5. Emma
Five
Emma
Waking up in the hospital to a team of doctors and nurses while I was supposed to be on a date wasn’t my ideal way to end the night. Or any night, for that matter. I needed to start being more careful and remember to suspend delivery on my pump when I’m not able to eat a meal. In my defense, though, I typically always eat on time, and I can keep my blood sugar managed. I knew Jake was going to have a fit over this and turn into a crazy big brother again while not leaving me alone for the next month fussing over me, and that’s exactly why I sighed when he walked into the room looking at me with all the concern in the world.
“What were you thinking?” He shook his head, but I could see the relief in his eyes as he stepped closer and grabbed my hand.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh shit, Jake is going to be pissed’,” I joked.
“Damn right I am. You know better than this.”
“It was just an off day. I’m not going to be making a habit of this.”
“I can assume this has everything to do with Connor?” He released my hand, walking to the other side of the room as he crossed his arms and gave me his famous disappointed look.
“Connor?” I played dumb.
“Yeah, the six-foot lumberjack who is pacing down in the waiting room. We had a nice chat.”
“Jake.” I stammered. I know he’ll never think anyone is good enough for me. That’s the role he has to play. But if he thinks he can come in here and talk shit about a guy he doesn’t even know, then he has another thing coming. Connor was rough around the edges, and yes, I find him to be an asshole half the time, but there’s so much more to him. Sitting up in the bed, I gave him the same look he was giving me.
“He isn’t good for you.”
“That isn’t fair. You don’t know him.”
“And he let you pass out.”
“I’m responsible for myself. Let’s not forget that.” I snapped.
“You didn’t eat.”
“Do you know how many people forget to eat? I wasn’t trying to pass out. I didn’t want to fuck up everyone’s night and end up here.” He opened his mouth, but I threw my hand up to stop him. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down.
He grabbed the chair and pulled it beside the bed. Plopping down, he gave me a small smile. “I’m failing at this brother thing, aren’t I?”
I shook my head, reaching for his hand. “Jake, if it wasn’t for you, I would probably be dead. You did far more than any kid or brother was expected to do.”
“Sometimes I wish Mom wasn’t such a screw-up. Then at least I would have some sort of guidance here and know what to do. What to say.” His eyes shimmered. I haven’t seen Jake cry much, but when he does, it breaks my fucking heart. He carries the whole world on his shoulders, and I wish for once I could be the one to take care of him.
“I think we came out pretty great if you ask me.” I shrugged.
“You really think so?”
“I know so,” I smiled. “But I’m going to need you to stop being an ass to Connor. I also want you to go get him.”
“What?”
“Please.” I gave him the puppy dog eyes that had worked for as long as I could remember.
He gave me a small huff but thankfully didn’t fight it. Before leaving the room, he promised he’d be back up to see me before they released me to take me home. Connor knocked softly on the door. When he walked through, I swear it was like the man had been up for days. Everything about him was a mess, and I wasn’t sure if I liked that he was that worried over me or annoyed that yet another person thinks that I can’t take care of myself.
I watched his every move as he walked up to my bed and placed my hand in his. I squeezed back, giving him a reassuring smile. “Gonna take a lot more than some low blood sugar to take me out.”
“Oh, Little Fighter.” He smirked, and I think for just a split second my heart stopped beating.
“I’m sorry if Jake was an asshole to you. He can be… protective.”
“It’s okay. If you were mine, I’d be protective of you, too.” He winked.
I felt my cheeks heat up. Looking away, I bit my bottom lip. It was a good thing I was in the hospital in case I passed out again. “Aren’t you already protective?”
“In all the ways that matter,” he whispered.
“Thank you.”
“Always, I mean that.” He bent down to place a soft kiss on my forehead.
I’m not sure how a guy I only met a short while ago could have me responding like this. One thing was certain, though, and it was that I liked Connor.
“At least you no longer ruined the date? It was for sure me.” I laughed, trying not to show him how much the silly forehead kiss that probably meant nothing to him affected me.
“Fuck, are you kidding? Best date of my life,” he grinned.
“Does that mean I get a second date?” I asked quietly, hopeful he’d say yes.
“Promise it won’t be at the hospital?”
“Promise.” I think I would promise him my soul if it meant I had another chance with him. I was coming to learn that Connor wasn’t nearly as cold as he put out. He cared, but he was closed off and scared. I could understand that. I mean, look at what he’s been through. I think any person would be fucked up after that. He had the power to hurt me, and I knew that, but something told me he only ever said things he meant.
“Can I get out of here now?” I pouted.
