Chapter 5 Emma
Chapter five
Emma
That’s one fine looking droplet of water.
~ Two Days Later ~
I’ve been in the Ford household for three days now, and it’s been pretty wonderful with Gracie.
We’ve been getting along great, and I think she’s really taken a liking to me.
While my time with Greyson has been… strange.
With our truce on the table and the late-night talk when he saw my bruises, he’s been pretty friendly.
But I don’t miss all the eye rolls he tries to hide whenever my dramatic personality surfaces.
Okay, I may be overdoing it a bit just to see that lip twitch. I’ll get a smile out of him at some point.
I’ve managed to avoid bumping into Aubrey for now since she’s rarely here.
Greyson told me she’s staying with her friend, Veronica, since it’s closer to campus.
Which also happens to be the friend she’s moving into a new condo with.
But today is moving day for them, and all her things are here.
So I won't be able to avoid Aubrey much longer, and I have a feeling it won't be just her.
I place Gracie down in her baby swing in the living room as her eyes begin to droop, knowing it won’t be long until she falls asleep for her nap, and clip her in.
When I see her eyes already closing within seconds, I head upstairs quickly to find Greyson.
He was up in Aubrey’s room moving boxes around and packing last-minute things for her so that the whole moving process would be done quickly.
He's just exiting Aubrey’s room as I hit the landing and gives me a quick glance before turning toward his room at the end of the hall.
“Hey, I was thinking that maybe I could take Gracie for a drive and maybe a stop at the mall or the store to buy some baby stuff she might need,” I tell him just as he reaches his door and stops, looking back over his shoulder with a confused frown.
“I just thought that it would be best if she wasn’t in the way during the move, and like that, she could do her full nap without any interruption from the noise. ”
His eyes narrow slightly, but still he doesn’t say anything as he faces his room once more, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
“And well, since I’m technically her nanny, it’s my job to take care of her. I just really think it would be best,” I finish, following him into his room as he goes to his ensuite.
“What’s the matter, Em? Afraid to face the music?
” He stops just as I reach the bathroom doorframe and spins to face me.
“If you really think Cecilia won’t notice you’re gone, or my sister notice Gracie’s missing, there’s a nuthouse with a room and bed with your name on it.
Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to shower before everyone gets here.
” He steps farther in and removes his shirt, placing it in the laundry bin.
So much for him being friendly these last few days.
“What? No, that has absolutely nothing to do with it,” I say defensively.
“I’m thinking about Gracie in all of this.
Having you guys walking up and down stairs, carrying heavy things, bumping into walls, and talking loudly won’t keep her asleep for long.
I know it’s only been three days, but she already seems to be getting used to this new schedule I’ve put her on.
I’d hate to have to restart all over just because of this. ”
He turns on the shower, setting it to the right temperature, then begins removing his socks.
“If that’s the excuse you want to give yourself, go for it.
But I think Gracie will be fine for one day, and if anything, she can just have another nap later when we’re done.
” He straightens himself and folds his arms over his chest. “Now again. I need to shower.”
“Greyson, I don’t think you understand how important a routine for a baby is.
” He frowns instantly, but I quickly put up my hand for him to let me go on.
“And I know this is all still new for you, so it’s completely normal, and I don’t blame you one bit for not being aware of this.
But it’s really essential for babies, certainly at Gracie’s age, to have their regular naps every single day. ”
“Emma, please get out. You’re wasting our time with this.
The answer is no, you aren’t going anywhere, and neither is Gracie.
” He undoes the front button of his jeans and pulls down the zipper before pushing them down his legs and stepping out of each hole.
“You’ve hidden out long enough, and now your friends want to see you.
Hell, I’m surprised they still haven’t showed up. ”
“Once again, this has nothing to do wi—WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” I shout, quickly spinning around when he slides his boxers down his thighs. I don’t care about seeing him naked, but this is really not the time. We’re in the middle of a conversation, for God’s sake.
“I’ve told you three times already that I need to shower, yet you’re still here. Now get out and go greet our friends.”
“Ugh!” I growl out as the sound of the shower glass door opens and closes. “Fine,” I mumble and finally leave him alone.
