Toll did not know what to do with himself. He could still feel Serena's mouth on his, and that was enough to keep him up all night. He still didn't understand what had made her just do that, and was she really going to leave Fred? He didn't know.
"Hey," Barney said now, shaking him out of his thoughts. "What's with the dreamy expression?"
"Nothing," Toll answered, clearing his throat and swiping at his forehead with his wrist.
"Then hand me that board," Barney ordered, and Toll obliged. It was later in the afternoon, and Barney, Lee, and Gunner were finishing up the dock. Toll had given assistance as needed.
"It's the blonde," Gunner commented, giving him a sideways look. "Right?"
"No," Toll said a little too quickly.
"Toll, you gotta work on your lying skills," Barney said with a scoff as he grunted and flipped over the board he was getting ready to hammer down.
"It's always the blonde," Gunner went on, chortling to himself. "Trust me, I would know." He pointed to his own blonde hair as if his statement wasn't obvious enough.
"Nothing happened," Toll insisted. He caught the look Lee was giving him; he could have sworn there was a hint of jealousy in his expression. He felt slightly alarmed at first, thinking that Lee had feelings for Serena, but then he realized it was because Lee wanted with Emily what Toll had with Serena: confirmation of returned feelings.
"I hope you didn't get her into trouble," Barney went on, popping a nail into his mouth to hold with his lips as he hammered the first one down.
"I didn't."
Gunner swore and waved his hand around, having just hammered his thumb instead of the nail on the board he was working on. Lee was snickering a little.
"I see you're putting that dumb blonde theory into practice," Toll said, unable to resist. He didn't believe that theory himself, but he wanted to give some kind of zinger to the big oaf.
"At least I have hair," Gunner retorted.
"He did not," Lee said, feigning shock and lifting his brows.
"He did," Toll confirmed.
"Alright, alright," Barney said, giving them all a dark look. "Knock it off before I get out my razor, Gunner." Gunner put a hand on his hair as if it would save him. Lee was full out laughing now as he moved to hold the board into better place for Barney.
"You're just jealous cos you'd look ridiculously stupid bald," Toll said to Gunner now. "You can't pull off the bald look like we can." He gestured between him and Lee, who nodded emphatically.
"One way to find out," Barney threatened when Gunner opened his mouth to respond. He shut it quickly.
"Uncle Toll?" Louis asked, approaching him now. He turned his head to see the boy standing there and looking hopeful with Maya at his side.
"What's up?" he inquired.
"Maya and I were wondering if you could take us in the canoe."
Toll looked at the relatively calm lake and nodded slowly.
"I can. What did your mothers say?"
"They're alright with it," Maya chimed in.
"Are they really?"
"Yea," Louis said. Feeling unsure, Toll leaned his head back and hollered:
"TIA!"
"It's okay!" she called back, already knowing why he was shouting.
"You didn't believe me?" Louis asked, sounding a little hurt.
"I did, but there were a few times where you got me to do stuff I wasn't supposed to, and your mother almost killed me," Toll advised. "So I always double check now."
"That's fair," Louis agreed.
"Come on," Toll said, getting to his feet and going to put the canoe into the water. "Life jackets on."
The kids scurried behind him, snapping their life jackets on as he pushed the bigger boat out of the boathouse so he could put the canoe in. Lee caught it as it came out and pulled it to the opposite dock, tying it up.
"Bye, Lee," Maya said once Toll was paddling them out. She was perched in the front, leaning against the seat, and holding both sides while Louis was sitting more in the middle with his legs crossed and hands in his lap.
"Bye, Maya," Lee replied.
Toll couldn't resist and hit the water with his paddle, effectively splashing Lee in the face.
"OYE!"
Cackling, Toll paddled onward. Maya and Louis were laughing, which was why he'd done it. He enjoyed getting laughs out of people, especially kids. He hoped Lee would understand, but he knew he'd get some kind of payback for it eventually. Listening to the kids chattering together as he paddled was helping him take his mind off of Serena for now.
But he looked forward to thinking about her again later.
...
Emily stayed away for as long as she could, spending the afternoon with Tia and avoiding talking about Lee. Maya and Louis came back from canoeing with tales of what they'd seen. Emily wished the day would never end, but eventually, she had to go back to the cottage. She found Serena sitting on the step outside, a bruise blossoming on her left cheek.
"Did you fall?" Maya asked her, and Serena just swallowed and smiled.
"Silly me," she said. "I walked into the door."
"Was Fred yanking it open at the same time?" Maya asked sarcastically.
"Maya," Emily chastised, gripping her daughter's shoulder tightly. "Don't."
"You always told me that you're not supposed to hit people," Maya said accusingly, looking up at her and then back at Serena. "Why is it okay for Fred to hit Aunt Serena?"