Hospitals weren’t my thing. I hated being here, and considering I was feeling better, I was ready to leave. I was able to eat and have some water without any issues, and my blood sugar returned to normal, meaning I should be able to leave. All I wanted to do was go home, get into my comfy pajamas, and go to sleep.
“Let me go find a nurse.” Connor said before pressing another soft kiss to my forehead and walking out of the room.
He was so gentle with me, almost as if he was afraid to break me, which, again, confused the fuck out of me. I liked that side of him, the one he didn’t show anyone else. Where his only concern is me and making sure I’m okay. But then I hate myself for that since I don’t need anyone to look out for me. I’m sure Jake would disagree, and I’m starting to feel like Connor was feeling that way, too.
Growing up, I never really had anyone who looked out for me other than Jake, and now… Connor. It makes me wonder if maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to let someone else care for me, to not have to carry everything on my shoulders and pretend I was okay for everyone else’s sake.
The rattle of the door pulled me out of my head as I saw Connor, Jake, and my doctor walk in. He was holding a tablet and looking at it through his reading glasses before he looked up at me and gave me a warm smile. “I hear you’re ready to get out of this place.”
“Please.” I begged. It was almost 3:00 a.m., and I was ready to get out of here.
“I think I can make that happen. Nothing crazy tonight, and I want you to take tomorrow off to rest.”
“Oh, I’ll be okay.”
“Miss Flynn, that wasn’t a suggestion. Although you feel better, your body is still healing.”
“Okay.” I shrugged.
“Perfect, let me go get your paperwork, and we’ll have you out of here.”
I nodded at him, but I was already thinking about all the things I would miss at work tomorrow and everything I would have to do to catch up the next day. I mean, if I did go to work tomorrow, it’s not like he would know. Plus, he can’t really stop me. Doctors don’t have that much control over their patients. If I got tired, I could go home then, but taking off a full day wasn’t going to happen.
“Don’t do that.” Connor glared at me.
“Do what?”
“Tell the doctor you’d take tomorrow off while actually ignoring him. You’re not going to work tomorrow.”
“Yes, I am.”
“For fuck’s sake, Emma,” Jake groaned. “Did you not hear him?”
“Yeah, I did, but I have things I need to do.”
“Like rest.” Connor pointed out.
“Like work.” I snapped.
“Emma.” He glared again, while Jake looked between us, opening his mouth and closing it. I was surprised he hadn’t told Connor off for talking to me this way.
“You can’t make me.” I rolled my eyes.
Connor’s whole body tensed, his pupils dilated while he took in a sharp breath. I know he wanted to say more, but with Jake here, he was holding off. I didn’t want to hear it anyway. Whatever comeback he had, he could keep it to himself.
“I don’t think you should be alone tonight,” Jake spoke up. “Just to be safe but I’m already staying in a hotel because of the issue with the water. Can you stay with a friend tonight?”
“Yes,” I lied.
“Great, I’ll drop you off.”
“No, that’s okay,” I assured him. “I have to stop by my house first and grab some stuff. I’ll have them come get me. Just drop me off there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then. I’ll… leave you guys to whatever this is. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready to go.”
Jake gave Connor a quick glance, and that’s when I figured out that he wanted Connor to ride my ass. He wanted him to tell me what to do because he knew I wouldn’t listen to him. He was passing me off like I was a little kid that needed to be scolded. Once the door was shut, Connor walked over to the bed and sat in the chair. He stared at me like he was studying my whole face and locking it into his memory, but there was no way this man really still wanted me. He just liked to have power, and he thought he would get that from me.
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” he started. “Jake is going to drop you off at your house, and then I’m coming to get you. You might be able to get away with lying to him, but not to me. I know damn well you don’t plan on staying anywhere tonight, so I’m making the decision for you.”
“You’re not my father.”
“Maybe not, Little Fighter, but there is more than one way to be a ‘Daddy’,” he winked with a laugh.
I inhaled a sharp breath as a thrill ran through me. There is no way he just said that to me. “What?” My voice is shaky and not at all like myself.
“Tell me, are you trying to make me go insane? What was that with the ‘you can’t make me’, huh?”
“You don’t want me to stay with you.” I countered.
“Oh, but I do.”
“Then make me.”
I’ve always been on the kinkier side. I’m not a prude and have always had a pretty active sex life, including being in the lifestyle. For the most part, I always enjoyed being a sub, and I lean heavily on the brat side. I’ve never once been in a Daddy/Little situation, and I was wondering if there was more to Connor than he let on. It would make sense, the way he wants to take care of me, and why, when I fight back, he seems to try and knock me back down… But for him to want me to be anything more than a one-night stand? Well, that does things to me.
