25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Lilly
“H ey, y’all, I’ve got to get going,” Kristy said as she stood by the table where Jamison and I were seated. He had just told me about the brief exchange with Lance in the garage.
“This has been fun, but I’ve got a date with my two favorite men, Ben and Jerry.” She tossed her trash in the garbage can. “You want me to drive you home, Lill?”
“Well…” I glanced quickly at Jamison, and he gave me a slight nod. “I think I’m going to stay awhile, get Maddie situated and make sure she’s good. I’m sure I can find a ride home.”
Kristy immediately made eye contact with Jamison, who gave her a sly smile. “I’m sure someone is very willing to take you home. All right, be careful and wear a condom.”
“What?” I gasped.
“Don’t act around me. Remember, I know the truth.” She gave me a hug. “Love you.”
“Love you back,” I answered and gave her a tight squeeze.
As soon as she left, Lance sat across from us with a grimace on his face and slammed his beer on the table.
Well, here we go. Lance is acting like a baby. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked him.
“Not much. I was getting ready to leave also,” Lance said. “Thought I’d do the big brotherly thing and take my little sister home.”
Was it my imagination, or did Lance just enunciate “little sister?” I watched him. He never once looked my way; his gaze was fixed on Jamison.
“Thanks,” I said as I looked between the two guys. “But I was going to stay a bit. Make sure Maddy is set for the night.” No time like the present to bring us up. “Anyway, Jamison said he wouldn’t mind taking me home once the girls are situated.”
“Oh, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind, but I can run you by the house if you want to leave, since Mom and Charles are going to be here for the night with the kiddos. You could have a much-deserved night by yourself .“ He glanced at me quickly then turned his attention back to Jamison.
What the hell? “You know that’s really sweet and all,” I said, as I felt my pulse elevate, “but I don’t want to put you out.” This big brotherly, pissed off act was out of hand. If he suspected something, he needed to just come out and discuss it like adults.
Jamison said, “I’m heading home soon, and you know my place is on the way, so I’ll just drop her off.”
Lance squinted and gave Jamison the side-eye. “You sure, bro? Mom and Charles’s house isn’t exactly on your way home.”
“It’s closer to me than to you.” Jamison stared back at Lance.
This was ridiculous. “Jamison and I are going to be here for a while more. Our daughters are spending the night, and we want to make sure they’re settled. When we’re ready to leave, Jamison will take me home.”
Finally, Lance looked at me and eyed me hard before he spoke. “As long as he leaves after he drops you off.”
I held his gaze. “Seriously Lance? You are such a baby.” I was not the little sister he remembered from before. I was a grown woman, divorced, and a mother. I wouldn’t allow him to keep Jamison and me from being together if it’s what we wanted. He had no right.
This was bullshit. I placed my hand over Jamison’s and squeezed. Jamison closed his fingers over mine. “What business is it of yours if he drops me off or stays?”
Lance held my gaze, and the side of his cheek sucked in—his telltale sign he was trying to keep his cool. He glanced at our hands, then at me, then Jamison. The muscle in his jaw clenched and his eyes lowered. “Fine. That’s one less thing I’ve got to worry about. I’ll see you guys tomorrow at the jamboree.” His eyes traveled between us once more, then he stood and stalked off.
“Well,” Jamison turned his hand over and entwined our fingers, “that went smoothly.”
“Sorry, but I couldn’t stand his accusatory gaze like we were children. He had to know.”
“Oh, I totally agree,” Jamison said.
“I took the no bullshit attitude and just tore the Band-Aid off.” I wiggled my brows and shot him what I hoped was a sexy smile.
“There’s the girl I remember.” He placed a quick kiss on my cheek, as his thumb glided over my hand and caused my stomach to flutter.
“How the hay got in your hair is becoming more and more clear.” Tonya’s voice caused us both to freeze.
“Well, might as well finish our bandage tearing,” Jamison said under his breath with a grin. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to his side. “Is it, Mom?”
Tonya, Ruth, Diane, and my mother joined us with the stupidest grins stuck on their faces. I felt a blush creep across mine as I met my mother’s eyes.
“I’m guessing this was why Lance left like a grown baby,” my mother said.
My insides coiled, and I sat up straight. “He was acting like an overprotective brother, and I grabbed Jamison’s hand and challenged him to say something. I won’t be bullied by Lance. I’m a grown woman and don’t need him to protect me anymore, especially from Jamison.” My blood was boiling, and I knew my voice was clipped and irritated.
My mom’s hands were in the air. “Baby, I’m not here to judge. Trust me. We”—she gestured toward her friends— “thought there was some truth to the talk around town.”
“Not the first time we’ve thought this, I might add,” Tonya said.
Rose and Nolan joined us. “Well, it seems the cat is out of the bag, as they say,” Rose said.
“No one says that anymore, babe.” Nolan wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’re so adorable.” He kissed her cheek.
“Anyway, we’re out of here,” Rose finished.
I stood to give her a hug.
“Be good, girlie,” she said in my ear.
“Always,” I answered. I could feel her shoulders bounce as she laughed.
She pulled away, and we looked at each other for a bit, her face filled with a mischievous smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Ruth walked away with Rose and Nolan.
