by M. A. Foster
Lucas sighs and leans back in his chair. “I know.”
“I still have the email if you want it.”
He shrugs and drops his gaze to his lap. “I don’t know. Maybe one day. It’s just… I’ve never wanted anything to do with her. Then Marcus died and Jay got sick, and it made me realize how life is short. How quickly people can disappear from our lives.”
“I understand. And you don’t have to explain. She’s your mother.”
He jerks his head up. “She’s not my mother. You’re the only mother I’ve ever known. Even when Dad got with Lilly, I never looked at her as a mother. She’s cool as hell, but you’re the only mother I have.”
“You’re gonna make me cry.” I fan my face.
Lucas smirks. “Sorry.” He stands from his seat and leans over to hug me. “I love you, Em. Mean it.”
“I love you, too, dude. Mean it.”
“Emerson,” Marcus whispered.
The bed dipped as he crawled in behind me and curled an arm around my waist, resting his hand flat against my pregnant belly. I sighed, content as I snuggled into the mattress.
Marcus had been working in the studio into the late hours, and being eight months pregnant, I’d been too tired to do much of anything lately.
“I missed you.” He pressed a kiss to the soft skin where my neck meets my shoulder.
“I missed you, too, Marcus.”
“Cam.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s Cam.”
Cam.
My eyes pop open and I blink into the darkness of my bedroom. Cam’s voice still echoes somewhere in my subconscious as if it had pulled me from sleep. Confused, I look over to the side of my bed to find it empty.
But it felt so real.
Just over a week ago, Cam flew out to California to attend some charity function for the league and for some guy time with Liam. Our conversations were via text because of Liam but we spoke briefly on Saturday night. I haven’t heard from him since. When I spoke to Liam today, I asked him what he and Cam had been up to. According to Liam, Cam flew back three days ago. Three fucking days and not a single call or text.
My heart slams against my chest as I pull up his name in my favorites and send him a text.
Me: Are you home?
Cam: Yeah. Just got back.
Liar.
Me: It’s Wednesday. Do I get to see you tonight? I’ve missed you.
Cam: Can’t tonight. I’ll call you later.
Fucking coward.
Maybe this is how he breaks things off with women. I’ve only ever known Cam to have one semi-serious girlfriend, and his breakup with Lauren caused all kinds of drama. I don’t know why I thought he’d be different with me. But since we’ve known each other for so long, I thought I’d at least get an explanation.
I’m definitely no expert on relationships. When Chris cheated, I felt betrayed and hurt. But in the end, that was on Chris. Marcus’s death was out of my control, and it’s taken me months to finally let someone in. I wasn’t sure where things were going with Cam, but he’s been the breath of fresh air I’ve craved for so long. He told me he loved me. I didn’t say it back. Not because I don’t love him, but because he was right—I’m scared. And clearly I had my reasons. I tried not to let my insecurities get the best of me, thinking about him being in California with Liam. What if he was spending time with all those young, beautiful women and realized I’m not what he wants? As much as the thought of losing what we have hurts, I’m not a selfish woman. I won’t hold him back, but he could at least tell me to my face that this is over. I won’t chase, but I damn sure will have the last fucking word.
I slip into my running shoes and take a walk over to Cam’s, figuring it’ll give me time to calm down and prepare myself for whatever he has to say. However, I’m not prepared for what happens next.
There’s a red BMW parked in the driveway, and standing beside it is Cam with his arms around a blonde woman with a messy bun on top of her head. I jerk to a stop as déjà vu reaches out and punches me in the stomach. Suddenly I’m transported back to that awful day when I watched in horror as Chris had Rebecca up against her little sports car. The day he cheated on me.
My stomach knots and a sharp pain spreads across my chest before the heaviness settles in and I’m struggling to breathe. He’s cheating on me.
Cam releases the blonde and opens the driver door. He leans in and presses a kiss to her cheek before she slides behind the wheel.
Tears spill from the corners of my eyes, but I angrily wipe them away as I turn on my heels and walk back home.
Cam: Are you free today? I was hoping we could talk.
Em: Can’t. Busy.
Cam: I’m sorry for blowing you off last night. I was being an ass and I want to explain.
I’m tempted to reply with No need to explain. I saw it with my own eyes. You’re a dick. Thanks for breaking my heart. Have a nice life. But instead I ignore his text altogether.
My phone buzzes in my hand and I jump. When I see Cam’s name light up the screen, I immediately decline the call.
It buzzes again, and my thumb hovers over the Decline button before I realize it’s Jay calling. Alarm bells are going off in my head, because she’s not allowed to have her phone during school hours.
I don’t even bother with a hello. “What’s wrong?”
“Why do you think something’s wrong?”
“Because you’re calling from your cell when you should be in class. Are you okay?”
“Um… it’s a long story, but right now I need you to meet me at the medical center for an X-ray.”
“What!” I scream into the phone as I frantically search for my purse. “I’m on my way.”
I hang up and call out, “We gotta go, B,” over my shoulder as I head to the garage and climb into the passenger seat of his Denali.