"Baby," Serena said now, standing up and coming over to hug her tightly. "It's alright. I walked into a door, and that's that."
"But..."
"What's going on out here?" Fred asked, pushing the screen door aside and stepping out onto the deck. Emily hated that he just looked so casual, like he hadn't just hit her best friend in the face.
"Maya was just telling me a funny joke," Serena lied smoothly. Emily watched Fred survey Maya, who was looking at him with an expression that dared him to ask if it was true or not. He gave a soft scoff and a twisted smile.
"Don't wait up," he said, going down the steps and heading for the boat. Emily wondered where he was going, but she didn't dare ask. She saw Ethan sling a backpack over his shoulder and follow him without looking at any of them.
When they were gone, Serena looked at her with relief in her eyes.
"Girl's night?" she said, and Maya gasped with glee and started to bounce in excitement. How Emily wished she could be a child and quickly move on from fear like her daughter could.
"Please, Mummy?" she asked, her eyes begging Emily to say yes.
"Of course," Emily answered, laughing as Maya fist pumped and ran inside. She stopped to put her arm around Serena before they went inside.
"Thanks," Serena said quietly.
"Promise me this is going to end soon," Emily said back. Serena looked her in the eyes and nodded.
"I promise," she replied.
And Emily felt like her friend actually meant it this time.
...
Fred took the package from Sergei, which Ethan knew was full of cash—the first half of their payment. They'd get the rest when it was delivered. He stood on the lookout, his thoughts aimed at Emily and how he was sure he could still convince her to be with him.
"I know it's sooner than planned," Fred said to Sergei, "but I'm not taking any risks."
"I like a man who plays it safe sometimes," Sergei said with a nod. "When?"
"Three nights from now."
"Okay. Is it because of them?"
"I don't know. Someone's found it. The dirt was disturbed."
"Shit."
"I'll handle it," Fred promised. "Just be ready."
"I will."
Fred approached Ethan then as Sergei walked away into the darkness.
"And be prepared to deal with the other thing," Fred said, giving Ethan a warning look.
"Of course. We putting the merchandise in a better spot later?"
Fred gave a nod and turned to walk to the car. He didn't normally feel nervous about anything, but something was making him feel nervous about moving those guns soon.
He just hoped he was wrong.
...
Toll joined Barney at the kitchen table as he looked at the surveillance from earlier that day.
"He's nervous," Barney commented, and Toll leaned to see Fred looking over his shoulder.
"Seems that way."
"I think he's noticed someone's tampered with his box."
"I thought we were careful."
"I guess not," Barney said. He hadn't told Toll, but Church had surprised him by showing up and wanting to see the guns for himself because of course he was involved. Apparently he's wanted Fred's buyer for years, which really shouldn't have surprised Barney in the slightest. Barney had been careful, but he had obviously messed up the dirt somehow, and Fred was now on alert.
"Are we taking them down?"
"Oh yea. In three days. Rumor has it that's when they're being moved. A snitch told Church."
"Why not before?"
"Cos he wants the buyer," Barney answered.
"Alright."
"Tell the boys."
"I'm on it," Toll confirmed, pushing off the chair with his hands and walking away. Barney pressed his fingers into his temple. So much for having a relaxing vacation.
The Next Day
Emily was enjoying having the cottage to herself. Serena and Fred had left to shop. Ethan had left for a few days for work apparently. She'd been surprised that he'd gone, but she figured maybe he had finally given up trying to get with her. She wasn't complaining.
She thought about her evening with Serena. While there was the underlying tension of Fred and everything, they still managed to have a good visit after Maya went to bed. Emily had refrained from asking about Toll. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know what was going on there, and she hadn't wanted to get into a fight with her friend about it.
Emily was currently hanging up laundry. Maya was reading but eventually came out to see what she was doing.
"Can we see Lee today?" she asked.
"Maybe later," Emily answered. She was still avoiding him. She was afraid that her physical desires were going to take over her brain and make her do something she'd regret despite her telling him it wasn't going to happen. She'd certainly thought of him enough and fantasized about it.
"I miss him."
"I know."
Emily missed him too, not that she'd admit it. She was halfway through hanging up the laundry when she heard footsteps and turned to see Lee himself standing there as if he'd been summoned.
"Hi," he said.
"Lee!" Maya called excitedly, jumping off the last two steps, landing a bit awkwardly, and rushing to hug him.
"Hey, you," he said, grabbing her around the middle and swinging her in a circle. She laughed and shrieked in response. Emily felt a twinge inside at this. Clearly her daughter was attached to Lee anyway, so why was she holding back?
