Page 14 of The Soul that Redeems Me
Sitting in the seat, we slowly made our rotation in the giant wheel, gaining a view of the city that makes you appreciate the green spaces that Atlanta is known for. The city is large but there are still trees and grass, fresh air, and sunshine, to let you know that you are still in the beautiful South.
When we reached the top, the wheel slowed to a stop as the sun was beginning to set over the city, a slight breeze blowing, the night slowly beginning to envelop us in its darkness. I reached over, pushed her long brown hair off her shoulder and turned her face toward mine. The gaze she gave me let me know she was in the moment, and I found myself lost in her eyes.
Leaning down, I slowly kissed her, my hand wrapped around her neck, as I stroked her beautiful face. She surprised me with the feeling of her small tongue darting out to lick my lips, a groan broke free as I responded with my tongue and slowly made love to her mouth.
The kiss began to grow hotter and I was beginning to grow hard as the wheel slowly made the rest of its rotation. I pulled back and kissed her forehead as she let out a content sigh and snuggled into my arm, her head leaning on me and our hands intertwined. The ride was over faster than I would have liked as we gave up our seats to waiting riders. We began walking into the park, observing the booths set up, people selling their goods and wares.
I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket as we found a bench and sat down to watch the people wandering around, having fun, and making memories. Taking it out and looking at the screen, I saw that it was Jason.
Strange for him to be calling me on a Friday night, I immediately began to worry that something was wrong with Maddie or James. “Jason, is everything okay?” I asked instead of the regular hello greeting I should have done. Emily looked up at me with a worried expression. I kissed her gently and stood up, walking a few feet away from her, always keeping her in my direct line of site.
“Josh. Everything is fine. I just talked to Caroline and Maddie on a conference call, they told me the proposed idea and I wanted to see what decisions had been made as far as Emily was concerned.” He vaguely replied.
“What is really going on Jason? This is the second time in a few days that you have inquired about her and her well-being. What do you know that I don’t” I asked him in a low tone but directly to the point. Jason was a straight shooter like I was and that was one reason we got along so well. “If there is something going on that I need to know about where she is concerned, tell me now.” The gruffness in my tone leaving no room for error
If there is a threat against her, I will kill whoever is trying to hurt her.
A sigh came through the line and I knew he had something on his mind he was hoping I wouldn’t pick up on. “Can you meet me for breakfast tomorrow? She is safe, and I promise I will do anything and everything to keep her that way. I… I just worry about her and I have a feeling that, well…I don’t know exactly what. I know I’m not making any sense right now, but maybe you can understand after we talk.”
“When and where?” I asked, not needing anything more. If he knew something or was having a gut feeling, I needed to flush it out and find out what was happening.
“Eight in the morning. Bagel and Brew on Peachtree North. Can you make it?”
“I’ll see you then.” I disconnected the call and made my way back to her.
“Are you ready to head home? I think we should tell Andrew and Caroline what you decided.” I explained, trying to keep my tone even and happy, not wanting her to know I was now scanning the face of everyone here, looking for threats against her.
We made it back to the apartment without incident and I began to think Jason’s paranoia had started to wear off on me. Riding the elevator up, I pulled her small hand up to my lips and gave her another kiss before we went to explain our new budding relationship to her family. I refused to hide what we were and where we were headed from them. I wanted them to know from the start that she is mine and I will do anything to make her happy and ensure she is protected.
I woke up the next morning and made my way to the gym for a shortened workout. I needed to burn off some of the frustration and nervous energy I had about meeting Jason this morning. He knew something regarding Emily and I was determined to find out everything I can to ensure her safety and well-being.
I arrived at the coffee house about fifteen minutes prior to my scheduled meeting only to find Jason already in line, having ordered two coffees and bagels for us. I walked up and patted him on the back, “Good morning Jason.”
“Good morning Josh. I ordered you something to eat but feel free to change it if you want something specific.” He opened his wallet and made a movement to pay.
“Whatever you ordered is fine. I’ll find us a seat.” I began walking toward the back of the empty coffee shop, hoping to have some privacy for a discussion that I could tell was weighing heavily on Jason.
My thoughts begin to wander while he waited for our order. He was worried about her safety, as we all were, but his concern over her and me was what was bothering me. He could easily ask Caroline or Maddie what is going on with her, but he continues to come to me for updates. Seeing him talk to her at the hospital now seems even more confusing. I’m letting my imagination run wild and I need to rein in my temper.
Jason sits down with our tray of breakfast and I thank him before taking a much needed swallow of hot coffee. I hadn’t slept much last night and I needed the caffeine to keep my thoughts straight.
“How did the conversation go with Andrew and Caroline last night? What did you and Emily decide? Are you moving in or are you buying in the building?” Jason asked while I placed my coffee down and folded my hands together.
“Jason, whatever is going on, I need you to tell me. I have a feeling you are the holder of more knowledge than you let on to and if it has anything to do with Emily, I demand to know.” My tone was deeper than I had intended. Jason was here to help and I was allowing my feelings for Emily to run my emotions.
“I, well… Damn it! Okay, I’ll tell you everything I know and you can decide how we proceed. I’m guessing that you and Emily have decided to share an apartment?”
“We talked last night and I am taking Andrew and Caroline’s old room.”
“That’s great. I know you two are meant to be together. I saw that day at Lucas’s lake house when we had the big family cookout. You look at her like I use to look at Sara, so I knew that eventually you would figure out how to make her yours.”
“Jason, please get to the point. I’m not trying to be rude but I’m going out of my mind with worry that something or someone is trying to hurt her and I need to know she is okay.” I explained, my hands catching my head as I leaned on the table, willing my anger to settle down.
“How much do you know about what happened to her?” I snapped my head up and glared at him.
“Too much and hardly anything at the same time. Why? What does what she endured have to do with anything? That bastard is in jail and should be there another eight to eleven years from what Andrew briefly shared.” I didn’t want to discuss what my beautiful Emily had to live through.
“When I found out what happened, after they moved back to Georgia, I got my lawyers to look into everything.” He paused to look at me before continuing, “I didn’t want the details, I wanted to make sure that bastard got everything he deserves for what he did to that sweet girl. Has Andrew ever discussed what happened?”
