CHAPTER NINE
“Emily…? Emily, we know you’re here. Open the door,” Linda insisted from my hallway. I dragged myself off of the couch and padded to the front door in the teddy bear house slippers I’d had since I was twelve. I turned the knob and my friends pushed into the living room.
“We have takeout,” Linda announced, lifting a bulging white plastic bag.
“And booze,” Melissa added. She set a brown paper sack on the coffee table and set off for the kitchen.
I brushed my fingers through my greasy hair. “I really appreciate this, but I really meant it when I said I wasn’t up for company.”
Three days had passed since my arrest and subsequent breakup. The first day, Ethan had called every hour on the hour. The second, I downloaded an app that blocked his number. I’d ignored my friends’ calls but returned their texts, promising I was okay and insisting I wanted to be alone. They didn’t listen.
“You’ve been locked up in this apartment all week. You don’t have to entertain us or even talk to us if you don’t want to. But we’re not leaving until we’ve at least seen you eat something,” Linda insisted.
Melissa returned from the kitchen with three plates and three tumblers of ice. Linda loaded lo mein and lemon chicken onto the dishes while Melissa poured three rum and cokes. They carried everything to the coffee table and sat down on the floor in front of me. I wanted to stay in my pouty mood, but the food smelled too delicious. I took a plastic fork from the bag and swirled a bite of noodles around it. The three of us ate in silence for a while before Melissa cleared her throat.
“So how are you holding up?”
I shrugged. “How do I look?”
She studied me for a moment and frowned. “Awful, if I’m being honest.”
At that point, I considered awful a compliment. I’d been wearing the same sweatpants and t-shirt for days, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d run a brush through my hair, and I knew I probably didn’t smell fantastic.
“Well, that’s how I feel.” I took a long drink of my cocktail and stabbed a piece of lemon chicken.
“Have you heard from Ethan?” Linda pressed.
“No. I don’t have anything to say to him.”
Linda and Melissa exchanged a knowing glance and Melissa turned back to me.
“Emily, I know that this is an impossible time. But are you sure you didn’t overreact, just a little?”
“I’ve been accused of attacking a child, Melissa. Reporters were crawling all over the hospital when I was arrested. You saw the footage of them swarming him when he left. And all he said was ‘no comment.’ He’s supposed to love me, but he can’t be bothered to defend me? That’s not the kind of man I want. I can’t believe you’re defending him.”
“I’m not defending him,” Melissa assured me. “I’m just not sure you fully understand things from his perspective.”
“Ethan has a lot of people depending on him, Emily,” Linda added quietly. “We all know he loves you. It’s all over his face anytime you’re in the room.”
“This is the Stallion’s first season, Emily. It’s almost unheard of for a brand new team to get this far in the playoffs. They’re primed to be one of the best teams in the league. But they won’t survive an ugly scandal. I think Ethan felt he was choosing the lesser of the two evils… and I’m not sure he wasn’t right.”
“You honestly think it’s okay that he chose the team over me?” I snapped. I tossed my half eaten dinner on the coffee table and reached for my drink. I needed to calm my nerves before my anger got the best of me.
“I think that Ethan knows you’re innocent and knows it’s only a matter of time before everyone else knows that too. I think that there are a lot of players, trainers, groundskeepers, and countless other people depending on the Stallions’ success. And I think Victor Montez is a big enough ass to follow through with his threat to terminate Ethan’s contract midseason. They won’t win without him, Em. They proved that while he was injured.”
“So I’m supposed to let Victor and Martha hold my life hostage because they disapprove of me? I’m supposed to be satisfied with Ethan supporting me behind closed doors but not speaking a word in my defense to the people calling me a monster?”
“Well… yes,” Melissa agreed. “Honestly, Emily. I’m in this business and I’m telling you, the less this is talked about, the better. If you don’t feed the story, it dies. One five-second sound bite and it’ll keep going for at least another week.”
“And with any luck, this will be over in less than that,” Linda added. “Have you heard anything from the police?”
I shook my head. “I talked to my lawyer today. He said the police are still looking at the surveillance footage. The prosecutor’s office is investigating every aspect of my life. You should probably both expect a call.”
