Page 45 of The Double Play

His thumb strokes my cheekbone, making it difficult to answer. I feel like I’m in a dream.

“I-I’m okay.” I might not be if he keeps staring at me like I’m important to him, though.

“And your mom?”

I tilt my head down, unable to look him in the eye while telling him what’s really going on. His hand slides down with my movement. The warmth of his palm heats my neck.

“My mom isn’t sick like I told you. She–well, she had alcohol poisoning. Raven called yesterday after finding her unconscious. She’s okay now. The doctor said she can have visitors.” My chest tightens as all of my worries come rushing back. “I haven’t gone to see her yet because I’m a coward who can’t make up her mind.”

Emmett tilts my face back up, his other hand framing my face. He stares into my eyes.

“You are not a coward, Hazel. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met.” His words hold a conviction that makes my breath catch.

“You really think that?” I whisper.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

A soft laugh escapes me. “No, you don’t. I just feel like I should be strong enough to decide one way or the other, but I’m not.”

“I think you are. I think you know what you want to do, but you’re tired of being alone.”

I blink away more tears. “How do you know that?”

His mouth hitches up on the left side. “Because I’ve felt the same way.”

I place my hands on his forearms and squeeze as I think of the pain he must have endured alone after his divorce.

He swipes my tears away. “Now, my brave girl, what do you want to do?”

My heart stumbles over his words, but I’m too emotionally raw to dwell on them.

“I want to see her, to make sure she’s okay with my own eyes,” I say quietly.

He nods. “Okay. Do you want me to go with you?”

My chin trembles. “You would do that?”

“For you, I’d do that and a whole lot more, Hazel.”

My bruised and aching heart swells in my chest.

“Would you stand outside the door? That way I’ll know you’re nearby, but I can be alone with her.”

“Sure, I can do that.”

I give him a wobbly smile. “Thank you, Emmett.”

He pulls me in for another hug. My eyes fall shut and I breathe in his clean laundry scent.

“On second thought, I think I’ll just stay here,” I murmur against his chest.

A chuckle rumbles through him. My face heats. I can’t believe I said that out loud. The sleep deprivation and lack of food must have caught up to me.

“That’s an option too. Whatever you want.”

My heart warms from his offer. There’s my third option. A small, genuine smile stretches my lips.

“It’s tempting, but I think I should go.” I pull away from him, immediately missing the contact.

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