“Oh Sweetie, of course you do. You lost your college years. You missed everything that you have to hear Sam talk about. I’ve been there, but you have Emma now and I know how much you have sacrificed for her. Your situation would be difficult for anyone, Emily. But I think you are doing the best you can, given the circumstances. I’m really proud of you.”
They were quickly interrupted when Paul ran into the room. “Emily, when was the last time you spoke with Eric?”
Emily looked worried. “Yesterday morning, I think, why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong but breaking news is coming across the sports network right now. They are saying Eric should go first in the draft.”
Emily gasped, “Oh my God. He never said anything. Why wouldn’t he tell me that? It’s huge!” Suddenly the distance she had felt growing between them seemed so real and her confusion was replaced with pain. When did they stop telling each other important things like this?
Emily’s mom looked at her. “Maybe he didn’t know when he talked to you. Why don’t you try to call him and I will go check on Emma.”
Emily left the room and headed downstairs. They were doing a feature on him as she passed the television. He looked so handsome in the pictures they were using to show his career. He had a wonderful senior season, losing only two games including a highly televised bowl game that the team lost in the final seconds.
Emily called his cell and was almost surprised when she heard his voice. “Hey Sweetie, what’s up?”
“Hey back, how’s my soon to be number one draft pick?” She said trying to sound playful and cover up the uncertainty in her voice.
He laughed, “You heard, huh?”
“Yeah, Paul just told me. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I wasn’t sure it was going to happen. There are so many rumors flying around that I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.”
“Eric, you used to share everything with me.”
“Wait, are you mad at me?”
“I don’t know. I just feel like I could be losing you.” Emily was about to continue when she heard a girl’s laugh in the background. “Is someone there with you?”
“Yeah, sorry. A few of us are celebrating the news.”
“Yeah, OK. I see.”
“Please don’t be like that Emily,” Eric said pleading.
“Nope, save it. I’m going to go take care of our daughter. Remember her? We can talk later when you’re done celebrating with whoever is so important that you couldn’t be bothered to share your big news with us first. Bye,” Emily snapped angrily as she hung up.
She turned around to find her mom standing right behind her holding Emma. “Emily, if you don’t share with him how you are really feeling, he will never know. You owe him that.”
Emily grabbed Emma and gave her a hug and kiss. “Now was not the time for that. He was celebrating with other people in the room so it isn’t like he was really going to focus on what I was saying. Besides, I have class in an hour. Can you babysit tonight? I think I need to clear my head at Sam’s.”
Her mom nodded as she left the room.
***********************
Over the next few weeks Emily was able to clear her mind even though she and Eric had barely spoken since the draft rumors played out on national television. In a way, the painting allowed her to release her anxiety about the problems between her and Eric. Knowing they were real was much easier to accept than feeling confused about where they stood and why she was so sad.
Emily and Emma spent all their time together. Emma sat on the floor and played with her blocks and toys as Emily studied for all her classes.
“Emma, I wish you could have a grown up conversation with Mommy, I need someone to talk to.”
Just then her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Sam.”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Have you talked to Eric lately?”
“No. I’ve tried his cell phone, no answer. I gave up trying after awhile. If he doesn’t want to talk to his daughter or me, that’s fine.”
“Emily, stop it. Obviously something is going on with him.”
“Sam, he has a two year old daughter here who hasn’t heard his voice in weeks. I understand that football is important but he promised me that he wouldn’t forget about his responsibilities at home. She is constantly asking where her Daddy is, I can’t take it anymore.”
“Well, I talked to Rob last night, apparently Eric has been mobbed everywhere on campus. He said everyone was throwing him parties. He is actually worried about him.”
Emily sighed. “Maybe I should talk to his mom. I don’t think she would enjoy hearing this, but obviously I’m not getting through to him so maybe she can.”
“Do what you have to do. I’m heading to Syracuse on Saturday, if you want to go? Your mom would probably babysit the little munchkin, right?”
Emily smiled at the term of endearment. She knew how much Sam loved Emma. “I’m sure she would, but I don’t know. I’m so depressed about this whole thing and what it’s doing to Emma.”
“Emily, you need to talk to him.”
“I know, let me call you back.” Emily hung up the phone and picked up Emma.
“Mommy, was that Daddy?”
Emily frowned at her. “No Sweetheart, it wasn’t him. Oh Emma, you are growing up so fast and your Daddy is missing out on everything. Maybe he needs a wakeup call, huh?”
Emily got Emma dressed and wheeled her in her stroller over to Eric’s parent’s house and rung the bell.
“Oh Emily and my darling Emma, what a great surprise,” his mom said as she opened the door.
“Hey, Mrs. Mason, we wanted to come over and visit with you.” Emily’s tone suggesting that there was more to the last minute visit.
“Well you know you are always welcome here anytime, so tell me, what’s going on?” She asked as she unbundled Emma and held her.
