Page 18 of Puck Me at Midnight

Her breathing has become more rapid and shallow, “Yes…”

I quicken my pace, wanting come with her even if it’s just over the phone. “I need you to come with me, sugar.”

I hear the sounds of her release and find mine.

“Emma?” I softly say her name. “Are you okay?”

“I’m wonderful, Spike, but don’t think this gets you out of showing me how much you’ve missed me when you get home.”

I lean back against the headboard, the tension building in my body. “I won’t, Em. When I get home, it’s just you and me. I’m going to make sure you forget everything except me.”

The line goes quiet for a moment, then she responds, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m already thinking about it. Can’t wait for you to come home.”

I chuckle, my body reacting to her words. “Trust me, babe. You’ll be so lost in me that you won’t even remember your own name.”

We keep talking for another thirty minutes or so. It’s hard to believe that when I get back, I’ll have her in my arms again. This trip can’t be over fast enough.

Chapter Fourteen

Emma

After putting Charlie down for the night and tucking Sam into bed, I tiptoe out of the boys’ room, pulling the door closed behind me. The house is quiet, the kind of peace that comes after a long day of play, snacks, and toddler chaos. I head to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, but my phone buzzes on the counter, lighting up with an unknown number. I hesitate before answering, curiosity getting the better of me.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Emma Quinn?” a cheerful voice greets me. “This is Meredith Palmer from the Children’s Learning Initiative.”

“Hi, Meredith. How can I help you?”

“We’ve reviewed your application and interview from a few months ago and are thrilled to offer you the assistant program director position.”

My stomach drops. The job. I had applied for it before everything—before Spike, Sam, and Charlie. It had been my dream job back then, a chance to work with children in a structured, impactful way and still have a life of my own. But now, the thought of leaving this family feels unthinkable. My voice catches in my throat as I respond.

“Oh, wow. Thank you. I… I’m honored,” I say, trying to sound composed. “I’ll need to… think about it.”

“Of course,” Meredith says warmly. “We’ll need an answer by the end of the week, but take your time. It’s an amazing opportunity, and we’re excited about what you can bring to the role.”

I thank her again and hang up, staring at the phone in my hand. The job offer feels surreal, like a glimpse into a past life I don’t want anymore. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice Spike standing in the doorway until he clears his throat.

“Who was that?” he asks, his voice tight.

I jump, clutching the phone to my chest. “Oh, it… it was someone from a job I applied for a long time ago,” I say. “I honestly forgot about it until now.”

His jaw tightens, and he steps into the kitchen, crossing his arms over his chest. “A job? Are you leaving?”

“No! I didn’t say that,” I reply, startled by the intensity in his tone. “I told them I’d think about it, but it was because I was caught off guard.”

“So you’re thinking about it,” he snaps. “While you’re living here, taking care of the boys, you’re considering bailing?”

“Spike, that’s not fair,” I say, my voice rising defensively. “I applied for that job before I even knew you. Before I knew Sam and Charlie. I forgot it existed until tonight.”

“And now you’re reconsidering?” His voice is sharp, almost accusatory. “Do you have any idea what that would do to them? To me?”

I gape at him, anger bubbling to the surface. “You think I don’t care about them? About you? Everything I do is for those boys, Spike.”

“They’ve already lost their parents,” he fires back. “And now you’re just going to walk out on them, too?”

His words hit me like a slap. “How dare you?” I whisper, my voice trembling. “You don’t get to stand there and accuse me ofabandoning them. I have been here every single day, giving them everything I have.”

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