"Where have you been?" Maya asked almost accusingly after Lee set her down and ruffled her hair. She fended off his hand as he laughed.
"Around," he answered vaguely.
"Well, I missed you."
"I missed you too."
Emily gave a disgruntled groan as she dropped the clothes pin. She had one hand holding the sheet on the line as she tried to reach for another one.
"Need a hand?" Lee asked, looking at her.
"Not at all," she replied with a hint of sarcasm. He came up, handing her the pin he'd bent to pick up on his way. She took it from him, her fingers brushing against his. Her body buzzed, and she felt that strong desire once more.
"You're welcome," he said, leaning his left hip against the railing and crossing his arms.
"You gonna stand there or are you gonna help?" she asked.
"I thought you didn't want help."
She tilted her head at him, giving him a look, and he chuckled before pushing off the railing and going to assist her. She liked working by his side, even if it was doing something as simple as hanging laundry. She was glad it wasn't any of her items on display, though, just sheets and Fred's pants.
"I'm bored," Maya said.
"Do a cartwheel or something," Emily replied absently.
"Oh! We could play a game!"
Emily looked at Lee, who gave a shrug.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Okay," Emily agreed, looking at Maya. "What are we playing?"
...
Barney watched as Toll brought more fish in, and he smiled as he shook his head at Gunner.
"I think you're losing, Gunner," he said.
"I think I'm done with this competition," Gunner agreed.
"Are you serious?" Toll asked, twisting to look at him. "We still have a while left here."
"I'm burning out on fishing," Gunner advised. "Sorry."
"Alright then," Toll said, looking at Barney, "tell Caesar I want my 100 bucks."
"Tell him yourself," Barney replied. He followed them to the shed, avoiding looking over at the garden area for fear he started reliving that terrible memory again. It was costing him sleep, unfortunately.
"You gonna help?" Toll asked, and Gunner snorted.
"No," he replied. "Not my fish."
"Gunner!"
But Gunner was already loping away, cackling to himself with laughter. Barney held up his hands and backed away as Toll looked at him next.
"Aw come on, man!" Toll exclaimed.
"Don't catch the fish if you don't want to clean them," Barney advised, walking down the hill towards the lake. Gunner was getting settled in the hammock, resting his arms behind his head. Barney could hear Louis and Caesar laughing about something across the way with Tia's voice chiming in every so often. It made him smile. Things seemed to be going well for Tia and Caesar, and Barney hoped it stayed that way. He hoped this take down of Fred and Ethan wasn't going to cause things to go backwards for them.
He could hear laughter on the other side of him, and he knew Lee had wandered over to visit Emily. He knew Lee was worried about Emily getting caught up in Fred and Ethan's business, but Barney also knew he'd fallen hard for Emily and was trying to convince her they could do this. He wasn't sure what to think about the situation, but he hoped that Emily would see that Lee was a good guy and worth the risk.
It was better to have hope about these things instead of thinking solely about work or Billy.
...
"Truth or dare?" Maya asked Lee. He pretended to think hard, but he always picked the same one every time.
"Dare," he replied. He pushed the clothesline after Emily finished hanging up a pair of pants. They were almost done. Maya had started a game of Truth or Dare to pass the time, and so far, Emily had shared her most embarrassing memory (getting lost in a parking garage), and Lee had walked on his hands across the yard. Maya had held her breath for 70 seconds when it was her turn. Lee had no idea what this kid had up her sleeve, but he felt like something was coming.
He wasn't disappointed.
"I dare you to kiss Mum," Maya said, her voice sounding oddly triumphant, as if this had been her plan all along, which Lee was beginning to think it was.
"Maya, no," Emily said a bit sharply.
"Now hang on," Lee said, turning to look at her. "I take my dares very seriously."
"Yea, Mum, he has to do it," Maya insisted.
"No..." Emily started, but Lee had already moved in to kiss her cheek quickly. She blinked, slightly taken aback. "Oh."
"Done," Lee said. "Alright, you..."
"No, no, no," Maya cut him off. "You didn't do it right."
"Says who?" Lee asked.
"Says me."
"A kiss is a kiss," he insisted.
"I meant a proper kiss," Maya insisted back, putting her hands on her hips.
"I didn't realize that wasn't a proper way of kissing someone," Lee said, teasing her.
"The dare is you have to kiss Mum properly," Maya said firmly.
"Maya..." Emily began.
"On the mouth," Maya added, just to make it clear. "For ten seconds."
"Maya!"
"Well, gosh," Lee said dramatically. "I don't know how to do that properly."
"First, you put your hand on her back like this," Maya said, reaching to touch her lower back awkwardly.
"Maya!"
"Then what?" Lee asked, ignoring Emily's protests. This was just too fun.
