"Did you find her?" Spike asked, standing in the kitchen while holding a mug of tea.
Jay and Sean came in after midnight, both looking exhausted. Sean closed the door after Jay and rubbed his eyes, "No Spike. Sorry."
Spike frowned but shrugged her shoulders, "She'll come home when she's ready. I'm going to go to bed. Thanks for trying, guys."
Jay nodded, watching her go and then eyed Sean at the corner of his eye. Sean went to the playpen by the couch. Peyton laid asleep with her blankey inside. Sean went to lean down to grab her but then he heard a distant cracking noise and looked up. Jay stood at the fridge and grabbed another beer in his other hand, walking over to Sean and gave him one too.
Jay then sat back on the couch and began to drink. Sean glanced down at his beer in his hands and just cursed under his breath. Why not? He sat on the other end and chugged it. He had spent all night driving everywhere. Up and down the main streets. He even thought maybe she'd go to the park. But nothing, nada.
Jay took a deep breath and he finally spoke up in the dim lighted room, "I should of stayed away from her." He admitted.
Sean glanced over and then uncomfortably shifted.
Jay bit the end of his tongue, "but you know what it's like, being a little 'bad', and just wanting to touch or be with something good for once."
Sean avoided looking at Jay or answering to that. Guess he could relate, but he still didn't like the thought of Jay touching Emma.
Jay smirked over to Sean, turning his head towards him. He lowered his voice and taunted a bit, "You like her, don't you?"
Sean now looked a bit startled but was quick to wipe it off his face, shaking his head and giving Jay a look. "She's 17."
Jay rolled his eyes. "Yea. And gorgeous. Smart. 18 by next week. Who the hell wouldn't want that?...I saw the look on your face when you heard what Peter said."
Sean clenched his jaw and just sipped his beer again. He didn't want to think about that right now either.
"She saw it too." Jay decided to add.
Sean looked down at his beer, tugging at the wrapper but thought about what he said. Did Emma leave upset because Sean heard what Peter said? Or cause her family did? Shit, why did he even care? He had to get over this. He barely even knew her… ..but it felt deep down like he did. They had this silent understanding with another. She hadn't even judged him or stuck her nose up at him when she found out he use to be a biker.
And the feelings he got when she was around? They were nearly suffocating. He couldn't think. He'd try not to stare but it was impossible. And when her eyes were on him, he got tense and nervous. Fuck, even when he had first met her, he couldn't take his eyes off then left as quick as he could to avoid whatever intense feeling it was rising in him. He never felt this way when he met Ellie or any other girls in the past. Ellie was just attraction… Emma was instant attraction and something deeper. He wanted to know her more. He even wanted her to know him. But her father probably would never allow that.
Jay got up and downed the rest of his beer. "Well, I'm not sure if it was nice meeting you. It was a hell of a night though."
Sean had to chuckle. He had decided he might like this one. As long as he didn't go after Emma.
As if reading his mind, Jay stopped by the door and joked, "And don't worry, me and Emma, whatever we were or were doing. It's over. I'm kinda.." he cringed, "Into her best friend. Who I fucked things up with, presumably."
"Manny?" Sean guessed.
"That's the one." Sighed Jay, and left with that, closing the door.
After a few more minutes and finishing his beer, Sean finally stood up to grab Peyton. Being as quiet as a mouse, Sean headed to the front door and then stopped in his tracks when it opened.
Emma came in, closing the door quietly behind her, unaware of Sean until she looked up and gasped a bit. She shut her eyes and breathed, "You scared me."
His hand was on Peyton's small back, his other arm wrapped around her to hold her against his chest. Her blankey was wrapped around her and she was out like a light. Sean carried her like she weighed absolutely nothing.
Emma then gazed away from Sean's eyes that pierced right through her. She really didn't want to talk about what had happened.
"Where'd you go?" Sean had to ask.
Emma's hazel eyes finally connected with his. He had the bluest nicest eyes she's ever seen. You could get lost in them if you really wanted to. It was easy.
