yet?” Emma asked. “I don’t recall them mentioning any names.”
“They have,” Tori said. “This bundle of preciousness is Montana Noelle Novak.”
“Oh how perfect,” Emma said.
“I agree,” Tori replied. “Though it’s a mouthful. I told them I’m going to call her Ana.”
“That’s perfect for a nickname. I’ll call her that too.”
“Ana it is,” Wes agreed.
Emma sat and thought about her new niece. It naturally led her to thoughts of Colt and what they could have had. If he hadn’t messed up would this possibly be them? Could she be a mother by now? Of course not—they wouldn’t have rushed into being parents yet—they would have wanted to enjoy it being the two of them for a little while first. They were too young and had lots of time yet. They’d probably be just now getting married and enjoying a honeymoon. Emma sighed as misery filled her heart. There was no going back. She and Colt were over. Even if Melody had somehow set him up to fall and essentially broken them apart. They couldn’t go back—Colt moved on. He had Alison now, and Emma…was alone.
She had other things to focus on. Miss Montana Noelle for one. She’d fill her heart to the brim loving her new little niece. If she was meant to find love again, she would. She’d be fine without Colt. Emma truly hoped he was happy with Alison.
Chapter Thirteen
Colt wasn’t having a good day. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he had a day even remotely first-rate. The quarterback coach had been working him hard ever since Paxton Kerry had been injured in the game against the Broncos. He understood the man was trying to prepare him to take over as the starting quarterback, but he was exhausted. All he wanted to do was crawl in bed and sleep for a week. First he needed to find the energy to walk to his car and drive home—an impossible feat looking at the exit from the bench inside the locker room. Colt sighed and pushed himself to his feet.
“What are you still doing here?”
Colt turned to see Paxton Kerry entering the locker room. Sweat was dripping down the sides of his face, his coffee-brown hair plastered to his head.
Colt shrugged. “Bob wanted to go over a few things with me.”
He didn’t want to go into it. Colt had no desire to rub in that he was the starting quarterback while Paxton was benched. The injury had to suck donkey balls.
Paxton laughed. “Bob saying let’s go over a few things is like saying get ready to run a marathon without training for it. How are you surviving?”
“Shouldn’t that be what I’m asking you?”
“Maybe—I don’t want you to pity me. I’m fine.” Paxton grinned. “I get to work with that gorgeous physical trainer we have every day. I’d say that’s almost worth the injury alone.”
Colt gritted his teeth and stopped short of punching Paxton in the face. It wasn’t his fault Emma broke up with him. No, he knew where the blame firmly landed for that blunder.
“Yeah. How is Emma treating you?”
“Great. She knows so much. We’ve been working for a couple of weeks now, and I’m already starting to feel some improvement.” Paxton did some slow movements of his shoulder. “If all goes well I should be able to play again.”
“Good.” Colt nodded. “I’d hate to see you on the sidelines too long. You’re too good of a player to not be able to play again.”
Colt meant the words. He wouldn’t wish a debilitating injury on anyone. Paxton was one of the best players he’d ever seen play the game. If he could get past the injury and play again, good for him—if he hit on Emma he might have to hurt him though.
“Thanks. I would have thought you’d wish me to be gone for good. This is your chance to show them what you got.”
“True enough,” Colt agreed. “I’d rather win the chance on my own merit though. It kind of loses some validity when you only have it because someone else was unlucky enough to get injured.”
“Yeah, I can see your point,” Paxton agreed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to hit the shower. I’m taking Emma to dinner tonight, and I don’t want to be a sweaty beast sitting across from her.”
Colt’s mouth flew open as Paxton’s words managed to sink into his overworked brain. A silent scream filled his head. This couldn’t be happening. Emma was not about to start dating Paxton Kerry. He’d murder him. Breathe in. Breathe out. Colt reminded himself to calm down. It might not be a date. It could be they were going out as friends. Paxton didn’t really seem like Emma’s type.
“Really?” Colt asked. “I didn’t know you and Emma had gotten so close.”
“Yeah, it’s amazing what can happen when you’re bonding over physical therapy.” Paxton nodded. “She’s a slave driver.”
Yeah, Emma’s stubbornness tended to drive him insane from time to time. He could see how it might work in her favor when dealing with irritable football players.
“So you’ve, um, become friends?”
Paxton pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it in into his locker. “Yeah, I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.”
One way? What other way did Paxton see Emma? “I’m not following you.”
“We’re friends now, but you never know where that could lead.” Paxton tossed his sweats into the locker and pulled out his shower supplies. “I’m not saying we’ll be more than that, but she’s awesome. I’d like to get to know her better.”
Nope, Colt definitely needed to murder him. “So where are you two going to dinner?”
He needed information. Another surprise date, one where he’d drag Alison to—he needed to crash Paxton and Emma’s dinner. He hoped his best friend was up to it. Alison still didn’t know that Emma still believed they were dating. He hadn’t found the time to let her know. Colt was well aware he should have mentioned it. Alison had been his fake girlfriend for almost two months now. Emma always seemed to be surrounded by other people, and the time never seemed right.