“I hope they call,” Linda insisted. “I’ll tell them you’re the last person who’d ever hurt a child.”
“Personally, I think Ben was behind it,” Melissa suggested. “I mean, think about it. How many people even knew that those snacks were there? And out of those people, who knew what Alfie was and wasn’t allergic to?”
“We sent home a list with the parents. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been hard for someone else to get their hands on it. As for the snacks, Ben, you guys, and Ethan were the only ones who knew about them.”
“So it had to be Ben,” Linda said matter of factly. “I don’t know how I’m going to send the kids to PE on Monday.”
“I know Ben being behind this makes sense. But I just can’t believe he’s capable of hurting a child. You’ve seen him with the students, Linda. He really cares about them. If he wanted to hurt me, he’d hurt me directly. Someone else is behind this. We just have to figure out who. Do you have any other ideas?”
They shook their heads in unison. I took another bite of my lo mein and chased it with the rest of my rum and coke before turning back to Linda.
“What’s the theory going around the school? Does everyone think I’m guilty?”
“If they do, they’ve been smart enough not to mention it to me. No one’s really talking about it at all, actually. But everyone’s taking extra precautions. The janitors changed out all of the classroom locks this week and a security company was there today adding more cameras. I think everyone’s assuming this was an outside job.”
“It had to have been,” I agreed. “We just have to figure out how everything connects.”
“That’s a chore for another day,” Melissa said, pouring us all another round. She passed me a drink and then reached for her oversized purse. She pulled out a gallon sized Ziploc bag full of every beauty product you could imagine.
“I know you feel like shit,” she explained. “I know because you look it. Maybe if we do something about that, you’ll start to feel better. We’re going to have a spa night. But first, you’ve got to take a shower.”
“You’ll feel so much better when you get out,” Linda insisted, a hand covering her mouth.
“Okay. I’m not the best at taking a hint, but I understand blunt statements. There’s some precut cookie dough in my fridge. Why don’t you guys pop them onto a cookie sheet? I’ll go wash off this smell and then I’m all yours.”
***
My night with my friends made me feel better. But when I woke up alone in bed the next morning, the cloud of depression consumed me again. I’d started the school year feeling nothing but optimism about my future. And before the end of the first semester, my entire life had crumbled around me. Without my job or my boyfriend, I had no real reason to get out of bed. It didn’t help knowing I wouldn’t be able to make it down the block without someone snapping my picture. I spent another week hiding out at home, leaving only to meet with Frank. So far, there were no new developments in my case.
I forced myself to shower, do my hair, and put on makeup every day for the sake of not seeing the looks of concern on the faces of my family and friends. Everyone had taken to dropping by unannounced, and pretending to be fine was easier than telling the truth. Inside, I felt like I was dying.
Melissa’s advice kept echoing through my head and my heart ached to call Ethan. I compromised with myself and unblocked his number, but it was too late. Three days passed without a single call from him. I decided that as much as it hurt, it was probably best to let him go. But the thought of never seeing him again was more terrifying than anything else I was going through.
I was popping a single serve pot pie in the oven when the doorbell rang. It startled me and the top of my hand brushed against the hot rack.
“Son of a bitch,” I hissed, waving my stinging hand in the air. I rushed to the sink and ran my hand under cold water as panicked knocks filled the air.
“Emily?” Ethan called out. “Emily, are you okay?”
My heart raced as I turned off the faucet and grabbed a dishtowel. “I’m fine,” I called out. “I’m coming.”
I answered the door, still in shock that he was on the other side. His eyes lit up when he saw me, but then quickly shot to the cardboard box in his hands.
“Hey,” he said awkwardly. “I thought I heard you swear.”
“You did. I wasn’t expecting anyone. The bell startled me and I burned my hand on my oven.”
He stepped past me and set the box on the coffee table. “Let me see it,” he insisted, reaching for my hand. I lifted it to him, melting inside at his touch. He gently stroked my scalded skin before pulling away again.
“It doesn’t look too bad. Do you have any aloe?”
I nodded. “I’ll put some on it before I go to bed. What are you doing here, Ethan?”