I hate how easily he could see through my bullshit.
Yes, I do care about Gracie having a routine and a full nap.
But the truth is I’m nervous about seeing my friends.
I have no idea how this reunion will go with how I left things off.
I’ve been a real asshole to them in the last few months, and I wouldn’t blame them if they hated me… but I hope they don’t.
Just as I finish coming down the steps, the doorbell chimes through the house. I sigh, knowing it’s time to face the music, as Greyson said, and walk over to the door, breathing in deeply before opening it.
“I gave you three days, three days of knowing you were here and not coming by. But that ends now. No more hiding, Em,” my best friend says the minute I come into her view.
My eyes instantly well with the tears that I’ve been fighting for the past three days. “I’m so sorry… Please don’t hate me.”
Cecilia rushes inside and takes me into her arms as the tears begin to spill. “Oh! I could never hate you, babe. You’re my best friend, my sister. I get it, you were going through some hard stuff and needed space. I don’t blame you for one second.”
“I shouldn’t have pushed you away. It wasn’t fair. He just got inside my head so much that I didn’t know what to do anymore,” I whisper quietly into her hair since she’s quite shorter than me, trying desperately not to turn into a sobbing mess.
I’m not a crier—well not in public. I’ve always hated showing my emotions in front of people and being vulnerable. But Cecilia’s always been the exception. She’s the only one who truly knows me. The only one aside from my parents who knows the story behind my special mug.
“I know, babe. But it’s over now. You’re back where you belong, and I’m not letting you go ever again!” she tells me, and it makes me smile.
“Aw! Wait for me, I’m coming in, too,” Morgan says from behind Cece.
She presses in at my back and hugs us from behind, putting me right in the center of our sandwich. “No more ignoring us! You can’t get rid of us that easily. We’re a family, Emma, and family sticks together.”
“Oh God! You guys have to stop! You know I don’t like crying,” I tell them with a laugh despite the water running down my cheeks.
“Too bad, this is a crying moment, so we’re all going to stand here and cry together,” Morg adds.
“Does this mean the girl squad’s back together?” Clay asks as he steps up to the door.
Silas comes to a stop beside him, holding his son, Dante. “Seems like it. It’s about time.”
The girls and I pull apart, giggling between us and wiping our tear-stained faces. “Come on in, Grey should be stepping out of the shower soon.”
I step aside to let everyone by and close the door behind them. Now all we’re missing are Gabriel Ellis and Noah Adler, more teammates of the boys. As well as the women of the hour, Aubrey and Veronica.
We settle around in the kitchen as I offer everyone something to drink, the boys favoring a beer and the girls wine. As I hand the beer bottle over to Silas and watch him take his first sip, I’m hit with a thought.
“I didn’t know you started drinking again?”
Silas looks at the bottle and blushes ever so slightly while rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it’s recent. I drink occasionally and only ever have one beer.” He looks at his wife, clearly uncomfortable.
Silas had stopped drinking almost two years ago when he got extremely drunk one night with his teammates at an away game. It ended up causing a lot of problems between him and his wife, and he swore he’d never drink again.
“Honey, it’s fine. You need to stop worrying and feeling guilty about what happened. It’s in the past. One beer won’t kill you. And anyway, I’m right here. So the only woman who’s going to end up in your bed is me,” Cece tells him while snuggling up to his side and kissing his cheek.
He smiles down at her and grabs her ass, bringing his lips down to hers. “That’s right, in my bed and naked. So very naked.” She giggles against his lips as he whispers the words loud enough for everyone to hear.
“All right, enough with the PDA. There are kids around,” I say laughing as I look over at Dante, who's playing on the living room floor with his toy cars, while Gracie sleeps soundly in her baby swing.
I go around the island and sit on one of the stools beside Morgan while Cecilia takes the other, the guys standing against the counter.
Greyson finally emerges from his room and joins us in the kitchen…
shirtless. His body is an artwork full of colorful ink—his arms, chest, back, and abdomen.
Even his neck has a few. And since I’ve seen him in shorts before and practically just saw him naked upstairs, I know he has some all over his legs as well.
All composed of multiple different designs that somehow fit together.