Amberlee
Fuck, I wish I could bail. But every attempt I made last night failed. They weren't giving in. I'm going to be forced to spend a weekend with Jeremiah and his family.With her.Watching them hug, kiss and God knows what else, in front of me. Their relationship rubbed in my face, reminding me in vibrant technicolor that the man I want willneverbe mine.
Ryan called twenty minutes ago, effectively telling me to get my ass downstairs with my bags so he could load it in his SUV. Hopefully, I’ll find a way to escape them in Myrtle Beach, maybe even find a man to take my mind off Jeremiah. I can’t come home unless I rent a car since it’s at least two hours away from what Ryan told me.
Maddy's outside when I finally descend the stairs. My face is void of all emotion, showing exactly how much I don't want to be going on this trip.
“Maddy, I really think this trip will be more fun for you guys if I stay home. I've just gotten over strep and I still don't feel a hundred percent.”
“No. You're going and stop whining. Damn. You'd think I'd be the one complaining, but no, it's the young woman that's not carrying around two babies inside of her and feels like a beached whale. Suck it up, buttercup. You're going.” She doesn't even wait for an answer, just places one hand on her hip, while pointing to the SUV with the other, effectively telling me to get my ass over there.
Ryan steps out of the house with RJ at that moment, smiles on both of their faces. “Okay ladies, are you positive you have everything? And before you even open your mouth, you're going Amberlee.”
I stomp my foot at him. Yeah, I'm acting like a brat. I'm just dreading this.
“Smile, little sis, you're going to the beach, not being taken to the guillotine.”
“That's still debatable. Come on, Ryan. This should be a family trip, with the kids and their parents. Not me tagging along like a lost puppy.”
“You are family and you're going. I don't want to hear any more about it. Plus, I told Jeremiah we'd watch Angel so y'all could go out on Saturday night and have some fun.”
No, no, no.He's gone and made plans for me to go out with Jeremiah. And Sylvia’s going to be there. Is he just leaving her in the hotel room or is she going to be with us too? No fucking way. I mean, just shoot me now.
I don't get to answer because Jeremiah chooses that moment to pull into the driveway. Maddy and Ryan make their way overto the truck with RJ. The driver's side door opens and Jeremiah slides out, then heads around to the passenger side. Fuck, isn't he chivalrous, opening the door for her and everything. The windows are tinted, but it doesn’t look like anyone’s in the passenger seat. Is she in the back with Angel?
Jeremiah heads around to the back and opens the door, leaning inside. In just a couple of moments, a little blonde ball of energy comes racing over to RJ, and they both begin rambling a mile a minute. Turning back toward the truck, I see Jeremiah headed our way, alone. He has his sunglasses sitting on the top of his head and he's wearing a pair of basketball shorts with a black shirt.
No one else gets out of the truck. Where's Sylvia? Why would she not be with them?
“Hey, Maddy, Ryan, my sweet little girl would like to know if RJ can ride with us?”
“Sure, if he wants. I just need to pull his booster seat out of the back if he does.”
He barely has the words out before both kids are jumping up and down at Ryan's side. “Yes, Daddy. I want to.”
Jeremiah turns to me, a smile on his face. “Do you want to ride with us, Amberlee?”
Oh yeah, that's exactly what I want to do. Ride in a truck with the man I'm crushing on and the bitch who gets to fuck him whenever she wants.
“That's okay. I'm sure there's no room for me with both the kids riding with you.” There, a very diplomatic answer.
He just looks at me, confused. “Why wouldn't there be room?”
“With both the kids and their booster seats in the back, and you, and I assume you’ll be picking Sylvia up, so she’ll be in the front.”
He raises his eyebrow and I swear he has a look of disdain on his face. “Why would you think she's going to be with us?”
“She's your wife!” Really, why wouldn't she be with him? Has everyone lost their common sense today?
“Amberlee, I'm not married. She left after Angel was born. I'm divorced.”
My blood chills, as my jaw tenses and my heart races with all the revelations just given to me. Eyes wide, I realize the last seven years have been a lie and he’s not with Sylvia. He’s not married. The man I want isn’t out of reach. Can this change things? He’s still Ryan’s best friend, just not married. I don’t know what to do or think. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. He’s divorced. The man I’ve been in love with since I was sixteen. The man my heart has pined over for the last seven years because I could never have him isn’t married. He’s single.
Holy fucking hell! He's single! I'm single! And we're going away for the weekend.
This is going to be one interesting trip.
Once I calm down and process everything, reality sinks in.
