Page 109 of Does He Know?

Opening the patio door to walk outside, it’s barely shut when I hear Monroe yell out Emerson’s name. My eyes scan the yard for where I last saw them. They’re not there. I see them at the edge of the pool. Emerson is lying on the concrete with everyone standing around her.

My heart pounds as I run to her. I skid to a stop and take in the situation. Forrest and Monroe are kneeling next to her, while Lachlan, Maddox, and Legend stare down at them.

“What happened?” I ask. My voice is gruff and shaking, and I don’t give a single fuck if my feelings for her are outed because of it.

“She fainted,” Legend tells me. He places his hand on my shoulder, and I appreciate the effort to keep me calm. He knows what she means to me.

I kneel. Her hair is in her eyes. I push it behind her ear and there’s a cut on her temple. “You’re bleeding, baby girl,” I whisper.

“She hit her head,” Monroe tells me. “We were going to swim, and she just fainted.”

“How do you feel, Em?”

“Okay. Just weak, I guess. I don’t know what happened. I was really hot and got dizzy. That’s all I remember.”

“We need to call an ambulance,” Forrest says. His eyes are wild and full of panic.

I ignore him. “Can you stand?” I ask.

“Yeah, I think so. I’m not dizzy anymore.”

“Let me help you.” I stand and offer her my hands. She’s wobbly but manages to stand. She sways, and I pull her into my arms. “I’ve got you,” I whisper.

“Emerson, I’m going to call the squad,” Forrest says. “We have to get you checked just to be safe.”

“No. I’m fine, just a bump on the head.” She gives me a pleading look, one she knows I can’t say no to. Fine, we can compromise.

“No ambulance,” I concede. “But we’re taking you to get checked out.”

“Rome, I’m fine. Really. I just got too hot. We’ve been out in the sun all day. I overheated, that’s all. I just happened to be on the concrete and bumped my head.”

“Probably, but we’re not risking it. You need that cut looked at too.” I nod at the cut on her temple.

“You guys are overreacting.”

My hand tightens around her. I’m holding her up. She’s weak. I’m glad Forrest isn’t fighting me, trying to take her from my arms, because it’s not happening. “I’ll take you, baby girl. Everyone else can stay here.”

“Fuck that,” Forrest says. “I’m going with you.”

At least he doesn’t call me out for my endearment for her, or that I’m holding her like she might disappear if I let go.

“What he said,” Lachlan says. I look up and Legend, Maddox, and Monroe are all nodding.

I smile down at Emerson. “Looks like you have an entourage, baby girl.”

She slumps in my arms. “Fine. But this is crazy. I’m fine.”

“I’m sure you are, but let’s let the professionals tell us for sure. We’re not risking you.” What I really want to say is I’m not risking you. I want to tell her that seeing her on the ground with blood at her temple took ten years off my life. I want to tell her she promised to love me for a lifetime, and that we’ll do whatever we have to do to take care of her.

“I’ll drive,” Legend says.

“Keys are in my truck.” I bend and lift Emerson into my arms, bridal style.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Forrest says.

I nod and carry Emerson to my truck. I’m glad Forrest is not insisting on riding with us. I’m holding on to my worry, but I need a minute. Just a minute to not wear this mask of staying strong.

Legend opens the back-passenger door for me. I set Emerson on the seat, and then climb in next to her, pulling her into my arms. Before I can get the door shut, Monroe is jumping into the passenger seat, with what looks like her purse and Emerson’s in her hands, and some clothes.

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