"..Emerald Park." She admitted. Sean rolled his own eyes. The only park he didn't check since across the city.
"That's a long walk.."
"I was with Peter." Emma confessed, "I went to Manny's first. Then called him. We met up at the park and talked. And I think it's okay now?" Emma didn't look sure.
"For someone you're not dating anymore, he was pretty mad."
Emma flinched a bit by the reminder. "He said he still loved me. But I know he doesn't mean it. He thinks he does, but Peter hasn't…." she wanted to say Peter hasn't ever loved anyone, and that he was still probably too young to know what that was, Hell, she was still young. But when she locked eyes with Sean again, her heart pounded and she began to get flustered. What was this damn thing coming over her when Sean was near? Was she falling? Or just incredibly attracted to him?
Emma snapped out of it and just muttered, "He has a girlfriend now anyways.. It's been like months since the break up."
Sean raised his eyebrows and then smirked, "But he's still not over you? You're just a heart breaker then."
Emma snickered at Sean's playful joke, "Not really. Peters the only guy I've ever really been with. I told him that was probably why I did what I did with Jay." She avoided Sean's eyes again.
Wow. For not wanting to talk about this at all, she was telling Sean everything. The guy she thought she least wanted to know anything.
"That makes sense, Emma." The way he said her said sent her goosebumps. His voice was soft and understanding. "Shit happens. You were young."
Emma smirked at the keyword; Were.
Emma then glanced at Peyton who clung to her Daddy's chest. "You should bring her to bed." She then wondered, "Why are you guys here so late?"
Sean admitted with no hesitance, "I helped look for you."
Emma and Sean's eyes stared back at another for a long moment. Emma's heart skipped and she looked down, nervously running her hand through her hair. "Sorry."
Sean shook his head. He didn't mind.
Emma then opened the door for him, and leaned on it as Sean stepped out. Sean then looked over his shoulder with a side grin, "She loves the yogart by the way."
Emma blushed a bit and nodded, about to close the door. Something caught her eye though as she noticed a motorcycle across the street, lights still on and somebody on it. Sean must of not noticed. When Emma looked his way, he had already closed his front door. The driver on the bike in the shadows began to turn and ride off. Emma eyed the mysterious figure, wondering who it was. On the back of said drivers leather jacket was the word: Tracker.
Emma went to bed after that, drifting to sleep with a small smile on her lips.
(((**))))
"Happy birthday!" Manny happily said to Emma the next week, and she and the girls at the Brick café were celebrating Emma's birthday at the bar that night. They were working, but the Boss was fine with them having a few shots for Emma's 18th after midnight.
Emma laughed, sharing a shot with her, Holly J, and Alex.
Holly J cringed after the shot and asked, "How do people do this!?" she didn't drink much, maybe this was why!
"It's tequila." Alex informed with a smirk shared with Manny. Emma was still also shaking her head in disgust.
Manny teased, "We should of gotten salt and lemon but I just wanted the shot." She leaned closer to Emma as she whispered, "I needed it."
Emma smiled sadly. Manny and Jay still hadn't spoken and he hadn't even showed up to school even though exams were soon and he probably should be. He probably didn't want to face Manny though. Not after what had happened; Manny told Emma everything and it all made sense.
"How about another one?" Emma asked, grabbing the bottle again and refilling the shots. They laughed at Holly J's groan.
Meanwhile, across the bar at the pool table, Jesse and his friends Matt and Oz were playing. Oz was taking a shot as he eyed the bars counter with the girls behind it, taking shots.
"You think it's good?" he asked Jesse.
Jesse whistled low while nodding, "I think it's more than good. This place is open day and night."
Matt nodded in agreement, "That cash register is probably loaded with cash."
Jesse explained, "They've got more than just their cash in the register. There's a safety in the back. I saw it during the day when that dumbass cook works. He leaves the back door wide open when he's doing inventory."
"So we hit it by day?" Oz asked.
Jesse grabbed his pool stick to take his turn, and he nodded, "Exactly. It's not as busy as it is around night. They close the café at 5 and open the bar back up at 8. We'll rob the joint during it's intermission."
