“Everything’s going to be fine,” I insist, lowering myself to join him and motioning for him to curl into me.
Joe closes the door after we exchange a glance with me nodding that I’ve got this.
“So,” Jared chokes on his own words. “I don’t have to go?”
A giggle surfaces and I do my best to curb it. “I didn’t say that,” I answer.
“Please, Emma. I can’t,” Jared repeats.
“You made a promise,” I remind.
“I know, but . . . .”
“But, nothing,” I interrupt. “If you go for anyone today. Go for Pop-Pop.”
“Why?”
“I can’t say why,” I share.
Jared studies me for a moment, not sure how to interpret my words. “For Pop-Pop?”
“For Pop-Pop,” I confirm.
“Okay,” Jared sniffles. “For Pop-Pop.” He stands up slowly. “But, if this is a trick . . . I will go on YouTube live and announce your relationship with Joe . . . and mention the fuzzy handcuffs.”
“Okay,” I say with a giggle.
“You agreed to that a little too quickly,” Jared states with a frown.
“Because I’m telling the truth,” I assure.
Jared nods, but doesn’t say another word.
“Do you need me to stay in here?” I ask.
“No,” he huffs. Jared takes a hold of me, clenching me to his body.
I can feel the pain, the remorse, the nervousness and the devastation in the way he holds me. Wanting to soothe my friend, I push as much love and support into him as I can with my embrace.
“For Pop-Pop,” he repeats after a few deep breaths.
My head nods in agreement. I wait until he enters the shower and then exit the bathroom, leaving the door slightly cracked just in case he calls for me. Turning, my arms reach for Joe as I need my own bit of comfort.
Joe happily wraps himself around me, kissing me on the temple. “I’m sorry I couldn’t calm him before you came back.”
“It’s okay,” I soothe. “He needed some prompting.”
“What kind of prompting?” Joe asks, leading me to the bed. He sits down, holding my hips firmly as my fingers play in his hair.
“Motivation,” I answer, lowering my lips to his.
“What kind of motivation?” Joe explores.
“I had to get him to agree to go for Pop-Pop,” I share.
“Pop-Pop? Why?” Joe inquires.
“You’ll see,” I say with a grin.
“You’re not going to tell me?” Joe searches with a hint of disappointment.
“Nope,” I reply with a smile. My body presses forward, forcing Joe to lie on the bed.
Joe’s hands tighten, pulling me closer. Our mouths unite and our tongues dance sweetly together. My hips start to sway, rubbing my sex against Joe’s. After another minute, Joe flips us, placing me between him and the bed. Joe’s lips temper themselves while mine work to convince him to keep going. He pulls his head back, watching me as his fingers curl in my hair. We don’t talk, we don’t really need to, but our wants and desires are seen in each other’s eyes.
“We should get ready,” Joe suggests.
“Yeah,” I agree.
Neither of us move to get up.
When the sound of the shower turning off is heard, Joe and I shift on the bed, but we don’t get up completely. My body is on the edge and Joe is sitting directly behind me with his legs on either side. He kisses my cheek, head and neck repeatedly while he holds me close. Sadie lounges with us, placing her head on my lap. Joe reaches for Sadie, giving her some much needed affection.
The bathroom door opening suddenly grabs my attention and my eyes fall upon a different Jared. He’s moved from being depressed to being pissed — this could be good if I’m able to help him manage it for the rest of the day.
The three of us get changed in silence and Jared hangs out with me as I’m in the bathroom putting on some makeup and fixing my hair. In-between needing my hands, I reach over and clasp one with Jared’s. He offers me a fake smile that is steaming with anger just below the surface.
Before I put on my lipstick, I lean over to Jared and remind, “For Pop-Pop.” My lips fall upon his cheek as my hand holds the other side of his face.
Nodding, Jared confirms, “For Pop-Pop.”
“Maggie will be there,” I remind.
“Yeah,” he agrees.
My head nods.
“And, you and Joe,” Jared adds like he’s checking.