"Hand on the cheek," Maya went on. "I think you tilt your head to the left, but I'm not an expert."
"Oh my God," Emily groaned, turning to walk away, but Lee caught her arm to stop her.
"A dare is a dare," he said. "Sorry."
"I forbid it," she told him, making him laugh.
"Alright," he said, letting her go. "You win."
"What?!" Maya cried. "Mum!" She looked at Lee with a bit of an aghast expression, but he just winked at her. He let Emily get about five steps away from him before going after her and catching her, turning her around to face him quickly. As instructed, he cupped her face with one hand while reaching to rest his other on her lower back, and he tilted his head to the left and caught her lips with his.
He felt her surprise, and at first she didn't respond, but when he kept going, she started to kiss him back and rested her hands on his chest, leaning into him. It was even better than he'd imagined. Her mouth was soft and warm, her lips slightly chapped. For the sake of the audience, he did not kiss her deeper despite wanting to.
"Ten!" Maya called, and he stepped back from Emily, who looked a bit dazed.
"Alright," he said, turning to face Maya. He felt like his entire body was burning now. He still felt Emily's hands on his chest even though they weren't there. "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare," Maya said quickly.
"You have to go into Barney's shed and bring something back without anyone seeing you."
"Oh, that's easy."
"So you think," Lee said. He happened to have seen Toll go into the shed a few minutes ago with fish. It would keep her occupied for a bit.
"I can do it," Maya insisted.
"Alright. Then hop to it," Lee instructed, and she bounded across the yard and to the trail. She disappeared quickly, and Emily instantly grabbed the top of his pants and yanked him back into her, her fingers curled against his skin. Her mouth landed on his, and she was kissing him a bit more fiercely this time. He stepped into her, bending her backwards slightly over the railing as she grabbed at his neck to hang on to. He dug his fingers into her waist. She stopped it after a moment.
"Wait," she said, pushing him up and looking over at Barney's yard. They could see Maya crouched with her back to them. Lee read her mind and pulled her around to the other side to hide them from view. She backed into the side of the cottage as he moved closer. He pressed his face against hers for a moment before kissing her again, harder and faster.
Emily's hands were under his shirt on his skin now, making him breathless. He groaned quietly when she opened his mouth with hers and kissed him deeper, beating him to it. He lifted her up into his arms, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
He was losing his mind the more this went on. Unfortunately, it had to come to an end when they heard running footsteps returning. Lee couldn't believe it. How had she managed to do the task so quickly? He forced himself to set Emily down and walk away from her in order to get his bearings.
"I got it!" Maya called.
"What did you get?" Emily asked, smoothing her hair with her hands.
"Where's Lee?"
"He's just wandering around," Emily answered.
"I'll wait."
Lee groaned inwardly. All he could think about was Emily. He forced himself to think about bludgeoning someone to death. That usually did the trick.
"Come oooon," Maya called.
Billy. That would definitely do it, and thankfully, it did.
"Did you get lost?" Maya asked.
"I'm coming," Lee said, finally having his bearings. He found Maya standing there with a bucket and wearing a grin on her face.
"What is that?" he asked.
"It was on the floor of the shed," she answered. "It counts."
"Is that...?" Emily asked, trailing off. Lee felt a laugh building. Sure enough, they heard Toll shouting.
"Gunner?! Did you take my fish gut pail?! What is wrong with you?!"
"I did not!"
"It's gone!"
"So you assume I took it?!"
"Who else would do it?!"
"Oh my," Emily said, covering her mouth with her hand to try and hide her smirk.
"I told you it was easy," Maya commented, facing Lee again.
"Uh huh." His brain was not functioning properly as he looked at Emily briefly. He wanted more. He needed more.
"Are we doing any more?" Maya asked, looking at Emily now.
"No, it's time for supper now," Emily answered. "But first, you should take that back before Toll gets too mad."
"Okay."
"Hurry up," Emily urged.
"Are you staying?" Maya asked Lee, who was staring at Emily. She was staring back.
"If he wants to," she answered.
"I do," he said.
"Go on then," she said, gesturing to Maya, who picked up the pail and started walking back to next door.
Once Maya was gone again, Emily put a hand on Lee's chest and shoved him against the outside wall. She slid a hand up to hold the back of his neck and kissed him softly. Lee reached to cup her waist with his hands, feeling her skin underneath his fingers. She pulled away and looked at him.
"Sorry," she said. "Couldn't resist."
Without responding, he moved in to kiss her again. He felt her hands grasp the back of his head, her arms resting on his shoulders. He slid his arms around her and pulled her in close.
"I thought you were keeping this platonic?" he asked during a pause, his breathing uneven.
"I changed my mind," she said.
"I didn't get the memo."