His body went rigid at my words again. I opened my mouth to brat off some more, but he stood up and pinned my arms above my head. Catching me off guard as I let out a small squeal.
“Don’t tempt me. When you say things like that, I lose control.”
“Maybe I want you to.”
“You know you’d never be another notch on my bedpost, right?”
“I don’t care if I am.” I lied.
“You’re staying with me. End of story,” he growled.
“Am I supposed to say ‘Yes, Daddy’?”
“You’re such a brat, aren’t you?”
“You’re not the only one with experience.” I shrugged.
“Is that so?” He cocked his head.
“I’m not nearly as innocent as you think, Connor.”
“We’ll see about that.”
I wasn’t sure why I was baiting him or what I was even looking for, but maybe if I had one night of fun with him, I could let him go. He clearly has to be in the lifestyle one way or another, so maybe he can give me what I’m looking for, and then we can both pretend it never happened. The thought of that didn’t sit right with me, though. I didn’t want to have just one night with him and then be forgotten. As I was thinking about telling him that, the nurse walked in with the paperwork I was supposed to sign.
It didn’t take long for them to get me discharged, and then Connor was helping me out of the bed and trying to get me dressed.
“I can do this.”
“And miss seeing what you look like under that hospital gown?”
He winked, but I felt like it was more than him wanting to see me. He wanted to take care of me and make himself feel like he was able to do that for me. And for some reason, I wanted to give that to him. Turning around, I let him pull the ties down, and he gently removed the gown from my body. He didn’t touch me, and his eyes stayed focused on mine when I turned around. He knew I could do this. I knew I could do this. There was something stronger here, though. Bending down, he lifted my leg and helped me slide my jeans on, doing the same with my shirt.
When everything was covered, his eyes finally left mine, and he looked me up and down. Brushing my hair behind my ear, he rubbed his thumb down my chin. No words were spoken, and at that moment, I’m not sure anything needed to be said. My heart beat in my chest, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. It was like I was a teenager all over again, with all the built-up hormones of being attracted to someone. Grabbing my hand, he led me down the hallway and into the elevator. Pushing me into the corner and placing a kiss down my chin, then the side of my lip. Never fully making contact, but enough to make me squirm and wish he was giving me more.
“What are you doing to me, Little Fighter?” He sounded desperate. Like he was in pain.
“Probably the same thing you’re doing to me.” I whispered.
“Tell me you’ll stay with me tonight.”
“I’ll stay with you.” I choked on the words a little. I sounded breathy and needy, and I was. I was so fucking turned on, wishing this elevator would never stop and we could stay in our bubble forever.
The elevator dinged. Connor sighed, turning around and glaring at the poor doctor who just caught us about to make out.
“Fuck me.” Connor growled, and I swatted him on his arm.
The doctor looked shocked and then amused as he burst out laughing. “Oh, shit, fuck, were you guys making out?”
“No!” I answered a little too fast, my cheeks burning up with embarrassment.
“I didn’t have ‘seeing my brother making out in an elevator’ on my bingo card today.” He shook his head.
“Brother?” I muttered, looking between them.
Comparing them, I did notice they had almost the same build, same eye color, height… even smile. The only big difference is that Connor’s hair was darker. The Easton brothers have some strong genes.
“Hi, I’m Sean, Connor’s brother.” He reached his hand out for mine, and I took it slowly, feeling like I could die right there.
“Nice to meet you.” I blushed.
“So, who is this?”
“None of your business.”
“I’m Emma,” I rolled my eyes at Connor. “I’m sorry about this.”
“Oh, don’t be. I can’t wait to tell the others.”
“Don’t you dare.” Connor huffed.
“Going straight to the family chat.”
“How many brothers do you have?” I asked.
“There are five of us altogether.” Sean answered.
“Five?” I gasped. I need to make a mental note to bake Mrs. Easton a damn cake for putting up with five boys and for making them look like that .
“First Tyler and now you? Never thought I’d see the day.”
“What does he mean?” I looked up at Connor.
“Nothing, let’s get you home.”
“Hey, don’t be ashamed. We’ve been waiting for you to find a girl.” Sean laughed.
“Tyler is the only one that has a girl. Why am I the weird one?”
“Because you’ve always been alone and you’re a dick.”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Connor shook his head and grabbed my hand.
