Chapter Nineteen
Luke
I was looking over the crowd trying to find Emerson. She told us she would be here before she left for Portland on Tuesday to take Rachel to the airport. I had sent her all the details via text a few days ago. I just wanted to see her face, and know she was there.
“She’s here,” Ryan said.
“Did you see her?” I looked over my shoulder.
“Dude, seriously?”
“What?
“She messaged me like twenty minutes ago. Apparently, you haven't been listening to me.”
“Oh.” I felt a little sheepish, but I didn't show it.
“There.” He pointed, and I felt my blood run cold. She was talking to Chris Martin, the biggest asshole on the circuit. He wasn't known for putting on a good show to win the ladies but had been accused of some not so nice things once he had. I wasn't sure why she was talking to him, but I was going to find out.
“Hey, Em,” I said as I walked up, Ryan on my heels. I specifically shortened her name so Chris immediately knew our acquaintance wasn’t just casual.
“Luke. Ryan,” Chris said as Emerson turned and laid eyes on me.
“Luke, hey.” She smiled big, sending a rush through me. And when she reached for me, I pulled her into a tight hug and smirked as Ryan grabbed her from me, swinging her around. He kissed her on the cheek and then whispered something in her ear making her laugh.
“I didn't realize you guys knew each other,” Chris said. He puffed his chest out slightly, his male posturing not lost on me or Ryan for that matter.
“Yeah,” Ryan said dropping his arm over Emmy’s shoulder.
“You know him?” Emerson asked looking up at me.
“We’ve competed over the years, yes.” I said trying not to let my emotions get the better of me. I wanted Chris to know Emmy was off limits and not to be messed with. At the same time, I didn't want to go all caveman on her and mark territory that I wasn't sure was really mine.
“Chris works with my grandfather,” she announced.
“And you,” Chris interjected.
“Yes, and me sometimes.” She looked over at him oddly and then back to me. I could see a little confusion on her face as she was pulled into the middle of a pissing contest. I didn't like that she worked with him. Hell, I didn't even like her standing three feet from him.
Ryan said something to her I couldn't hear and then turned, walking back toward our setup with Emmy under his arm.
“We will be over there when you two get done,” Ryan said over his shoulder.
“I’ll talk to you later, Chris,” Emmy called out.
He nodded and waved, smiling sweetly at her until she turned back around.
That’s when Chris stepped into my space. “She ain't any of your concern,” he said.
“Really? Are we actually gonna have this discussion?”
“I'm just letting you know that we’ve been seeing each other over the past couple of months, and I don't want you involved.” Chris looked up at me and then over my shoulder at Emerson, licking his lips. “She is a damn good lay too.” He smirked. “Can't wait to get in that again tonight.”
“Funny she had never mentioned you.” I stepped into his chest. I shouldn't have even worried about what he was saying. I knew better. But I also wasn't going to let some jerk talk about her like that. “If you knew her as well as you say you do, you would know she is a very private person, enjoys her alone time, and would never appreciate anyone talking about her in such a way.” I wanted to throttle him. If he was sleeping with her, then I didn't want to make a fool of myself, but I also didn't want to give away where she lived either if he didn’t know... and my gut told me he didn’t know. I moved a little closer and got in his face. “The best thing for you to do is to never talk about her the way you just did to anybody.” I shoved him, and he came back at me.
“And the best thing for you to do is not touch what is mine.” He pushed off of me and walked away. “I mean it.” He turned back and hit himself in the chest with his fist.
I was shaking, I was so mad. I walked around for a few minutes and then turned back toward where Ryan and I were set up. Ryan and Emmy were talking; she had a smile on her face.
“You good?” Ryan asked.
“No.” I said and walked past them.
“Luke?” Emerson said and reached for my arm.
I looked down at her tiny hand touching my skin. “What?”
“I didn't know you guys were friends.” She said never taking her hand from my arm.
“Friends is a heavy stretch.” I said, looking out over the crowd to find him watching us. I wanted to make sure he knew that no matter what he said that she was mine. “And he seems to think he is your boyfriend.”
“What?”
“Your boyfriend,” I repeated.
“He isn't my boyfriend. He works with my grandfather. I’ve known him since we went to school together, but it isn't like that.”
“So, it isn't like that? Is it with him kinda like it isn't like that with me?”
Her hands flew to her hips, and she cocked her head to the side. I could tell that I was probably ticking her off, but I didn't care.
“No, it isn't at all like that.” She looked up at me. “Why are you acting like this?”
“Cause the thought of another man touching you makes we want to punch something, preferably him, especially after what he just said to me.”
“Okay, that's enough.” Ryan stepped into the conversation. “You need to go take a walk.” He pointed at me and then to the parking lot.
“I'm not finished here.” I shoved at Ryan’s arm.
“Yes, you are. Go.” He shoved me back.
I turned and walked away. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Chris smirk and then thrust his hips in Emerson’s direction.
I whipped my body around and started to walk back toward him, but Ryan got in my way.
“Go.” He pointed again. I saw Emerson look over her shoulder and see Chris wave and smile.
I walked toward my truck, punching the tailgate as I walked past it. My hand screamed, but I didn't care. I didn't care about anything but Emerson and the accusations that had just been made. Maybe I had read it all wrong, maybe she was with him or had been or something. I wanted to kick myself for everything I had just said and done.