Author note:
Thanks again for your interest. Please send along any reviews. It lets me know that it's worthwhile for me to keep writing. Thanks!
*I have no idea what grade Mikey is supposed to be in so, I improvised.*
CH 9- Back to Reality
Clay had actually set his alarm for a decent time. He wanted to be sure that they could wake up, get ready, and get Emma home before lunch. He knew that while Jason hadn't fought Emma on staying with him this weekend, he couldn't have been overjoyed. Clay wanted to do everything he could not to annoy him further. He didn't need him upset as either his boss, or his girlfriend's father.
For that reason, they had decided on separate showers and going out to breakfast. He knew that if he were to see Emma wet and naked in his shower, he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation. So, there they sat at a local café, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
Clay broke the silence. "Em, this is crazy. It's not as if we're saying goodbye forever here."
"I know. You're still you and I'm still me."
"Except now I know what you look like naked," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Clay!" She squealed and threw her napkin at him. He adored the blush that crept up her neck and to her cheeks. That was the tension breaker they needed.
"What's going on for you this week?"
"Not much, a couple tests. I think Mikey has a hockey game Wednesday night."
"You think your dad and Mike-man would mind if I tagged along?"
"You want to go to an eighth-grade hockey game?"
"Sure. I love hockey and your brother's a cool little dude."
"I know Mikey would love it. And dad will be fine. He's going to have to figure out how to deal. I'm fully capable of making my own decisions and he has got to respect that."
He reached across the table to take her hand. "We'll deal with all this together, ok?" She nodded and smiled.
"So, Wednesday's a date. Are you busy Friday?"
"Not that I know of."
"Ok, we'll plan on something for Friday. I think Saturday is poker night at Sonny's, but Sunday is open."
"You really want to commit to Sunday after a night at Sonny's?"
"Um, you're probably right about that one. Can we play it by ear?"
"Of course. I don't expect you to spend every free moment with me Clay."
"I think I might go out with Naima on Sunday. I need to talk with her anyway."
"Everything ok?"
"Yep. Just lady stuff". They stood up and he gave her a peck on the cheek. "Let's get you home."
Once the got to her house he turned off the truck and got out with her. "I thought you weren't coming in."
"I'm not. But a gentleman walks his lady to the door."
"Oh, he does?"
"Yes ma'am." They stopped at the door. He cradled her face in his hands and slanted his lips over hers. He slipped his tongue into her mouth to tease hers just a bit. He wanted to keep it PG, in case Jason or Mikey saw. When he pulled away, she wrapped her arms around him and held on. He responded and held her close. Too soon for both of them, he kissed her head and stepped back.
"I'll call you tonight, ok babe?"
"Mmmhmm. Ok talk to you then." Clay left and walked to his truck while Emma turned and went into the house.
"Hey Em." Her dad walked over and gave her a hug. She was a little surprised. She thought things might be tense between them.
"Hi Dad."
"Didn't Clay want to come in?"
"He thought that we might want some time, just the three of us."
"Dad/Em" they both spoke at the same time. "Em, I'm okay with you seeing Clay, but the rest of this, staying at his apartment… I'm not so sure." Emma knew she had to tread carefully and remain calm.
"Dad, I'm and adult. I can make my own choices."
"But…"
"Please dad, let me finish." He nodded for her to continue. "You say its hard for you to see me that way, but you ask me to live it every time you leave on an OP. When you're not here, I'm responsible for the house, Mikey, everything. So, all I ask is that when you are home, don't expect me to go back to a being a little girl. You and Mama raised my to be a strong, independent woman and to be responsible for myself."
He stood quietly, considering what she was saying. She continued. "I know you aren't going to approve of all my choices, but can you at least try and respect them?" She had countered each of his arguments before he made them. Damn it! She was too much like Alana.
"Ill work on it. I'm not gonna say it's gonna be easy, or that it'll happen as fast as you want, but I'll try Em."
"Thanks daddy." She gave him another hug.
"Do you have any homework to do?" Emma almost got whiplash from the quick change in subject. "Uh, no. I finished it before I went…before you got back."
"Good 'cause Mikey is having trouble with Math and it's that new fangled crap I don't get. You wanna see if you can help?"
"Sure thing." She headed for the stairs.
"Em…" he called after her.
"Yea?"
"Lunch is in 30. I've got the grill fired up."
"Yes! Your famous burgers." She got to her room and saw that Clay had already texted.
-"How'd it go w/ur dad?"
-"Good I think"
-"Will I be running drills 2morrow?"
-"Can't say 4 sure. At least u won't be target practice!"
-"Thx a lot!"
-"Love u!"
-"Love you 2 Emmie!"
