Embracing Emma (Companion to Brisé) by Leigh Ann Lunsford Page A

vandalism. We don’t see much around here as you know, but kids get wild.”
    Everyone nods like they believe him, except my Em. I feel her eyes boring holes into the side of me, and I know I’m in for an earful. I just have to tell her enough and hope it convinces her. The adults huddle and talk about boarding the window until we can get it replaced and Emma lets me have it.
    “You weren’t at the bonfire. Less than an hour ago, you told me you were home.”
    Saying a silent prayer this doesn’t ruin us, I open my mouth, “I lied. I didn’t want to fight.”
    “You definitely lied, but you’re doing it now. I saw your truck, William. What aren’t you telling me?”
    “Leave it. The guys called me to the bonfire to talk, so I went.”
    “Called you how? By smashing your window?” I won’t lie again. “You need to tell them, Will. This isn’t a joke.”
    “No, Ems. I won’t say anything, and neither will you. It’s not a joke, but I have it handled.”
    Her eyes plead with me to give her more. I can’t. I give her what I can—my arms circling her, holding her tight, my lips against the top of her head in reassurance, my heart beating for her, swelling with love I will drown her in. And a resolve to never let the ugliness touch her. I’ll give her that every day, but tonight she gets my silence along with it.

Chapter Eleven
    Emma
     
     
    The window was replaced easily enough. Getting the truth from him is much harder. He and I both know what happened that night, and just because it’s been fixed and forgotten by most doesn’t mean I can let it go. Although at the moment, we have bigger fish to fry. College choice.
    “Explain to me AGAIN why you are leaning towards Georgia Southern?” Trying to keep the exasperation from my tone is a huge undertaking.
    “Football, Em. Same reason I gave you yesterday, the day before, and every day you ask me. I can’t play at University because of the fight.” The one he blames me for, he’s just too chicken to say so.
    “There were other colleges that offered. It doesn’t have to be there or nowhere.”
    “They are offering a full ride. And it’s the closest.”
    “Your parents can afford it, Will.”
    He rolls his eyes at me, tired of the same conversation. “I don’t want to be dependent on them. It’s important, and that’s why Southern makes the most sense. Plus, I don’t want to be that far from you.”
    Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. Distance won’t matter to us. We’ve got a bond that won’t be broken by miles. “It works better if you tell me you just don’t want to share the real reason.”
    “I’m giving you the real reasons. You make things so difficult.”
    “You do. You’re the one hiding something. The truth.”
    His deep sigh doesn’t deter me. There is a reason why he is going to commit to Southern, and he refuses to admit it. I’d rather him be two thousand miles from those assclowns who committed to play at Southern last week. “Emma, I’ve given you the truth. I want to play football. Georgia Southern isn’t my first choice, but I can’t play as a Bulldog. Southern offered me a full ride. It’s closer than the other schools who recruited me.”
    “But you’re locked in for four years.”
    “That’s what a full ride means.” I narrow my eyes at his unnecessary clarification.
    “What happened to the plan? You were going to switch schools when I graduated. That’s off the table if you commit to a four-year scholarship.”
    “And I’ve told you visits can be frequent. I have to live in the dorms until I’m second year, and I have a private room. Junior year I’ll look into apartments.”
    “And a grueling football schedule, so I can visit and spend no time with you. That sounds like a blast.”
    “Football season will be tough, I’ll admit it. But the rest of the time I’ll be yours.”
    “Except for half of summer for training camp.”
    “Are you trying to be difficult? When did we stop supporting