“I don’t know,” Paxton said. “Do you have any suggestions?”
Colt looked up at him with surprise. “You didn’t make any specific plans?”
“Well no—we just decided we’re hungry.”
This could work for him. Maybe if he invited them to join him and Alison it wouldn’t look like he was honing in on Emma’s date. It would only be a problem if Alison refused to go. Maybe he’d fail to mention to her they’d be seeing Emma and Paxton. Alison acted a little weird when Paxton was around. Maybe she didn’t like him. Colt stopped to wonder, only briefly, how it was going between them since Tori had assigned Alison as Paxton’s working agent.
“Well, if you don’t mind joining me and Alison, we are going to eat at this little café we like. The food’s pretty good, and the service is excellent.”
“Alison?” Paxton asked, startled. “You two dating?”
“We’re more friends than anything.”
“Ah got you,” Paxton replied. “Sure give me the address. We’ll meet you there.”
Colt didn’t want to think about what Paxton actually got. Did he think Colt enjoyed a little more than friendship with Alison? He hoped not. He and Ali truly were only friends—something he was going to explain to Emma. He needed to quit putting that off. He wanted her back, and he wasn�
��t going to get her if she believed he was taken. Emma didn’t step on another woman’s toes.
“Great. I’ll see you in a while then.” Colt nodded. “I have to go pick up Alison.”
“Thanks man.” Paxton wandered off to the shower, not once giving Colt a second glance.
Damn it. Now he had to make sure Alison was willing to meet him for dinner. Hell, wasn’t it a few minutes ago all he wanted to do was drive home and sleep for a week? Now he was scrambling to go out and prevent Paxton Kerry from hitting on the woman he loved.
Colt walked out of the locker room and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He scrolled through his contacts and tapped on Alison’s name. It rang three times before she answered.
“Hello.”
Alison’s voice was groggy. He had probably woke her up. He’d feel guilty about it later. “Hey Ali.”
“Colt? What do you need?”
“I absolutely need you to have dinner with me tonight, please say you will.”
He crossed his fingers and prayed she’d say yes. She just had to. Alison could usually be counted on to save him from total destruction. If she said no, he’d have to sit there and explain to Paxton why he was alone. He dreaded the possibility.
“Really? I don’t know—”
“Come on, Ali. I need the company.”
“I’m so tired though. Tori’s been working me crazy this past week. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. Ever since Wes proposed, she’s been this crazy bundle of nonstop energy.”
Wes proposed? Good for him. Tori was a great woman, and he was lucky to have her. At least he hadn’t screwed things up the way Colt had with Emma. Wes might hate Colt, but Colt didn’t wish him any ill will. Wes had been great when he visited Novak Springs. Well, most of the time when he visited. The last time he’d been out at the ranch he threatened to kick Colt’s ass. He hadn’t been out there since.
“Well good for her. I haven’t talked to her since I saw her with Paxton in the café several weeks ago.”
“Don’t remind me,” Alison muttered.
“What?”
That didn’t sound good. It sounded like Alison had no desire to see Paxton any time soon. Colt would conveniently forget to mention the quarterback and Emma were joining them.
“Paxton is a pain in the ass. He’s been grumpy as hell ever since he was injured. The publicity is enough to keep me hopping for days. What can and cannot be said. The press has been hounding us for answers if he is going to play again or not. He doesn’t want to say one way or the other.” He could hear Alison sigh. “I get it. This is his career, and I feel bad for him, but I also want to strangle him daily.”
“You talk to him every day?” Wow, Tori hadn’t even done that with him when he went through his own crisis.
“God yes. He calls me at all hours of the day. I told you he’s driving me insane. At least I don’t see him every day. If I did, I might strangle him.”
“I’m sorry he seems to be making your life difficult.” What else could he say? He was about to make her life equally complex. She’d probably be warring with herself who to strangle first.
“Not your fault,” Alison paused and sighed. “You know what? Dinner sounds great. I’m glad you called.”
“I’m so glad you said that. I miss my best friend. We haven’t seen enough of each other lately.”
They really hadn’t. Since Colt took the starting position he was either sleeping, working with the quarterback coach, or playing a game. He didn’t have a lot of free time these days. He did miss her. He only hoped she’d forgive him for dragging her along through the muck with him.
“I miss you too. Give me an hour, and I can meet you at our favorite place.”
“You sound tired. Let me pick you up.”
Colt had told Paxton he needed to pick Alison up. It would give credence to his story if he actually did so.
“No, I’d rather drive myself in. I appreciate the offer,” Alison replied. “Besides I know you’re tired too. I’m not the only one that’s been working crazy hours.”
Alison was right. The little communication they’d exchanged involved lots of texts of him saying how exhausted he was every day. She had failed to mention how much she’d been working herself. Colt made a mental promise to be a better friend and check up on her more often. He didn’t need to always be so selfish and demanding from her.
