Chapter 34 What a Night!
The bar was eerily quiet as the ambulance pulled away, sirens fading into the distance. Hallie followed close behind, her worried silhouette disappearing into the night. Inside, Travis stood with Liam, speaking in hushed voices to the manager on duty, sorting through the chaos.
Henry, standing nearby, exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He had no sympathy for Chase Blackwood, not really. The guy had been a thorn in his side more times than Henry could count. But none of that mattered—not when Em cared about him. That was enough.
He turned to Travis and the others. "I'll go check on them."
The men exchanged glances. There was a pause, brief but telling. Henry could feel it—the hesitation. He realized they didn't know him as well as they thought. Hell, they didn't trust him yet. But Em did.
Travis finally nodded. "Yeah, let them know I'm still here. Liam's going to check on Chase for them. I can't imagine how worried Em is about him."
Henry's expression flickered. Worried about him.
He didn't like hearing it, even if he knew it was true.
For all the ways Chase had failed her, Henry couldn't ignore the bitter thought that in another life, that could've been him—drunk, spiraling, losing her. If he'd never met Emilia, if she hadn't saved him from himself, would he have ended up the same way?
Pushing the thought aside, Henry glanced at Liam. "Let me know if Mr. Blackwood needs anything. I'll fund any surgeries and make sure he has the best room available."
Liam's eyebrows lifted in surprise. Even Travis looked taken aback, his stance shifting slightly.
A newfound respect settled in the group.
Travis met his gaze. "We look forward to getting to know you. For Em's sake."
Henry simply nodded. But deep down, he knew—this was it. He was in this for the long haul. His past, Chase, his own fears—none of it would ruin this.
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Em bolted into the bar's bathroom, barely making it into a stall before throwing up. She gripped the sides of the toilet, her stomach twisting violently. After a few moments, she sat back, breathing heavily before reaching up and flushing.
Stumbling to the sink, she turned on the cold water and splashed it onto her face. The chill grounded her, but her hands were still trembling.
Taking a deep breath, she called out, "Rox? Are you okay?"
A groan echoed from one of the stalls. Heart pounding, Em pushed open each door until she found Roxanne slumped against the toilet.
"Oh, Rox..." she murmured, crouching beside her.
She gently helped her clean up, then guided her out of the stall, settling her onto the counter. Just as Em steadied her, the door swung open.
Lily stepped inside, eyes widening as she took in the sight of Roxanne. "Is she okay?"
"She's a mess," Em admitted. "Can you help me get her to the front so we can leave?"
"Of course." Lily nodded without hesitation.
Together, they maneuvered Roxanne toward the exit.
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Meanwhile, Henry was in the middle of berating Jason. "Your stupid game could've actually hurt someone—"
The sound of the bathroom door opening cut him off. He turned, his sharp gaze landing on Em and Lily, who were struggling to support a barely-conscious Roxanne. Without hesitation, Henry and Jason rushed over to help.
Henry gently lifted Roxanne into a seat before turning back to Jason. "Pay the bill. We're leaving."
Jason rolled his eyes, smirking. "Fine, Dad," he muttered sarcastically, fishing out his wallet. "Should I leave a tip, or do you wanna lecture me about that too?"
Henry shot him a glare but ignored the comment, turning his attention to Em. His fingers traced along her cheek, his gaze scanning her face with concern.
"Ready to go home?" he asked softly.
Instead of answering, Em wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. He held her tightly, rubbing slow circles on her back.
After a moment, she mumbled, "Maybe I should stay with Roxanne tonight..."
Henry pulled back slightly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, baby. She can come with us and stay in the guest room." He turned to Jason and Lily, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Both of you—get in my car now. I'll send Cayden to pick up your car after we're settled at home."
Jason's eyes lit up. "Ohhh, we're having a sleepover?" he said, wiggling his eyebrows. "Lily, did you bring your teddy bear?"
Lily flipped her hair dramatically. "Please, Jason. I am the teddy bear."