"You're getting it now."
He started to laugh when she kissed him again, tugging at his lips in such a way that drove him crazy. He moved his right hand to slide his fingers through her hair, groaning again as she open mouth kissed him. He stopped thinking about Billy. He stopped thinking about his pain. He stopped thinking about all of it. Emily pushed him against the siding harder and slid her hands under his shirt once more, and he didn't want to think about anything else ever again.
Then, just as quickly as it started, she stopped. She took a step back, breathing hard.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I don't want to hurt you," she said, "and I feel like if we do this, that's exactly what is going to happen."
"How would you hurt me?"
"Because I'm just letting my physical wants get the best of me right now, and that's not fair to you."
"Why are you alone, Em?" he asked, trying to think straight.
"It's just easier this way," she answered. She ran a hand through her hair. "I'm so sorry, Lee. I shouldn't have gone along with this."
"Just hold on," he said, reaching to take her hand in his. "Help me understand this."
"There's nothing to understand. I was going to use you for sex and then hurt you by ending it. I decided I can't do that," she said.
"I think we owe it to ourselves to at least try," he insisted.
"It's not a good idea," she insisted. "You and me. It's a terrible idea. A train wreck of an idea."
Lee pulled her in for another kiss, sensing her wavering. He didn't want to lose her simply because she was afraid. He had to show her she didn't have to be afraid.
"I'm not going anywhere," he promised after, brushing his lips against her cheek. "I swear. I want this to work."
"Wanting it to work and having it work are two different things," she whispered, touching her fingers against his jaw.
"You need to want it to work in order for it to work," he said. "They're not different. They're linked."
"Lee," she said, her voice sounding broken. "I can't."
"Don't be afraid of this," he urged. "Don't be afraid of me."
"I can't help it," she whispered.
"If anyone is scared, it's me," he told her. "I've already had my fiancée leave me. There's not much worse than can happen, really."
He held her face in his hands, and he could feel her loosen her tension slowly. He slipped his hand past her cheek to smooth her hair and cup the back of her head gently. Her eyes never left his.
Emily moved in to claim his lips with hers, resting her hand on his chest above his heart. After about fifteen seconds, she stopped and stepped backwards.
"I'm sorry, Lee," she said, her voice thick with tears.
"Emily..."
"You can either come inside and have supper with us and be our friend, or you can go," she said, working hard to make her voice level again. "Your choice."
Lee could tell she was still wavering. He didn't want to push and make it worse, so he decided to go along with it.
"If being your friend is all I get to be, then I want to do it," he said. "Cos without you, life is shit."
"Okay," she said, nodding. "We're friends." There was so much uncertainty in her tone, though, and Lee wished he knew what to do or say that could help.
They stood there looking at each other until Maya came back and walked up past them to the door.
"Are you coming in?" she asked them, looking back and forth between them.
"Yea," Lee answered. "I'm coming in." He stepped in after Emily, and he did his best to listen to Maya talking about Toll's reaction to her bringing back his pail. His focus was on Emily. He could see her hands shaking, and he knew she was going to change her mind about this just friends thing, that it was her last ditch attempt at keeping a wall up.
It was only a matter of time.
...
Emily knew she was crazy. Here was this great guy who was crazy about her, and she was pushing him away. She knew why she was pushing him away, but it was slowly beginning to seem foolish to use it as an excuse any longer. Maybe her future was with Lee. Maybe this was a sign, meeting him here and getting to know him. She watched him all throughout supper, how he interacted with her daughter, how he made her laugh despite feeling unable to, and how he looked at her with that intensity.
It made her shiver.
They'd been doing dishes side by side and bumping arms enough times to drive her crazy (which she was pretty sure he was doing on purpose) when Louis knocked on the sliding door and invited Maya to camp in a tent with him that night in Barney's backyard. Emily had strong suspicions that Tia was behind it, and she wondered if Lee had messaged her to help him out.
"We're gonna have a fire!" Maya said excitedly as she carried blankets and a pillow in her arms. She loved fires.
"You should ask Caesar to show you how to make s'mores," Lee said. Her eyes went wide.
"I've heard of those," she said, breathless.
"They taste even better."
"Can I, Mum?" Maya asked, looking at her.
"Alright," Emily agreed. "But not too many. You don't want to have nightmares."
"Okay."
Maya bustled around, gathering a flashlight and her stuffed dog. Emily encouraged her to put her pajamas on and wear a hoodie over them so she wouldn't have to change.
"I can take her over," Lee offered. "I'm sure you've got some things you'd like to do since you're kid free for a bit."
"Thank you." She caught her wriggling child and hugged her tightly. "Good night, you. Be good."
"I will. Love you."
