Page 123 of Family Bonds- Emma & Warren

“Why didn’t you tell me that press release was going out?” Mike asked.

“First off,” he said, “it’s not about me or the team. You don’t need to know those things. Second of all, it’s not my news to share.”

“But it’s going to put you out there,” Mike said.

“Which has nothing to do with the team,” he repeated. “Drop it. I’m not going to address any of it and that is my stance. If you want an official statement because you feel you need to release it, then it’s the same as everyone else. I was just as stunned as them to find out.”

“Did you find out tonight?” Mike asked.

“No comment,” he said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some reading to do. I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Mike was laughing when he hung up. He wasn’t sure why and didn’t care.

He was ready to toss his phone on the counter when it went off with another text.

He would have ignored it, but it was from his father again.

This time asking for help.

35

HER HUNKY BOYFRIEND

Emma rolled out of bed on Sunday at noon.

She would have liked to sleep later, but Warren was playing at one, and she always watched.

It was good timing that his game was away this weekend. If it was home, she wouldn’t have gone and been on TV while they talked about her mother.

For the most part, she’d been able to shut it off and go about her business in her written world.

Her sales were through the roof, her mini-series was getting crazy attention.

Roark joked that she could have gotten even more for the sale of the rights now.

He was probably right, but she didn’t want to ride her mother’s coattails either and it felt too much like that now.

Lucky followed her into the bathroom while she did her business and brushed her teeth. She found a pair of leggings and pulled them on, then a Patriots sweatshirt was yanked over the T-shirt she’d slept in.

She needed food before she decided when she’d get in the shower. She might not even do that. It’s not like she was seeing anyone anytime soon.

She had her first cup of coffee in her hand when her phone was ringing.

Crap, where the hell was it?

She stopped to listen and realized it was at least close by and saw it on the coffee table in the living room.

“Hi, Mom,” she said.

“Emma,” her mother said. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be up in time for the game. You told me to call and get you out of bed.”

She’d forgotten she asked her mother to do that.

Not much good it would have done with her phone down here.

“Lucky jumped on me,” she said. “He’s the best alarm clock. Sort of. If he knew how to tell time.”

“As long as you’re up,” her mother said. “I haven’t heard much from you this week. Everything okay? You’re not going too nuts with the news?”