Darkness Falls (Darkness Series Book 3)

by Drake, J. L.

  “Yeah.” She managed a smile. I knew she’d respect that. Emily was a good person, despite, well… “Thanks.”

  “No thanking me, McPhee, drink.” I pointed to her glass and waited for her to get a little tipsy so I could find out what else was bothering her.

  Four drinks in, and I had her laughing. I hated to admit it, but she was actually a little fun to be around. Jims would have loved her. Just the thought of him made the hate seep back into my veins, and I started to remember how much I despised everyone.

  “At the risk of saying something touchy, can I ask how you’ve been dealing with what happened last year?”

  Her face fell. All signs of fun were gone, and she signaled for another drink. “Fine, I guess.” She started to stack the glasses one on top of another. “If you asked me two days ago, I’d say pretty good.”

  “And now?”

  “Now, I feel like this.” She pointed to the glass stack. “Fragile, feeling like the pressure will get too much and it’ll all come crashing down.”

  “Those are some heavy words.” I leaned on the bar top as the liquor swarmed around inside my head. “So besides Connors, is something else adding weight to your glass house?”

  She chuckled a little in her liquor-induced haze. “My mother,” she glanced at me, “paid me her annual visit.”

  “Oh no.”

  “Yeah, with news. I have a new stepfather, and she wanted to sell my house. Already found me a buyer, in fact.”

  I nodded for more drinks, though I really should stop. “I wasn’t aware you were moving.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Oh.”

  “So, after some words, I kicked them out, packed up my mother’s crap, and dumped it at her new hubby’s workplace, then left a message with the bouncer that I’ll see them in court.”

  I snatched a glass from behind the bar and placed it on top of her glass tower.

  “Exactly.” She nodded at my point. She had a lot on her shoulders right now.

  ***

  I shouldn’t have had that last drink. I started to lose control over my own thoughts. My mind wandered in shared silence, and recklessly, I started to share. “I grew up next to this family.” She looked over at me with heavy eyes. “Two boys and a sister. The father was a real asshole, beat them all the time, beat their mother too, sometimes until she couldn’t see. Their mother, despite all she went through, still loved her kids. She tried to protect them from her husband. She even found a way to leave once, but at the last minute it fell through. Six months later, she was killed.” I felt my own tears threaten.

  “How?”

  I sat up in my seat. I needed to think straight. “Her husband lost it, beat her to death.”

  “Jesus, what happened to the kids?”

  I slipped back into a memory of Jims and Julia, so clear it was as if they were here in front of me. “They all went to different family members. I always wondered what if they had got out, moved away, and had a chance at a better life, where they would be today? I like to think they’d be a close family, you know, Sunday dinners at the mom’s.” I saw she tried to follow my story, and I shook my head and forced a smile. “Guess sometimes I wonder what it’s like to have that, quote, big happy family.”

  “If you ever find one, let me know,” she muttered sarcastically into her glass.

  After another hour, she was nearly passed out in the booth we had moved to at some point in the evening. I pulled out my cell phone and checked the time—three thirty a.m. I removed Emily’s cell from her jacket, used the passcode to get in, and looked up his number. It took me a moment to actually locate it, as it was changed to a different name. I bypassed all the texts from Connors and O’Brian.

  Em: You awake?

  Fantastic Pete: Yes, love, where are you?

  Emily: It’s Avery, we’re at the Triangle. Can you come get her?

  Fantastic Pete: Be there in ten.

  Sure enough, Pete walked in ten minutes later, concerned as always when it came to Emily. Then I saw Connors with a look that could kill.

  ***

  Seth

  My stomach was in a knot that tightened as I laid eyes on Emily. She was pretty much passed out in a booth next to Avery, who attempted to stand when I approached.

  “Hey, guys,” he started to say, but I interrupted him.

  “Why did you text Pete and not me?”

  Avery made a face as he looked back at Emily. “That’s not for me to answer.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Look, Connors, she showed up on my doorstep. I wasn’t aware she even knew where I lived. I brought her here because I didn’t feel comfortable having her at my place. She wanted to talk, I brought her here to avoid any…problems. She was upset, so we talked, and once she got everything out, I called Pete. Her best friend, someone she doesn’t want to punch right now.”

  “Punch?” I nearly shouted, leaning over Emily, who stunk like booze. “Christ, how much has she had to drink?” My nose practically burned. “Is that whiskey? She hates the stuff.”

  “Not tonight, she doesn’t.” He shrugged over at Pete. “I think it’s best you take her home.”

  “No.” I grabbed her jacket and slipped her arm over my shoulder. “Come on, baby, time to go home.”

  Her eyes slowly opened and something flashed over them. Pain? Hurt, maybe?

  “No.” She pushed me away and stumbled to her feet. “Don’t,” she muttered as I came near her again.

  “I’m going to go,” Avery chimed in. “Drink some water, Em.”

  “Thanks.” Pete smiled a little, but kept his watch on Emily and me, looking from one of us to the other.