“I haven’t spoken with Eric in weeks now and I’m starting to worry about everything. I’m so afraid that he’s been swept up by the stardom and the attention being thrown his way. He has clearly lost all focus on his family.”
“What do you mean that he hasn’t spoken with you in weeks? I don’t like the sound of this and I’m about to get really upset, Emily.”
“I’m sorry but it’s true. I’ve tried to call him and tell him news about Emma, see if he’s ok, but all I get is his voice mail. I don’t understand what I did wrong.”
“It’s not you, Emily. It’s my ego-filled son!”
Emily nodded as she saw Eric’s dad enter the room. “Hello, Mr. Mason.”
“Hello Emily and Emma. I just got off the phone with Eric.”
“Well, it’s nice to know he still talks to someone in his family. I’ve called him several times but no response. I haven’t spoken with him in weeks now. I don’t think he wants us in his life anymore,” Emily said as she started to cry.
Mrs. Mason placed Emma in her stroller and came over to Emily and wrapped her arms around her. “Do you know anything about this?” She asked looking at her husband.
He shook his head no. “I’m sorry, Emily. I will have a talk with him. I may not agree with his choices but he will live up to his responsibilities.”
Mrs. Mason sighed. “Hang on, Emily.” She left the room and came back holding her cell phone. “Hello, Son. Oh, I’m fine but you and I are going to have a long talk later on,” she continued to speak with him as Emily watched. “Well, someone wants to say hi.” She handed the phone to Emily and left the room with his father.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Emily?”
“So, you do remember me? Do you remember your daughter too?”
Eric sighed. “The last time we talked you hung up on me, remember?”
“So, that means you can ignore me and forget about your daughter? I’ve tried you several times over the past couple of weeks and no response.”
Eric didn’t re
spond.
“You are missing out on your daughter’s life. You get that, right? She asks for you every day and I can’t take it anymore.”
"She does?”
"Yes. It's amazing how big she is getting and how much she picks up on. She knows there’s something wrong too and I don’t know what to tell her when she asks why her Daddy hasn’t called to talk to her. Eric, what's going on? This isn't like you."
"Emily, I'm sorry. I'm getting caught up in all the hype and I'm not handling it well. I need help."
"Eric, come home. Take a break from all of it."
"I can't. I have interviews everyday and classes to finish."
"Come home for the weekend. Your family misses you, please."
"I will see what I can do. Give Emma a kiss for me, ok?"
"Sure. I still love you, Eric."
"I love you too and I'm sorry," he said and hung up.
Emily got up to find Eric's mom. "Here's your phone back, thank you."
She looked up at Emily. "Please tell me that my son is going to snap out of his bad behavior?"
"I hope so. I'm trying to get him to come home this weekend." Emily smiled. "Well, Emma and I will be heading back home."
"Thanks for coming by and don't worry about Eric, we will work on him."
It was Saturday morning and the sun was peeking through the blinds. Emma was up only a few hours ago so she knew that she was still sleeping. Emily moved to stretch out and felt something behind her. Her body tensed as she slowly turned her head around. She gasped softly as she saw Eric staring back at her.
"When did you get here?" She asked.
"About an hour ago, you looked so peaceful. I didn't want to wake you," Eric said.
"I'm so happy that you are here. What made you come home?"
Eric got closer to her and touched his lips to hers. "You. I have acted like a real jackass. These past two weeks have been crazy and I couldn’t handle it. I have never experienced anything like this. I need you with me, Emily. Please don't leave me."
"Why would I leave you? If we are going to get married, we just can't give up on each other."
Eric sighed. "I love you. I don't deserve you. Last weekend they threw a party for me and it was out of control. That's why you couldn't get a hold of me. I lost my cell phone in the mess."
Emily looked at him. "Are you trying to tell me something?"
"The party was full of students. It was at a local frat house. The drinking was out of control. A bunch of players and me were working on a keg. It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time."
Emily heard Emma wake up. "Hang on. I need to feed her and change her."
"I got it. It's the least I can do. Why don't you go take a shower?"
"Thank you but we still need to talk."
He nodded as he picked up Emma. "Hello beautiful girl. Why don't we go catch up while Mommy has some quiet time?"
“Daddy!” Emma squealed with excitement.
As Emily stood in the shower, she thought back to his story. He was trying to tell her something but she was almost afraid of what that might be. She finished up in the bathroom and headed back to the bedroom. The room was empty so she put on her clothes and went searching for her family.
She was surprised when she found Emma with her mom at the breakfast table. "Have you seen Eric?" She asked.
"Yeah, I think he's upstairs. I told him I would watch Emma so you guys could catch up and talk."
Emily headed back upstairs and found Eric in her art room.
"I see that you've been busy drawing and painting."
Emily nodded. "I try but it's hard between school and motherhood."
"I know. I'm sorry. Sometimes I can be a real prick. My mom yelled at me last night and told me to wake up," he explained as he circled the room. He walked up to the disturbing self-portrait she had painted. Staring back at him was the depressed Emily.
