22. Garrett
GARRETT
Istayed with Emerson in Chicago the next two nights. I wasn’t allowed to answer the phones in her office, but I did make sure her coffee was hot and that we were seen and happy.
That part was far better than fielding the few messages I got from Darren—the ones accusing me of trying to turn the band soft by staying home and local when we could be real rock stars touring the world.
As if we haven’t done that.
As if his fucking antics aren’t the reason we’re on this little hiatus in the first place.
I’d been tempted to reach out to Maverick and Lachlan but decided against it, instead forwarding everything to Roan and Theo to deal with for now.
At night, I managed to pull Emerson away from her desk long enough to grab dinner and drinks with our bodyguards in tow.
We traded Nico Samson for Ozzy and Jace at night—I’d met them while in Vegas for Tom and Kat’s wedding, the two of them acting like frat boys rather than elite security personnel.
But in Chicago, I saw none of the good-time guys while we were out, both of them locked in to keeping us safe without being intrusive. It was like a trial run for the events Theo and Des have scheduled in the next few months.
And even though I’ve been doing this for years now, it’s still strange that I can’t always do what I want. Being spontaneous was how I lived my life, but that all changed in the coffee shop the day I met Theo. Even now the memory sends a little tendril of panic coursing through my veins.
“I’m so happy to be back,” Emerson announces, falling onto the couch and stretching out like a cat before rolling onto her side and grinning. “Your couch is so much better than mine.”
It could be our couch if this wasn’t temporary.
The words are right there, my mouth opening to say what I’ve wanted to say since the moment we walked through the door.
“Oh good, you’re home,” Theo calls as he walks in like he owns the place and sets several bags onto the island.
“We’re going to have to work on you calling first,” I grumble as Emerson sits up and tucks her legs under her.
“Hey Theo, how’s it going?” she asks, draping her arm over the back of the couch and resting the side of her face on it. She looks so normal.
Relaxed.
The stress of the last few days left in Chicago.
Won’t she miss this?
“Mama made you dinner and dessert and said that she wants to have you and Garrett over to the house so she can cook for you.”
“That sounds nice,” she says without lifting her head.
“It does until she starts asking when you’re going to give her grandchildren.” When she chuffs out a laugh he adds, “Or a dog. She’s not picky at this point. Don’t laugh; I’m not kidding. She’s desperate. She’s trying to set the poor kid in the deli at the grocery store up on dates.”
“Speaking of dates,” Emerson says without acknowledging anything he just said, “when’s your date with Des?”
“Tonight because you two are going to Gin & Porter tomorrow and I need to be available if anything happens.”
“Your boss sounds terrible,” she replies and I shake my head, crossing the distance between the kitchen and living room to drop down on the couch next to her.
“Wanna say that again?” I growl but she only laughs, leaning back into me in a way that’s intimate and familiar.
Dammit, why does she have to feel so good?
“Can you guys keep it together for another five minutes, please?” Theo demands, as he puts the rest of the groceries away and turns toward us.
“He’s so grouchy today,” she mutters as Theo’s hands slam down on his hips and she giggles—actually giggles.
“He just wants a night with zero work-related issues and—” Theo starts.
“And he’s nervous,” I add helpfully more to Emerson but loud enough that Theo can hear. “That’s why he brought groceries. He’s trying to distract himself until his date and is using us as the reason he’s frazzled.”
“Frazzled,” she repeats, looking over her shoulder at me. “That’s a good word.”
“Right?”
“Stop being so nervous, Theo, it’s going to be fine,” she calls and I watch as he presses his lips into a thin line.
“I really want this to go well.”
“So go and be yourself. You guys can bitch about how needy your bosses are and—”
“I, for one, am amazing to work for.” I pout as she shimmies back, grinding against my cock and forcing me to swallow the grunt that wants to escape.
“Dinner is in the fridge,” he says, ignoring us both, “and tomorrow you guys will go to the bar to see whatever band is playing. You’ll be seen but you will not make a scene. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Daddy,” Emerson says in a voice that rides the line between mocking and indecent. Unsurprisingly, both do it for me.