“You never called about picking up your things, so I brought some of it over. I have a few duffle bags in the car. I didn’t want to carry everything up until I knew you were home,” he explained.
He’s not here to fix anything. He’s just here to finish ending it.
“I haven’t ventured out much. Thanks for bringing everything over. I’ll help you with the bags.”
“I’ll get them,” he insisted. “Go take care of that burn. The longer you wait, the worse it could get.”
He went for the rest of my things while I tended to my hand. When I went back to the living room, he’d already returned with the bags. He was perched awkwardly on the edge of the sofa, his elbows resting on his knees.
“Would you like something to drink?” I offered. “I have Coke and bottled water. And some rum Melissa left last week.”
“I’m okay. How are you holding up?”
I shrugged and sat down in my overstuffed armchair. “Okay, I guess. Just waiting impatiently for the slow wheels of justice to turn. I was hoping to be back at work before Christmas vacation, but it looks like that’s not going to happen. My uncle hired a PI to look into the Hollis family. He thinks we’re on the wrong track, thinking Alfie was hurt to get to me. The PI is looking into possible enemies of the family.”
“That makes as much sense as any of this,” he agreed. He took a deep breath and let it out, loud and slow. “Emily, I am so sorry. I was an ass. Everything happened so fast and I had people coming at me from all sides. I felt so much pressure… and I caved, at your expense. I’ve been kicking myself since the moment you left my house. I don’t know what I was—”
“I understand,” I interrupted. “I didn’t while it was happening. But I do now. On one side, you have me. On the other, there’re hundreds of people depending on the Stallions’ having a successful season.”
“That’s how I felt last week,” he agreed, his face tightening with emotion. “Now, I don’t give a damn about anyone else. You’re the only one I care about, Emily. The next time a reporter asks me about your arrest, I’m going to tell them exactly how I feel about it. I’m going to tell them that you’re the most caring, generous woman I’ve ever met. That you wouldn’t hurt your worst enemy, much less a child. I’m going to do what I should have done the moment all this started. And I’m going to tell my parents that I love you and their opinions don’t matter. I’m hoping you’ll forgive me and take me back. But I’m doing all of this whether you do or not. I love you, Emily.”
I wiped a stray tear from my cheek and joined him on the couch. All of the stress, fear, and anxiety lifted off of my shoulders as I fell into his arms.
“I love you, too. I missed you, Ethan. I’m still a little mad at you. I wish you’d explained why you wanted to handle things your way. When you told me we couldn’t be photographed together, I thought you were ashamed of me. I thought you felt your job was more important than our relationship. But Melissa helped me understand that it wasn’t just your job you were worried about, that a bad first season would affect everyone connected to the team. Do you really think your stepdad is that spiteful?”
He nodded. “Yes, but I don’t care anymore. I love you. If that costs me my spot with the Stallions, so be it. It’s not like Victor can kick me out of the league. If he releases me, I’ll sign with someone else. Or I’ll retire. My investments are doing well. We could spend the rest of our lives traveling if you want. There’s no limit, Emily.”
A sad sound that was supposed to have been a laugh escaped my lips. “There is at the moment. I’m not allowed to leave town,” I reminded him.
“That will be worked out soon enough. I want you to know that I have never once doubted your innocence. And I certainly wasn’t ashamed of you. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You have this silent strength that pulls me toward you. I am so proud to be the man by your side, if you’ll still have me.”
I gave him a quick, firm kiss on the lips and then pulled away and studied him with a raised eyebrow. “You’re absolutely sure about this? The last thing I want is for this to backfire and you to resent me for ruining your career.”
Ethan cradled my face in his wide, rough hand and stared longingly into my eyes. “You asked me once why I play football when I can afford not to work at all.”
“And you said not playing would be a waste of your talent.”
He nodded. “I’m proud of my talents. I see them as a blessing, and blessings aren’t to be squandered. But you are my biggest blessing, Emily. Regardless of what happens, I will spend my life worshiping you, not resenting you.”
The corners of my lips curled up into a smile. “Worshiping, huh?”
He nodded as he pulled my face to his. “If you’d like, I can give you a preview.” He gently bit my lower lip, then enveloped my mouth in a kiss. I tugged at the hem of his shirt and pulled away long enough to lift it over his head. I ran my hands down his firm, taut muscles and wondered if I’d ever get used to the sight of them.
