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The danger of the Monsters’ fathers was all gone, but he was still there. He hadn’t changed his tune, and I would never forget that.
“Ash, I don’t like this. You’re hugging me as if it’s goodbye.” Emily pulled me away from her and cupped my face. “Tell me what the fuck is going on. What is going on with Earl? I can talk to my guys. If you really don’t want to go, I can make it stop. He’s got no power here.”
I couldn’t help but rest my hand on her stomach. “You’ve got a little angel growing here.”
“I can’t believe I’m pregnant.”
“I can. You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
Emily snorted. “You think I’m going to be amazing. I don’t even know how to take care of a kid. I’m going to be a disaster. Look how I was raised.”
“Do you think I’d make a bad mom?” I asked.
Emily frowned. “No, not at all. You’re going to be amazing. I see you baking pies and treating boo-boos.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.”
“I’m being honest.”
“And it means a lot, but the fact is, my mom wasn’t great, Em. She left me to my own devices. She would tell me how much of a pain in the ass I was because she wanted to be with her boyfriend and I was a drag to her. You’re not like that. You’re never going to treat your kid like that. I like to think we know the best ways now to treat our kids. No one is perfect.”
Emily threw her arms around me, and I rubbed her back. “I’m here.”
“I don’t want you to leave, Ash. I know we’re back home now, but we’re supposed to get through life together.”
“I’ll be a phone call away.” I made the promise before I could think about it. I really shouldn’t be making suggestions that Earl could take from me. He was the one who held all the power.
We stayed outside for a long time. Emily wasn’t happy about being locked up in the big house. She liked to have some space, and right now, after the days spent on Earl’s boat, which he kept reminding me was a yacht, I was enjoying the ground not moving around me.
The sun had started to set when we were called in to dinner.
There was still tension at the table. Earl and the men would never get along and I didn’t mind that.
By the time the meal ended, I’d had enough and made my escape to our room. Earl had wanted to go back to the hotel he’d arranged, but with us leaving in a few days, I figured it was the best time to be with Emily.
I wasn’t alone for long before Earl was in the room. He locked the door, and I ignored him, going to the bathroom. After removing my clothes, I ran the bath. It was still running when he entered the room.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re giving me the silent treatment?”
“No reason.” I stepped into the water, wincing at the heat, but I didn’t get out. “I’ve got nothing to say.”
His arms were folded as he leaned against the doorframe. “Do I need to be worried about you leaving me?”
“No. I told you, I’m coming with you.”
“Then what’s the problem?” he asked. “I don’t see what the fuck is the problem.”
“I’m going to miss my best friend, okay? Is that such a problem for you? A mystery? You know I care about her, and I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone. I don’t know anything about how my life is going to be. Can’t you give me some time for that?” I couldn’t help but tense.
“You can still talk to Emily on the phone. How about that?”
It was on the tip of mine to tell him that I’d already negotiated that, but I had a feeling he was going to be pissed.
“Thank you.”
The smirk he gave me had me clenching my hands into fists.
“You don’t think I know you already made that agreement with her?”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to be. I had every intention of letting you stay in touch.” He stepped into the room, dropping down to his knees beside me.
I couldn’t help but tense up, but all he did was grab the sponge and the soap. Unable to take my eyes away from him, I watched, mesmerized as he started to work the sponge, lathering it up. Why did him washing me feel so intimate? Shouldn’t I feel like he was treating me like a child?
When his hands were on my body, they made me melt. I loved the way he touched me. Each time his fingers grazed across my flesh, I came alive. My nipples felt tight, and he didn’t take his time. He washed me almost mechanically.