"Love you too." Emily planted a kiss on the top of Maya's head and released her. Maya took Lee's hand easily, and he looked back at Emily just once as he walked out the door.
Breathing a bit heavily, she went about tidying up the cottage and decided to sit on the dock when she was finished. There was a slight breeze that tugged on her dress at the edges. She hugged her knees and looked out at the water.
What was she so afraid of? What would be the harm to let Lee into her life?
She could hear Maya laughing, and she smiled. Her daughter so badly wanted a father, which Emily felt terrible for not giving her one. She was incredibly attached to Lee, and Emily knew that when they went their separate ways, Maya was going to be crushed. It suddenly hit her that it didn't matter if Emily dated Lee and they broke up in the future. Maya was going to be heartbroken when he left at the end of the month because she was so attached to him. The only difference would be if they did try a relationship and it did work out. Then Maya wouldn't lose him. Emily wouldn't lose him.
Her brain was working overtime.
...
"What the hell are you doing over here, English?" Tia asked when she cornered Lee inside the cottage. Maya and Louis were out with Toll and Caesar getting the fire started. Gunner was trying to set up the tents and having one hell of a time of it. Barney was trying to give pointers but was mostly laughing at him.
"What do you mean?" Lee asked.
"Oh come on," Tia said, exasperated. "You sent me an SOS message, and I whipped up this camping thing to get you some alone time with Mrs. English, and your sorry ass is still standing here!"
"I don't know if I should push it," Lee admitted, running a hand over his head.
"Oh my God, Lee," Tia said, exhaling roughly. "She is into you, okay? I am not blind. None of us are. She's just afraid to make the jump, and sometimes you gotta give 'em a little push."
"So when I come back here with a hand print on my face, you'll get off my back?" Lee asked.
"She's not gonna slap you. Don't be such a baby."
"I'm not," Lee said, his voice slightly a whine.
"Then move your ass," Tia ordered, pointing to the door. "I got the kids. Go get the girl, damn it!"
"Okay, okay," Lee said, holding up his hands as he walked past her. She gave a curt nod, reaching to smack his shoulder as he went by, causing him to say, "Argh!"
"Baby," Tia said again. He made a face at her when he was by the door before stepping out and disappearing. Tia sighed happily. If all went well, Lee and Emily would finally get their happy ever after. She grabbed the bag of chips and went out to join her family. It was going to be a good night.
...
After a while, Emily got up and walked carefully back to the cottage. She paused when she saw Lee sitting on the steps, hands folded with his arms resting on his knees.
"How long have you been there?" she asked.
"Not long. I didn't want to disturb you."
She didn't need to ask him why he was there. She knew why he was there. If she could sense that she was changing her mind about him, then he could too. She walked past him and pulled open the sliding door, turning to look back at him.
"You coming?" she asked, and he twisted to look at her. He looked unsure, but when she stepped backwards inside, still watching him, he got to his feet and followed.
...
Toll was smiling as Maya bounced on the log beside him. He'd seen Lee slink off not long ago, and he knew where he was heading. Tia's satisfied smile also gave it away. She'd bossed him into making his move finally. It made Toll think about Serena and whether or not she was actually going to end things with Fred, and if she did end things with Fred, would she really want to date him? He tried not to let his negative self-talk take over.
"I think my mum loves Lee," Maya said now.
"Oh yea? How can you tell?" he asked.
"She's always sneaking looks at him when she thinks no one notices. I notice," Maya added matter-of-factly.
"Hmm, you might be right," Toll said, stroking his chin. He'd seen it too.
"I think Lee loves my mum too," she went on. She looked at Toll, who just smiled.
...
Lee stood in front of Emily as she pushed the door shut, latching it. She slid her hand off the handle slowly, letting it drop to her side. She didn't know what to do or say. She was feeling bad for wavering so much on him.
"Lee, I..." she started.
"I know," he said when she faltered.
"I've gone back and forth so many times, and I just realized that Maya is going to get hurt no matter what unless..."
"Unless we give it a try," he finished for her.
"Yes," she whispered.
"So, I guess the question is: do you want to?" he asked. He held her gaze. She swallowed. She did want to. Very much.
"Yes," she said again. She was just wondering what to do next when Lee closed the gap between them and slid an arm around her lower back to hold her against him as he pressed her into the glass door. His mouth was warm and soft against hers, and she appreciated that he wasn't rushing things, that he was taking his time. He moved his other hand to rest on the middle of her upper back, his fingers lightly tracing against her skin. Then it traveled up the back of her neck to cradle the back of her head. She ran her fingers up and down his back over his shirt as he continued kissing her. She was feeling okay about this. They could work this out. They could be together.
He was really quite good at this...
...