Ethan dropped his lips to my neck and I unbuttoned my shirt, adding it to the growing pile of clothes on the floor. I reached for his waistband but he pulled away, rising to his feet.
“Wait right here,” he instructed. He unzipped one of the duffle bags and retrieved a smaller bag before continuing on to the bathroom. A few moments later, I heard water rush through the pipes.
A bath for two sounds perfect. I wonder what’s in that bag.
I stretched out on the couch, waiting for Ethan to return. Being with him again was comforting and exciting at the same time, and I prayed the strange combination of feelings would never end.
Ethan returned to the couch and lifted me into his arms.
“What’s in that bag?” I asked.
He carried me into the bathroom and sat me down on the tile floor. The tub was half full and fragrant bubbles covered the top of the water. The room smelled like vanilla and lavender and glowed with the light of three large candles.
“I came prepared, just in case you forgave me,” he explained with a grin. “I figured if you kicked me out and found the bag later, I’d just say it was a gift I hadn’t had a chance to give you.”
“Sounds like you were pretty confident in your chances,” I teased.
Ethan held my face in his hands and stared down at me. “I was confident that I love you. And I hoped that would be enough.”
“It will always be enough,” I promised.
Ethan lowered his lips to mine as his fingers danced across my body. He lifted me onto the countertop, stepped back to turn off the faucet, then returned to me, his eyes ravenous.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, kissing my neck as he unhooked my bra. “I’ve missed every inch of you. And I’m dying to get reacquainted.”
He tossed my bra to the floor and took my left nipple into his mouth, licking and sucking until it stood tall and hard. He moved on to the second and then dropped his lips to my abdomen while his hands slid beneath my waistband. He pulled my slacks and panties down my legs, kissing his way down to my left foot before turning his head and running his tongue up my left leg. He pushed my legs up and open, sliding his hands under me as he plunged his tongue into my pussy. I let my legs rest on his shoulders and Ethan moved one hand, stroking my clit as his tongue worked his magic inside me. I ran my hands through his hair, tugging softly as the first waves of release washed over me.
“Oh, Ethan,” I gasped. As he moved faster and harder, every feeling in my body suddenly intensified. My eyes rolled back in my head and I leaned against the mirror, gripping Ethan’s hair for support as I bucked against his face. I came wet and hard, and Ethan lapped up my juices before rising from his knees. He lifted me off of the counter and gently placed me in the tub.
“Aren’t you going to get in here with me?” I asked.
“I want to pamper you,” he explained, reaching for a soft shower poof. I took his hand and rose onto my knees, meeting him at eye level.
“You said you were going to worship me,” I reminded him. “Doesn’t that mean you have to give me what I want?”
A sly smile spread across his face. “Yes, I guess it does.”
“Well, I want you,” I whispered. I dropped one hand to his rigid cock and kissed him softly just beneath his jaw. Ethan trembled in my hand and stripped out of his pants. I slid forward in the tub and he climbed in behind me, propping his legs up on the sides of my deep soaking tub. I leaned back into his chest and ran my slick body across his erection. Ethan dropped a hand between my legs and slid two fingers inside me.
“I love you, Emily,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” I gasped as he used his other hand to guide his rod inside me. I squeezed my legs together as tight as I could and leaned forward, taking him in deeper.
I leaned back again, my chest now covered in bubbles. Ethan gripped my breasts and I lowered my hand to where we were joined. Cupping Ethan’s balls in my palm, I stroked my clit with my thumb. I leaned forward again, rising and falling on Ethan’s cock as I moved. I knew I could take Ethan deeper, but I couldn’t find the right position. Desperate for complete satisfaction, I stood up and stepped out of the tub. Ethan was caught off guard, but he joined me. Only the sound of water dripping from our bodies filled the room.
“I can’t get enough of you in there,” I explained breathlessly. I leaned back against the counter and pulled Ethan towards me. He planted his palms on either side of me and leaned down, tracing his lips lightly over my neck.
“You want all of me?” he whispered.
