I own nothing apart from Amber and Riley and the plot!!!

Chapter Seven

I considered my chances briefly of escaping with Riley before they noticed me. That plan was ruined when my little boy spotted me, his face brightening and he darted over to me, shells clutched in his little hands and calling out at the top of his lungs.

"Mommy, look what we found!" He said excitedly, holding out the small handful of shells he'd found.

I smiled at him, smoothing back his messy hair, "Is that all you've found?"

Riley rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, "Of course not. We have more over there." He said, pointing over to the rest of the adults. He took my hand and tugged it, "Come on mommy."

I allowed him to drag me over, as I wasn't about to willingly go over there myself. There were a few other girls there that I didn't know and I smiled shyly at them. None of them looked particularly pleased and all glanced sympathetically at Embry. A surge of anger rose in my chest; why was he the victim?

"I'm Amber." I said quietly, quenching the rage and forcing myself to remain polite.

A woman with her hand in Jared's smiled stiffly, "I'm Kim, Jared's wife."

I didn't even flinch at the tone, simply looked over at the woman with Paul, "I'm Rachel, Jake's sister and Paul's wife." She said and turned her back on me straight away.

I sighed inaudibly wishing I had never come. Why did they pretend they wanted me here and then spend the time either ignoring me or subtly attacking me? If it wasn't for Emily's kindness I would have left by now.

"Hello Emily." I said softly, "How are you?"

She smiled at me, and I could see sympathetically, "I'm fine. How are you feeling?"

I shrugged, "I've been better. Do you need any help?"

"How about you put these on the table?" She suggested, as if realizing that I needed something to do.

I smiled at her, taking the bowls of salad and setting them on the table that had been set up, by Sam no doubt. I busied myself with setting out plates and knifes and forks, trying to ignore the whispers and obvious disapproving stares from Kim and Rachel.

The guys had all gone to play with a ball, even Matthew and Riley were with them. I kept a close eye on how they treated him and I almost run up to them at their obvious ignorance of him. I watched as Embry said something to him and the next moment Riley trudged back up to me and plonked down next to me, staring longingly at the group that were playing lightly with Matt.

"What's the matter sweetie?" I asked softly, wrapping my arm around his shoulders.

He leaned into me, sniffing, and "I was just playing with them. I didn't mean to get in his way."

I stiffened as did Emily who had heard what he said; I didn't need to ask which one had spoken to him like that. I got up; ignoring Emily's pleads I marched up to Embry who wiped the smile of his face when he saw me approaching. The rest of the guys stopped playing, watching the interaction with blank faces.

"You have some nerve." I hissed, shoving my finger at his chest, "He's a five year old boy who doesn't understand why someone is being a jackass to him for no reason. Clearly you're not the guy I thought you were."

"Yeah, you're not the girl I thought you were either." He retorted, crossing his arms.

"At least I can say I wouldn't bully a child because the parent didn't tell you of their existence." I snapped and began to turn away.

Embry's nostrils flared and he began shaking slightly, "At least I wouldn't lie about being in a relationship. Tell me, does the father know what a cheating slut you are? How many other guys have you gone out with and not told the guy about them?"

Even though I registered the defeat in his voice I didn't think that much of it. I whirled back at him and slapped him and instantly regretted it; a loud snap came from my wrist and I stared at it in shock before the pain hit me. I cursed, not registering Embry's panicked face until I felt a burning hand taking my now broken one gently.

"It's broken." Embry muttered.

I blinked, and for a moment I nearly forgot everything that had happened within the two days. I snapped out of it quickly, yanking my hand out of his and whirled away. The pain was incredible, the throbbing rising right up my arm. I had no medical insurance; how the hell was I going to pay for this?

Sighing I picked up my bag, "Riley, we're going to have to go now." I said and I could hear the strain in my voice.

"You shouldn't be driving." Embry said from behind me, blocking me as I straightened with Riley at my side.

I glared at him, "It's a better option than walking at the moment." I felt satisfaction seeing him flinch. "I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer Emily. We'll see you tomorrow, thanks for looking after Riley."

"Call if you need anything." She called as we turned to walk away.