  I noticed the bartender, who pointed to the time. He was about to close. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, but the last thing I wanted was the locals I see every week to witness me having it out with my drunken girlfriend.

  “Emily, time to go home.” I tried to hand over her jacket, but she flinched away from me.

  She ignored me. “Pete, can I come home with you?”

  “No,” I snapped, more scared than anything.

  Pete looked at me funny. “Of course you can, love. I’m parked out back.”

  “What’s going on, Emily?” I lowered my voice.

  She cupped her mouth as her shoulders shook, then she started to cry. I reached out to comfort her, but she raised her hand. “No,” she sobbed, “don’t touch,” her breath caught, “me.”

  I looked to Pete, questioning, wondering if he knew what was going on, but he mouthed, “I have no idea.”

  “Please, let me take you home,” I nearly begged. I felt so lost.

  “Home?” She almost laughed. “That’s funny.” She zig-zagged toward Pete. “Get me away from him.”

  Oh hell no. I quickly stepped in front of her, bent down, grabbed her legs, and hiked her over my shoulder. She kicked in protest, but I needed her out of the bar and out of the public eye. She’d thank me later…maybe.

  I set her feet down on the ground when were outside under the eave, free of the downpour.

  “Stop.” She tumbled back into Pete. “Just don’t come near me—I can’t be near you!”

  “Why, Emily? What did I do?” I couldn’t take the look she gave me, almost like she was disgusted with me.

  She shoved a finger in my face. “I saw you,” she fought her sob, “with her…Ronnie!”

  Everything went quiet as the memory from earlier in the day flashed in front of me. She was there? How could that be? I watched her fall apart as she stepped into the rain, heading for Pete’s car.

  I hurried out after her. “Emily—”

  “No!” she shouted, and whirled around. “I’m done! I’m done fighting for us! It’s always been one-sided! It’s always me defending myself with Scott and Travis. You never trusted me! But I’ve always trusted you, always, until now.” She gave up and let the sobs consume her.

  I wanted to cry at the thought of her seeing what she did. “Can I
at least explain?”

  We were completely soaked, but we didn’t care. “Later,” she whispered on an exhale. “I need space, I can’t…” Her hand flew to her chest like it was in pain. “I can’t even look at you right now.”

  “I didn’t kiss her, Em.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I would never touch a woman like that, the way I touch you. She kissed me!”

  Her eyes slowly moved up to mine. I thought she was going to say something, but instead she turned and walked to Pete, who was in his car giving us some space.

  ***

  Saturday

  I stayed in bed all day. No word from Emily.

  Sunday

  I worked my shift like a zombie. The whole day I managed to avoid Ronnie. No word from Emily.

  Monday

  Same as Sunday.

  Tuesday

  Seth: Please talk to me, baby.

  Nothing.

  Seth: How is she?

  Pete: Not very good.

  Seth: Should I come by?

  Pete: I’m thinking not.

  Wednesday

  I felt like a robot at work. I barely spoke to Garrett, but he finally got out of me what happened and assured me she would come back. But this time…this time, it felt different.

  Thursday

  9:00 a.m.—I sent her flowers. I never send flowers.

  10:15 p.m.—The flowers appeared on our doorstep, with a note that explained she rejected them.

  I worked out for three hours. I needed some kind of release. It didn’t work, nothing helped. My phone pinged, and I nearly dropped the weight bar on my chest when I went to grab it.

  Jenny McPhee: Since Emily has dropped off the face of the earth after last week, please let her know the buyer will be by tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. I expect the house to be spotless.

  Seth: Buyer?

  I was lost.

  Jenny McPhee: 6:30 p.m.!

  I checked the time and wondered if I should text Emily or not.

  Seth: Is Em with you?

  Pete: No.

  Seth: School?

  Pete: No.

  Seth: Pete, please.

  Pete: At dinner with a friend, leave her be. It’s the first time she’s been out since the bar.

  Seth: Yeah.

  I threw my phone on the floor and worked out until I couldn’t feel my arms.

  Friday

  I’d had enough of this shit, and I could tell Garrett was finished with my moodiness too.

  “Dude, just call her!” he hissed from the driver’s seat.

  “You don’t think I’ve thought of that? I’ve tried. She doesn’t pick up.” We pulled into the station and parked in our spot. “I sent flowers, but she sent them back.”

  Garrett looked at me funny. “You sent flowers?”

  “I know!” I shook my head in frustration. “What am I supposed to do?”

  We both stopped when we saw Ronnie with Riggs. She smiled when she saw me. I wanted to punch her. She’d destroyed my life and didn’t seem to care. She barely blinked an eye when I tossed her off me that day in the witness room…wait! I looked at Garrett. “I’ll be right back.”

  Seth: Where is she?

  Pete: Not sure.

  Seth: PETE, WHERE IS SHE?

  Pete: I honestly don’t know. I came back from the store, and she was gone. Note said she’ll be back later.

  Fuck!

  I started to call her, but instead it started to ring in my hand. It was my mom. I sighed and answered it.

