Author note:
Short bit of fluff for you. Trying to get back to a regular routine after the holidays is kicking my butt. LOL!
CH 36-Losing His Shirt
The boys were over at Brock's for the poker game tonight. There was plenty of pizza and beer. Cerebus was excited that the whole team was there and kept going from person to person to get a full share of belly-rubs. It never failed to amaze Clay how the dog could be so vicious when the need arose on missions but be such a teddy bear the rest of the time.
After their encounter at the gym yesterday, Clay was a little apprehensive about what Sonny might say or do to retaliate. He knew it could be anything too bad since Jason was there also. As the time ticked by and Sonny never made mention of Clay and Emma's relationship, Clay decided that Sonny was either going to let things go or was planning revenge for another time.
It was about 10 p.m. when Clay's phone buzzed. He assumed it was Emma telling him good night before it got too late. He took the phone out of his pocket and read the text.
-Have food and supplies for Friday. Can you pick up? -
-I'll swing by tomorrow-
-Ok. Miss you-
-Miss you baby-
"Alright that's enough of that Romeo. Are you in?"
"Yea, yea, I'm in." Clay didn't even look at his hand before he placed his bet. He promptly lost $50. He couldn't get his mind off Emma. Was she curled up on the couch in sweats, her hair up, with no make-up on? Or, was she laying in bed in a tank top and those tiny cotton panties she wore?
In the space of an hour, he was down $250 and had more than his share of beer. Clay wasn't drunk, but he was clearly feeling pretty good. He was thumbing through pictures on his phone with a pitiful look on his face. Out of the corner of his eye, Jason could tell Clay was looking at pictures of Emma. But he had no desire to see the actual photos.
About 11:00 Ray stood up and called it quits. "I'm gonna split. Naima's mom has the kids tonight, so…"
"Uh huh. Sounds like someone's getting' lucky tonight," Sonny commented. The guys added an assortment of other comments and whistles.
Ray laughed it off. "Yea yea, you guys are just jealous."
Clay was jealous. Jealous that Ray got to go home to the woman he loved. He reached for another beer, but Jason took it from him.
"You've had enough. Don't need you wasted and losing your shirt. In fact, I think we're going to pack it in too. C'mon Clay, I'm driving."
"I'm not ready to leave yet."
Brock spoke up. "He can bunk over her Jace. You don't need to drive him home."
"Nah, I wasn't gonna. C'mon," he said to Clay again. "You coming back to the house with me or what?" Clay was up out of his chair and ready to go.
"Look at that. Romeo's suddenly all ready to leave now."
As the two men walked out to Jason's truck, Clay spoke up. "Listen Jace, I'm not drunk. You don't have to do this."
"I know you're not. But I also know you shouldn't drive. And, I know you and Emma are both miserable. So just get in before I change my mind and let you sleep on Brock's couch with Cerb." Clay zipped it and climbed in Jason's truck.
They pulled in the driveway and both men walked to the front door. Jason unlocked it and motioned Clay inside. "You know where everything is. Help yourself if you need anything. We'll get your truck tomorrow." Jason said goodnight and headed up to bed. Clay followed him up the stairs and turned toward Emma's room. She still had school tomorrow, so he was as quiet as possible. He undressed down to his t-shirt and boxer briefs and slipped under the covers next to her. Emma rolled over into his arms.
"Clay?"
"Yea honey."
She sat up in alarm. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"
"Yea, I just had a little bit too much fun tonight and Jace took pity on me. I should probably be on Brock's couch right now."
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yep. I'm perfect now. Let's not make your dad regret this. You need to get to sleep so you can get up tomorrow for school."
"I'll actually be able to sleep through the night tonight." She kissed him and laid her head on his chest over his heart. "Goodnight honey."
He pulled her close and smiled to himself. He'd been wrong on both guesses. She was in one of his shirts and a lacey thong. Pressing a kiss to her brow he murmured, "Goodnight babe."
