Everything with you

Part 63

Justin

I didn't want to make the call.

But after yesterday—after the knife, after Emma breaking down in my arms—I knew I had no choice. If we were going to survive this, I needed backup. The kind of backup that came with a badge or a courtroom keycard.

I sat on the edge of the couch, phone in hand, thumb hovering over the contact for a few seconds before I finally pressed it.

It rang once.
Twice.
Three times.

Then: "Justin?"

"That was fast," I muttered.

He laughed, that deep rumble I hadn't heard in too long. "It's not every day my son calls me before noon. Everything okay?"

I didn't answer right away.

I told him everything instead.

Not all the details—just the facts he needed. The garage. The ambush. The guy putting a knife to Emma's throat. Nate getting punched like he weighed nothing. The way Henry had walked away, confident, like he owned the damn world.

For a long moment, there was only silence on the other end.

Then my dad said quietly, "I'll be over in a bit."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Okay."

The call ended, but the weight in my chest didn't lift.

From the window, I could see Emma outside, pacing the porch with her phone to her ear. Her silhouette moved in quick, anxious steps. I stepped out, quietly opening the door as her voice rose, sharp and tired.

"Yes, Mom, I get it. I'm being careful. I know—I have to go now, okay?"

She turned just in time to see me, giving me an exhausted shrug as she hung up. Her eyes were tired. Her cheeks slightly flushed from frustration.

"She worried?" I asked.

"She's always worried." Emma sighed, stuffing her phone into her back pocket. "She thinks if I wasn't around you, half of this wouldn't have happened."

I couldn't argue with that. Not really.

"She's probably right," I said quietly.

Emma looked up, surprised. I shrugged. "If I wasn't in your life... you wouldn't have had to deal with half this shit."

She was quiet for a second, then shook her head. "That's not how it works."

Before I could say anything else, I asked, teasing lightly, "Told your mom about us getting back together?"

Her lips twitched. "Yeah..."

"Sounds like she's thrilled," I grinned.

That earned a real laugh, tired but genuine. Then her eyes shifted, a bit uncertain. "Are we... um, back together? I mean, we haven't really talked about it since, you know..."

The way she still got shy around me, even after everything—God, she was adorable.

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I stepped closer, wrapped my hands gently around her hips, and pulled her into me.

"Since what, Em?" I murmured, dipping my head down and brushing a kiss along her cheek.

"You know what," she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut when my lips grazed the curve of her neck.

I laughed softly against her skin. "Yes, Emma. We're back together. You're one of the most important people in my life, and without you, it fucking sucked. I know I screwed up—badly—but I'd never hurt you like that again. Ever."