They all nodded and Jesse hit his solid 8 ball into the net with a smirk.
((*))
After they locked up the bar, Emma and Manny giggled a little drunkenly. "Don't get into too much trouble." Joked the bouncer before walking off.
Emma turned with Manny beside her, both still laughing. When they looked up, Manny squeaked a bit holding onto Emma's arm and the blonde balanced her. Jay was parked right by the curb, leaning on his orange civic. My did he look good too. Manny eyed him up and down before remembering they weren't speaking and narrowed her eyes.
"What do you want?" she asked.
He cleared his throat and crossed his arms, "Can I drive you home?"
Emma glanced at Manny who seemed to soften at the site of Jay. Manny then got sassy again, "I'm with Emma. It's her birthday."
Emma and Jay shared a look. Emma winced a little towards Manny, and stepped away, "I'm kind of tired.." she lied.
Manny's mouth fell but then pointed out, "You've been drinking. He can drive us both to your house?"
Jay would of agreed, but his lips twitched upwards. He knew Emma's ride was already covered and Emma did too when she glanced across the street. Emma saw Sean leaning on his bike, his arms crossed too with a killer smirk on his face. What was wrong with her and Manny? Was this bad boy season or what?
She tried not to blush and smile so hard. She turned to Manny again as she backed up, "I'm good. Call me later though!"
Manny gave her a confused look until Emma walked towards Sean. Manny scoffed and rolled her eyes. Ofcourse. Leave her with Jay Hogart.
But Emma knew Manny well. She knew Manny did have feelings for Jay too. Now that it was out in the open, she was just scared. Manny was use to guys only wanting flings with her. Jay was clear he wanted more..and Manny did too, she was just afraid to admit it. Which was just all so romantic to Emma. Manny could be great for Jay and vise versa.
Across the street, Sean got on his bike and started it up. "Happy birthday." He said over his engine.
Emma slipped onto the back of his bike after he passed her her helmet. Hmph, her helmet. She had her own helmet for his motorcycle.
She bit her lip as she clenched his arms, feeling his hard muscles underneath his black shirt. He pulled out onto the street and began to ride home. He sped up and she yelped a bit and held on to him tighter. "Not funny!" she yelled, hearing his chuckle.
When they got home, Sean asked, "Feel like an adult yet?"
Emma joked, "I've felt old ever since I basically had to raise Jack." She then frowned when she had to explain that. "Snake use to have cancer. My mom watched out for him, I took care of Jack."
Sean swallowed and nodded, looking at her though with some sorrow in his eyes. This girl was more than what met the eye. Maybe that's what he could see in her. She wasn't any ordinary girl. She was a tough cookie too.
Emma walked slowly to her door. She hated this part, not being able to talk further or hang out.
"Uh," he spoke up. Emma turned. He played with his keys in his hands before he pointed back at his place, "You want to come in for a second? I kinda.."
Emma raised an eyebrow when he seemed to be choking on his words or something. She smiled slightly but was confused.
"I got you something. For your birthday."
Emma knew she was probably blushing. She hoped he couldn't notice. He on the other hand, was hoping too that she didn't notice how fucking nervous he suddenly was.
"Ok." Emma said quite happily, a little excited to see what he got her.
He nodded, going to his door and opening it. He turned back as she had walked over and met up with him and he held the door open for her and closed it after her. He inhaled her scent as she stopped by him closely. Vanilla was his new favorite scent. She was going to be the death of him.
Outside, they didn't notice someone sitting in her car across the street, watching Emma go into Sean's house.
Ellie tightened her hands around the wheel, squinting her eyes and wondering who the hell Emma was to Sean and why he was hanging out with his neighbor so much? Were they a thing? Just friends? Ellie also noticed the girl from the bar- she worked there. She just couldn't remember her name.. but she wouldn't forget her face.
Meanwhile inside Sean's house, Emma smiled softly as she watched him close Peytons door quietly so not to wake her.
She stood in his kitchen, which was actually well kept and clean with some baby bottles around the sink.