“I’m going to go check on the men. Make sure they have everything with the kiddos taken care of.” Diane said, leaving us alone to be scrutinized by our mothers.
Jamison’s arm tightened around my waist, and we both laughed.
“What?” he asked Tonya,
Tonya’s grin was lopsided, and she glanced between the two of us, then to my mother, who lifted her brow.
“Say bye before you leave.” They both got up and walked to the tent.
Jamison let out a breath, and I chuckled. “That’s one way to let the world know,” he said.
“Yep,” I agreed. When our eyes met, he pulled me to him and gave me a peck on the lips.
“We haven’t told the girls yet,” I reminded him.
“We will soon enough. Come on, let’s make sure they’re situated, get out of here, and see about a round two.”
We walked to the tent and shouldn’t have been surprised at what we saw. The kids were set up with pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, a table with a small radio so they could listen to music, and a solar lantern on for light. Madeline, Darcie, Lena, Skylar, and James were all on a sleeping bag talking, and Charles and Tom, who were the guardians for the night, were starting a fire. Tonya, my mother, and Diane were sitting in chairs around the fire pit.
“Are you two sure you really want to do this?” I asked the men.
“There’s no better place to be than teaching these kiddos all about camping,” Charles answered.
“And it’s not the first time we’ve spent the night with them. If we’re out here, our wives can talk all night without bothering us,” Tom said.
“Yep. At least these kids sleep. Have you ever been camping with the women? They talk a lot. When they have a reason to stay up drinking wine, they get even more talkative, and loud,” said Charles.
“That’s right,” Tonya said. “And if you two aren’t careful, we’ll start talking about you.”
“That wouldn’t be the first time,” Tom said. The fire was crackling, and he stood and dusted off his pants.
“And it’s not gonna be the last,” Charles chuckled.
“Yep. It’s a good thing they have something new to talk about,” continued Tom. “With you two as an item, they’ll be up all night discussing what they can do to get into y’all‘s business.”
“Yeah, they will,” Charles agreed. “Out here will be a much quieter place to be.”
“Y’all two better watch it, or we’ll stay out here all night,” Diane said.
“Absolutely,” my mom added.
“Sorry, ladies. This is for men and grandchildren only,” Charles said.
“And we like the grandpas with us,” Skylar said. The kids all joined around the fire.
“Yeah,” agreed James. “They let us eat tons of s’mores and tell ghost stories.”
“And eat popcorn,” said Maddy.
“And we can do each other’s nails,” answered Darcie.
“And braid James’s hair,” said Lena.
James’s eyes bulged wide. “You aren’t touching my hair or nails.” He waved his hands in front of him like he was waving off evil spirits.
My heart went out to him. The poor guy had his hands full.
“You girls gotta understand,” he said. “If I’m gonna be with you, you have to just do some more things than girl stuff all the time, like throw a ball or something.”
“Oh, James,” Darcie said, “You just need to be good and do as we say. You know this is our last sleepover before we all start school, and we can’t do this much anymore. So, if you want me to talk to you at school, you be nice.”
“Darce,” Jamison picked her up. “Please stop bossing James around. It’s okay for him to not want his nails painted.” He kissed her nose and cheek. “He is boy.”
“Fine, Daddy. But he still needs to listen to us.”
Jamison laughed his deep, sexy laugh, which lit up his face. “Okay, princess.” He gave her one last kiss. “See you in the morning.”
I gave Madeline a hug. “You good?” I asked her.
“Yep, Mommy.”
“Good night, then. I’ll see you in the morning.” I looked at Tom and Charles. “You two have fun tonight. We’re going to go and leave you two men in charge of these kiddos.” I gave them both a hug. “Maddy, be good, and you listen to Grandpa and Tom. Please don’t cause too much trouble and don’t bother James.”
“Mommy, you know I’ll be good. I’m always good.” Maddie gave me her cute little smile and looked at me with her big brown eyes.
I gave her another big kiss on her cheek. I couldn’t help it. “Yes, honey, you are.”
“What about us? What are we in charge of?” asked Tonya as we gave the women hugs.
“Y’all have your hands full taking care of each other,” Jamison said as he hugged Tonya. “Be good, ladies,” Jamison told them.
“And don’t be staying up all night partying too hard,” I said. “You know these grandkids will be up at the butt crack of dawn and will be expecting pancakes, bacon, and all the wonderful goodies and donuts they can get.”
“But don’t sugar them up too much,” Jamison said. “They have the jamboree tomorrow.”
Tonya gave me a hug. “They’re not jumping around that much tomorrow. They have like a five-minute routine and just have to look cute and adorable. They’ll be fine. It’s y’all two we need to be worried about. You’re taking Lilly home to an empty house. How do we know you’ll actually leave her there alone?”
The look she gave Jamison caused me to blush.
“You’re mother’s right. Don’t forget you have a game to coach tomorrow, Jamison. Don’t be staying up all night doing . . .” Diane stopped mid-sentence.
The book club women all exchanged a look with brows raised and silly grins on their faces.
“Good Lord.” I knew I was blushing. It had suddenly gotten very warm by this fire. “Let’s get out of here, Jamison.”