“Yes,” I begged, wrapping my arms around his neck. Ethan lifted me onto the counter and pulled until my ass was at the very edge. He stood in front of me and lifted my right leg to his shoulder. He guided himself into me, plunging balls deep with the first thrust.
“Like that?” he groaned.
I clamped my pussy muscles tight around him. “Yes,” I gasped. “Exactly like that.”
Ethan moved slowly, pulling all but the head of his cock out before driving it back in. I felt every inch of his thick, quivering shaft as he moved in and out of me. I grabbed his ass with one hand, driving him in harder as I bore down on his cock.
“Oh God, Emily,” he moaned. “You’re going to make me come.”
“Come with me, baby,” I demanded as my second orgasm overtook me. I cried out in pleasure and intensified my grip on Ethan’s cock, desperate to feel every last throb. Ethan’s entire body spasmed and he released my leg. He fell forward, bracing himself on the counter as his cock erupted deep inside me. He took a few deep breaths and pulled me down onto the cool tile floor.
“That was amazing,” he said, still struggling for breath.
“Yes, it was,” I agreed. I was blissfully happy and never wanted the night to end. “What do you say we get back in the bath, and then do this again?”
“I promised to worship you, so I guess I don’t have a choice,” he teased. He rolled over and kissed me, and we forgot all about the bath.
***
I woke up the next morning to the mouthwatering aromas of cinnamon, coffee, and bacon. The bedroom seemed unnaturally bright as I stretched and opened my eyes. I rolled out of bed and peeked out the window to see the city covered in a thick blanket of snow.
If the weather keeps up, we’ll have a white Christmas.
The upcoming holiday seemed much less depressing now that Ethan and I were back together. I couldn’t help but smile as I padded into the kitchen.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Ethan greeted me with a grin. He was at the table with a cup of steaming coffee and my laptop.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said, gesturing to the computer. “Mine is at home.”
“It’s no problem,” I assured him, pouring a cup of coffee of my own.
“I stuck some cinnamon rolls in the oven about ten minutes ago and there’s bacon on the stove.”
“Thanks, baby. It all smells delicious. What are you working on?”
“A speech announcing that I’m leaving the Stallions.”
I stared at him, trying to decide if I heard him right.
He blew out a breath and looked from the computer to me. “I didn’t sleep very well last night. I kept thinking about my parents’ threats. I don’t want this to end with them kicking me off the team. I want to leave on my own terms. I’m going to tell them I love you and then I’m going to call a press conference. After that, I’d love nothing more than to whisk you off to a luxurious hotel and shut out the rest of the world for a few days. What do you say?”
“That sounds wonderful,” I whispered, still in too much shock to speak louder. “Want to practice your speech on me?”
“If I ever get past ‘Ladies and gentlemen, it is with a heavy heart.’ That’s all I’ve got.”
I relaxed my face and studied him for a moment. “What reason are you giving for leaving midseason?”
“That’s what I’m stuck on,” he said, his face twisting in uncertainty. “I can’t tell them the truth. Victor’s acting like a child, but I don’t want to air our family drama in public. And I can’t really say that I’m retiring or in need of personal time if I’m going to turn right around and look for another contract. But I have to say something. The alternative is letting my parents control the story. I have no idea how to handle this. Any ideas?”
I knew what had to be done. I hated it, but it was our only good option. I let out a long sigh just as the oven timer chimed. Ethan pulled the cinnamon rolls out and set them on the counter to cool.
“We have to give them control,” I said, sinking onto a stool, shaking my head. I couldn’t let him do this. Not for me. Not for any reason. “Or let them think they have control, at least. You were right, Ethan. You can’t leave the team midseason.”
He set the frosting container on the counter and stared back at me, his hands on his hips. “What are you saying, Emily?”
“I’m saying that your original plan was the right one. At the moment, we’re stuck. If you walk away now, you’ll come across as undependable, not a team player. If Victor fires you, he could tank your reputation. There’s no good way for you to get out now and get signed to a new team. We have to play along with your parents until the end of the season. After the last game, we’ll tell them the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Surely by then my name will be cleared and that part won’t matter.”
