Back to Me (Book Three ✓)

thirty-nine

EMMA

"Hey, Parker," I bite my lip, trying to tell myself I'm overthinking things. "Have you heard from Beau today?"

I'm not sure I sounded as nonchalant as I'd hoped. Damn.

I recover my personal pint of mint ice cream, popping it back in the freezer and looking for another snack.

This weekend has been hell. Every bump in the night startles me into a heart cramp, every shadow a horrifying threat. I hate that someone out there can make me feel like this, afraid in a place that's always been full of love.

The police did drive by, but that did little to calm my nerves.

I want Beau home. I want him to at least check in.

"Nope." Parker tips his head back in the couch, looking at me upside down. I can still see his brow raised at me, too quiet to ask outright but too intrusive not to show me he knows something's up.

I exhale deeply. I like him a lot, I do. But having two Beau's around is a lot sometimes.

Coming to my side in the kitchen, Parker's voice is kind. "Is something wrong?"

"No." I lift my head from my hands, trying to convince myself that the weird feeling in my gut is nothing to worry about. "I just haven't heard from him. He was supposed to see Max today, I was wondering how it went."

"Oh." Is all Parker says for a moment. Then, "And you're worried about Zoey, too, right?"

I hold back an eye roll.

Yeah, having two men with no social filter always picking up on my moods can definitely be a lot.

"Yes." I admit, opening the fridge for something to eat. Or drink. Preferably both, my cravings are coming on strong today. "But not because I think anything will happen between them."

Parker says nothing, settling into the stool across from me.

"I just can't shake this feeling about Zoey. Does she seem... I don't know, strange, to you? I just feel like she's not being honest. I'm worried about how that will affect Beau, that's all."

I'm rambling. But I'm nervous. I glance at my phone again, resisting the urge to dial Beau's number. Again.

"I don't like her, if that's what you mean." Parker shrugs. "Seems sort of sneaky to me. But who am I to judge?"

"Huh." I click my tongue, pouring myself a large glass of pineapple juice.

Enjoying the sweet taste, I close my eyes, reminding myself to relax. My hands find my belly and I feel more at ease. Until...

What the... Is that... My eyes flash open, blush spreading across my cheeks. Oh my God, did I pee myself?

One hand flies to my mouth, the other barely touching my crotch. My leggings are damp, a slow trickle leaking down my leg and making a small puddle at the floor.

Zeus is at my feet immediately, whining loudly as he sniffs the fluid.

"Um... Emma?" Parker gulps. His eyes slowly raise from the puddle to my face. "What does that mean?"