He all but dragged me out of the elevator and down the hallway to the ER. Jake was sitting down there waiting, but Sean was still following us and snickering. Connor seemed annoyed and kept ignoring him, but I found it funny. He acted so grumpy all the damn time, and it was cute. I was just about to tell him how grumpy he was when a team of paramedics came rushing into the bay with a woman on a stretcher. She had blood covering her whole body, a neck brace, and someone was using one of those pumps to help her breathe.
Everyone around started moving fast to get to her, doctors and nurses yelling at each other, and someone shouting to call the OR. It was like a bad medical show, but this was real. This was happening right in front of my eyes. Connor paused, watching it all unfold as Sean ran toward her and helped them roll her away. In the distance, I could hear that it was a car accident, and she had stopped breathing on the way over. That’s when another team brought in someone else, stating that he was the driver and he had been drinking. Connor and Sean briefly looked at each other as soon as the word ‘drinking’ came out, but then he was turning the corner, and I could no longer see him.
Everyone rushed around again, getting the guy situated and to some other place in the hospital, but he looked even worse than her, and it would be a surprise if he made it out alive.
“Let’s get out of here,” Connor swallowed, looking a little uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to question him on it. “Jake, I got this. I’ll make sure she gets where she needs to be.”
He looked at me to confirm that was true, and I nodded. He didn’t need to know that I was actually going to stay with Connor. Giving me a quick hug and telling me he was glad I was alive, he left. Connor grabbed my hand again and led me out to his car. I knew at some point I would have to get mine from the restaurant, but I wasn’t worried about it right now. Honestly, I was tired and wanted to curl up somewhere.
I gave Connor my address, and we quietly drove downtown, him focusing on the road and me looking out the window. I’m not sure if this was one of those times where he just didn’t want to talk or if it was something bigger and louder going on in his head. Possibly both. He was a thinker, always lost in his head. When we pulled up in front of my little place, he jumped out and opened my door for me.
I walked up to my little condo, letting us both in, and turning on a light. He quietly looked around, almost like he was judging me about where I lived. Sure, he builds houses for a living, so to him this was a shithole.
“I’m sorry, it’s nothing fancy.” I broke the silence.
“It’s homey. It’s you. Don’t worry, I like it.”
“It’s… what I can afford.”
“Stop thinking I’m judging you. I’m not. Pack a bag, and we can go.”
“Right.” I nodded, walking to my room.
I grabbed my small bag and put some comfy clothes in, hair stuff, and my toothpaste and toothbrush. I didn’t need much, and hopefully I’d be back home by tomorrow. I was really only doing this to please Connor and Jake. Before walking out of the room, I also grabbed my glucose monitor in case my Dexcom stopped working for whatever reason. Stepping into the living room, Connor was in the kitchen looking at all the pictures on my fridge. They were mainly of Jake and me together, but a couple of them were my friends. He was smiling to himself, almost like he wanted to be a part of my life and see me living it. Bracing my arm on the wall, I leaned on it and watched him a little longer.
It didn’t take long for him to notice I was staring before he turned around and gave me a smirk that made me clench my thighs slightly. Jesus, what was wrong with me? Shaking my body out, I smiled back and walked up to him. He took the bag out of my hand, which was no surprise to me, and he led me to the door. Once we were both in the car, I looked at him and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
That wasn’t really reassuring. He was holding the steering wheel a little tighter than I would prefer, his knuckles going white and a deep scowl on his face.
“You don’t look okay.” I pointed out.
“That drunk driver kind of got to me, but it’s alright. Don’t worry.”
“Why?” I pushed.
He let out a heavy sigh, sagging just a little. “Our younger brother is an alcoholic. He’s clean now, but it was a real struggle for us as a family. That could have been him. It should have been him. He didn’t care about anyone but himself. We still don’t know how he didn’t kill anyone.”
Blinking, I looked out the window. I knew what he meant. Having a mom that drank and did drugs for sport had me feeling like that most of the time too. I never knew if she was still alive or where the hell she even was. The only difference is that my mom never stopped and won’t until it finally kills her.
“It’s hard to watch someone you love go through that.” I reached for his thigh, giving it a squeeze, hoping it would somehow make him feel like he wasn’t so alone.
“You know, I went through this with my mom. Jake pretty much raised me.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
“Hey, no, it’s fine. My mom made her choices, and I’m okay. I’m glad your brother got clean.”
“Us too.”
The rest of the drive was quiet. Neither of us knowing what to say. When I agreed to go on a date with him, I never would have thought this is how the night would have gone. I can’t say I’m upset about it, though. Passing out might have been the best thing I could have done.