"So tell me why you think Lee loves your mum," Toll said, handing Maya a fully, well built s'more. She took it gingerly.
"Well, first of all, his face goes red sometimes when he sees her," Maya said.
"Uh huh."
"Secondly, he sneaks looks at her too."
"I see."
"He always finds a way to touch her on the arm or shoulder."
"That he does," Toll agreed.
"He also took the dare and kissed her. He didn't have to, but he did, so that means he wanted to."
Toll chuckled. Kids really were intuitive.
...
Emily grabbed Lee's biceps and jerked him to the left, moving him so that he was against the glass door and she was pressing him into it. Her kisses became a bit more urgent and fierce as she pulled off his shirt. Her fingers found his scars without her looking, and she briefly wondered how and when he got them but forced the thought from her mind. She made a noise in her throat when he trailed his fingers down her neck. He picked her up in his arms and followed her directions to her room as he kept kissing her. She gasped and then laughed when he accidentally banged her against the wall in the hallway upstairs, knocking a picture off.
"Ah, I'm sorry," he said.
"It's okay," she said, breathless. "I didn't like that picture anyway."
He gave a chuckle before she kissed him again, pressing into him and wrapping her elbow around his neck to hold him still.
...
"I think Mum is scared," Maya said thoughtfully as she chewed on her s'more. Toll was glad Louis was occupied with Caesar at the moment. He had a feeling Maya needed to talk this out.
"How come?" he prompted.
"I think she worries that if she doesn't like Lee forever that I'm going to get hurt because I really want him to be my dad."
"Has anyone told you how smart you are?" Toll asked.
"All the time," Maya dismissed.
"So, what could help your mother not be scared? Do you know?"
"I think she just has to go all in," Maya answered. "Sometimes all we can do is jump and see what happens."
...
Lee set her down, and Emily backed up to her room, pulling her with him. He was making her feel things she'd never felt before, and instead of scaring her, it made her feel like she was home, which was a strange feeling to have. She hadn't felt like she had a home in a very long time. In the growing darkness, with him lying on top of her, his mouth gently opening hers and kissing her deeper, and his touch making her feel more alive than she had in years, she came to the realization that she'd made the right decision to let him into her life.
...
"That simple, huh?" Toll asked, looking at Maya.
"Yep," she answered. Then she wiped her hands on her shorts and looked at him. "Can I have another s'more?"
"Sure."
"Alright you two," Tia said, coming back again and getting everyone's attention. "Three each, and that's it."
"Okay," Louis sighed.
"Okay," Maya echoed.
"Hey, baby, can you grab my water?" Caesar asked. Tia tossed him the plastic bottle, which he caught expertly with one hand. Toll caught sight of Gunner and Barney having a conversation, the tents now set up. They'd been watching surveillance footage together. He tried to see if there was anything alarming going on from their faces, but they looked relaxed. Toll chose to take that as a good sign.
They could have another calm, relaxing night before shit hit the fan soon.
...
Emily was entirely lost in Lee's kiss and touch, anticipating his next move when the sound of glass shattering below made them both come to a complete halt.
"Lee?" she whispered, her heart starting to pound harder than it already was. His head was twisted towards the door, listening. Then he was up and out of there faster than she'd ever seen anyone do. Thankful she was still dressed, she hurried after Lee, who held up a hand to keep her back when he stopped at the top of the stairs.
"Do not lie to me!" Fred was shouting now. Emily could hear Serena whimpering, and she grabbed Lee's arm. He was stronger, though.
"Fred, please," Serena begged. The sound of a slap came, and Lee was down the stairs like a bullet. Emily ran after him. She rounded the corner too late. Lee already had Fred in a chokehold against the wall.
...
"Not so fun when it's you getting beat on, huh?" Lee asked, his face right in Fred's. He felt very enraged in this moment.
"Lee, stop," Emily ordered. Lee looked briefly to see Serena's nose bleeding and tears streaking down her face. He then put his attention back onto his victim and pulled Fred back slightly before ramming him into the wall again hard. Fred started to laugh.
"You think you're the hero, don't you?" he taunted. "I got news for you: you're not."
"We'll see," Lee replied, squeezing tighter.
"Lee!" Emily shouted.
Fred moved quickly, and he had Lee off him and shoved down to the floor in seconds. Lee didn't stay down long, though. He was back up, fists raised and waiting.
"Mind your own business," Fred ordered, pointing a finger at him. "Or else."
"Or else what?"
"Billy won't be the only person you'll have watched die for nothing," Fred spat, and Emily watched Lee tense up all over.
"Don't you say his name," Lee said, his voice barely containing his emotions.
"Fred, stop it," Serena ordered now, going over to him. "You're drunk."
