The After of Us (Judge Me Not #4)(40)

“Probably,” Will agrees, yawning, as well.

Ten minutes later, after Will has fallen asleep, I slip out from under the covers. It takes me a good half an hour to find the printout of the agents, but when I do, I tuck that damn list in my purse.

There, done.

Now I just have to bide my time till I can move onto step number two—copying the file of Will’s comic book from his computer to a flash drive. Shouldn’t be too hard, I just need access to his laptop.

Will doesn’t know it yet, but once I have that file in my hands, I plan to query every agent on the list I just nabbed. I want nothing more than to help Will make his dreams come true, especially since I love him.

And also because, though I kind of find it hard to believe, Will Gartner loves me.





Will



I’ve fallen for Emma Metzger. That’s why I told her I love her, because, damn it, I do. Thank God she loves me, too.

The week after I move into the apartment above the garage—and following my and Emma’s declarations of love—Chase and I begin a new routine of kicking back in his living room after work. Some days we drink a beer or two, but most days we’re content with just pop.

Like today. I’m chilling on the sofa, downing an icy-cold Cherry Coke, while Chase is reclined in an easy chair across from me. He’s drinking the same generic lemon-lime pop he’s loved for years.

“Dude,” I say, chuckling, “I can’t believe you still like that stuff.”

“Like it, little bro?” He raises his can in salute. “I love this shit. And besides, when you find a good thing, you should stick with it.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” I mumble as I lean forward and set my Cherry Coke can on the coffee table between us.

When I glance up, Chase is eyeing me curiously.

Settling back on the sofa cushions, I say, “I know that look, Chase. What is it you’re dying to ask me?”

He laughs. “Okay, yeah. There is something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

“Go ahead, shoot.”

He finishes off his beloved lemon-lime and sets the can on the floor by his chair. “Just wondering how things are going with you and Emma,” he says.

Chase has stayed out of my business for the most part, but since he’s partnered with Emma’s cousin’s husband, I knew this would eventually come up.

“Don’t worry,” I begin in my most reassuring voice. “Emma is cool. I have no plans to do her wrong and cause a war between you and your business partner.”

Chase arches a brow. “So, what are you saying? Are things getting serious with you two?”

A rush of panic hits me. “Whoa, slow down, bro. We just went exclusive.”

Chase shakes his head, like I have no clue. “Just watch it, Will. Girls like Emma tend to get real serious real quick.”

“We did say the words,” I admit.

“What? The dreaded ‘I love yous’?”

I blow out a breath. “Those would be the ones.”

I love Emma, but sharing it with my brother makes it feel so f*cking real. Not to mention, scary as f*cking hell. Maybe because the only other time I loved a girl was throughout my misspent youth with Cassie. And we all know how that turned out.

As if to punctuate my growing list of responsibilities that have me panicked, Lily begins giggling and screeching something incoherent, her voice shrill from out in the backyard where the kids are playing.

After a quick glance to an open window facing where the kids are, Chase says, “Hey, look, I’m happy things are going so well for you and Emma. Truly, dude, I am—”

“Thanks, man.”

“—but I have to ask,” Chase drones right over me. “You two are being safe, right?”

I roll my eyes. “You’re seriously asking me that question?”

“Yeah, I am, Will. I love your daughter, don’t get me wrong, but one little Lil is enough…for now.”

“You don’t have to worry,” I assure Big Bro. “Emma started taking the pill a while back, and I’m still using condoms in the interim.”

Chase releases a pent-up breath. “Well, that’s a relief to hear.”

Our conversation is mercifully interrupted then when our rambunctious children move playtime from the backyard to the living room.

“Hey, no running in the house,” Chase calls out to Jack when he scampers into the room, the girls trailing behind him.

Jack skids to a stop, and Sarah and Lily just about collide into his back. Chase and I can’t help but laugh at their antics. Some days, I swear, it’s like a comedy show around this house.

“Come over here,” Chase says to his kids.

Sarah and Jack make a beeline for their dad and clamber up into his lap. Lily plops down on the floor by my feet, and I reach down and ruffle her hair.

Batting my hand away, she chirps, “Daddy, my hair! You’re messing it all up.”

“You’re such a girl,” I tease.

Hands on her hips, she twists around and glares up at me. “I am a girl,” she feels fit to inform me. Like this is something I haven’t quite figured out.

Chuckling, I say, “Yes, I know, sweetheart.”

“I’m a girl like Miss Emma.”