Chapter 33

chapter 33

EMMALINE

“I can’t believe what all you and Roman did for me?” I’m in my bare feet, padding across my historic hardwood floor. “The lights and counter. How did you know?” She sighs into the phone.

“You showed me your Pinterest board.”

“It’s beautiful. The cabinets and the marble. I didn’t pick out the marble countertop and the lights weren’t on my Pinterest board. How did you know? I’ve never seen a more stunning kitchen in my entire life. Roman didn’t pick any of this out and I know it. He would still be sitting in a bean bag chair if it weren’t for Penelope.” Emotions bubble up my throat as I trail off and the words stop flowing. A suffocating silence hangs between us.

“Emmaline, are you upset that Penelope was unfaithful with Roman or that she cheated with Grant? Are you… over Grant?”

How could he even ask that? Of course, I'm over Grant, but the wound he left is still raw and tender. It's not something that just disappears.

“I was over Grant the night you and I met. The years Grant and I were together, I never had one night where I felt good about my body or any passion. You’ve taught me that I’m beautiful the way I am. You nurture me. But that doesn’t mean the scar he left isn’t still there.”

His voice is deep and raw when he says, “Baby, I’ll rub vitamin E over your heart every day until every scar gets smaller and smaller and eventually disappears.”

The pain Grant put me through has waned. I loved him but it was immature, and we were both in it because it was easy and fun to hang around Roman and Penelope. However, it’s hard to forget the humiliation he caused me by breaking up on our wedding day.

“You sure know how to make a girl swoon. My mom is going to love you when she finds out how much input you had on my stunning new house.”

“Speaking of your parents, should I come over when you tell Roman and your parents about us? I’ll be there if you need support,” he says unequivocally.

“No, I’ll handle it. I’m a big girl,” I reply, my heart racing with a mixture of excitement and fear. I never thought I would find someone who would go out of their way to make my dream home come true. It’s a grand gesture that shows how much he cares.

“But you are planning on telling them, right?” His scratchy and hesitant voice reveals his nerves.

“Of course, I just want to find the right time.”

“Okay, we’ll see you tomorrow at the stadium. I’ll miss you in my bed tonight,” he says with a hopeful tone .

“Not as much as I’ll miss you.”

As I hang up the phone, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness. I’ll miss his strong arms pulling my body into his, kissing and talking. Tonight, I’ll sleep alone, but tomorrow, we’ll be together again. I’m crossing my fingers that things go well with Roman.

Roman arrives with my parents, and my mom gushes over the house. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Roman grins, taking credit for the overhaul. I narrow my eyes at him. He knows I know Bryce helped in the restoration.

The whole time I’m parading my parents through my house, I can’t quit smiling. Bryce Wynward is a complete cinnamon roll who tries to pass himself off as a grump. Everywhere I look, I see Bryce’s attention to detail. When I finally finished prepping last night and went to bed, I noticed a framed picture by my full-length mirror—pressed pansies in a frame, from the bathtub.

I can’t believe a man like Bryce Wynward wants me, but I know he does. His stare is always impenetrable like he sees me from the inside out.

Mom and I add the final touches to the meal, and we sit down to eat. We give thanks as we hold hands and say what we’re thankful for— “I’m thankful Grant dumped me because it forced me to be uncomfortable. To take chances. And in the end, it proved to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Roman stares blankly, then adds, “I’m thankful for the dating app and that my sister decided to make her life in Atlanta.

Dad keeps chewing his food but adds, “So, you had a good date?”

“I did. We’re going out again this weekend.”

“Oh honey, that’s amazing. What did you like about her? What do you have in common?” my mom peppers him with questions.

Between bites, he fills in some of the blanks. “She’s a single mom with two children.” My parents seem a little shocked, but I know he checked that he wanted a family on the dating app.

“She’s a paralegal so she doesn’t travel.”

My mom sighs. “Well, that’s a relief.” However, my mom looks anything but relieved. “Does she know who you are and what you do for a living?”

“Yes. Her name is Dana, and she’s a fan.”

Fearing she wants him for his game day tickets and the lifestyle, I add, “I thought you were afraid to go out with a hockey lover.”

He winks. “Nope, I was afraid of a woman wanting me for my money, but Dana lives downtown, makes plenty of money and we like the same restaurants.”

I keep my distaste for his explanation to myself but add, “She doesn’t make your professional athlete kind of money, but if you had fun, that’s great.”

“I did, and I hope to have more of it.”

The grin adorning his face is enough to make my heart swell. Maybe we can both be happy—here—in Atlanta.

“Well, if she’s half as awesome as you are, then Brooke’s dating app seems to work. ”

Surrounded by my family, I feel my heart racing with nerves. I promised Bryce that I would tell my parents and brother about our relationship, but now that the moment is here, I’m filled with doubt and worry.

My brother chuckles. “I wonder why it worked for me and not you?”

Oh, it worked.

“Speaking of which, I have something to tell you.”

