Summer’s Cove

by Aurora Rey

  The barrage of questions yanked Darcy back to her senses. “He was with Emerson. They were paddleboarding. I need to go.”

  “Of course. Go. I’ll take care of whatever needs attention here.”

  “Thanks. Emerson said he may have fractured something.”

  “Okay. Text me when you have more information and let me know if you need anything.”

  Darcy nodded, her body still refusing to spring into action.

  Alex placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s going to be fine.”

  For some reason, that permeated the fog. “Yes. I’m sure of it. It’s not like he’s in an ambulance or anything.”

  “Exactly. And Liam’s a tough cookie.”

  Darcy nodded again. Alex was right. But still. She’d feel a lot better when she could see for herself. “Thank you. I’m so sorry to take off in the middle of lunch.”

  “It’s not the middle. We’re almost done. And this is way more important. I’ll let Lia know and we’ll both be sending good vibes.”

  Darcy stashed her apron and grabbed her bag. It took no more than five minutes for her to make it to the clinic. She parked and went in, frantically searching for Liam. She found him sitting in a chair next to Emerson, talking animatedly about something. As she made her way over to them, Liam glanced up and caught her eye. “Mom!”

  Darcy knelt in front of him, trying not to be too obvious about looking him up and down. “Are you okay? How did this happen? What did you hurt?”

  “Mom, it was so cool. We were paddleboarding and I was doing really good. But then I ran into Emerson and fell off.”

  “You were what?” Darcy shifted her focus for a second to Emerson, who looked like she might throw up.

  “Emerson taught me how to paddleboard. She said I was a natural. Only I didn’t know how to stop and I ran my board into hers and we both fell off.”

  Darcy closed her eyes for a second, willing herself to be calm. Liam was okay. Actually, he seemed more than okay. She needed to focus on that, make sure he didn’t think she was blaming him for what happened. Emerson was another matter entirely, but she’d deal with that later. “It sounds like you were super brave.”

  “I cried, but only a little. It really hurt.”

  “It’s okay to cry when it hurts.”

  Before Darcy could ask any more questions, the nurse called them back. Emerson stood, but then froze. “I can wait out here.”

  As much as Darcy wanted to scream at her to go away entirely, that would only upset Liam. And since Emerson had been there when it happened, she might be able to answer some of the doctor’s questions. “No, you can probably relate the details better than Liam can. Let’s all go back together.”

  They were ushered into an exam room and she helped Liam onto the table. She was about to ask Emerson for the story when the doctor came in. Seeing a familiar face eased a little of her anxiety.

  “So, what do we have here?”

  Liam retold his version of the story. Emerson didn’t have much to add. She hadn’t been able to tell if Liam hit one of the boards on his way into the water. Between that and the fact that it started to swell, she hadn’t wanted to take any chances. The doctor did a cursory look at Liam’s arm, deciding they’d do an x-ray to be on the safe side. Liam insisted he could go on his own, so Darcy and Emerson were left alone in the exam room.

  Before Darcy could open her mouth, Emerson launched in. “I’m so sorry. I’m pretty sure I’m overreacting, but I’d much rather that than have it be something serious.”

  To her credit, Emerson looked about as traumatized as Darcy felt. Still. It didn’t change the facts of the situation. “What the fuck were you doing paddleboarding?”

  “I…” Emerson trailed off. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting that question.

  “Don’t you think you should have run that by me beforehand?”

  Emerson’s look of confusion turned defensive. “I didn’t think it was a dangerous activity. We were wearing life vests and were never more than twenty feet out.”

  “And yet my son may have broken his arm.” The thought still made her shudder.

  “Which he could have also done falling down some stairs.”

  Darcy fisted her hands and tried not to yell. “But he didn’t. Are you really going to stand there and tell me this was a good idea?”

  “Well, I don’t think it was a bad one. Liam had a good time and we were careful.”

  Darcy shook her head. Unbelievable. “And you don’t think you should have asked me ahead of time?”

  “Would you have said no?”

  “That’s not the point.”