  “Hey, Mom.” I sounded upbeat, but my frustration showed through.

  “Mmm,” she muttered into the phone. “Wanna tell me why Emily is here in my living room crying her heart out?”

  My heart jolted. “She’s there?” A small part of me was excited that she went to Mom for comfort.

  “Yes, honey, and she’s really upset.”

  I grabbed my keys. “Keep her there.” I hung up and raced to my car. I didn’t bother to change out of my uniform.

  “Where’s the fire?” Avery called out to me as he opened his car door. He dropped his bag on the passenger seat.

  “I gotta go see Emily.”

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah,” I muttered, “it will be.”

  “Glad to hear it, man.” He rolled his window down. “Oh, hey, Triangle tomorrow night. It’s Johnnie’s birthday, remember.”

  Fuck! “Right, okay.” I really didn’t want to go. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

  The house was quiet. I listened for voices, but nothing. Then I heard a chair scrape outside and headed to the back patio. That’s when I saw her with a mug of coffee, huddled under a blanket in front of the fire pit. My mother stroked her back while tears fell from her cheeks. There was no other way to describe the scene but heartbreaking.

  I took a deep breath and opened the door. Mom gave me a look, and I instantly knew Emily had told her. I shook my head. I didn’t want to get into it right now.

  I sat across from Emily, and it took her a moment to realize I was there. Her eyes finally rose enough to see me. I leaned my elbows on my thighs and watched her take me in. At least she wasn’t yelling at me…yet.

  “Can I at least show you something?” I whispered and hoped for a miracle. To my surprise she nodded. I offered her my hand to help her stand, and she actually took it. “Thank you.”

  I led her to the family room, where I inserted a disk and pressed play. She stood with the blanket around her tiny frame. The video of me walking into the witness room with Ronnie behind me made my stomach burn. I breathed a sigh of relief that I was finally was able to show her proof, when suddenly the video switched to static. I pointed the remote to back it up and tried to play it again, but it still went to static.

  “What the hell?” I removed the disk and checked for a scratch, but it was clear. This had never happened before; the witness rooms had great cameras. Someone had to monitor these daily, so this didn’t make sense! I chucked the disk at the wall in time to see Emily leave the room. “Wait.” I chased after as she threaded her arm through her purse. “Where are you going?”

  “Pete’s,” she muttered. I approached her carefully and took her arm, led her to a chair, and I sat on the edge of the fire pit. I didn’t want to risk her running again.

  “Please, baby, look at me.” My voice was thick with desperation. I was so damn terrified at that moment. “I’ve never kissed another woman since I met you that day at the party. You have to know she kissed me, not the other way around. She was above me and used her momentum to hold me down, but only momentarily. I pushed her off me as soon as I got some leverage.” I sank onto my knees and held her cold hands. “You have to know, no one, no one tastes right, no one kisses me like you do, and no one makes the noise you do that has me desperate for more.” She started to silently cry. I knew she had to feel my truth—she just had to. “I would never risk losing the one person I want to spend the rest of my life with over some stupid kiss. Emily, you know me better than anyone else, you know we are meant to be together.”

  She burst into a sob and leaned forward to bury her face into my neck. I wrapped my arms around her and stood so I could lift her on my lap.

  I kissed her hair and took the moment to touch her in case she pulled away. God, she smelled like home. I couldn’t imagine a moment more without her. “I love you, Emily, more than anything. I’m sorry you’re hurting.”

  She pulled away to look at me. She seemed so worn out. My heart felt like it was about burst, she looked so weathered and saddened by all of this.

  “Will you come home with me?” Her chin started to quiver with a whole new wave of emotion. Oh, my poor everything. “What is it, Em?”

  “She’s trying to take him from me again.” She hiccupped. “I hate her, Seth, I hate her so much!”

  “Who?” I tucked her hair behind her shoulder.

  She closed her eyes to calm herself. “I’m so tired,” she spoke quietly, “of everything.”

  I wanted to press the
topic, but mostly I wanted her to let me take her home.

  “Please come home with me.”

  She moved to her feet and gave me a slight nod.

  I held her hand the entire way home, scared this moment might escape from me. She stayed quiet and wiped her cheeks every so often. I wished I could crawl inside her head and hear what she was thinking.

  “I should text Pete.” She pulled her hand away, but grabbed mine again when she finished. This little moment made such a difference for me. At least I knew she wanted to touch me as much as I did her.

  It was late by the time we pulled up to the house. We were both drained, and the idea of bed was a welcoming thought.

  She crawled into bed first, and I joined her soon after. I didn’t think and wrapped myself around her like always. She stiffened for a moment, and it made me angry.

  “I’m not changing the way we sleep together, Emily.” She went to push me off, but I held her down. “No.” I hissed at the flash of hurt that stung me. She started to turn, and I let her so I could snag both wrists and lift them above her head while I hooked my leg over hers. “I said no.” Her eyes filled, but I wouldn’t let her push me away. “Stop!”