Sean whispered as he came back over, "My sisters just asleep upstairs but she sleeps like a bear. Probably won't hear us."
Emma oh'd. "Didn't know you had a sister.."
He opened a cupboard but flashed her a grin, "Step sister. She watches Peyton when I work late."
"How come you work so late?" Emma had to ask, "When does the garage close?"
"10." He admitted, "But Tony makes me do all the paperwork. I need the money anyways and I want to try to buy the shop from him soon."
Emma tilted her head, "You want your own garage?" she watched him pull out a small black bag from out of the cupboard. He nodded as he walked back to her and Emma smiled, biting her lip.
Ok. Maybe she was falling for Sean. How couldn't she? He was handsome as hell, mysterious, but still sweet and by the looks of it, pretty responsible. And the way her heart went wild every time he got near, kinda like now, was pretty much a sign she was falling hard.
Sean reached in the bag and grabbed a box out of it, handing it to Emma's. Emma's mouth dropped a bit, glancing back at him and down at the box before slowly taking it and already knowing what it was.
"Wow." She admitted. Her lips spread into a giant smile. "How nice of you."
He rubbed the side of his neck, grinning with dimples that Emma's knees went weak over. "Your mom said you were going to school and so your Dad finally told me what for."
Emma read the list of things that were in the box. "A nurses kit. You shouldn't have." She teased. She then winced, "Aren't these things really expensive?"
She could probably knock off the extra $900 off her intuition for college since Sean got her this kit. It came with all the stuff you needed for being a nurse. Gloves, tape, disinfect, hospital tape, needles, all the 'fun' stuff. But Emma was really moved. It was a great gift.
"Jane's kind of a nurse. Or was." Sean left out the part where she had no degree but her mom was a real nurse and had taught Jane all the basics just incase anyone in the family needed help but couldn't go to the hospital. If you were shot, you couldn't just go into the hospital without cops coming in or questioning. So Jane and her mother were the bikers' 'nurses' if anything happened.
Putting together that Jane was his step sister, Emma finally said, "Thankyou.."
God, she wanted to at least wrap her arms around him, or do something more than that. It was the most thoughtful gift she got all day.
They locked eyes, and Emma went to move closer. Sean stared down at her lips and his hands were aching to touch her as well. He was glad she liked the gift. He was nervous about giving it to her all week. He almost didn't. Just to avoid 'complication'. He gazed back into Emma's eyes and he softened, seeing her staring right back at him softly too and moving closer. Could he kiss her? Would she let him? Or was he wrong about what he might be seeing?
Sean closed his eyes and cringed when the baby let out a wail. Emma too frowned and slowly backed up a bit before Sean opened his eyes.
"Sorry.." he said, before rubbing his eyes tiredly. Ofcourse that would happen right now. In the far distance, a buzzer was heard too and Peyton began to cry harder. Sean cursed. "That was the washing machine." Damn Jane probably put it on before she went to bed without thinking of the noise it'd make.
Emma noticed being a single Dad must have been hard for Sean yet he never complained. And he was a great Dad. She insisted, "I'll get Peyton if you want to take care of that?"
"Yea?" he watched her nod and go. "Thanks…"
He went to the laundry room. He cursed Jane again as he threw what was only her laundry into the dryer. When he came back out, Emma was quietly closing the door behind her from Peytons room. His eyebrows raised up, not believing it. "She went back to bed?"
"I have the magic touch." Emma teased. Sean swallowed, trying not to think about that. Emma then laughed a bit, shifting a little in the spot she stopped in. "It's late.. I should probably go home and let you sleep."
Sean wanted to say he'd rather stay up and talk more, but I guess that'd be weird. He followed her towards the door and his eyes trailed down her back to the skirt she was wearing that shaped her curves and ass so nicely. And those legs? Those never ending legs .. .
'Stop it, Cameron.' He thought to himself.
Emma turned from the front door, and smiled back at him sweetly, "Night.'
He grabbed the door from her, and watched her go back to her house and watched until she was safe inside. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding in his chest.
This. Was not. Good
