Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
SUTTON
“ O h I’m so glad you’re here early.” Jameson bursts into the locker room in a whirl of glamour and fervor. Only he could look that good coming into work. Nice jeans, a button-up sleeveless top, and brown boots. Much better than my old T-shirt and leggings.
“Is everything okay?” I take the last bite of my apple and toss the core into the trash.
Jameson drops down into the chair opposite me and takes my hand in his. “Gunnar asked me to move in with him.”
“What?” A swell of jealousy rises up in my stomach.
“Last night. We were snuggling?—”
I hold up my hand. “You can save me the details of your sex life, J.”
Jameson waves me off. “There was no sex. Well, at least not then.” A sly grin spreads across his handsome face.
“Knew it.” I kick him with the toe of my tennis shoe under the table.
“Babe, you would jump him like a tree too if he were your type.”
I burst out laughing, checking the time until my shift starts. Having had to drop Lydia off early, I figured I’d come in and eat without having to do so on the drive in. “My type is Derek, J. Give me more details.”
“We were together on the couch and I told him I had to leave because I needed clean scrubs and he just said ‘move in.’”
“Just like that?” I ask.
He waggles his eyebrows at me. “Yes. And then we had the sexy times.”
“You know.” I sip my coffee. “I’m surprised you two haven’t moved in before now.”
“Me? What about you?” Jameson leans over and grabs a piece of my muffin and pops it in his mouth. “Why aren’t you and Derek living together?”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Was for Gunnar. He asked, I answered.”
“We have two kids. I live with my mom. There are logistics we have to figure out.”
“Don’t you want to move out?”
“I mean, yes. But?—”
“But it’s easier because you have the help with Lydia when you need it. Yes, I know, dear.”
I smile at him. It’s a conversation we’ve had before. After the divorce with my ex, staying with my mom was the smart choice. Now? It’s the easy one.
“It seems like a big move to make with Derek.”
“Have you talked to him about it?” he asks. He cocks a brow at me, and it’s a judgy one if I’ve ever seen one.
I know because I’ve given him the same look before.
“Things are good right now. Why rock the boat?”
“Or are you concerned about the new woman in Derek’s life?”
“It’s not like they’re in a relationship,” I scoff.
“But it’s Troy’s mom. If they share custody, she’ll always be around. That can’t be easy.”
I blow out a breath and stand, heading to my locker to change into my scrubs. “I’m trying not to think about that right now.”
“Honey. Even I know you’re doing a shit job of it.”
I tug the rainbow-colored scrub top over my head. “Everything is fine.”
I’ve been telling myself that far too often lately. Fine.
“You’re not worried about things? What if they start going too well?” Jameson hints.
“Will you stop?” I snap. Damn it. Now I’m lashing out at my best friend because he’s thinking the same thing I am. “Sorry. I can’t entertain that thought at all.”
“Babe.” Jameson drops his hands on my shoulders. “I know you are, and I’m sorry I said anything.”
I fiddle with a stray thread in my top. “I love him. More than I loved my ex and it’s overwhelming some days.”
“I know.”
“But what if things start going well with Missy? Do I still have a place with them?”
“Who said?—”
“I know he’ll tell me I’m crazy and I know I am, but God, I hate this feeling!” I don’t let Jameson finish. “I hate being in love. It sucks.”
“Are you done?” Jameson quirks his brows and crosses his arms. “Any more thoughts to spew?”
“I hate you.” I laugh, shoving him in the shoulder. “Yes, I’m done.”
“Being in love can be the worst. I freaked out on Gunnar because I thought he was ashamed to be seen with me and it was my own fears.”
“I know.”
“And you know we worked it out. And now we’re moving in together.”
“I’m happy for you. I am.” It’s not a lie. I love Jameson, and he deserves all the happiness in the world .
“This is just a bump in the road for you two. Not even a bump.”
I lean against my locker, letting the cool metal seep through the thin material of my top. “You’re right. I’m being overdramatic.”
He gives me a big smile. “It happens to the best of us. Trust me, you’re talking to the queen of blowing things out of proportion.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Why don’t we all do lunch this weekend?” Jameson asks. “There’s a cute new café that’s opening near Gunnar’s we can try out.”
“Sure. I’ll talk with Derek.”
Jameson checks his appearance in his locker mirror before grabbing his stethoscope. “God, I hope today’s a better shift. We don’t need another shit show of a day.”
“I know. But hey, it’ll keep my mind busy.”
He waggles his eyebrows at me as another nurse comes in. “Or you could just imagine all the things you want to do to him the next time you see him.”
“Jameson. You cannot say that at work!” I look around, but thankfully it’s quiet.
“What? You know it’d be fun. Maybe a little role-playing.”
“I can’t with you.”
“Doctor and nurse? He’d love that.”
“You mean me being a nurse after I clock out? Yeah, not fun.”
It brings back the memory of Christmas Eve. Of the slinky little number that I wore for Derek. Of the powerful feeling it gave me.
“Actually, you know what? You’re right. Maybe we could get Uncle Jameson to babysit,” I suggest.
“I like hearing I’m right. So much so, that I’ll even agree to watch the kids for you.”
Jameson closes up his locker and starts to head out.
“Hey.” I stop Jameson and pull him in for a hug. “Thank you.”
“You know,” he starts. “It’s nice to see you acting like the crazy person for once.”
“I am not.” I smack him on the shoulder.
“You turned into me.”
“Would that be so bad?” I roll my eyes at him. “You’re a good person.”
“A good person who is moving in with his boyfriend.”
“We’ll have to celebrate once it’s official.”
“Just make sure you kno-ock.” Jameson sings as he’s out the door.
Thank God for working with your best friend. Nothing like him bringing a little perspective to things and making you feel better about life.
About the Missy situation. About Derek.
About our future. Because that is a conversation I am ready to have.