Page 72 of Drowning
"Everyone's back from their run, so what now?"
"Go the fuck home or go grab a damn drink. I don't give a fuck, Ace."
He laughs, heading for the door with my son on his ass like a fly on shit. "Fine, call if you need us."
"Just make sure you're here bright and early. We have our bike ride for the suicide awareness fundraiser."
They groan but nod, slipping out of my office without another word. Eli looks at me while Seven sits, obviously intent on staying behind.
"I'm going to head out with Nova, but if you need me, just holler," he says, tapping his pocket where his phone is.
"Will do. Hey, where is your sister?" I take another drag, feeling the mentholated smoke filter into my lungs, giving me a refreshing slap across the face.
"Last time I checked, she was out riding." He nods and walks out, leaving me and Seven alone, staring at each other as if we were in a fucking contest or something.
"What do you need?" I ask him, the pearls burning a hole in my pocket, just wanting to see the look on her face when I give them to her.
Seven looks at me with a smirk and says, "I think it's time you and Emerson settled things once and for all." Then he crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, waiting for my response.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I look away, trying to ignore the weight of the necklace burning in my pocket. But I know he's right. It's time to make things right with Emerson. He only knows what's going on because he's the one who got the pearls for me. He was there for me to talk to, and I'm glad I did, but fuck, I don't need shit from him either.
"I know," I finally say, standing up and taking a deep breath. "I have some shit to finish up here, and then I'll take care of it."
"I'm supposed to meet her soon, so I'll let her know you're looking for her." He nods and walks out of my office, leaving me with a ton of shit to think about.
Grabbing a bottle of Jack, I sit back down and start drinking as I begin the count for tonight. All I can think about is Emerson, sweet little Emerson. And fuck, it's been that way ever since we left the beach house. I can't get her off of my mind, but I don't want to, nor do I have to.
I thought, much like everyone else, that once we left the beach, things would change between us, that they'd go back to how they were before, when all we did was fantasize about Emerson behind her back. But that wasn't the case. At least, it hasn't been so far. It's only been a week that we've been back in the city, but I've seen Emerson every fucking day.
When confronted about how we felt about her, she admitted that she wanted all four of us, but she didn't want a relationship. She loved each of us in her own way, and she hoped we could accept that. Of course, each one of us agreed and felt the same way, so really, it's like we never left the beach because things haven't stopped from how they were there.
We spend time with her together and we spend time with her apart, but the most important thing is that we all are there for her, not just as a lover, but as family as it always has been.
Yes, there was some unfinished business between us, but I think it's time to put everything behind us and make things right.
Sometime after two am, I walk out of the back exit of the bar, the refreshing autumn wind smacking me across the face. I zip my leather jacket and shove my hands in my pockets, grasping the necklace as I walk down the dim alley to where we park our bikes. Leaves swirl off the ground and scatter throughout the night in the relentless wind, the temperature dropping by the minute.
Approaching the dimly lit parking lot, I hear Emerson's familiar laugh echo in the dead of night, and my cock gets hard instantly. As she comes into view, I see her and Seven sitting on his bike, facing each other, her hands held tightly in his. The way he makes her laugh makes my heart swell; it's obvious how much love they have for each other. He leans in and kisses her, ignoring her hair blowing in their faces in the wind.
Walking closer, I clear my throat, trying not to startle them, not wanting to get shot by accident. Emerson peels her lips off of Seven's and looks at me, her eyes gleaming under the flickering street light.
"Hey, Daddy," she says flirtatiously, winking as she hops off of Seven's bike and runs up to hug me, jumping right into my arms.
"You need to be fucking careful where you call me that, Little One," I warn, kissing her cold cheek.
"You good?" Seven asks, putting his helmet on.
"Yeah, thanks." I nod as he starts his bike, saluting us before he speeds away into the night, leaving us alone.
Emerson looks into my eyes, her legs locked around my waist, as I walk her to my bike, holding her tightly. I put her down on the seat and stand at the back of it, but she refuses to loosen her hold around my waist. So I kiss her, leaning her back so she's lying on my bike, hovering over her.
"I missed you," she mumbles against my mouth, reaching around so her hands are gripping my ass and pulling my pelvis against hers.
"I fucking missed you too, Little One. In fact," I say, reaching into my pocket to retrieve the necklace. "I have something for you."
She looks at me, her perfectly sculpted brows pinching in curiosity. She says nothing, but waits for me to finish, obviously nervous for what I might say. I raise my hand and dangle the pearls from my fingers, watching her eyes water and her jaw drop to the pavement.
"I had them fixed for you."