The Proposal

Chapter 10

Jame's perspective

As I adjusted my tie and glanced around the locker room, Luke's question broke through my preoccupation. "How's Emmeline?" he asked, his tone genuine.

I sighed, pulling my tie tight. "She's okay. She wanted to come tonight, but I said no. It's too risky with everything going on. Not until the police find out who sent those pictures."

Luke nodded in agreement. "I agree. Better to be safe."

With that, we wrapped up our pre-interview preparations and made our way out. The press interview was a whirlwind of questions and flashing cameras. They asked about the game, the team's performance, and of course, Emme. I tried to remain composed, focusing on giving professional answers while internally wishing I could be with her.

When the interview finally wrapped up, I felt a surge of relief. The post-game celebrations usually awaited, but tonight, I had only one priority—getting home to Emme. I said a quick goodbye to the guys and headed out, my thoughts already on the quiet comfort of our home.

Arriving home, the house was eerily quiet. As I entered, I saw the soft glow of the living room lights and the familiar warmth of home. The girls were on the couch, and Emme was fast asleep, curled up under a blanket. Alice was busy tidying up, her movements gentle so as not to disturb Emme.

I approached Alice, lowering my voice. "How's she doing?"

Alice looked up, her expression a mix of concern and relief. "She's had a tough day, but she's resting now. I made sure she got some food earlier, and she seemed to be doing better after that."

I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for Alice's support. "Thanks for taking care of her."

Alice smiled softly. "Of course. She's been really stressed lately. We're all here for her."

I carefully made my way over to the couch and sat down next to Emme. I gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, trying not to wake her. Seeing her so peaceful, despite everything that had happened, was both comforting and heartbreaking.

Alice finished tidying up and quietly left the room, giving us some privacy. I sat there, just watching Emme sleep, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. I wished I could do more to protect her and make her feel safe, but for now, all I could do was be here for her.

As I sat there, I let out a long, slow breath, trying to push away the stress of the day. Emme stirred slightly but didn't wake. I gently adjusted the blanket around her, ensuring she was warm and comfortable. I knew we had a long road ahead of us, with more challenges to face and solutions to find. But for now, in this quiet moment, all I wanted was to be with her, to provide whatever comfort and support I could.

I leaned back on the couch, allowing myself to relax for the first time in what felt like forever. The house was peaceful, and Emme's presence beside me was a balm to my weary soul. For tonight, at least, I could take solace in the simple fact that we were together, safe at home.

It was barely dawn, and the faint light filtering through the windows cast soft shadows in the living room. The sound of Emme's phone ringing pierced the quiet, pulling me from sleep. I blinked a few times, realizing we were still on the couch, with Emme curled up beside me. She let out a groggy groan, clearly not ready to face the day.

"Shh, baby, I got it," I whispered, carefully sliding out from under the blanket without disturbing her too much. I reached for her phone on the coffee table and glanced at the screen. Seeing the caller ID, I felt a jolt of tension.

"Emmeline's phone," I answered, stepping into the kitchen to keep from waking her more than necessary. My voice was low, steady, but my heart was already racing.