“And, Joe and me,” I assure.
“We’re here for you,” Joe adds suddenly behind me.
I peek over my shoulder to find him standing in the doorway fixing his collar. Heat rises inside me at the sight of him dressed the way he is and I can’t help but smile.
Joe moves closer, standing practically right behind me and places his left hand on Jared’s. Joe looks to me and I smile and nod, looking back and forth between the two of them. Without words, Joe steps closer to Jared, pulling him into a hug. Jared quickly returns the gesture. They reach for me, tugging me into their embrace — both kissing me on occasion.
“Good thing I haven’t finished my hair,” I tease after a minute.
“I can fix it, Kitten,” Jared offers sweetly.
“No,” I disagree. “It’s okay. I think I want it down today anyhow.”
“I like it when it’s down,” Joe comments, kissing my cheek.
“I bet you like to pull it too,” Jared jabs.
“Only when she asks me to,” Joe returns with a grin, smacking my rear.
“So, how kinky are you, Emma?” Jared explores. “I know Joe’s a kinky motherfucker.”
I smile but refrain from answering.
Joe slides his hands over my hips, running his mouth along my neck after he moves my hair to the side. “You were the one talking about getting fuzzy handcuffs for our bet,” Joe reminds.
“This coming from the guy who suggested getting them after tying me up with a scarf and felt bad when I had a few red marks?” I press back.
“I knew it,” Jared comments. “I knew you were holding back even with Maggie.”
“I’m trying to find out if she’s holding back anything else,” Joe states.
“She probably doesn’t know . . . until it happens,” Jared comments with a grin.
I take a deep breath and shake my head, not confirming or denying anything. I guess this is how my life is going to be from now on — my friends openly discussing my sex life in a completely different way which includes talking about it with the guy I’m fucking. How is it going to happen today? How will our relationship be announced? Is Jared going to bring it up in a roundabout way or out of desperation to avoid Nathan? I guess only time will tell.
One Hundred Nine
Jared has fidgeted since we left the hotel — I can’t really blame him. I can only imagine what he’s going through. The desire to confess the truth arises several times, not for the concern or wanting to avoid the announcement of Joe and me to our friends, but because I want to ease my friend’s heart from so much pain. I just hope that it isn’t broken so much that it won’t heal — that he won’t understand.
With our VIP passes, the three of us and Sadie make our way through the back entrance of the building after being dropped off. Two of Jared’s bodyguards, two of mine, and two more of Joe’s are with us as we make our way through the bustling crowd that consumes the backstage area. Joe, Jared and Sadie tag along, following me as I check in with Denise, see what needs attention all while keeping Jared away from Nathan for now. Approximately thirty minutes later, we meet up with Maggie, Henry, Jimmy and Allen off to the side of the entrance to the catwalk in a small private area meant for us and Nathan. Several television screens are lined against one wall, displaying the activities occurring in several areas. My eyes scan the screens for what’s happening between the main entrance, the main room where the show is taking place and several of the backstage locations other than the dressing room.
&n
bsp; “Can you keep an eye on him for a second,” I ask lowly in Joe’s ear.
“Sure. What’s up?” Joe checks.
“I texted Nathan and Pop-Pop that we’re here, but they haven’t responded. I want to make sure they know,” I explain.
“Go. We’ll be fine,” Joe encourages.
I look to Jared and see that he’s fairly good considering that Maggie has his attention. “Thank you,” I reply. “I owe you.”
It takes me asking several people with headphones as I walk in the direction of the changing room to be able to accurately locate Nathan. My body relaxes when I see both him and Pop-Pop. I catch them up-to-date, sharing the good news that Jared is here, but I’m not sure how long he’ll last since he’s angry.
“He has to stay,” Nathan retorts. “It’ll all be for nothing if he’s not here.”
“He’ll stay,” Pop-Pop assures. “Emma will be able to keep him here.”
“I’d say thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’m a little hesitant,” I admit nervously.