“If you’re sure—I really don’t mind.”
“Yes, I’m positive. I would much rather drive myself over. I’ll see you soon.”
“All right, I won’t push.”
Alison’s laugh floated through his ears. “You never do. Maybe sometimes you should.”
What the hell did that mean? “I’ll let you explain that cryptic comment when I see you.”
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.”
“Anyone ever tell you that you can be very irritating?”
“All the time,” Alison replied. “It means I’m doing my job right. Okay, I have to go Colt, or I’ll never get up to meet you.”
“Fine, I will see you in a bit.”
Colt clicked End on his phone and shoved it back into his pocket. Paxton still hadn’t exited the locker room. He probably would be soon, and Colt didn’t want to be caught hanging around. He was already supposed to be gone and picking up Alison. Colt glanced back at the door one last time and shook his head. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake. He couldn’t stand the idea of Emma dating Paxton Kerry. Emma belonged with him. He needed the opportunity to convince her of that fact. He’d make sure he got it too. Maybe Alison was right. He really should start pushing more often. Being the nice guy wasn’t getting him anywhere.
Chapter Fourteen
Emma didn’t know if going out to eat with Paxton Kerry was the best decision she’d ever made. She did believe she deserved to have a night out. She’d been so busy, finding time to date had been impossible. Plus if she were being honest with herself, she didn’t really want to. She wasn’t over Colt, and it wouldn’t be fair to another man if she started something her heart couldn’t be a part of. Paxton only wanted to be friends. Emma seemed to be picking a few of those types up. First Ian and now Paxton Kerry—if she was looking for more it might have given her a complex. It was a good thing all she wanted was friendship from both men. So if Paxton needed someone to hang out with, Emma had no problem accommodating him. She needed to get out from time to time as well.
“Are you ready to go eat?” Paxton ran his hand through his wet hair as he exited the locker room.
“I am.”
“Good. I’m starving.”
“Did you decide where you’d like to go?” Emma asked.
“Yeah, I thought we’d go to this little café. Is that okay?”
Emma didn’t really care where they went. She wanted some food, and if she was lucky enough, good company to go along with it. “Sounds good.”
He smiled. “Well then let’s go. Follow me, my car is in the far lot. Less likely to run into people I don’t feel like talking to back there.”
Emma frowned. She knew Paxton was doing well with his therapy. So far, it looked like he would get back his full range of motion. Which was great news for him—he might be able to play again. The problem was the press wanted more than an “I don’t know” answer from the team. They couldn’t give them what they didn’t have. They all wanted Paxton to be in top playing condition again. Emma didn’t want to bring up a sore subject, so she kept her thoughts to herself. If Paxton wanted to talk about what was bothering him, he’d bring it up himself.
They walked for a few minutes and exited the building at the parking lot. Emma followed behind him until he stopped at a black sports car. He clicked the remote and unlocked the doors.
Emma opened the passenger door and got inside. “Thanks for giving me a ride home tonight. I hope they don’t take too long fixing whatever is wrong with my car. I hate taking cabs every place I need to go. It’s been driving me crazy.”
Paxton nod
ded and started the engine. “No problem. I don’t mind. How long have you been without wheels?” He put the car in drive and squealed out of the empty parking lot.
“For over a week now. I got back from Novak Springs after Thanksgiving, and it started to sputter and died on the side of the road outside the city limits.” Emma shook her head. “I was spitting mad. It prevented me from getting to look at an apartment I’d hoped to get.”
“You don’t have a place to live?”
“Not my own place. I’ve been staying with Tori.”
“Vitoria Miene?”
“Yeah,” Emma said. “She’s engaged to my brother, Wes. Do you know her?”
“I do. I signed with her agency back in October. So far, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.”
“Tori is awesome.” Emma smiled. “I’m glad Wes finally proposed to her.”
“Yeah, I haven’t worked with her too much. I’ve been working with Alison primarily.”
Emma got quiet when she heard Alison’s name roll off Paxton’s tongue. She didn’t want to admit it but she hated hearing her name. She liked the woman. Emma adored her to pieces. She hated that Alison now dated Colt. It grated on her nerves. She really needed to get over her hang up. It wasn’t Alison’s fault Emma still loved Colt.
Paxton pulled into a parking lot of quaint little café. It looked picturesque and inviting. Emma loved it immediately.
“Have you eaten here before?” he asked.
“No, I haven’t.” Emma couldn’t wait to see what the inside looked like. The outside was so inviting.
“I did once with Tori. I hadn’t realized it was the same place.”
What was he talking about? “Same place?”
“I was talking to Colt earlier. He mentioned this place. I figured why not try it out.”
“Colt said to come here?”
Paxton shrugged his shoulders. “He suggested I try it.”
Great, this was probably his favorite place to meet Alison. Emma hoped they wouldn’t run into them in the café. She couldn’t very well back out now. Emma was truly stuck and had to see the evening through. Paxton was her ride home. She could call a cab if she got desperate enough.
