40. Slade
I pace restlesslyin the living room of the apartment I share with Lukas and Alex, my mind consumed with worry about Emma. It’s been days since her unjust firing, and despite my numerous attempts to reach out through calls and texts, she’s completely shut me and the other guys out.
“Still no word from her?” Lukas asks, leaning against the kitchen island with his arms crossed, his brow creased with concern.
I shake my head. “Nothing. She won’t return any of my messages.” As the team captain and the one who often takes on the role of the protector, I understand that Emma must be feeling devastated and ashamed. But isolating herself is not the answer. “We need to do something, guys. We can’t let her push us away like this.”
Alex nods in agreement as he emerges from the hallway. “Slade’s right. She needs to know we’ve got her back, no matter what. This situation sucks, but we’ll get through it together, as a family.”
That’s right. Family never abandons one another in times of crisis.
I turn to face Lukas, Alex, and Ryan, who has just arrived. A decision surges through me. “I say we stage an intervention. Show up at her place, refuse to leave until she talks to us. Remind her that we love her and we’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m in,” Ryan says without hesitation, his brown eyes flickering with resolve.
Lukas and Alex voice their agreement, and just like that, a plan is set in motion. We pile into my car and make our way to Emma’s apartment.
When we arrive, I take the lead, striding up to her door with purpose. I knock, my heart knocking against my chest in echo as we wait for a response. After a moment, the door cracks open, revealing Emma’s roommate, Selena. Her expression is guarded, hesitant.
“Hey, Selena,” I greet her, trying to keep my voice steady. “We’re here to see Emma. It’s important.”
Selena’s gaze darts between the four of us, taking in the worry and desperation etched onto our faces. I can see the protective instinct warring with understanding in her eyes.
After a beat, Selena sighs and steps aside, allowing us entry.
“She’s been holed up in her room for days,” Selena confides as we step inside. “Barely eating, barely sleeping. I’ve tried to talk to her, but…” She trails off, shaking her head helplessly.
I place a comforting hand on Selena’s shoulder. “We’ve got this,” I assure her, mustering a confident smile despite my unease. “We’re not leaving until we make things right.”
With that, I lead the charge down the hallway towards Emma’s room, Lukas, Alex, and Ryan close on my heels. I push open the door, my stomach twisting at the sight that greets me.
Emma’s cozy bedroom, normally filled with warmth and vibrant energy, feels cold and lifeless. The curtains are drawn, casting the space in an eerie half-light. Even Emma’s treasured hockey memorabilia, usually displayed with pride, seems to have lost its luster.
And there, curled up on the bed, is Emma herself. Her shoulder-length brown hair is tangled and unkempt, her bright blue eyes dulled by a veil of tears.
She looks so small, so fragile. A far cry from the passionate, resilient woman we know and love.
“Oh, baby,” I murmur, crossing the room in a few long strides. I gather her into my arms, pulling her close against my chest. She stiffens at first, as if trying to resist the comfort, but I only hold her tighter. “We’re here, Emma. We’ve got you.”
Lukas, Alex, and Ryan surround us, their hands reaching out to offer soothing touches and gentle caresses. Emma trembles in my embrace, a choked sob escaping her lips.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she whispers brokenly. “I ruined everything. I don’t deserve your love, not after what I’ve done.”
“Bullshit,” Alex growls, his tone protective. He cups Emma’s face in his hands, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. “You listen to me, Emma Collins. None of this is your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Alex is right,” Lukas chimes in, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “Alison had no right to fire you like that. It was a bullshit move, and we all know it.”
Ryan nods in agreement, his dark eyes shimmering with rage. “We’re not going to let her get away with this, Emma. We’ll fight for you, no matter what it takes.”
Emma’s lower lip trembles, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “But the photos, my reputation, everything I’ve worked for…”
“Fuck that,” I cut in, tightening my hold on her. “Your worth isn’t defined by your job, Emma. You’re so much more than a social media manager. You’re brilliant, and passionate, and kind. You’re the glue that holds us all together.”
Alex takes her hand, pressing a fervent kiss to her palm. “I swear to you, Emma, I won’t rest until I find out who leaked those photos. I’ll make them pay for what they’ve done to you.”
I feel a swell of pride and admiration for my friend. He’s a force to be reckoned with. With Alex on the case, it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes to light.
Lukas and Ryan move in closer, their arms encircling us all in a tight embrace. “We love you, Emma,” Lukas murmurs, his lips brushing against her temple. “No matter what happens, we’ll always be here for you. We’re a team, remember?”
“Always,” Ryan echoes, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re stuck with us, Collins. For better or worse.”
As we hold each other close, our hearts beating in perfect sync, I feel the first stirrings of hope begin to chase away the darkness. We’ve weathered countless storms together, both on and off the ice.
This is just one more obstacle to overcome, one more challenge to face as a united front.
Emma’s sobs gradually subside, her body melting into our embrace as the waves of emotion begin to ebb. I stroke her hair gently, my fingers tangling in the silky strands as I breathe in the comforting scent of her lavender shampoo.
“We’ve got you, baby,” I murmur, my voice low and soothing. “You’re safe with us.”
She lifts her head from my chest, her tear-stained face a heartbreaking sight. But as her gaze locks with mine, I see a flicker of something else in those captivating blue eyes—a spark of longing, a silent plea for connection and reassurance.
The atmosphere grows heavy with unspoken desire. I exchange a loaded look with the guys, their eyes darkening with a shared understanding.
Tonight isn’t about lust or passion; it’s about healing, about reaffirming the unbreakable bond we share.
Wordlessly, I lay Emma gently back down on the bed, my hands skimming reverently over her curves.
“Let us take care of you tonight, sweetheart,” I whisper, my lips grazing the shell of her ear. “Let us show you how much you mean to us.”
Emma’s breath hitches, her eyes fluttering closed as she surrenders herself to our touch.
We undress her slowly, each brush of fingertips against skin an act of worship. I trail feather-light kisses along her collarbone, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her beneath my hands.
The guys join in, their hands and mouths mapping every inch of Emma’s body with aching tenderness. We pour all of our love, all of our devotion into each caress, each whispered affirmation.
“You’re perfect, Emma,” Alex breathes, his fingers tracing the delicate line of her jaw. “So beautiful, inside and out.”
The night wears on, and we lose ourselves in the intimacy of the moment, our bodies moving together in a symphony of sighs and gasps. The outside world fades away, the pain and uncertainty of the past few days temporarily forgotten in the face of our connection.
And as Emma arches beneath us, her face awash in pleasure and adoration, I know with bone-deep certainty that this is where we belong.
I never want to be away from this group of people. My polycule. My family.
Slowly, an idea starts to take shape.