Embracing Emma (Companion to Brisé) Read Online Free Page B

he knew how I felt about her, he wouldn’t question me. Everything I do is for her. Football is my dream but it’s also a way I can take care of her. Our future will be secure if I make it into the pros. All the training, all the time away from her . . . it all factors into my end game. Playing football I let the noises fade and become part of a game; it’s more than a sport to me. I’ve put in the work, the effort is paying off, I just wish they’d see it.
    “You act like I whore around.”
    “Mouth, young man.”
    “I wouldn’t have asked her out if it didn’t mean something.”
    “She’s special, William. I don’t want her hurt.”
    “Got it.” I turn on my heels, ignoring the rest of his words. Don’t hurt Emma. She’s special. I know all this, but what about me . . . I matter in this equation. How is he so blind to how I feel or how much she means to me? I don’t deny or hide my feelings in regards to her, but when I cut him out of my life, it’s like he lost interest in me. I throw my backpack, letting it bounce off the bed, change as fast as possible to running gear, and hit the street. If I stay, I’m liable to blow up at him and all their preconceived notions. At this moment, it’s just my dad, but as soon as Pops walks in the door, they’ll tag team me. They’ll delve into my feelings, cast the guilt trip, tell me how special Emma is . . . like I don’t know that. Once they harp on what I should and shouldn’t do with Emma, it will turn into a lecture about my attitude, my distance from them, am I doing drugs? How are my grades? I just can’t deal with creating the distance I need from them when they constantly try to connect. I yearn to let go of my feelings, embrace them again, and stop denying us the relationship we once had, but I keep a disconnect in all aspects of life . . . except with Ems. I know I should be thrilled to have two parents who love me . . . but I can’t help to think they took what they could get. Two gay men weren’t at top of the list at adoption agencies. They adopted me, but they aren’t my blood. Poor little boy from Honduras whose mom didn’t want him, who had no father. Along with the most American name in history . . . nothing fits me any more. The only thing that makes sense is the girl next door.
    The angel created from love.
    The one who survived when all odds were against her.
    The embodiment of hope.
    My Ems.

Chapter Five
    Emma
     
     
    He asked me on a date.
    He just made me the happiest girl in the universe.
    He will be mine.
    Grinning like a loon, I trip into the table sitting in our foyer. “Emma, is that you?”
    “Yes, Mom.” The elation I felt walking in the door begins to fade. Is she going to have tear-filled eyes when she greets me, or a smile? I’ll know in an instant how her appointment went.
    “Did you break another piece of my glass?” I can breathe. She wouldn’t be so jovial if she were dying.
    “Ha-ha. You wound me.” I stare at her, study her movements to see if I notice a change in them.
    She comes to a stop in front of me, “I can see from that smile you have a date? And I’m fine. Just like I told you I would be. ”
    “Is nothing sacred?” I push myself into her, needing the comfort of her arms to remind me she’s still here. Cancer isn’t taking her from me.
    “The day I birthed you, we lost all modesty in our relationship.” She kisses my forehead and pushes me back, holding my face while tweaking my nose.
    “Yes, I have a date.” I watch her eyes gleam, and her dimples show as she beams at me.
    “Wanna go shopping?”
    “As much as I want a root canal without Novocain.”
    “I swear you were switched at birth.”
    “Look in the mirror.”
    “That’s the only thing that saves me from returning you to your rightful owners.”
    “I’m not a dog.”
    “About as graceful as one.” Our banter could last for days. It’s inherent.
    “What’s this about shopping? Who is trying to bankrupt me?” my dad