“Are you up for a movie?”
“Sure. Should we check the times or just head over?” She knew the closest movie theater was in the next town. It would be a fifteen minute drive.
“I have a better idea.” I paid the bill and we walked out to her car. “I’m glad we dropped Noah’s car seat off with Molly in case they need it.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
She figured out where we were going as soon as I told her the first turn. “The drive in? That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it?”
“You did say you might be interested in the real experience.”
She laughed. “Why not?”
She parked the car in the empty field. “So we just need to find the correct station, right? Isn’t that how these things work?”
“You weren’t actually planning to watch the movie, were you?” I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to her.
“What else would we do?” Then her eyes widened with understanding. “That’s why you mentioned the car seat…”
“You up for it?” I grinned.
“We’re not kids, Jake.”
“No, so what’s the problem?” I decided to take matters into my own hands. I leaned over the center console and kissed her, unbuckling her seatbelt while I had her distracted. She moaned, and I continued the kiss. She still tasted faintly of chocolate. I slipped a hand under her sweater and she ran her fingers through my hair. “Still not interested in moving to the back seat?”
She looked out the window, and a look of understanding crossed her face. “Why are we the only ones here, Jake?”
“They only show movies on Fridays and Saturdays. An old friend of mine manages this place.” I smiled. “I told him to pick any movie, because we wouldn’t be watching it.”
“You got your friend to come into work and set up a movie just so we could make out in the backseat?”
“Make out? I did buy you dinner, you know.”
She smacked my arm playfully. “You’re something else.”
“I know I am.” I reached over her and pushed open her door.
“You’re sure no one else is going to show up?”
“I promise.”
I didn’t waste any time once we were in the backseat. I wanted her so bad. Emily’s Camry wasn’t huge, but it had more than enough room. I had those cowboy boots of hers off in seconds, and her sweater and jeans didn’t last much longer. She pulled off my shirt, and unzipped my jeans. I groaned as she grabbed me just as I was moving down over her. I unclasped her bra and slid off her panties. It was dark, but the faint light from the movie screen and the moon was enough to illuminate her amazing body. She was perfection—absolute perfection—and she was mine.
“I love you so much.” I kissed her lips gently, letting my hand glide down her body. “I love you so damn much.”
“I love you too.” She pulled my head back down to hers. “I need you, Jake. I need you, now.”
“Anytime, anywhere. I’ll never make you wait.” Sex with Emily was beyond incredible. It’s like nothing else in the world existed when I was inside her. I used to wonder if sex with the same partner got boring after a while, but it was the opposite. The more I was with Emily—the more I got to know every inch of her, just made it better—more intense. She called out my name, digging her nails into my back, and everything else faded away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jake
I was one of the first guests at Becca and Gavin’s party. I was going to wait for Emily, but she insisted I go ahead.
“Hey, Jake!” Becca hugged me when she opened the door. She was wearing a very un-Becca like outfit, a sparkly red top. Becca usually went for black.
“Looking festive.”
She punched my arm lightly. “We’re celebrating my engagement, and it’s Christmas time—I’m dressed very appropriately.”
“Is he giving you a hard time?” Gavin strolled over. As much as the former Clayton Falls cop and I didn’t see eye to eye, he wasn’t a bad guy. He tried to act all serious, but even he couldn’t hide his good mood.
“Congrats, man. You’re lucky.”
“I know.” He put an arm around Becca.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” Gavin offered.
Becca gave him a look.
“I mean soda or anything?”
I shook my head at Becca. “I’m capable of turning down alcohol.”
“I know. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable…”
“Stop worrying.”
“Okay. But do you want anything?”
“A Coke would be great.”
Gavin got one out of the fridge and tossed it to me.
I went over to the window and looked out. I had to hand it to Gavin, his condo had a nice view. I’d have thought about buying it off him, but it wouldn’t have been practical for Emily and Noah. I liked that I had to take them into consideration.
The place filled up. I caught up with Becca a bit, and tried to enjoy the party, but I was getting worried.
I checked my phone for the millionth time. Emily ran late a lot and sometimes didn’t call, but it was getting extremely late even for her. I was just about to slide my phone back into my pocket when I got a text. Sorry, we’re not going to make it. I’ll give you more details later.
Are you okay? Do you need me?
Enjoy the party. I’ll fill you in later.
Let me know if you need anything
OK
“Is everything okay?” Becca asked, taking a seat next to me on one of the bar stools at the counter.
“Yeah, but Emily’s not coming.”
“Is she okay? Noah?”
“I think so. She said she’d tell me more later.”
“Oh. Well, if you need to leave, I get it.” Becca bit her lip. It made her nervous and she barely knew Emily.
“I’ll wait until she calls.”
I tried to relax, but I didn’t like it. Why didn’t Emily tell me what was going on? I was about to walk outside to call her when I heard the tinkering of a glass. Someone was going to toast.
Gavin easily commanded the attention of everyone in the room. He was definitely the biggest guy there. “Becca and I are so happy you could all be here to celebrate with us tonight. We’ve missed you guys so much the past few months, which is why we’re excited to share some other news.”
Was she pregnant too? Becca didn’t seem like the type to have kids so quickly, but as Emily would say, sometimes it wasn’t planned.
“We’re moving back in May!” Becca squealed.
“Oh my god, that’s awesome!” Molly hugged her.
“Wait, did you take the job with the Blue Rocks?” Tom asked, referring to the local Minor League baseball team. Gavin had been doing some assistant coaching for the Boston Red Sox.
“Yeah. And Becca’s lined up a great job too.” Gavin beamed at her.
Becca grinned. “I’m working for the DA in Wilmington!”
“That’s incredible, Becca!” I gave her a hug. I knew how much she wanted to be a prosecutor. I was glad she was going to be doing it close by.
My phone vibrated. I had a new text. Can you talk?
I slipped down the hall and called her. “What’s going on?”
“It’s my dad,” Emily choked out.
“What about him? Is he worse?”
“Mom says if I want to talk to him, it’s got to be now. They sent him home with hospice.” She could barely talk, she was crying so hard.
“Oh, Em. I’m so sorry.”
“I need to go up there. I’m going tonight. I can’t wait.”
“I’ll come with you. Can you stop and pick me up at my house, or should I get a ride to you?”
“You don’t have to come, Jake.”
“I want to. If nothing else, I can help watch Noah.”
“We’ll pick you up. Can you be ready by nine?” Her voice sounded stronger. Maybe knowing she’d have me with her helped.
“Yes. I love you, Em.”
“I love you too.”
I walked back to the party.
“Is everything okay?” Ben put down his beer.
“No. Emily’s dad took a turn for the worse. I need to get home and pack.”
“Are you going up to Ridgeview?” Ben asked.
“Yeah. I don’t have much time, and don’t want to ruin the mood. Can you tell Becca I left?”
“Sure.” Ben hugged me. We weren’t the kind of brothers who hugged, but I appreciated the gesture.
***
I walked outside my house and locked up before Emily had even pulled into the driveway. I didn’t want her to waste any more time. Even without traffic, it was still a five hour drive. I got right in, leaning over to kiss Emily on the cheek before turning around to say hi to Noah.
“Thanks for coming. I know you wanted to spend time with Becca.” Emily pulled out onto the road.
“This is much more important.” I took her hand and squeezed it. She was shaking.
“Have you talked to your mom again since you called me?”
“Yeah. He’s all settled in. Mom sounded so scared though.” She took her hand from mine to brush away a tear. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through. They’ve been married thirty-five years. How do you say goodbye to someone after so long?”