Emily’s fingers trembled as she dialed Lucas’ number, her breath catching in her throat. The bar’s ambient noise faded away, leaving only the thundering of her heartbeat in her ears.
“Hey, baby girl,” Lucas’ deep voice answered, sending a shiver down her spine.
“I know what I want,” Emily blurted out, her words slurring slightly. “I want you, I need you, and fuck this twat.” She gestured wildly at Ryan, nearly knocking over her empty shot glass.
There was a pause on the other end. “Emily, who’s there with you?”
She hiccuped, glancing around the dimly lit bar. “I’m with Soph at the bar near my flat. We, uh, ran into Ryan.”
“Shit,” Lucas muttered. “Are you okay?”
Emily’s mind raced, torn between the alcohol-fueled bravado and the nagging reality of their situation. “I’m… I don’t know. Can you come get us?”
“Of course, baby girl,” he replied without hesitation. “Do you want me to pick you up at the bar or around the corner?”
She paused, her gaze flicking between Sophia’s concerned face and Ryan’s confused scowl. Fuck it, she thought. “He’ll have to find out sometime,” she said with a shrug. “Just come to the bar.”
As she ended the call, Emily felt a mix of exhilaration and terror. What the hell had she just done?
Sophia reached out, squeezing Emily’s hand. “Em, are you sure about this?” she asked, her hazel eyes filled with a mix of concern and pride.
Emily nodded, the room spinning slightly. “Absolutely fucking sure,” she slurred, then giggled. “Oh god, I’m drunk.”
Ryan leaned in, his breath reeking of cheap beer. “Who the hell are you talking about, Em?”
She shot him a withering glare. “None of your damn business.”
Sophia stood up, placing herself between Emily and Ryan. “I think it’s time for you to leave, Ryan.”
As Ryan opened his mouth to protest, Emily’s mind wandered. What would Lucas think when he saw her like this? Drunk, disheveled, in the same bar as her ex. She pictured his strong jawline, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. Fuck, she was in deep.
“Earth to Emily,” Sophia’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Are you okay in there?”
Emily blinked, focusing on her friend’s concerned face. “Yeah, just… processing. Holy shit, Soph. What if this blows up in my face?”
Sophia sat back down, wrapping an arm around Emily’s shoulders. “Then we’ll deal with it together, like we always do. But for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing.”
Emily leaned into her friend’s embrace, her heart racing. Any minute now, Lucas would walk through that door, and everything would change.
The bar’s door swung open with a creak, and Lucas strode in, his presence immediately commanding attention. Emily’s heart skipped a beat as she watched him scan the room, his piercing blue eyes searching.
Ryan’s face lit up with a fake smile. “Dad! What brings you here? Come for a drink?”
Lucas’ jaw tightened. “Not tonight, Ryan,” he replied curtly, still looking around.
Emily’s breath caught in her throat as Lucas’ gaze finally landed on her and Sophia. His stern expression softened, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Fuck, he was gorgeous.
Suddenly, the room tilted. Emily stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. Shit, she thought, bracing for impact.
But instead of hitting the sticky floor, she felt strong arms wrap around her. Lucas’ familiar scent enveloped her as he whispered, “Hey baby girl,” his breath hot against her ear.
Emily’s skin tingled where he touched her. She looked up into his concerned eyes, her own vision blurry. “My hero,” she slurred, giggling.
Ryan’s voice cut through the moment. “What the hell is going on here?”
Emily tensed in Lucas’ arms. This was it. The moment of truth. She took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.
The silence that followed Ryan’s question was deafening. Emily could feel the tension crackling in the air, like electricity before a storm. She looked up at Lucas, seeing the muscle in his jaw twitch as he clenched his teeth.
Ryan’s eyes darted between them, his face contorting from confusion to dawning realization. “Are you seriously fucking my dad, Emily?” he spat out, his voice a mixture of disgust and disbelief.
Emily’s heart raced. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, a combination of alcohol and anger. Fuck it, she thought. No more hiding.
“Yeah, Ryan,” she shot back, her voice steady despite the alcohol coursing through her veins. “I am.”
Lucas’ arms tightened around her, a silent show of support. Emily leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence.
Ryan’s face turned an ugly shade of red. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he snarled. “How long has this been going on? Were you screwing him while we were still together?”
Emily felt a surge of righteous anger. “Unlike you,” she hissed, “I don’t cheat on the people I supposedly care about.”
The bar had gone quiet, all eyes on their little drama. Emily didn’t give a shit. Let them watch. Let them see Ryan for the asshole he really was.
Ryan’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. “How long have you known he’s my dad?” he demanded, jabbing a finger in Lucas’ direction.
Emily let out a bitter laugh, the sound echoing in the tense silence of the bar. “Less than twelve hours,” she spat, her words slightly slurred. “That’s what I’ve been trying to deal with by drinking a lot of tequila all night.”
She felt Lucas stiffen behind her, his breath catching. Emily reached back, her fingers finding his and squeezing. She wasn’t letting go, not now, not ever.
“You expect me to believe that?” Ryan scoffed, his eyes wild with anger and disbelief.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you believe,” Emily retorted, her voice low and dangerous. “Your opinion stopped mattering the moment you stuck your dick in someone else.”
The patrons around them shifted uncomfortably, some averting their eyes, others watching with morbid fascination. Emily could feel their stares, but she didn’t care. Her world had narrowed to this moment, this confrontation.
“This is fucked up,” Ryan muttered, shaking his head. “You’re both fucked up.”
Emily felt a surge of defiance. “Maybe,” she said, her voice steady despite the alcohol. “But at least we’re honest about it.”
Emily turned to Lucas, her eyes meeting his. The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch, even through the haze of alcohol. She swallowed hard, her voice softening. “Can you take me home now, please?”
Lucas’ face softened, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. “Of course, baby girl,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.