"Is this painting of you?" He asked quietly.
"The jury is still out on that one. I painted it right before you found out about the draft. It's been a rough time for me."
Eric turned around and faced her. His piercing brown eyes were full of terror.
He grabbed her hand and sat down next to her on the love seat. "That night was crazy. There were girls, alcohol and drugs everywhere. My teammates knew I wouldn't let go so they got me to start with the beer and it went downhill. By the end of the night it was just me, a few other players and a bunch of girls left at the house."
Emily sighed. "Did you cheat on me, Eric?"
"I watched my so called friends get deeper into trouble," he continued. "That's why I couldn't talk to you, Emily. Stuff at that party can't be known. A lot of people could get tossed from the program and school. We all needed to lay low for awhile. I don't want people to know that I was there. That was my wake up call. I don't want to be that guy."
Emily watched him as he told his story. "You realize that you have a child, right? I don't care about myself but I care about our daughter, Eric. You can't put yourself into those situations."
"I know that. I feel like I let you and Emma down and I can't apologize enough for that."
Emily leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "We will always be a team but you have to be honest with me."
"I know."
"Do you want to talk more about this party?"
"No, I want to forget about it."
Emily looked at him. "Ok, well, I'm here if you do."
"Can we discuss this painting now? What's going on with you? Did I do this to you?"
Emily shook her head. "I honestly don't know. I know I have had a lot on my mind. Emma is growing up so fast and my studies haven't been great. I'm behind on all my lab work for my graphics class. I'm stressing that graduation is so close and I'm not going to make it. You don’t know what’s been going on here," she explained as she cried. "I'm sick of crying all the time. We were too young for all of this. I know you have made mistakes but at least you have had the chance to make them. I'm always here or at school, and I never see my friends anymore."
Eric listened without interrupting her so that she could vent and get everything off her chest.
As she finished, he looked down into her red eyes and took her lips with his as he kissed her with every ounce of passion he had inside of him. His fingers ran up into her hair and tightened. Her lips opened and felt his tongue invade her mouth. Her moans escaped as her fingers traced over his chest. She found the bottom of his shirt and slid her hands across his hot skin.
No words were being exchanged just pure passion. They both felt it was way overdue. His breathing got deeper as he removed her shirt. His lips moved to her neck as he licked and sucked gently. "I have missed you so much, Emily. I keep forgetting just how beautiful you are. I'm the luckiest guy on the planet." His breathing stopped as her fingers traced over his zipper.
He looked down at her. "You are going to be the death of me, Emily."
Emily smiled. "I can stop if you want me to."
Eric pushed her further down on the love seat. His lips found hers again as she unzipped his jeans and removed them. His lips wandered over her neck and chest as she closed her eyes and just enjoyed the sensations.
As much as they seemed disconnected lately, their bodies always found a way to communicate that pleased them both immensely and sparked a passion that neither one could deny.
"I can't wait anymore, Emily. I need you now. Right here," he pleaded as he took her in one fast movement.
Emily moaned as her body responded. "Oh Eric, I love you."
"I will always love you, Emily. Always."
CHAPTER SIX
Eric returned to school the next day, they had stayed up all night talking and getting back on the same page.
He explained how nervous he was about the draft. While his agent was doing a good job of keeping him updated on all of the constantly changing details, it was too much to process and he was barely able to sleep at night. Tha
nkfully he managed to find a tutor to help get him through to next two months because he was really starting to fall behind in a lot of his classes. She listened as he also talked about his fears of being in the major league and all of the pressures that would come along with it.
The draft was only a month away and there was nowhere to escape the excitement of it. After Eric headed back to school, Emily drove into town to do some shopping when she ran into her old high school art teacher.
"Emily, how wonderful to see you! How's college?"
"It's great. I'm graduating in May. Can you believe it? I’m not sure where the last four years went."
"Wow, four years already? Time flies and who is this little one?" She asked pointing at Emma.
"This is my daughter, Emma. She’ll be three in July. Time sure does fly."
Her teacher smiled at Emma and turned back to her. "Good for you, she's beautiful. It must be hard managing a baby and college."
Emily nodded. "It definitely is, but I have a great support system including a wonderful fiancée, Emma’s dad."
"Wonderful, congrats again! And who's the lucky guy?"
Emily smiled. She loved when people didn't know her business already and it was fun to watch them register a reaction when she said his name. "Eric Mason."
"Oh, I remember him. Star quarterback, very popular. I hear he’s had a great career at SU. I wish the best for the both of you."
"Thank you."
"You know, I'm happy that I ran into you today because the school is having an auction to raise money for some much needed musical equipment. What would you think about donating a painting? You were always my best student. You must have something lying around the house."
Emily smiled. "Of course I do, I have a few in mind. Do you want me to drop one off at the school?"
Everlasting Love (Now & Forever) Page 4