Nathan’s shoulders slump at my confession.
“I’m sorry, Nathan,” I say. “I . . . .”
“It’s okay,” he assures. “Fingers crossed.” Nathan steps closer, hugging me. “Thank you.”
My hands coil around his body and rub his back, needing just as much reassurance myself.
Pop-Pop joins our embrace eagerly. “Joanna, Nancy and Stephanie should be here soon,” Pop-Pop reminds.
“I have my eye out for them, and I did confirm that their seats are right behind ours,” I state.
Maybe seeing Joanna’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter again will help to distract Jared a bit.
After ten more minutes of watching Nathan, to make sure he’s good, and having Pop-Pop assure me that he can keep Nathan calm, I make my way back to my friends. Everyone is where I left them, but Jared is starting to look antsier. I remind everyone that Joanna, Nancy and Stephanie will be joining us, but Jared perks up only for about a minute.
There are a few times where I have to momentarily step away from my friends, assisting Denise and making sure we aren’t too close to Pop-Pop and Nathan. I can’t risk Jared being angry to the point where he decides to cause a scene or confront Nathan before the show.
As conversations continue between my friends, I don’t say much as I watch Jared and the television screen for the main room where people are starting to file in and take their seats. Jared’s skin tone slowly begins to change. Maggie and I swap a few glance at each other, non-verbally commenting on Jared’s behavior. Jared’s hand squeezes down more on mine as time goes by, indicating that his mood is changing.
“I can’t do this, Kitten,” Jared says softly in my ear.
I pull back to study him. His face is getting paler and I think he’s starting to sweat a little. My head shakes gently, trying to coax him to stay the course.
Jared’s eyes begin to well. He lifts our joined hands and kisses mine. “I’m sorry, Kitten. I . . . I can’t . . . .”
I’m losing him. No — I’ve lost him. Shit!
My eyes stay fixed on Jared. “Joe and I are having sex,” I blurt. My heart pounds in my chest.
The room suddenly feels like we’re in a sauna and I wish that someone would turn on the air conditioning.
Silence. Complete silence falls upon my friends.
Jared stares at me in astonishment and my gaze jumps to the floor as I’m too nervous to maintain eye contact with him or anyone. Soon, my eyes slowly trail up Maggie’s feet to the hem of her dress. Then, they stop on her chest — she really looks pretty today. Without warning, my eyes meet Maggie’s.
With a sweet, comforting smile, Maggie comments, “Well, it’s about time. I was wondering how much longer I was going to have to not say anything.”
I swear my eyes inflate to the size of watermelons.
Jared’s hand squeezes mine. “Kitten, are you okay?”
“Hold up,” Jimmy says. “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
I look back to Jared and see that he’s calm. Good — crisis one adverted.
“Emma?” Joe calls.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I randomly announce, shifting to turn and walk away. For as flush as I feel, my body feels cold and clammy.
“I’ll come with you,” Maggie comments.
Scanning the faces of my friends, I can see that the majority of them are still in shock, even Joe.
Maggie takes a step towards me, but Henry tugs her back. “You knew?”
“I . . .” Maggie begins, but stops.
“Emma,” Joe calls again.
“Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known?” Henry presses.
Joe steps closer to me, placing his hand on the small of my back. “Emma.”
“You okay, Kitten?” Jared searches.
My attention bounces back and forth to everyone’s faces. I think the room is spinning and that I’m going to be sick.
“If I told you, honey, then you would have talked to Joe,” Maggie explains. “Emma . . . she’s not . . . if . . .” Maggie huffs. “I’ll explain later.” She kisses Henry on the cheek and then moves in my direction.
The room is definitely spinning now as the temperature continues to climb, making it hard to breathe.
“Emma?” Joe’s voice beckons in an odd tone.
“Emma, you okay?” Jared inquires. His voice sounds weird too.
“She’s fine,” Maggie declares, taking my arm. “We’ll be back. We’re just going to the ladies room. We’ll meet you guys at our seats.”
