Fever Dream (Emerald Lake, #1)(100)

She lowers her gun slightly, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that she’s pointed it directly at Carl’s penis.

“Fucking brat bitches,” he mumbles before turning to walk back to his truck.

But Tina doesn’t let him get the last word. “That’s right, loser. Run away from the little brat bitches.”

His face is beet red, contorted with rage when he turns back to look at her. But he doesn’t bother saying another word. He gets into his truck and flees.

Like the little brat bitch I always suspected existed under all that bluster.

When he finally pulls away, I can properly check in with myself.

My heart is racing. My breathing has gone shallow. And when I lift my hand to splay it on my chest, it trembles.

I jump when a hand lands on my shoulder, but one quick look to my right eases that anxiety instantly.

“You did good,” Tina says, gun propped under her arm, a wistful smile on her face. “You didn’t have to do that, but you did good.”

“He’s fucking infuriating.”

She wheezes a laugh. “Don’t I know it. Watching my daughter bring that man home was an exercise in patience. Still is.”

“Yeah,” I reply breathlessly. “That must have been something.”

“It’s hard to watch your kids make mistakes,” Tina says firmly, dropping her hand from my shoulder. “But it has to be done. You interfere too much, they resent you. You let them sink a little while in the deep end, and they reach to you for comfort. And they’ll always come back. You’ve got to let them make their mistakes, even when you know they’re dating a fucking loser.”

I snort out a surprised laugh. Somehow, I didn’t expect Emmett’s oma to be this candid with me when we barely know each other.

“Yeah, I imagine Emmett has given you a run for your money in that department.”

She smiles, kind eyes sparkling in my direction. “Indeed, he has. But you know what? He figured it out. After all, it just took the right girl to bring it out in him. And to see him now? Smitten? Well, it was worth every bump in the road.”

I blink in shock, not knowing whether I should confirm or deny anything she’s just said.

Then she pats me on the back rather roughly. I kind of suspect this is about as sentimental as Tina Brandt gets.

She chuckles as she walks away, hiking the rifle up under her arm. “God, I can’t wait to tell him about you giving Carl a piece of your mind.”

“Thanks for helping. I owe you one,” I call to her, because I have no idea how that would have gone without her interference.

She waves her hand dismissively. “You already brought my boy back to life. You don’t owe me shit.”

She walks away, leaving me speechless. And then with a racing heart and a full head, I head out to pick up my favorite bubble tea.

Because if I thought I was anxious before, I have no idea what I am now.





OFFICIAL MEMO




To: Richard Wadsworth From: Teri Baker Subject: Bachelor Absences

While the bachelor has been very cooperative on set, he has not been spending many nights at his cottage on set as discussed in person.



I am also attaching the images that our contractor has come back with.



Camera was placed as you directed.



Footage has been captured. Breach of contract is all but confirmed.



It appears that one contestant (Catherine) is in on the violation.





Sincerely,

Teri Baker

Story Producer





CHAPTER 40


Emmett


I FINISH RECORDING A candlelit dinner with Evelyn while Julia stands on the sidelines stone-faced.

I like to think I’m doing a good job of not constantly reorienting back to her, but the truth is I can’t help myself. She’s on my mind twenty-four hours a day. When I’m sleeping, I dream about her. When I wake up, I reach for her. When I go to sleep, I drift off imagining all the things I want to do with her.

All I know is I want her as close to me as possible. I’ve started looking forward to the end of the show more than ever.

My plan is to collect that final check, hand it over to my family, and go find her so I can drop to my knees and beg her to forgive me for putting her through this ordeal.

In the meantime, I just keep reminding myself that she’s still here. She hasn’t left. She’s sticking around. And that’s all I can ask for.

Hell, it’s more than I have any right to ask.

“Emmett! My office,” Dick Wad snipes before I can get off the set.

My plan is to make a beeline straight to Julia’s apartment because as sweet as it is for Catherine to help us, it’s just not worth the risk when the end is in sight.

So with a regretful sigh, I head toward the utility trailer that Richard’s made into his office, hoping I can get this done and out of the way.

He’s already seated behind his desk when I step in, grinning at me in a way that makes my hackles rise.

“Over here, Emmett.” He gestures for me to come around the desk, and when I do, he opens a folder on his computer screen. “I just wanted to show you a few things.”

It takes me a moment to register what I’m seeing. Richard casually scrolls through pictures of Julia.