  Emerson swept her hand in front of her. “It kind of is. If you wouldn’t have stopped us, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”

  “But we’d still be here.”

  Emerson understood that Darcy was upset, but the why didn’t make any sense. Part of her wanted to say as much. The much larger part still felt immensely guilty about the fact that they were there at all and Liam might be seriously hurt. Before she could have an internal debate with herself, Liam and the doctor returned. Liam was sporting a bright blue sling.

  “It’s not broken. I don’t need a cast.” Liam sounded almost disappointed by this fact.

  Both Darcy and Emerson looked at the doctor for confirmation. “Only a mild sprain. Put ice on it for twenty minutes every couple of hours for the next day or two so the swelling stays down. And the sling is more to help him remember not to use it than anything else.”

  Emerson couldn’t remember the last time she felt so relieved. And if the look on Darcy’s face counted for anything, she wasn’t the only one. “That’s good news,” Darcy said. “Thank you so much.”

  “Ibuprofen is better than acetaminophen because it helps with inflammation as well as pain, but either is okay. If it’s not substantially better in a week, come back and we’ll take another look.”

  They filed out to the reception area where Darcy took care of the paperwork and payment. Emerson offered to cover the copay, since the visit to the doctor probably wasn’t necessary in the first place, but Darcy waved her away. They walked out of the clinic and, for a fleeting moment, Emerson felt like they were a family that had just weathered a storm together. One glance at Darcy dispelled that notion. To Emerson, it seemed like she might, at any moment, bite Emerson’s head off.

  “Look, I’m—”

  “How would you like pizza for being such a trooper?”

  Emerson didn’t know if Darcy didn’t hear her or if she cut her off intentionally. At the mention of pizza, Liam spun around. “Yes!”

  “Why don’t you take him home and I’ll pick it up and bring it over?”

  “I want pepperoni,” Liam said. Meanwhile, Darcy looked like smoke might come out of her ears at any moment.

  Emerson gave Darcy a pleading look. “Please, let me. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Fine.” She glared at Emerson for a moment, then returned her attention to Liam. “You’re with me, big fella.”

  Emerson watched them get into Darcy’s car and pull away.

  *****

  On the drive home, Darcy listened to Liam chatter on as though nothing had happened. Well, not as though nothing happened. All he wanted to talk about was getting an x-ray and being in a sling. Discussing his injury was topped only by his exploits on the paddleboard. He talked about how good Emerson said he was, how much fun it had been. When he asked how long it would be before he could try it again, Darcy barely contained her temper. “Let’s focus on getting your arm better, okay?”

  “Okay. Emerson said a sprain can heal in a couple of weeks, but that I’ll have to be careful with it because the tendons and muscles are weak after.”

  “Yes, we need to make sure it’s completely better and then we can talk about building your strength back up.”

  “Emerson says I can do physical therapy. She says she knows a few exercises that can help.”

  Darcy gripped the steering wh
eel. “Let’s not worry about what Emerson says, okay? We’ll take you back to the doctor for that.”

  “But Emerson went to school to be a doctor, so she knows a lot.”

  “But she also didn’t finish, which means she doesn’t know everything.” Instead of answering, Liam turned to look out the window. Darcy knew it was the nastiness in her tone more than what she said. “I’m sorry.”

  Liam looked at her. “Are you mad at me?”

  Darcy reached back and patted his leg. “No, honey, I’m not mad at you.”

  “Are you mad at Emerson?”

  Darcy kept her gaze on the road. “Maybe a little.”

  “You shouldn’t be, Mom. It’s my fault I fell.”

  “It was your first time. Of course it isn’t your fault.”

  “Yeah, but Emerson told me to wait while she turned around and I didn’t listen. I wanted to do what she was doing.”

  The tangle of emotions fighting it out in Darcy’s mind took another turn. Not that she had any intention of blaming Liam for his injury, but if Emerson was giving him instructions that he didn’t follow…It didn’t matter. Emerson shouldn’t have taken him out in the first place. Especially without her permission. Or even her knowledge. “I’m not mad. I promise.”