His phone rings, so he stands to take the call. “Hold that thought, sis. It’s management.” I strum my fingers on my leg and shove a scoop of mashed potatoes in my mouth. He stands up and takes the call. I strum my fingers on my leg and shove a scoop of mashed potatoes in my mouth, then my phone beeps, which is under my thigh so I sneak a glance.

Bryce: Have you told them? I told Reed and Brooke that they were right all along.

Under the table, I return the message.

Me: Not yet. I was getting ready, but Roman got a call. I will. I promise.

Roman says, “I have to go. Two of my teammates are sick, and they need me at the stadium. Come by when you’re finished.”

“Okay.”

He kisses my mom and me on the cheek and leaves.

Dad watches football in my newly painted den with faux fur. As I hand him the remote, I can’t help but think how tired Bryce must be after working night and day to have my house ready for Thanksgiving .

While Mom and I clean up, she brushes against me and asks, “You seem different. Have you met anyone?”

I take a deep breath and clear my throat. “I need to tell you something. I wanted to tell Roman at the same time, but this can be my trial run.”

Mom snickers as she puts the leftover stuffing in the fridge.

“I’m dating Bryce Wynward. Not just dating, I love him and Jolie.”

“Emmaline. This could get messy since you’re his daughter’s nanny and your brother… Lord, what’s he going to do?”

“Roman should keep a level head like a grown-ass man. I’m in charge of my life.” My heart rattles as I try to explain my feelings for my brother’s teammate.

She pulls me into a motherly embrace. “I’m happy for you. You’re his baby sister and you always told him you never wanted to be married to a professional athlete.”

“Mom, I never had a chance to have my own life. It was always intertwined in Roman’s. I met Bryce the week after Grant dumped me at the wedding, when I came to Atlanta with Roman for his game. I could never get him out of my mind, and he feels the same way. And one more thing. It’s not the man’s job that determines how he’ll treat me…it’s the man.”

Mom draws me into her side and lays her head against my shoulder. “You’ve always been a smart girl.”

On the way to the stadium, Mom informs my dad of my dating situation, and he says, “Well, do you think it was Roman or him who made all the restorations to your house? ”

“Why?”

“Because a man who is serious about you wouldn’t want you to live in a little house when he has a big one. So, is he as serious as you are?”

I shrug because I don’t know. “I’m pretty sure Bryce is the one who got the ball rolling. Roman claimed he and Bryce collaborated on it, but I only shared my Pinterest boards with Bryce. Dad, we’re not to the point of getting married, but he wants me to be safe and happy.”

Dad pats my leg. “As long as he treats you like the princess you are, then I’m all for it.”

We pull up to the stadium and a park in the family lot. My gut tells me to get in there fast because Bryce thinks I told him.

After we sign in to help pack food and send my parents to the packing area. The team is supposed to be handing out the food so they can be one with the fans. I slide into a hallway leading to the concourse and hear Bryce’s voice. “You can’t have her.”

As I turn the corner, Bryce is by himself. My heart pounds in my chest and when he sweeps me into his arms, absorbing my body weight, our mouths connect in a passionate kiss. His back hits the locker room door, and he pins me against the dark-red metal.

“Who were you talking to? I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ll tell you later. Baby, I’m starving for you, and I need to be fed.” His voice is dripping with need, sultry and deep. Bryce glides one hand under my panties.

“Bryce, we can’t. We’re supposed… Ahh.” I let pleasure roll through me.

“So smart, wearing a dress. And these boots. Fuck, Rusti.” He plunges a finger into me, and I love the way he’s the one panting and can’t get enough of me. “So. Damn. Glad. You told him.” He pulls out and peppers me with overlapping kisses. Taking in my top lip, then the bottom one.

A noise pounds and reverberates against the lockers. I watch in horror as he charges toward us, with his fists clenched. “You son of a bitch!” Roman yells. Bryce quickly moves into protective mode, maneuvering me behind him and lets Roman take a shot to the jaw.

Bryce is just standing here, letting Roman wail on him.

“Roman, stop!” I scream, and it echoes through the hall.

Bryce says through clenched teeth, “I deserved that, but one more punch is all you get. After that, I’m fighting back, and it might draw a crowd.”

“You’re screwing my sister. Sisters are off limits. Don’t you know the fucking rules?”

“Roman, sometimes things are meant to be. I met Bryce eight years ago after Grant left me. Here in Atlanta after your game.”

“This has been going on under my nose. You came here for him. Didn’t you?” Roman seethes with his chest inflating and deflating at an unhealthy pace.

“No, Roman, I never planned for this to happen,” I interject, my voice quivering with emotion. “But I won’t deny how happy he makes me. Him and Jolie.”

“Don’t you dare look at me, Wynward. Not one fucking glance. You let me find out here so I couldn’t whip your ass in public. And Emmaline, we’ve always been there for each other, and you lie to me. I’m done. With both of you.”

Bryce stands stoic with one arm around my waist and his lips folded over his teeth. “That went better than expected,” he says finally, breaking the tense silence.

I push him away. “I have to find him and make it right.”