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A few minutes passed, and the announcement came over the speakers. Both players were ejected. Em looked over at me before security and one of the coaches walked him toward the tunnel. I grabbed my drink, then hugged Jacinta.

“I’m going to find my man. I’ll call you later,” I told Jacinta.

“Okay, mami. I’m so sorry. This is fucked up.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I made my way toward the family and guests’ area, so I could wait for Em. When I made it, I flopped down in the chair, still pissed. Em played his ass off tonight, and they ejected him, even though he didn’t start the fight.

“Deep fuckin’ breaths, Savannah,” I muttered.

Emery would already be irritated and drained. He didn’t need to see me angry; he needed my support and reassurance. I finished my drink, grabbed a bottle of water, and chugged it down. My phone buzzed in my purse, and I fished it out.

Em: They already talkin’ ’bout a fine. Suspension probably comin’ too. I’ll be out in ten. Where you at?

I texted him my location and sat back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. About ten minutes later, Em came through the door, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Irritation was written all over his face. I stood before he could reach me.

“Come here, baby.”

He walked straight to me, wrapping his arms around my waist while I ran my hand over his chest.

“You alright?” I asked, rubbing my hand over his waves.

“I’m straight. Just pissed off.”

“Alright. Let’s get outta here.”

Em grabbed my hand and led me toward the exit. Whatever he needed from me, I’d give it to him. His silence as we walked toward his car was loud. When he opened the passenger side door, I climbed inside, but not before I grabbed his hand.

He looked down at me and sighed. “I’m good, Vannah. I just wanna get the fuck away from here.”

I rubbed my thumb across his knuckles, then looked back at him. “I know. I love you.”

His lips curved up in a grin as he bent down to brush his lips against mine. “I love you too.”

I finally let go of his hand, and he walked around the car to get inside. When we pulled off, Em grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. I already had something planned for him tonight. But now I knew he needed what I put together more than ever.

Emery and I arrived at the Airbnb I had set up for us, and the lady I hired to put everything together was just leaving. I felt his eyes burning a hole through the side of my face, but I didn’t look his way. He put the car in park, turned it off, then grabbed my hand and forced me to look at him.

“Baby, what you got goin’ on? Who was that?”

“Something for you,” I purred, batting my eyes. “We gotta go inside for you to see it.”

He grinned, then kissed the back of my hand. “Yeah, aight. Come on, so I can see what you been doin’.”

He got out and walked around to the passenger seat, eyes locked on me through the windshield. The door swung open, then I stepped out and linked my fingers with his. As we walked toward the door, Em was silent, stealing glances at me the closer we got. He stood beside me patiently as I typed in the code. When I pushed the door open, warm candlelight lit the living room. There were no big ass balloons all around, just some shopping bags from his favorite brands filled to the brim.

A smile pulled at his lips as he pulled me close. “Damn, Vannah… This for me?”

“Yes,” I said, rubbing my palms up and down his chest. “I didn’t know today would go the way it did, but I’m glad I had something waiting for you. Hopefully, this makes your night a little better. You deserve to be celebrated.”

His head dropped to my shoulder, and he pulled me closer, gently kissing my neck.

“Thank you.”

I rubbed his back while we stood in the middle of the living room, hugging each other. Em needed this. He didn’t have to say anything for me to feel what he felt. His body was so stiff, but the longer I rubbed his back, the more he relaxed. I grabbed his face, brought his mouth to mine, and let my lips fall over his slowly. His hands gripped my waist, palms sliding down to my hips. He pulled away first, eyes low and intense like he wanted me right then, but I had plans for him. I just needed to handle some work first.

“Go take off your clothes. I’ll run you a bath. I need a few minutes to answer these emails.”