Page 133 of Already At Risk
“We need to talk.”
It was the first thing Gemma said to me when she opened the door later that night, when I arrived at her and Noah’s apartment to pick up Chloe after skating. My brother and his fiancée were still making the slow transition to the new house in the suburbs—a good thing for me that they hadn’t entirely relocated yet.
“What’s going on?”
I frowned, taking in Gemma’s huddled posture, the quick glance over her shoulder as she let me inside. Anxiety made a swift arrival, sinking in my gut.
“I don’t want Chloe to hear,” she said, and that sinking feeling only worsened. “Noah’s with the girls on the couch.”
“Gemma, what’s wrong?”
I needed her to tell me before I lost it. It had been another long, intense day at the hospital, and I wasn’t sure I could handle any more trauma tonight.
“I’m sure you’re incredibly tired, and I wish I didn’t have to bring this up right now, but you need to know.” She took a deep breath, scaring the living shit out of me while giving me a sympathetic, caring look. “Korey came to skating tonight.”
“Oh,God,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead in preparation for whatever else Gemma was about to say. Because I was sure there was more. “He’s trying to suck up and look like he actually cares about his daughter before the trial.”
Gemma nodded, agreeing. “Chloe was…mostly happy to see him,” she added. “She seemed a little worried he was taking her home with him. The first thing she said was, ‘I thought I was going home with Gemma.’ Korey didn’t like that.”
My stomach tightened, keenly aware of just how much that probably bothered my ex.
“But as soon as I cleared things up for her, she was fine,” Gemma said.
I nodded. Okay, that was good.
Except I could tell Gemma wasn’t done.
“And then Korey asked about her day,” she continued hesitantly. “And Chloe was maybe a littletooexcited to spill everything. Specifically, about Cameron. And going to the firm with him. And last night, when he babysat her.”
Oh,shit.
I leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling a little faint. I had no doubt Korey would try to use this information in ways I didn’t even want to think about.
“Why don’t you come in?” Gemma asked gently, noting my reaction. “Sit down for a little bit. Can I get you anything?”
“No, no,” I assured her. “I’m okay. Really. It’s just…” I sighed, shaking my head. “There was an emergency yesterday at work, and Cameron offered to help, and then he offered again today, and Chloe wassoexcited. She really likes him, and—” I broke off with a groan.
AndIreally like him.
Gemma nodded, understanding. “She told Korey that, too. How much she likes Cameron.”
“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “How did Korey react?”
She winced, which wasn’t a good sign. “Not great. He wasn’tmeanto Chloe or anything, but he was asking her all these questions about Cameron, and I could tell by his expression that he wasn’t happy, and I’m just worried for you and the case and Cameron’s promotion.”
“I—Cameron’s promotion?”
Gemma cocked her head to the side. “Yeah, Noah told me a bit ago that he’s hoping to make junior partner soon. I figured he might have told you since you’ve been working so closely. I guess his chances are really good, as long as…” She trailed off when she saw my expression, the blood draining from my face. “Nat?”
Why the hell wouldn’t he tell me that? Why would Cameronnotmention how close he was to a promotion when we were doing things that could very muchcosthim that promotion?
Oh my God.I was going to cost him a promotion, wasn’t I? Korey was going to do something that would cost Cameron everything, his dreams of following in his dad’s footsteps, and all because he wanted to help me and Chloe. All because he was a better man than Korey ever was.
“I just—” I shook my head, still reeling with that information. “I just didn’t know.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Gemma was quick to reassure me, but I wasn’t so easily convinced. My stomach roiled with guilt, hot and heavy in my gut. “I mean, you haven’t done anythingwrong. He’s just been helping out a bit, right?”
I bit down on my lip, flashed her a shaky grin, and said, “Right.”
