And I didn’t think I’d ever been trying to project the image of a perfect wife. I was doing a piss-poor job of it, honestly.
“I can’t,” I said again. “I’m sorry. You’re right that Matt and I aren’t happy, but I can’t jump into something else right now.”
“I’ll wait for you,” he said in a rush. “If you need time. Please, Lucy, just—” He didn’t finish. He cut himself off by kissing me again. I wasn’t sure what he meant by “I’ll wait” if he was going to immediately kiss me again.
“Emmett, stop.” I pushed him away again. “This isn’t going to happen, okay? I’m sorry.”
All the hope drained from his face. “What?”
“I’m not, I don’t … I don’t feel that way about you. We’ve been friends forever, we shouldn’t—”
“You don’t feel that way about me? Why do you keep kissing me then?”
“I’m sorry, I—”
“You wouldn’t keep kissing me if you didn’t feel something!” His voice had an angry edge to it now.
“Okay, time to go!” Savvy yelled. I heard her car door slam, and she appeared through the trees a moment later.
I felt a rush of gratitude that she’d ignored me when I said Emmett could drive me home.
“For fuck’s sake, Savvy, would you stop sticking your nose in our business?” Emmett snapped. “We’re having a conversation here.”
“It sounded more like you were yelling at her.”
“I wasn’t yelling at her, I’m just trying—”
“It’s fine,” I interrupted. “Can we just continue this tomorrow, Emmett? It’s late, and I’ve had a lot to drink.”
“You don’t need to continue anything,” Savvy said. “She said no, dude. Accept it.”
Emmett’s nostrils flared. “No one was talking to you. Just let Lucy and me—”
“Get it through your thick skull, asshole. No. Complete sentence.” She looped her arm through mine, tugging gently.
“No. We’re not done.” Emmett grabbed my other hand, roughly pulling me away from Savvy. He had a vise grip on my arm, and I winced.
“You did not just do that!” Savvy planted her hands on Emmett’s chest and shoved, hard. He stumbled back but didn’t let go of me.
“Don’t touch me,” he growled.
“Let her go.”
“No.”
“Emmett, please let me go,” I said, trying desperately to stay calm. My brain was flashing Danger, danger at me.
My fists curled, almost against my will. I was ready to fight. I’d been here so many times with Matt.
“My god, you are such a dick,” Savvy yelled. “Just let her go!”
“Just fucking mind your own business for once, you stupid little—”
I punched him. My fist connected with his jaw. I’d had some practice with Matt, but it still wasn’t the best punch. I lost my balance, and it didn’t land as hard as I’d intended.
Still, he stumbled back, sputtering, and released my arm. Wasn’t used to taking a hit like Matt was.
“I said no!” I was screaming. I hadn’t meant to, but it felt like my brain had short-circuited. I wasn’t fully in control. “I don’t want your fucking help! I don’t care about your stupid childhood crush!”
Emmett gaped at me. I was shaking as I turned away. Savvy gave me a thoroughly impressed look.
“Time to go,” she said, and then laughed.
I glanced back at Emmett in time to see him lunge at me.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
LUCY
“Hey,” Emmett says, his voice muffled through the car window, bringing me back to the present. He opens the door. I wish I’d locked it. He kneels down so we’re at eye level. “Don’t leave. Come inside for a minute.”
“Lucy?” Ben’s voice is small, coming from the phone I have lowered onto my thigh. Emmett glances down at it.
“Who is that?” Emmett asks.
“Ben,” I say faintly. I’m frozen. All I can see is Emmett’s angry face as he lunges for me.
“Hi, Ben!” Emmett says loudly, cheerfully. He smiles at me.
I don’t know whether my face shows how baffled I am. I’m too numb to feel anything.
“Are you going to hang up with him or…？” Emmett laughs a little.
And then he swallows, and I see it. He’s nervous.