Cooper frowned. “The one who won’t leave you alone?”
I nodded. “Did Drew tell you?”
Drew sat down, pulling me back into his lap. “Only that he was bothering you. I haven’t told them about the other day.”
“What happened the other day?”
“He hurt me.”
Their eyes all opened wide, eyebrows shooting into their hairlines.
“What?” growled Cooper.
Drew nudged me gently. “Tell them what’s been going on.”
“We were together for a few years and broke up last summer, which is when I met Drew. But we ended up getting back together and moved here, although it wasn’t long before I realized I’d made a massive mistake and found him having sex with a nurse at his hospital.”
Molly pulled a face. “God, so cliché.”
“I know. But we’ve been broken up nearly a year now, and he won’t let go. I don’t understand it at all. He would turn up where I was, or I’d have dozens of missed calls and messages. Then on Monday, I had to swing by my place early because I had a class and didn’t have any spare clothes at Drew’s, and he was waiting outside my apartment when I came out. He grabbed me really hard and hurt my arm. He was so angry and I’m sure he was drunk. I actually don’t know what would have happened if Ralph hadn’t been there.”
Molly looked horrified. “Shit, Emerson. I’m so sorry. Did anyone look at your arm? I can now.”
“Thanks, but it’s okay. It’s just badly bruised. And I think I’ve been so wrapped up and happy,” Drew kissed my head, “that I hadn’t noticed how fucked up it was. I just thought he was being annoying and it would stop when he found a new girlfriend. I’m not sure what I can do though.”
“Restraining order,” Drew mumbled, and I turned to him. “What? Give me the word and I’ll sort it out.”
My eyebrow raised. “Really? You don’t think that’s a bit extreme?”
“No, I fucking don’t. The guy is a tool. And I don’t like knowing that he’s out there, turning up where you are when I’m not with you. I nearly lost my mind the other day.”
We’d talked about Richard a couple of times and what to do about him, but beyond Ralphie taking me to the studio, I hadn’t got very far. However, looking at Drew, I could see the worry on his face, and for the first time I realized the depths of how much this was affecting him too, and my chest started aching.
I held my hand against his cheek. “Okay, thank you.”
His relief was palpable.
Freddie shifted around again. “I think it’s a good idea too, for what it’s worth. Even for peace of mind for when the boys are at away games. You don’t want him showing up anywhere again.”
“Yes, I guess so.” My shoulders dropped heavily, I hadn’t even thought of that. A lump lodged in my throat and my eyes started burning with tears of frustration. “Fuck’s sake, I haven’t done anything wrong. Why’s this so messy?”
Drew kissed my head. “It’s not, sweetheart. We’ll sort it out and he’ll go away. He won’t be able to bother us again.”
“Okay.” I gave a weak smile. “What about here? Does he work here now?”
“I’ll deal with that.” Molly got out her phone and started typing away. “He was only covering for a week from Mercy, and that week should be up. I’ll email HR to let them know we shouldn’t get him back. To be honest, I hadn’t seen him before yesterday when Felix was brought in.”
I sneered. “Sounds about right. He’s always been a star-chasing fucker. He used to drop my brother’s name at any opportunity.”
Cooper made a noise to show his disgust.
Drew stroked my head. “Actually, sweetheart, you know you mentioned Jupiter was coming to visit?”
I nodded.
“You remember we have the away games over Thanksgiving? Why don’t you see if he’ll come here and be with you? You guys can stay at the loft or in the country and hang out.”
I hadn’t even thought about Thanksgiving. Because I’d known Drew wouldn’t be around, we’d already discussed me taking longer at Christmas and travelling with him for some away games, which included California and meeting my family, so I’d agreed to cover a few shifts at the studio to give the others some time off, hosting a schedule of Turkey Burn rides for those staying in the city.
