CASH
My blood pressure had to be through the roof, my leg shaking at a rapid rate with frustration. What in the hell is going on?
The last conversation Emma and I had was great, and I felt we had made it to a spot that showed we were figuring it all out. Wyatt had called me, asking how it went with Emma coming over, but when she hadn’t showed I got worried. He assumed she had just changed her mind and Breigh said to let it be for now.
I kept looking at her office door and then back to Donna, her admin. I had checked my phone more times than I cared to admit, seeing if she had messaged me explaining her resistance to see me.
The old Cash wouldn't have stayed waiting, or cared. He wouldn't have worried what the cause of the upset was, and wondered if he would be able to solve it. But the new Cash was eaten up with fear.
I wanted to barge through the door and demand her attention, for her to listen to me, to reason.
I had called into work, but knew I was going to miss my classes at the academy this evening. Hell, I wasn't even sure how I was going to focus tonight, and it was a big night. In four weeks, I would be graduating and I had planned on inviting Emma to see it. I had hoped that night would be the start of our new beginning and joining as one, preparing for the baby. I wanted to ask her to be my wife.
I had been waiting two hours, when finally I heard Emma’s voice on the intercom telling Donna to let me her office.
I stood up immediately and waved to her saying she didn't need to escort me.
“Thank God.”
I barged into her office, ready to grab her and kiss whatever doubt was arising out of her mind.
The look on her face when I walked in I was not the least bit prepared for. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, and her hair pulled into a ponytail. She had clearly been crying, and I hated that I could have caused this. I might have been able to make her cry before and not cared, but now it felt like a part of me.
She was a part of me.
She was leaning slightly in her chair, holding her belly. She didn't seem amused at the very least.
“Hi, Cash.” She smiled painfully.
“Baby, what is going on? Why are you avoiding me?”
“I’m shocked you honestly can stand here in my office and ask me that.”
“I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. I thought things were great between us?”
“Were.”
“What changed?”
“You have this whole playing stupid down good, don't you? Not sure why I am shocked as you've had plenty of time practicing now, haven't you?”
I had enough. I moved toward her, behind the desk she was using as armor to keep us separated.
As I moved close, her tears started to fall from her eyes, and she almost seemed panicky. “Don’t come back here.”
I ignored her and went to her, taking her in my arms. I leaned down to her, and she hung her head so I couldn't see her in pain.
I kissed her head, letting her break down before saying anything. She needed to know I was there attempting to solved what was hurting her so badly.
When her crying slowed, I lightly tilted her chin up.
“Did I do something?” I leaned back to see what she was going to say but not far enough to give her space.
“I had decided after the last time we talked that the time and space wasn’t needed anymore. I was at Breigh and Wyatt’s and decided to come to your place. That I wanted us to be mom and dad, and be together. Not only because of the baby, but because you are the better man I knew you could be.”
I felt the tears fill my eyes. I had waited to hear those words, more than anything.
“So I didn't want to spend another night away from you. I came to your apartment. Outside of your apartment though I ran into Maddy. She was just leaving your place.”
“Bullshit!” I spit out, with my body confused on the sudden switch in emotions. Emma jumped at the voice change.
“Why would you believe her? Without even asking me?”
“She was pretty convincing. Look, Cash, you’ve said all that before.”
“This isn't before.”
“All the things I have done to prove to you that I have changed, and showed how I have changed. I am not the same man I was when we first met.”
She studied me but didn't respond.
“What have I got to do to prove that to you?”
I pulled out my phone and immediately dialed her number. It was no longer saved in my phone but I had called her enough to know what it was.
She picked up immediately and I tried to contain myself, rather than blurting out that she was a lying bitch trying to ruin what I wanted so badly, all because she wanted me.
“Maddy, I need you to tell Emma, right now, that you are a lying bitch,” I demanded with a growl mad.
“The hell I will,” Maddy said.
Emma heard her say it and looked at me confused but not shocked.
“Maddy, we have only met that one night at Blue’s when I said we were over. I have not seen you since and you know it.”
The line goes quiet for a minute. “Maddy, are you there?”
I looked over at Emma who was losing her patience. I fought the urge to lean in and kiss her, wipe her tears, and throw my phone against the wall. But I knew this had to be done and Emma had to hear it.
“Why not me?” Maddy said. “We have had a great thing going for how long? I have done everything you wanted to, was fine with no commitment, treated you damn good, and then Emma comes along and you