  Liam’s shoulders slumped. “You seem mad.”

  Darcy plastered on a fake smile. Her kid was astute, a fact that made her proud. It was a pain in the ass sometimes, but she was proud. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” She took a deep breath and added, “And glad we’re about to have pizza.”

  The smile plus the mention of pizza did the trick. Liam once again looked out the window, but without the shadow of worry on his face. When they got home, Liam unbuckled his seat belt and hopped out of the car. She said a silent prayer of thanks it was the left arm he hurt.

  They made their way upstairs and Darcy realized he was still in his swimsuit. “What do you say we change clothes before Emerson gets here?”

  He agreed and they went to his room. Darcy slid the sling over his head and helped him out of his swim clothes and into a clean T-shirt and shorts. She’d just put the sling back in place when there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” Liam said as he ran from the room.

  “Careful,” Darcy called after him. “No running.”

  By the time Darcy followed, he’d let Emerson in. She stood in the living room holding two pizza boxes with an uneasy look on her face. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Darcy took the boxes and set them on the table. “You didn’t have to get two.”

  Emerson shrugged. “I figured it never hurts to have leftovers.”

  “Cold pizza is so good,” Liam said.

  Darcy pulled out some paper plates left from Liam’s birthday and set them next to the pizza. “Liam, what do you want to drink?”

  “Coke?” He looked at her hopefully.

  Since there was some of that left from the party, too, she decided to indulge him. “Emerson?”

  “Uh, same, please. Can I help?”

  “Nope.” Darcy poured drinks and they sat down to eat. Liam, confident that he wasn’t in trouble for his exploits, relayed them again in minute detail. Darcy made sure to keep her reactions positive and light, although she did manage an occasional glare at Emerson.

  In truth, it sounded like they had a lot of fun. And that Emerson took all the appropriate safety precautions. Plus, there was the fact that Liam wasn’t seriously injured. Darcy would have taken him to the doctor, even if it hadn’t been necessary. But that wasn’t the point. The point was that Emerson took Liam on an activity without telling her. Whether or not the oversight was intentional, it was a huge overstep of her role. And that was unacceptable.

  When they finished eating, Darcy told Liam he could watch whatever he wanted on TV. She let Emerson queue up some old episodes of Bill Nye while she prepared an ice pack. She went to the living room to situate him, but Emerson already had him on the sofa with his arm propped on a stack of pillows.

  “In addition to ice, keeping an injury elevated helps prevent swelling,” Emerson said to Liam. “Do you know why?”

  Liam shook his head.

  “Gravity.”

  Liam narrowed his eyes, trying to decide if she was teasing him. But then he nodded, as though he’d worked through the logic of it in his head and it made sense. “Cool.”

  Darcy tucked the ice into his sling, then turned to Emerson. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Emerson glanced at her, but didn’t comment on the less than subtle hint. Then she looked at Liam. “You did great today. I’m really sorry you got hurt.”

  Liam shrugged and offered her a lopsided grin. “I had fun, too. Next time I won’t try to turn around.”

  “Take it easy, buddy.” Emerson offered him a wave.

  “Bye, Emerson.” He lifted his uninjured hand.

  Darcy followed Emerson to the door. “Liam, I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay, Mom.” He was already engrossed in his show.

  Outside, before Darcy could say anything, Emerson turned to face her. “I really am sorry. I hope you know I’d never have taken him if I thought he might get hurt.”

  “Maybe you should have asked me first.”

  Emerson frowned. “I’m sorry I didn’t. Would you have said no?”

  “I don’t know. That’s not the point.”

  “Then what is the point?” Emerson looked genuinely confused.

  “The point is he isn’t your son. You don’t get to make decisions for or about him.” Darcy had never had to draw that line with anyone before. It didn’t feel good.

  “I’ve never tried to step on your parental toes.”

  “The fact that you’re even referring to it as stepping on my toes means you don’t get it.”

  Emerson took a step back. “Darcy, I’m not being flip. You have to know that I care about Liam. I care about him outside the context of us.”