Henry sighed, running a hand down his face. "Yes, Jason. You and Lily are staying with us until you sober up. Now move before you embarrass the family any more than you already have."
Cayden, who had been quietly assisting, shook his head with amusement as he helped everyone into the car. Once they were settled, he slid into the driver's seat, glanced at them through the rearview mirror, and simply muttered, "What a night."
And with that, they drove off into the night.
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The car ride was quiet at first, the hum of the engine filling the space. Roxanne was asleep on Jason's shoulder, while Lily scrolled through her phone. Em curled up against Henry's side, his arm wrapped securely around her.
Henry kissed the top of her head before glancing at Jason. "So... you want to explain why the hell you thought it was a good idea to promise someone a role in exchange for a drinking game?"
Jason groaned. "Ugh, I didn't mean to. I was just chilling with Lil, Roxy, and Em when Hallie and Sabrina started circling me like sharks. I needed them to stop, so I threw out the game. I didn't think they'd actually take it seriously."
Henry rolled his eyes. "You suggested a pregnant woman participate in a drinking game?"
Jason opened his mouth, but before he could defend himself, Lily deadpanned, "Dude. You are dumb."
Laughter erupted in the car.
Em shook her head, amused. "Do you guys do this all the time?"
Lily chuckled. "No, we don't."
Jason grinned. "Yes, we do."
Lily sighed. "Jason was just trying to get attention. Your brother-in-law is an attention-seeking manwhore."
Jason clutched his chest dramatically. "Sister, you wound me."
Em smirked. "I'm sure there's a support group for that."
Even Henry lost it, doubling over with laughter.
Henry burst into laughter, completely unprepared for that response. Even Jason looked momentarily stunned before recovering with a grin. "Damn, Em, that was cold."
"I learned from the best." Em nudged Lily, who fist-bumped her in approval.
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As they pulled up to Henry and Em's house, Henry stepped out first, helping Em inside before turning back to guide Jason and Lily to the guest rooms. Jason carried a half-asleep Roxanne in his arms like some sort of drunk princess, grinning as he followed Henry.
"Okay, where am I putting her?" Jason asked, shifting Roxanne slightly so she didn't drool on his shoulder.
Henry gestured down the hall. "Last guest room on the left."
Jason smirked. "Sweet. So, uh, does that mean I get to sleep with Roxanne?"
Before Henry could react, a couch pillow smacked Jason square in the face.
"In your dreams, weirdo," Em quipped from the couch.
Lily and Henry both lost it, Henry actually doubling over as he laughed. Even Jason looked shocked for a moment before dramatically clutching his chest. "Sister, you continue to wound me!"
"Keep talking and I'll find something heavier to throw," Em teased, grabbing another pillow.
Jason quickly held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll be good."
As Henry led Jason and Lily to the guest rooms, Em settled onto the couch, phone in hand.
Em: How is he?
Liam responded almost immediately.
Liam: He's getting his stomach pumped. He'll be okay, Em. I'm with him, and Travis is on his way.
Em exhaled, relieved. She hovered over her phone for a moment before replying.
Em: Thank you. Let me know if you need anything.
A simple smiley face came back, and she set her phone down, closing her eyes.
Suddenly, she felt something heavy collapse on top of her.
A deep, exaggerated oof sounded.
Em opened her eyes to see Henry sprawled across her.
She laughed. "Henry, you weigh a ton."
"I am a broken man," he groaned.
Em rolled her eyes, hugging him. "Oh, poor baby."
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "You okay?"
She hesitated. "Yeah... just worried about Chase. And everything that happened tonight was a lot."
Henry brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I'll always take care of you... and the people you love. That's never gonna change."
Her heart swelled.
"Ready for bed?" he murmured.
Instead of answering, she koala-clung to him.
Henry laughed. "Oh? So we're doing this now?"
"Yep."
As he carried her to their room, she whispered, "I love you, Henry."
He froze—then tightened his hold. "I love you too, Em."
And with that, she fell asleep in his arms.