Page 78 of When to Call a Blitz

“I hope so. Leo needs the win too.”

Briar nods next to her.

We gather the girls from the corner they were sitting in, reading and coloring. For whatever reason they had absolutely no interest in actually watching the game tonight, which was honestly fine.

“So you guys had an argument the other night?” Briar says under her breath as we head down.

I roll my eyes. “Did Leo tell you that?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “I can just tell.”

Did I look that miserable? “We did. I’m sorry if I’ve been shitty,” I tell her on a sigh.

“We all have those moments, babe. Trust me. None of us are perfect. Anything I can help with?”

I shuffle from foot to foot as we wait for the hallway to clear, everyone pushing and shoving each other. “I don’t think so. I just have to keep my head down and do my job or quit.”

Briar bites her lip. “I’m not going to tell you what to do, because it seems like Emmett wants to make everything complicated. But just know that there’s hope there. Leo sees it. I see it. Just don’t let him get you down. Hold firm and make sure that you know your worth, got it?”

If it were only so easy as saying yes.

37

EMMETT

I’m in my driveway lacing up my shoes, freezing my ass off when she pulls in.

It’s the day before Leo’s thanksgiving party, and I want nothing more than to make sure that Heidi is feeling okay about u—her job.

I can see her brows furrow through the window of the car as I blow into my hands in a desperate attempt to warm them up.

“You okay?” she asks, getting out. “Is this where I get fired?”

“What?” I rear back. “No. I was going to go running with you.”

“It’s cold,” she states stiffly as she looks around at the ice on the ground. Itiscold. But I want to spend the time with her. And if I’m being completely frank, I really missed our runs.

“You saying you don’t want to go for a run?” She’s wearing tight leggings, a puffy jacket that looks both warm and perfect for runs somehow, and a pair of earmuffs, and upon closer inspection, her bag of clothes are in the front seat of the car.

Which means she’s showering here… it’s a thought that somehow hasn’t occurred to me until now, considering she waits until after I’m gone and Juniper is at school to do so. She wouldn’t have time. But of course she showers at my place.

Something stirs deep in my belly, and I hate it.

Clenching my jaw, I force myself to give her a weak smile, which she of course sees right through. An eye roll later and she’s off without a word.

This time, I chase after her.

The run lasts about thirty minutes before we’re back at my place. Heidi’s face is red, her breathing heavy but not as bad as it was when she first started. Breathing in the cold air is hard.

“You did really well,” I tell her, sticking out my hand for her to high-five.

“You did too,” she murmurs, heading inside.

She gets right to work making Juniper breakfast and packing her lunch, and I get right to work making us coffee. It’s early, and Juniper is rummaging about in her bathroom.

Pouring our mugs, I hand one to Heidi, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity before looking into the cup. With a little huff, she opens the fridge and pours a little more creamer into it, making it just a shade lighter.

I fight back a smile, and it pains me that I desperately want to get it right next time.

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