  “I know you care about him. But you’re his friend, not his step-parent.”

  “Okay, we’re friends that forgot to ask Mom’s permission before doing something a little crazy.” Emerson cracked a smile. “Does that mean we’re grounded?”

  “Don’t patronize me.”

  Emerson’s eyes got big and she lifted her hands defensively. “I’m not patronizing you.”

  “Look, we’re not getting anywhere. I think you should go.”

  “Darcy.” Emerson’s tone was exasperated, a fact that irritated Darcy even more.

  “Don’t ‘Darcy’ me. You crossed a line, Emerson. I’m not okay with it, and I’m not going to be.” She knew she was overreacting, but she couldn’t help herself.

  Emerson lifted her chin. “Well, I’m not the only one. You’ve made me feel about this big.” She lifted her thumb and finger, spaced less than an inch apart. “I’ve done everything I could to be there for you, and for Liam. And you’re treating me like a stranger.”

  “That’s not true.”

  Emerson shook her head. “You’re right. It’s worse. You’re acting like I’m some irresponsible babysitter. Who I guess also happens to be your fuck buddy.”

  Darcy’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. She watched Emerson walk to her car and, without another word, get into it and drive off. Darcy stood in the parking lot staring at the spot Emerson vacated. Another car pulled in and one of her neighbors got out and offered a friendly greeting. That snapped her back to reality. Darcy returned the hello, then climbed the stairs back to her apartment. Liam remained on the sofa with his arm propped on a pillow. “How’s that ice holding up?”

  “It’s good.” His tone was chipper and he smiled at her before returning his attention to the television.

  Darcy pressed her fingers to her forehead, willing away the headache that raged behind her eyes. She shook her head at the stupidity of doing that and went to the bathroom for some ibuprofen. She swallowed three before checking her watch. Liam wasn’t due for another hour or so, which was good since that was right around hi
s bedtime. She returned to the living room and checked on him. Again, he seemed fine.

  She went to the kitchen to clean up, unsure whether his blasé attitude made her feel better or worse. That was dumb. Of course it made her feel better. It confirmed that he hadn’t been seriously hurt. That’s what mattered most. Still. It didn’t lessen how mad she was at Emerson, the paddleboarding now overshadowed by how defensive she’d gotten outside. Like Darcy didn’t have a right to be upset.

  She crammed paper plates into the trash, put the leftover pizza in a container and into the fridge. She wiped down the table and the counters, then stood there with her arms folded. How the hell had the conversation gone from her being upset about Liam to Emerson picking apart their relationship? She shook her head. It just proved that Emerson didn’t get it. And that Darcy was a fool for letting herself think otherwise.

  Chapter Thirty

  Emerson glanced at the window, surprised to find it light out. She blinked a few times and rolled her shoulders. She took a step back and looked at the painting. It put a lump in her throat. Darcy looked back at her, her expression holding the same teasing promise as the night Emerson photographed her. The effect on Emerson was the same as that night—a mixture of desire and awe. Like Darcy herself, the painting managed to be both classic and fresh, modest in what it revealed but pulsing with sexual energy. For the first time in a long time—maybe ever—Emerson captured the object of her own desire. Her artistic appreciation paled next to the ache in her chest, the longing to have Darcy there with her, in the flesh.

  Emerson tried to shake off the torrent of emotions coursing through her. She’d just finished the most stunning painting of her career. She should be thrilled. When she couldn’t seem to muster that, she turned away. Maybe a shower and some sleep would help. Even with her night owl tendencies and bursts of energy while working, she was getting too old to pull all-nighters.

  She walked to the bathroom, stripping off clothes as she went and realizing she was drenched with sweat. An angry rumble came from her stomach. Emerson shook her head. She was a mess.

  After showering and putting on fresh clothes, she bypassed the coffeepot for a banana and some peanut butter right out of the jar. She checked her phone, but there were no texts or missed calls from Darcy. It had been three days since Liam had been hurt and not a peep from her. Well, except a terse reply to Emerson’s text checking on Liam.