I gave her a final smile and we made our way up the sand and to the car, Riley hopping up into his side. Sighing I got into the drivers seat, wincing at the pain in my wrist. I leaned back in my seat, not touching the wheel as I waited for the pain to pass.

"Mommy what's wrong?" Riley asked, looking at me fearfully.

I smiled at him tiredly, "Mommy's got a sore wrist; we need to go to the hospital for a while, okay bud?"

He nodded and I ruffled his hair slightly, starting the car with a sigh and a wince. It took us a while to find the hospital and with a few detours we finally found it. When we got inside we were sent to the emergency room and I groaned at the size of the line. Grumbling we sat and waited as patiently as we could, Riley drawing happily as I sat in immense pain.

I hadn't hit him that hard to end up with a broken wrist.

Eventually I got inside and the doctor wrapped my wrist up tightly and gave me orders not to strain it, get it wet and take pain killers. Riley, while he was happy drawing, was even happier to go home and have cheese sandwiches again.

Just as I had gotten into bed I felt something small moving across the bed. I sat up as Riley curled up next to me. "What's wrong sweetie?"

"I can't sleep."

"Just for tonight." I said with a smile, knowing what he wanted.

We were both asleep in an instant and I woke up feeling happier than I had in a long time. Riley was snuggled up to my side, his black hair tousled around his face and brushing over his eyes. He reminded me so much of his father.

Who I tried to hate but couldn't.

"Riley, you need to wake up sweetie. Emily's going to be here soon to get you." I whispered gently pushing back his hair from his eyes.

"I don't wanna." He grumbled, "What if that mean mans gonna be there?" He asked, opening one eye to peek up at me.

I kissed his forehead, "He's not going to be there." I said gently. "You're probably not going to see him again unless he goes to see Matt."

Riley considered this and then jumped out of bed, rushing to the bathroom with a grin on his face. Chuckling I got out of bed, making both of us breakfast and then headed to the shower. My cold had gone down a lot and I wasn't coughing as much. I was feeling much better but I just had to recover from a broken wrist now.

When the knock on the door alerted me to Emily's presence I darted out of the bathroom and smiled at her, "Hello Emily. How are you?" I asked ushering her and Matt inside. "Riley's just finishing his breakfast."

"I'm good, how are you? How's your wrist?" She asked concerned.

Matt joined Riley up at the bench and I poured him a juice, "Thank you."

"I'm fine." I said waving the worries away, "I've got meds and one heck of a bill but its fine."

"I'm so sorry about what happened. I thought he would have at least tried to be polite." Emily said sincerely. "Well we'd better get going. Boys, lets go." She called.

I waved goodbye to them as I stood by my car, reversing out and began the drive to work. The meds worked well enough that it only gave a few sparks of pain now and then. Sam was, as per usual, the only one at work on time. When I got inside he was waiting by my desk, looking up surprised when I came in.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, blinking when I saw he had started everything up.

He frowned slightly, "I would've thought you'd be at home today."

I raised an eyebrow slightly, "Why would I do that?"

"You have a broken wrist Amber. We can give you time off; surely the doctor told you not to work?" He said incredulously.

I rolled my eyes, moving behind my desk, "Sam I can't afford to take time of; I have a son to take care of. The doctor said I'd be fine to work as long as I rest my hand now and then."

"What about your partner?" He asked, looking uncomfortable to ask the question. "Doesn't he work?"

I looked up at him puzzled, "What partner?" At the look on his face realization dawned on me, "Sam, I don't have a boyfriend. I'm clearly not married and I'm not seeing anyone."

"What about the father?" Sam asked, now the one puzzled.

I shook my head, "I haven't seen him in five years and I'm not about to."

"Have you told Embry this?" He asked seriously.

"He didn't give me the chance to tell him. And what would he care? I'm a cheating slut remember?" I said bitterly, sitting down, "I'm just going to get a tea." I muttered, moving past him quickly.

I heard the others come in as I was in the staff room waiting for the kettle to boil. I had no doubt that Sam would tell them everything I had just told him. Gees they were like a group of girls sometimes, always telling each other gossip.

Just as I finished making my tea I turned and almost ran straight into Embry. I blinked up at him, startled by the pained expression on his face and I quickly tried to get past him only to have him block the doorway.

"We need to talk." He said seriously.