Page 24 of Trouble Me
“I don’t, but Del is pretty popular in any circle. He was here last weekend. We’ve played golf a few times.”
Her eyes widened. “Golf? Del played golf?” She laughed until her side ached. “Oh boy, I can’t wait to talk to him again. He used to make fun of the guys who would come around here and golf. I may call him when I get home just to mess with him.” She hummed. “Did you tell him I worked with you?”
“No, I didn’t make the connection until later.”
“Ha! Perfect, he’ll wonder how I know what he’s been up to and it will drive him crazy. Del’s hard to get one over on. Yes!” She fist pumped the air. “Thank you, Shane.”
He chuckled. “Anything to help in the war of sibling rivalry. Or cousin rivalry in your case.” A pause. “I should let you go. Plot world domination and all. I assume you’re alone.”
His low, throaty voice shot a zing through her body. She bit her bottom lip. Of course, she was in a two-year-long sex drought and she was beginning to crack. Anything the man said to her lately made her think of sex.
“Last man standing.”
“I figured. Be careful on your way out.”
“Care about my well-being, Shane?” She intended it to be a joke, but as soon as his name left her mouth, she closed her eyes and wanted to kick herself. What the hell was she saying? It was like poking the proverbial bear.
“Of course, Emma,” he said, his tone soft. He cleared his throat as the tense silence drew out. “I care what happens to all my employees.” His voice had lost that throaty, intimate quality.
Right. Employee. Her lips twisted into a grimace and she fought back the emotions that crawled up and landed in her chest. “You’re a good man, Shane. Well, I’m going to head out. I’m starving. Talk tomorrow?”
“Yeah, sure.”
All teasing was gone and it was back to business as usual. “Bye, Shane.”
“Bye, Emma.”
This phone conversation confused Emma. Shane ran hot and cold with her, as though he'd forget their circumstances and then catch himself. She should be grateful that he’d backed off. The way he made her blood run so hot, she wasn’t sure she could do the same if he didn’t stop.
She sank back into her office chair with a deep sigh. It was time to head to a meeting, pronto. She hadn’t been to one in weeks and needed to find a way to take the edge off. Her old go-to habits were no longer an option. Liquor was obviously out of the question, as was picking up a stranger in a bar—something she’d quit doing even before she became sober—and, thanks to the pin in her femur, running was out as well.
No time like the present. A glance at her phone told her that a meeting would be starting soon, but she could still make it if she hauled ass.
Thirty minutes later, Emma sat in a folding chair in the musty basement of a Methodist church, stirring powdered creamer into a Styrofoam cup of coffee that resembled motor oil. She glanced around at the few people milling around the room, relieved to find strangers. Madison Ridge had their own meetings three times a week in a church basement as well, but while most people knew about her demise, it didn’t mean she wanted to know about anyone else’s issues or fuel the town gossip further. There was a reason why the program was “anonymous”.
“Hey, girl.”
Emma turned her head to the soft voice behind her. Shifting her body in the seat, she smiled at Kristen, a young woman she’d spoken to a few times before the meetings started. “Hey, how are you?”
Kristen shrugged, but it was more like a jerky twitch. Her leg bounced as though it were on a spring. “Today’s been a rough day.” She took a sip of her coffee, tendrils of steam swirling around her dark messy bun. “My court hearing didn’t go so great.”
“Oh no, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize it was today.” Emma reached out over the back of her chair and held out her hand. Kristen dropped her head and grabbed Emma’s hand like it was a lifeline. Maybe it was. She had no other words to offer, so she just let the girl cry in silence.
Her heart broke for Kristen. The state recently took her two young kids into custody after she was caught driving under the influence with her children in the car. Kristen faced a load of charges and spent some time in jail before being sent to rehab for the third time. After that stint, Kristen’s family had written her off and she had no support system. Emma hoped Kristen could follow the program and string some sober time together for her kids.
But the trembling hand, the bouncing knee, and the clamminess of her skin twisted Emma’s gut. If she had to guess, she’d say that Kristen’s last drink—or fix, or maybe both—was probably only a day or two ago.
Kristen raised her head, tears coursing down her cheeks. She released Emma’s hand and brushed at her face with her sleeve. Emma wanted to hug her and tell her it would all be okay. But the truth was she didn’t even know that for herself, much less a young mother who by all accounts hadn’t found her rock bottom just yet. Emma could only hope Kristen’s rock bottom wouldn’t land her in the morgue.
“Okay, everyone, let’s get started.”
Emma tilted her head to catch Kristen’s eye. “Want to talk after the meeting?” she whispered.
Kristen wouldn’t meet her gaze. She wiped the last of the tears from her face and leaned back in her chair. “No, thanks. I’m good. I got some help.”
“Okay. I’m here if you need me.” Emma frowned when Kristen ignored her and brought her arm back over the chair, facing forward. She couldn’t make the girl talk to her. Emma could only hope her “help” wasn’t in the form of a pint of vodka or a bottle of pills.
Emma sipped her coffee and focused on reciting the twelve steps and traditions. Her heart went out to Kristen, but for now she’d concentrate on her own shit she had to work out. Namely the fact that she had the hots for her sexy boss and that was the road less traveled for a damn good reason.
