Chapter 24
Jeremiah
My heart is poundingand my breathing is ragged.
I’m minutes from telling my best friend I’m in love with his sister. His baby sister.
Angel’s singing along with a song in the movie she’s watching on her tablet. She doesn’t have a care in the world, and I really hate that her night is going to be ruined when the shit hits the fan.
Amberlee and I have ideas about how my confession to Ryan might go. It
I glance up at the rearview mirror, seeing my beautiful daughter’s reflection staring back at me. Angel’s getting older and she’s going to need the guidance that only a mother can provide, and I know Amberlee could be that person.
Pulling into Ryan’s driveway, I see Amberlee coming down her steps. My headlights shine on her as she flashes me a smile. Her hair hangs in loose curls, bouncing with each step, and she’s wearing a sundress. She looks like an absolute goddess.
Amberlee pauses on the last step as I bring my SUV to a stop. “Put the tablet up, Angel. We’re here.”
She doesn’t waste any time powering the device off and sliding it into the pocket on the back of the seat. My parents may have spoiled her a little, making sure she had one to keep in the vehicle and one to keep in the house.
“Go ahead and unbuckle,” I tell her as I get out of the car.
I turn my head, shifting my gaze up to the stairs.
“Hello,” I tell her, wanting to rush over, wrap her in my arms, and kiss her deeply. But I don’t. I can’t. Not until I’ve had a chance to talk to Ryan.
“Hey. Ryan said you were coming over.” She gives me a coy wink.
“And it’s about time you got here.” Ryan’s deep voice rings out from the shadow of the porch. Now I get the reason for the odd greeting.
“Well, Angel couldn’t leave until she found her pink bow for her hair. Girls.” I put my hands up in the air as I’m walking around to the passenger door, opening it for my little girl to get out. She takes off at a run for the house, eager to play with RJ.
My eyes keep drifting over to Amberlee as she steps up to her brother's side, saying something to him before heading inside.
“Come on, old man, let’s get a beer so we can talk. I’ve been wracking my mind trying to figure out what you needed to tell me. For a second, I thought it was going to be some shit about you and my sister, especially after y’all hung out at the beach.”
My body goes rigid, sweat beading on my forehead as my heart races. If he only knew how spot on with his assumption he is.
“Yeah, let’s get a beer,” I tell him, running my fingers through the bit of hair on my head that’s grown out, reminding me I need to get a haircut.
He turns, opening the door, and stepping inside. I follow after him. We head straight for the kitchen, where Maddy and Amberlee are busily working on prepping the food to cook.
“Hey, Jeremiah.” Maddy wipes her hands on a dishtowel, before stepping around the counter, giving me a side hug, and kissing me on the cheek. But just before she pulls away, she surprises me, whispering in my ear, “I’m glad you’re finally telling him.”
She doesn’t linger after side-swiping me with her words.
“I’m going to run out and get some ice cream for after dinner. Is it okay if I take the kids with me so they can pick out their favorite flavors?” Amberlee asks, placing her hands on the counter.
“Kids,” Maddy screams before anyone can answer.
They come running, sounding like a horde of elephants.
“Yeah, Mommy?” RJ asks as he skids to a stop.
“Auntie Amberlee wants to get some ice cream for after dinner, but she needs some helpers to pick out flavors. Can the two of you help her?”
“Yes,” they holler in excitement as they jump up and down.
“Okay then, RJ go get on your shoes.” She glances down at Angel’s feet smiling. “Looks like you need shoes as well, Angel.”
