What If (Willowbrook Book 2) by Ashlyn Mathews

fess up about how shitty he felt at throwing away the key to her heart, as though it’d meant nothing to him.
    The key meant everything. Since she’d given it to him when they went exclusive, the key had become his talisman. Tossing it aside was like losing a part of who he’d become.
    Maybe once Emma began trusting him to keep her safe and stop giving him excuses for what scared her, he’d let down his guard and tell her what ate at him. Trust flowed both ways.
     
     

Chapter Ten
    Cradled between Drew’s legs, Emma couldn’t think; she felt. Felt his erection pressed against her back. Felt his jealousy, palpable in the cool air.
    “Let’s not do a fire, okay?” She stood and grabbed the flashlight from behind the flower pot. Drew might’ve changed the lock but he’d left her flashlight in the same spot.
    During her busiest months, when she would cover three, sometimes four counties and have a presentation almost every other day, a walk in the dark, alone, helped her recharge. Label her crazy for needing time alone away from sexy Drew. Or, just call her an introvert.
    He got the message. The back door slammed shut. She gripped the flashlight and turned it on. The sun had disappeared. Goose bumps covered her skin. She’d have to make her walk a quick one.
    Inhaling the cool air, she followed her normal route. There were so many questions floating in her mind since Drew had asked her to text Tess and Jones.
    For some reason, the one about his swollen fingers had taken priority. Why? She kicked at the ground. Small rocks flew and hit the trees alongside the dirt path. Suspicious, she shone the light high. Her attention riveted to the metal targets nailed to large tree branches.
    The targets were off-kilter and dented. They weren’t like that the last time she’d seen them months ago. Was it desperation or stupidity that had driven Drew to pound the footballs into them? Gritting her teeth, she hurried past the targets. Forget football. She wanted to mull over their conversation.
    First, he wasn’t with Tess. He was with “my girl in a remote, romantic place.” What the hell did that mean for them, anyway? Remote, sure, but romantic? Drew didn’t have a romantic inkling in his body. Except, he had suggested a fire . Romantic . She shook her head. That had been an exception.
    Second, Drew had said he’d leave Emma’s perfect guy alone. He wouldn’t. She knew him better than that. His jealousy surprised her.
    When had he ever been jealous of a guy she hung out with? Even when she’d told him he wasn’t her first, he’d acted all casual, giving her a barely convincing, “Doesn’t matter as long as I’m your last.”
    Third, he wanted to help behind the scenes. Sure . Like she’d let that happen after getting a glimpse of his jealousy earlier. She’d have to tell him no-go on the help. She wouldn’t let him risk his career by getting into a fight with her guy friend.
    Finally, she wouldn’t tell Drew she was pregnant. Not until she had gathered enough courage to tell him what she and Chris had been doing together when Drew wasn’t around. Both were tough subjects she wasn’t ready to tackle. Plus, she still had questions for Drew. Why’d you leave the chain and key where I’d find it? Why do I love and miss you so much I hurt?
    Her mind a tad clearer and her decision made, she trekked back to the house. She let herself in through the back door. Drew had left it unlocked. She took off her boots then stopped in the kitchen to get a large glass of water.
    The sound of running water came from the bathroom down the hall, followed by Drew’s booming voice. Emma tiptoed over.
    “You told her what?” She heard from the other side of the closed door. “Shit man, I was in too much pain to take in what your girl had said about my junk. Is it gonna be a problem? No, it’s not. Yeah, things are fine. Yeah, I’m taking your advice. Any more damn questions?”
    She rasped her fist on the door. The