“Yeah, but so what?” Emily challenged. “He still loves me.”
To fuck with Loren, she reached up and wrapped her thin arms around my neck. I saw my best friend stiffen out of the corner of my eye. I knew if I didn’t push her away soon, he’d fling her ass across the room.
It wouldn’t just be for Braxton, though.
It’d be for him too.
Loren was jealous of Emily then, despite his claims, and he was still jealous of her now.
I removed her arms from around my neck and took a step back. “Leave,” I told her. “And don’t come back unless it’s with my kid.”
“If there even is a kid,” Loren couldn’t help adding.
I gave him a look to shut the fuck up already. I could handle Emily all on my own. Loren made sure to sigh as loud as he could before closing his goddamn mouth. Finally.
“Can we talk in private?” Emily requested.
“It’s been five years. You had the chance to talk and work things out, but you chose to run away. I’m not interested in what you have to say anymore. Not unless it’s about my kid.” I searched her eyes. “Where is he?” Or her. I didn’t care as long as I got to be in their life. I didn’t want to miss another day.
“Jericho,” she said while letting the tear she’d drummed up teeter on her lower lash before rolling down her cheek. I was immune to them now, but she didn’t know that, so I let her play her little mind games. “It was very hard when I left. I was scared of what you might do if the baby wasn’t yours. I didn’t want to lose you, so I…”
“You what,” I snapped. I could barely hear my voice or thoughts over the roaring in my head.
“I didn’t have it.” She shifted on her feet as she looked everywhere but at me. “I-I got an abortion.”
“Then tell me,” I started as I backed her into the island behind her. I could feel my control slip to the point of no return. It was her body, so it was her decision, but I was pissed as hell that she let me chase her all that time for no reason at all. I stopped wanting Emily the second I found out she cheated. My only reason to stay had been my kid. “Why the fuck are you are here?”
“Because I lo—”
“You used me!” I exploded before she could finish. I didn’t want to hear those words from her. It only reminded me that I was still waiting to hear them from Braxton. I knew she felt it, but she wasn’t done making us sorry. I once told her if she wanted our respect she’d have to make us listen. She was literally taking my advice to heart. “You preyed on my weaknesses to get what you wanted, and then you threw me away when I got a damn clue. How the hell is that love?”
“Is that what they told you?” she snapped, referring to Houston and Loren.
I chuckled as I looked off. After five years of hunting her down, it was amazing how little I gave a shit now. All I wanted was to get Emily out of my sight so that I could find Braxton.
I didn’t care.
I just…I didn’t give a damn.
None of it mattered anymore.
Emily didn’t matter anymore.
There was no baby, which would have been my only tie to her. I was equally relieved and disappointed. I didn’t know how to feel about not being a father, after all. I just knew that as far as Emily was concerned…I was free.
I wanted to find Braxton and celebrate. Maybe put a baby in her instead.
Yeah…
I liked that idea so much more.
“Thanks for stopping by, Emily. Let me show you the door.” I turned away to do just that.
“Show me the—wait…are you kidding me?” she screeched, forcing me to face her again. “That’s it? You’re kicking me out?”
“Yup,” Houston and Loren said at the same time. “See ya.”
She curled her lip at them. I couldn’t believe I once thought she was beautiful. She was attractive still, but I wasn’t attracted. Honestly, I didn’t understand how she ever got my dick hard in the first place.
My ex-wife was evil as fuck.
“Jericho—”
“Not interested,” I cut her off.
“Well, I’m not leaving.”
I sighed and looked at my friends, dismissing Emily altogether. I didn’t even care enough to force her out. “Have either of you tried calling Braxton?”
I knew she must have been at Laine’s by now, but Emily being here had me paranoid and on edge. We never did figure out the noise that woke us or how Emily had found us or even gotten through the gate.
Wordlessly, Houston lifted his phone. He’d been the only one smart enough to grab his.
I started to pace as he dialed Braxton. Emily didn’t say a word, and surprisingly, neither did Loren. I was still walking back and forth when my gaze caught the damage on the wall near the entrance.