"I have never been more sober," Fred argued, shoving her off as she tried to steer him away.
"Serena, let's go," Emily tried.
"Yea, go with your friend," Fred said snidely. "Get out of my sight. Bitch." He went to walk to the kitchen when Lee tackled him. Emily and Serena were both shouting at him, but he didn't pay them any mind. He was laying a beating on Fred and imagining Vilain's face as he did so. It felt really, really good. It had always kind of irked him that Barney had gotten to finish the man off and get revenge. They'd all wanted it.
"Lee!" Emily shrieked again, grabbing his shoulders and hauling him back with surprising strength. Serena was assisting, and Lee shook them off while reluctantly assuring them he was done. He was far from done, but he didn't want Emily to witness him pulverizing Fred into the floor.
Fred spat out some blood and wiped his bloody face with the back of his sleeve.
"This isn't over, Lee," Fred warned as Emily and Serena pulled Lee away.
"I'll be waiting," Lee promised.
"Come on," Emily begged, finally getting him out the door. He bent to grab his shirt on the way, pulling it on. When they were out of sight, he turned to walk with them and put a hand on Emily's back. Serena was walking in front with her arms crossed, still crying heavily.
When they came into view, Toll lurched to his feet upon seeing Serena.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Mummy?" Maya asked, sounding scared.
"It's alright," Emily answered. "It was just an accident. We're gonna get her all better, okay?"
"Okay..."
Lee hated how Maya sounded as though she knew exactly what was going on. He caught Tia's eye, and she was already on her feet and coming towards them.
"This way," she said, ushering them towards her cottage. Toll was hot on Serena's heels. Lee caught Emily when she tripped, preventing her from falling onto her face. He'd been so preoccupied with everything that had happened that he'd forgotten he was barefoot along with her.
"Here," he said, picking her up into his arms and startling her a little.
"Oh, I'm fine," she tried.
"We're almost there anyway," he cut her off. They went up the hill, going up the stairs and into the cottage single file. Tia took Serena to the bathroom to attend to her, and Lee set Emily down on the floor after making sure her feet didn't have any broken glass in them.
"You okay?" he asked, noticing she looked upset.
"I'll be fine. I'm just so sick of his shit, you know? I don't know why she stays."
"It's hard."
"I can't believe we didn't hear him coming."
That was the other thing he was pissed off at Fred for: interrupting what had been a very tender moment between him and Emily. He still kicked himself, too, for not hearing the boat come in. He heard it now, and he looked out into the darkness as it passed by at full speed. Clearly, Fred was going back into town.
"Toll, I love you, but get the hell out," Tia ordered, and Toll came lurching backwards out of the bathroom doorway before the door was slammed after him. He stood there looking helpless before looking at Lee.
"She'll be okay," Emily promised him.
"What happened?" Toll asked again, coming over to join them.
"I don't really know," Emily answered. "We heard them arguing, and then Lee intervened."
"Did you break his nose at least?" Toll asked Lee.
"I was trying," Lee promised. They didn't say much else until Tia came back out with Serena in tow. Emily went to take a minute in the washroom. Lee decided to give Toll and Serena a moment and went with Tia out onto the deck.
"What a pile of shit," Tia sighed heavily.
"I agree."
"You think something's gonna happen?"
"At some point," Lee answered. "Just don't know when."
"Well, you better keep those girls safe," Tia ordered, pointing a finger at him. Lee gave a small smile.
"I will," he promised softly. Tia gave a curt nod of her head before going back in after seeing Emily rejoin the others. Lee waited outside, and she eventually joined him. Without a word, she put her arms around him and let him hold her. He held her close, silently vowing that he'd never let anything happen to her or Maya or Serena.
Not on his watch.
...
Toll felt his heart hurt as he looked at the wounds on Serena's face. She gave him a small smile.
"I'm okay," she said softly.
"Did you break up with him? Is that why he freaked out?"
"No, not yet. It was something else."
"What was it?"
"He was suspicious of you," Serena admitted, meeting his eyes. Toll swallowed.
"Then he should have come and tried to knock me around," he advised.
"Why would he when he has me?" she countered. Toll couldn't take it anymore. He moved to hold her, and she let him.
"I'm here," he said simply, and she started to cry. He held on, hoping she knew how much he cared about her. He was falling for her more each day; he didn't know what he'd do without her, and he barely knew her. He was finally experiencing love at first sight.
"I got you," he whispered to her comfortingly. "I got you."
...
As she stood in his arms, she wondered what he was thinking. Would he be surprised to find out what she was capable of? That she wasn't the person he thought she was? She was pretty sure he was soon going to find out. She knew what was coming, and she was ready. She closed her eyes.
She just desperately hoped that nothing would happen to him when it did.