“Are you absolutely sure about this?” he pressed. “I meant what I said last night. I don’t care if I ever play football again. You’re more important than any game.”
My heart squeezed and tears burned the back of my eyes. “I believe you. But you’re a man who finishes what he starts. I can’t ask you to change one of my favorite things about you. And it’s only six weeks, right?”
“If we make it all the way, yes. If we play badly, it could be over on New Year’s.”
I smiled at him. “Well, don’t play badly.”
“I won’t. You’re absolutely sure about this?” he asked again.
“I’m absolutely sure. And I think it’s best if we keep up the ruse with everyone, not just your parents. I won’t tell anyone that we’re together again and we’re going to have to be incredibly careful when we see each other.”
“But we do get to see each other, right? I can’t take another week of not seeing you, much less six of them.”
My smile grew wider. “Of course we’ll see each other. And this will all be over before we know it…” A terrible thought caused the smile to falter. “Unless the surveillance videos don’t pan out and I’m sent to jail.”
“I won’t let that happen,” he promised. “If worse comes to worst, we’ll run away. I have more than enough money stowed away for us to live a long and happy life. And anyone who wants would be welcome to join us. But I honestly don’t think it will come to that, baby. You’re a good person. And you’ve already been dealt more than your fair share of shitty hands.”
I pressed my fingertips to my temples, trying to massage the growing headache away. “Most of the time, I feel optimistic. But occasionally, fear creeps in. The longer this drags out, the less likely my career will ever recover. This story is going to follow me and there will always be people who doubt my innocence. Coworkers will look over my shoulder, parents and kids will whisper behind my back. I’m not sure I can go back to that. But at the same time, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“You’re a good teacher, Emily. You’re right, people who hear the story may be a little standoffish when you first meet. But as soon as they get to know you, your innocence will be as obvious to them as it is to me. You didn’t do anything wrong, Em. What Alfie went through wasn’t your fault.”
“I wasn’t paying attention,” I whispered. “I passed him that bag and then I turned my back on him and called you. If I’d noticed him sooner, if I’d looked more carefully at the trail mix—”
“You can’t torture yourself with ifs,” he interrupted. “Though believe me, I’m guilty of it too. If I hadn’t texted you, you wouldn’t have been on the phone with me. But if you weren’t on the phone with me, who’s to say you wouldn’t have been distracted by something else? You did the best you could with the situation someone else set in motion. Have you heard from Frank lately?”
I shook my head. “Not for a few days. He said we should expect things to run even slower than usual since it’s the end of the year. My uncle’s coming by for lunch. I’m hoping he has an update from the investigator.”
“Will you call and let me know what he says?”
“Sure.”
Ethan arranged cinnamon rolls and bacon on two plates and carried them to the table.
“I’ll be at practice until late this afternoon. Is it okay if I come back tonight?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think we should meet at either of our houses. It’s too risky. With everything that’s going on, you never know when a reporter is going to pop out of the bushes. And if we’re photographed together, our cover is blown.”
Ethan gave me a teasing grin and raised one eyebrow. “This is a change of pace. I seem to remember you storming out of my house after I suggested we lay low.”
I rolled my eyes and swallowed a mouthful of bacon. “I’ve already admitted you were right. How long are you going to rub it in?”
“That’s the last time, I swear.” He held up two fingers by his head. “So if we can’t meet at either one of our houses, where are we going to go?”
“A hotel. A different one every time. I’ll check in since my name is less recognizable than yours. And then you can meet me there an hour or so later.”
Ethan frowned. “You want to sneak around like we’re having an affair?”
I frowned back. “No. I want to walk freely around the city holding your hand. But that’s not an option right now.”
“I know,” he agreed and licked some frosting from his thumb. “I just want to be with you, Emily. It doesn’t matter where. I’m leaving for Ohio with the team tomorrow. Can we spend tonight together?”
“Absolutely. I’ll get a room somewhere after Walt leaves this afternoon. I’ll text you and tell you were to meet me.”
He glanced at the oven clock and swallowed the last of his coffee. “I have to get to the stadium,” he explained, rising to his feet.
I walked him to the door and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.
“I love you so much, Emily,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. Shivers of desire coursed through my body, but all we had time for was a kiss.