I watched and the band took the stage and Breigh and Wyatt went to dance on the floor. Emma sipped on her water and observed them just as I watched her.
“Do you want to dance?” I asked, knowing her answer before she spoke.
“With you?” She asked.
“Of course with me.” I smiled and stood up holding my hand out for hers.
“Okay. Just one.”
As soon as she stood up, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.
What in the hell?
“Emma?”
“Let’s just dance. I will explain everything later.”
I took her hand and slowly led her to the dance floor. I held her at a distance at first, moving at a slow pace. The smell of her hair made me want to move closer to get another whiff.
I had been praying for her daily and here she was in my arms.
She was pregnant. This was why she called everything off with me after she had seen me at the bar.
Everything came into perfect perspective. She was protecting our baby.
I swear just thinking about it made me love her even more. I didn't think that would be possible.
One song led to another and I didn't let go. She didn't ask and I wasn't going to give her a chance to question it.
I brought her closer to me when Roxe sang the cover of “Tennessee Whiskey.” It was instinct for me, like breathing.
I took her chin and raised it to look at me then placed a kiss on her forehead.
“I am sorry for so much,” I said quietly, as the song was coming to a close.
“Me too.”
The song ended and she lightly placed her hand on her stomach wanting to tell me something but looked lost for words.
“I’m going to go use the restroom.”
I nodded a yes so she knew that I heard her but she didn’t respond.
When she came out, we sat talking at a table, us four enjoying each other. We laughed about old times and the things that had changed. Mostly, me.
“How much longer do you have until you graduate from the academy?” Emma asked.
“Almost done. I’d love for you to come.”
She smiled at me, and shook her head yes.
We avoided the big elephant in the room and talked about easy stuff.
An hour later, we got ready to leave. The girls bid farewell to the band and got a few pictures with them, me holding the camera. Kelleye Joe’s was getting rowdy and none of us wanted to be a part of it. Those days had come and gone.
Everyone said their goodbyes and I walked Emma to her car.
“Thanks for the dances and walking me to my car. It really wasn't necessary though.”
“I just wanted to make sure you made it okay.”
“Are you going to ask me about my baby?”
“Yeah… I wanted to.”
“What do you want to know?”
We were standing in front of Emma’s car. She had leaned up against it, taking some of the pressure off her feet.
“The obvious?” I asked without asking.
“I’m six months.”
“And?”
“Yes, Cash, it is your baby. Our baby. Which is why when I saw you with Maddy I flipped. I found out right after all of that…”
I leaned in and whispered to her, “I wished I could have been there for you the last couple months. You and the baby deserve that.”
“I’ve really got to go.”
“Thank you for telling me.” It was all I could say.
I walked her to the door of her car and held it open for her to get in. “If you need anything, baby, call me.”
“Okay, I will.”
“I’ve gotta go.” Emma reached for her handle and I stepped back and assisted in closing her door.
She gave me a wave and I could see the tears falling down her face.
I stood exactly where I was, hoping to God I would have the chance to prove to her I was worthy of her love.
And my baby.
24
CASH
When calling Wyatt earlier in the week, I had assumed he would make time for me. Hell, I needed to talk to him, but that wasn’t the case. I guess I couldn’t blame him since I never was there for him either. I was his big brother and not even once tried to solve any of his problems, on the contrary, creating more of them was more my game.
Finally today, he was available and I was ready to find out what they knew about Emma. Frankly, I was shocked and excited at the same time. How that could happen I hadn't any damn clue but I was.
I wished I could have spoken more to them about it after Kelleye Joe’s but Breigh put a stop to that pronto.
The idea of Emma being the mother of my child gave me a thrill that I wasn’t sure how to deal with. I had been dealt one hell of a curve, not that I couldn’t say I deserved it. I was thankful I wasn't in jail like my father.
I knew two things. First, Wyatt was still going to disagree that I was the type of man who needed to be a father. I’d have to say in all fairness, I would agree with him. But now, I had to get things in line to be a good father. No, a great dad. I could do that. Not that I had a good example though. So many lies, such wasted time.
If I had pulled my head out of my ass a long time ago, I would have possibly already had what Wyatt had… Nah, probably not. He had always been the good apple. The one who was dependable, faultless, always did the right thing. I was the exact opposite of all that.
Second, I was fully aware Breigh was going to be circling Emma like a mad mama bear, making sure I wasn't going to hurt her. She had finally begun to warm up to me, at the very least, lightened up and tried to give me a chance. I had to say it was a miracle, but I