Theo’s mouth hangs open as my lips curl up on one side and I tease, “I think that’s more what he’s saying rather than…”
“I hate you both,” he hollers dramatically with a wave over his shoulder as he heads for the door. “Don’t call me tonight unless you’re on fire.”
“Good luck!” Emerson and I say in unison as the front door slams shut and we’re finally alone. My hand is already snaking up her belly, her body arching into my touch when there’s a knock.
And then another one before the door swings open again.
EMERSON
“I’m changing the locks,” I mutter as I move out of Garrett’s hold and stand, smoothing my hands down my shirt and narrowing my eyes at Roan who holds up a six-pack of beer.
“I brought beer.”
“The codependence in your relationship is astounding,” I tell him as he waves toward the road.
“We literally built houses next to each other so we could do this.”
“Which is a thing I will never understand,” I respond as I make my way toward the stairs.
“You’re not staying?” I can hear all the things Garrett isn’t asking in that one question, and while I like Roan, I have no desire to spend any time with him right now.
It’s hard trying to explain that to someone who is naturally social and enjoys people—who has friends.
I’ve just had Isla for most of my life.
Last year I added Kat.
I don’t need or want to grow my circle because not only is this exhausting in general, but it’s temporary. When Garrett and I are divorced in a few months, I won’t have any interaction with Roan unless our professional paths cross.
Same with Colt.
Seeing them through Kat and Tom is a possibility, but it’ll be like seeing relatives at holidays.
Only better.
The only person that might be a complication is Theo, and that’s only if things work out between him and Des.
With a smile, I make my way upstairs, heading straight for the master bath and turning on the faucet. The water is ice cold as it hits the basin of the tub, and I yank my hand away and pull my phone from my pocket as it warms up.
EMERSON: I’m back at Garrett’s
EMERSON: We’ve been here for like thirty minutes and TWO people have stopped by unannounced
ISLA: You’d hate Clementine Creek
ISLA: Also, I remember what it was like when I was required to socialize with more than just you after hours
EMERSON: Are you saying you like it now?
ISLA: I’m saying it’s different when it’s not just for show
EMERSON: But this is for show. Even if Roan and Colt know this is an arrangement—it’s still temporary. I’m not hanging out with these guys once this is done
ISLA: What about Oakey and Kat?
I smile at the use of Tom’s nickname, the feeling both nostalgic and childish in the best way.
EMERSON: Again—that’s once in a while—not every day
ISLA: Did something happen?
Putting the stopper in the tub, I add some bath salts and sigh as I type out a response.
EMERSON: An employee went to an influencer/reporter about Garrett and me. She was fired and we’ve been dealing with it.
ISLA: I saw the write up Arden did
EMERSON: Trying my best to control the narrative
EMERSON: I’m exhausted and I just wanted to come home and relax
I watch as three dots appear and disappear before her message pops up.
ISLA: You said home
EMERSON: That’s what you got from that?
ISLA: You called Garrett’s house—home
The smell of lavender does nothing to ease the way my heart is beating faster in my chest because dammit, I did call it home.
EMERSON: I told you I’m tired
EMERSON: Semantics
ISLA: It’s okay that his house feels like home
EMERSON: I don’t have time for the fallout if I get attached. In a few months, he’ll go on with his life and I’ll go on with mine
ISLA: Is that what you want?
EMERSON: Of course it is
ISLA: You don’t have to be married to your job
EMERSON: But I like my job—I don’t work crazy hours to prove a point—I’ve done that already.
ISLA: I just don’t want you to fight this pull with Garrett because you think you have to
EMERSON: It’ll be fine. We’re just enjoying our time while we’re here.
ISLA: If you say so
Dropping my phone on the vanity, I strip out of my clothes as I ease into the piping hot water with Isla’s words still rattling around in my head.
If you say so.
I do.
So there’s nothing more to say.