A warm hand takes my arm and gently guides me to face a different direction that is away from my friends.
“Emma?” Joe’s voice calls.
“Don’t worry,” Maggie soothes. “We’ll be right back.”
The icky feeling rises more in my stomach as our feet scurry to the closest restroom. I’m not sure if I’m going to vomit or not before I pass out. Maggie locks the door and ushers me to the nearby couch. I sit, staring at the floor as she moves away. The sound of water is calming and my body tingles at the thought of touching it.
“Here,” Maggie offers, handing me a damp towel.
“You . . .” my voice shakes as I move to take the towel, but my hand drops. “You . . . knew?”
Maggie places the refreshing coolness on the back of my neck. “Yes . . . for a while now.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I inquire.
“Same reason you didn’t share,” she returns. “You weren't ready.”
My head hangs. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”
“Jared, Nathan and I have known there was a good chance something was going to happen,” she states. “We took bets on when it would, but I knew when we returned from the honeymoon.”
I sit in stunned silence.
“It was the wedding, right? When you two first had sex?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I confirm weakly.
“Jared swore it was the bachelor-bachelorette weekend and Nathan thought it was during the Hawaii trip,” she continues. “We’re not mad, sweetie. We know how you are. We knew you would need time, especially if it was something serious — which I would say it is since it’s apparently still going on.”
A half pressed smile spreads on my face at the comforting way my best friend is talking to me about this. She’s not mad — they’re not mad.
“So?” she starts with eagerness. “Tell me more.”
“Like what?” I ask with a nervous giggle, not sure what she means because I’ve never been on this end of the conversations.
“Do you love him?” she starts.
“Shit, Mags,” I huff.
“Okay. Okay,” she replies, back peddling. “I came at that a little fast. My bad. Sorry.” She pauses for a second. “So . . . how was it.”
“What?” I giggle.
“You know . . . the first time,” she asks with a smirk.
My head lowers, not because I’m ashamed or embarrassed, but to hi
de the grin that reaches to my ears which are starting to feel really warm right now. “Good,” I mumble.
“Good?” she questions with shock.
“Okay,’ I huff. “Better than good.”
“I would hope so if you two are still sleeping together,” she giggles.
“Yeah,” I nervously confirm.
“Was it awkward?” she inquires.
“What? What do you mean?”
“You know . . . the it’s awkward because it’s the first time and because you both know each other?” she expands.
“No,” I answer. “It wasn’t awkward at all.”
“Who started it?” she inspects.
With a giggle, I admit, “Me . . . kind of. We went back and forth with making out a bunch of times beforehand — ultimately, me the night of the wedding.”
“Of course,” she gasps in excitement. Her body bounces, telling me she wants to know more. “So . . . ?”
“So . . . what?”
“I want details, Emma,” she comments. “You’ve made me wait this long.”
“I know,” I say. “I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing and start confessing,” she declares. “We don’t have much time before we need to get back out there.”
“Shit,” I blurt. “Jared.”
“Jared’ will be fine,” she comments. “He’s just really excited about today for Nathan.”
“No,” I argue.
“What?” she checks.
I raise my eyebrows and Maggie’s expression shows that she remembers. “I couldn’t tell him about . . . you know . . . the surprise. I don’t remember how it went down, but I agreed to come out about Joe and me in order to keep him here.”
“Well, that’s one way to come out,” she muses.
“I didn’t want to do it like that,” I huff.
Maggie doesn’t say anything for a moment and I can see the gears working in her head. “Okay. Are you good?”
“Yeah,” I confirm.
“Do you think he’ll leave now?” she checks.
“That’s why I . . . I knew I had lost him in that moment,” I mention. “I had to share. I was hoping to not have to say anything until later, but he needs to be here.”
“Yeah, he does,” she agrees. “Okay. Let’s get back out there. He could still try to leave and we can’t have that happen.”
Just Breathe Series (Trilogy Box Set) Page 100