Just as Bass slips behind the wheel and starts up the SUV, the phone rings through the Bluetooth. Bass presses the phone button on the dash. “We’re on our way, Princess. Are you okay?”
“B, my crazy mother hung up before I could tell her I’m okay, but I definitely broke a finger or two.”
I roll my eyes and open my mouth to argue that I’m not crazy, but Bass covers it with his massive hand.
“How did you manage to do that?”
“Some crazy bitch stomped on my hand. And I think Harper might need stitches.”
Bass looks over at me, and I’m sure he can see the rage in my eyes. After seeing Cam with his arms around another woman, I’m certainly itching for a fight.
“B?”
“I’m here. We’ll discuss it when I get there. Is Romeo with you?”
“Yes,” Zach replies.
“Me, too,” Cole adds.
“See you in a few minutes,” he says before he hangs up.
In that moment, something inside me breaks and I burst into tears.
Bass whips the SUV over to the side of the road. “What’s going on with you?”
Shaking my head, I swipe the tears from my cheeks. “Nothing. Just drive.”
“Not until you tell me why you’re so upset.”
I keep my gaze trained on the windshield. “Can we talk about it later? Right now, I’m worried about my kid.”
He stares at the side of my face for a moment before he shifts the truck into Drive and continues toward the medical center.
“This one is definitely broken,” my father says, pointing to Jay’s ring finger on the X-ray film before shifting to the middle of her hand. “See this here? This is a hairline fracture. You’ll need to wear a soft cast for a couple of weeks so your hand can heal.”
“Great,” Jay mumbles and rolls her eyes. “I guess it’s a good thing I beat her ass first.”
My mouth falls open. “Jayla,” I admonish. “You better be kidding.”
“She’s not,” Zach tells me as Jay stares holes in the side of his head. “You’ll probably be getting phone calls from some angry parents.”
&
nbsp; “Not if I call them first.” I narrow my eyes at Jay.
“What? She purposely stomped on my hand, and while I was on the floor screaming in pain and trying not to pass out, she laughed about it and mouthed ‘Oops.’ She might as well have just said, ‘Fuck you.’”
“Jayla!” My eyes flick to my father, who seems completely unfazed.
“Sorry, Mac Daddy.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” He laughs. “I live with Mimi. I hear that word at least once a day.”
“They ganged up on me. Ashton Grant pulled my hair and then”—she gestures to Zach— “his ex-girlfriend, Reagan, punched me in the head.” She snorts.
I don’t find any of this funny.
“Are you having trouble with these girls?” my father asks.
“Not really. I don’t think it was me they were targeting.”
“They?” Bass prompts.
Jay nods. “Hannah Scott and Ashton Grant.”
“Hannah is Harold Scott’s daughter,” I tell my father.
I did my homework on Hannah and Ashton after I learned they were giving Harper a hard time at school. Harold Scott was on the football team with Mike and Chris. He was a total fucking asshole, and from the sounds of it, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
“Which one is Ashton?” I ask for clarification.
“She’s a cheerleader, and she acts like she’s the queen of the school because she used to mess around with Cole.”
And there you have it. The heart of the problem.
Dad lets out a soft laugh as his eyes flick in my direction. “Ah, I see. What happened to the redhead?”
“That’s Harper,” Jay explains.
“I thought Cole was sweet on her?”
“He is.” She uses her index finger on her good hand to point to her broken finger. “Hence the broken finger.”
“Ah.” Dad nods. “I get it now. They targeted her, but you stepped in to help and they hurt you instead.”
“Yep.” She nods.
“Got it. I’ll be right back to get started on your cast.” He gives me a pointed look as he leaves the room. He’s pissed.
“Are you mad?” Jay asks me.
“I’m not mad at you, honey, but no more fighting. Stooping to their level makes you just as much of a bully as the rest of them.” I move toward the door and hold up my phone. “I need to make a call and check on Harper. I’ll be right back.”
I step out of the room and search for my father. I find him down the hall speaking to one of the nurses. She looks familiar.
I approach them and hold out my hand. “Hi. I’m Emerson.”
She takes my hand. “Mia.” Mia. Liam’s naughty nurse. “It’s good to meet you, Emerson.” She turns her attention to my father. “I’ll grab the supplies for the cast,” she says before walking off.
“Daddy, are you okay?” I ask.
“I don’t remember the girls being so aggressive when you were in high school.”
I twist my lips to the side. “That’s because Ella Mackenzie was a scary woman. Those girls knew better.”
“Should I give David a call?”
“Absolutely not. Do you really think I’m gonna let this go?” I let out a humorless laugh. “Don’t tell Mom about this.”
My father winces. “I already did.”
I roll my eyes. “Cast my baby so I can get out of here.” I hold up my phone. “I’m gonna make a call and then check on Harper. Where’s her room?” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward the room directly across the hall.
Stopping just outside her door, I pull up the number to Heritage Bay Academy and press Call, bringing the phone to my ear. “Heritage Academy, Ms. Patty speaking.”
“Hey, Ms. Patty. It’s Emerson.”
“We’ve been expecting your call. How are Jayla and Harper?”
“Jayla’s hand is fractured and her finger is broken. I’m on my way to check on Harper now.”
She gasps. “I’m so sorry. Let me connect you with David.”
“No, it’s okay. Can you just let him know I’ll be by as soon as Dad is finished with her cast?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
Just as I end the call, someone calls my name. “Emerson?”
I turn around. “Hey, Chris.”
“What’s going on?”
I press my index finger to my temple and rub in a circle. “Jayla got into a fight with a couple of bullies at school.”
“Is she okay?”
“Fractured hand, broken finger.” I purse my lips, angry. “She was defending her friend, who also got hurt.”
“What the hell?”
“You’ll never believe whose kid is responsible.”
He raises his brows. “Who?”
I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the wall. “Harold Scott.”
Chris rolls his eyes. “That guy was and still is a fucking asshole. I know his kid, Hannah. She’s friends with my daughter, Chelsea. Luckily, she’s away at college and hopefully surrounding herself with better friends.”
“Hopefully. I gotta get going.” I push off the wall and start toward Harper’s room. “See ya later, Chris.”
I step into Harper’s room, and Cole looks at me over his shoulder.
“Cole, can I have a minute with Harper, please?”
“Sure,” he says before he turns back to kiss her, then leaves the room.
I move to sit in one of the empty leather chairs against the wall. Crossing my legs, I prop my purse in my lap and exhale a deep breath through my nose.
“I’m sorry,” Harper says.
I raise my brows. “For what?”
“I’m sorry Jay got hurt because of me.”
I purse my lips. “Harper, do you really think I’m blaming you for any of this? You were being bullied. You should’ve said something. You’re a part of our family now, and I will not tolerate those bitches hurting my girls.” I point at her and smile. “Do not tell Jay I said that. I’m proud of her for standing up for herself, but putting her hands on another student makes her just as much a bully. She needs to understand that fighting isn’t okay, unless she has no other way to defend herself.”
Harper nods and lowers her head.
“I’m going to the school to meet with Principal Avery and the other parents. I actually went to high school with Hannah Scott’s father, Harold. Do you have any special requests?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you have any suggestions on how they should be punished? Even though I haven’t lived in this town for over twenty years, I’m still a Mackenzie, and I’ll be playing that card today.”
Harper smiles. “I’ll leave it up to you since Jay is the one who got the worst of it. If I didn’t have my hands full, I probably wouldn’t have fallen.”
That reminds me. “Why were you carrying your books?”
“Huh?” Her brows pinch in confusion.
“Why were you carrying your books instead of using your backpack?”
Harper blows out a breath. “Because Ashton and Hannah cut it up in class. Ashton sits directly behind me and Hannah sits beside her. My backpack was hanging on the back of my chair.”
I narrow my eyes. What in the absolute hell is wrong with these girls? “Oh, those little bitches are going down.” I jerk up from the chair and slip my purse over my shoulder. “Harper, are you sure you don’t want to tell them? David and Patty would be devastated if they knew their granddaughter was being bullied in their own school.”
Harper shakes her head. “I’m not ready.”
Man, I was really hoping to use that card to my advantage, but it’s Harper’s call. “Okay. I won’t push. But when you decide, I’ll be there for you. Whatever you need, Harper.” I pull her in for a hug.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“Anytime,” I say as I pull away and walk out the door.
Cole is leaning against the far wall,
his eyes angry. “What did Mac say about Jay?”
“Her hand is fractured and her ring finger is broken.”
“This is my fault,” he seethes.
“None of this is your fault.” I rub my hand up and down his bicep. “You chose Harper. All you can do is stick with your decision and show them that no matter what kind of shit they pull, it’s not going to make you change your mind. Just don’t do anything stupid. Let me handle this.”
Cole tilts his head and gives me a look that tells me he’s not going to let this go before he walks back into Harper’s room.
I dig out my phone and call Max.
“Hey,” he answers on the first ring.
“Hey. I just wanted to let you know I’m at the medical center with Jay and Harper. There was an incident at school.”
“What happened?”
“High school girl drama over a boy, your son. Harper was being bullied. Jay stepped in to help, and she got hurt—”
“Hold on. Back up. Explain.”
So I do. I spend the next ten minutes filling Max in on everything I’ve learned in the last two hours. “Jay has a fractured hand and broken finger,” I finish. “Dad is putting a soft cast on her now.”
“Harold Scott was a little prick.”
“Apparently his daughter is, too. Anyway, I was calling to fill you in and see if you could get someone to cover for Harper tonight.”
“No problem.”
“Cole feels pretty bad about what happened. You need to reassure him that this isn’t his fault.”
Max sighs into the phone. “I’ll handle it.”
Stepping through the office doors of Heritage Bay Academy, I look over to the seating area and pause when I see three girls looking a mess—a mixture of wild hair, black eyes, swollen cheeks, and bloody noses. I shake my head as I make my way up to the counter.
Ms. Patty smiles and stands from her seat. “Hi, Emerson. Come on in. David is expecting you.”
