Chapter 15 #2
“Aw, poor baby,” Maddy says insincerely. “Can you get dressed? I need to drop you at Kai’s house by 7.00 a.m.”
“We have plenty of time,” I say hoarsely.
“Not really,” Aunt Maddy says, tipping into panic mode. “It takes twenty minutes to get there on a good day. You know how much of a fight it can be against the soccer traffic.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, turning back into my bedroom. “I’ll get dressed way too early just to please you.”
“Thank you,” Aunt Maddy says in a high pitch as she paces back to her bedroom.
I lethargically change out of my pajamas and into sweats. When Gandalf fusses, and I dig into his bag for his bottle, a shrill gasp sounds from Aunt Maddy’s room.
“Maddy? Are you okay?” I call out.
“Holy cow!” she shrieks, bounding toward my bedroom.
I meet her in the doorway where she’s holding up her phone.
“David has to go into the office to deal with something urgent.” Maddy shudders, gripping the phone tighter.
“We’re not gonna have enough time to drop you at Kai’s house and come back this way to go to the city. ”
I grab her shoulders. “Aunty, chill. We can handle this. What if we drive to Kai’s and David meets you there?”
“But what about my car?”
I shrug. “Leave it there.”
Her skin becomes a duller shade of pale. “Oh my gosh. Maybe I just shouldn’t go.”
“This is just your nerves about the flight and being away from home talking,” I say soothingly. “It’ll be fine. Let’s just pack up our gear and get going.”
To throw a spanner in the works, Gandalf lets out an ear-piercing scream.
“Ugh. He’s dying for his bottle.”
“Okay, I can handle this,” Aunt Maddy says, fanning her face. “You’ve got so much stuff to deal with already. You don’t need to pull your aunt off a ledge. Thanks, Jamie.”
I kiss her cheek and back away to the crying fake baby. “You’ll be okay.”
“I hope you will be,” she says, leaning against the doorframe.
I smile through a yawn. “I will be.”
Aunt Maddy’s hysterics continue throughout the house as she second guesses what she packed and what she might’ve forgotten. I finally get her out of the house by reminding her Hawaii has stores.
On the drive into town, her clammy hands squeeze the steering wheel and her knees bounce to an anxious beat. Fortunately, when we arrive at Kai’s house, David pulls up outside.
“I didn’t think I’d beat you here,” David says as we get out of the car.
“She was panicking,” I tease.
“Oh, honey, why?” David coos, wrapping his arms around Maddy and kissing the top of her head.
Barf.
Ugh. I gotta stop doing that.
“This trip is a big deal,” Aunt Maddy says, leaning against David for support. “Plus, I’m nervous about leaving Jamie.”
“I’ll be fine,” I say and the pair break apart. “Kai’s family are like my second home. They’ll take care of me.”
Aunt Maddy hugs me. “Please keep doing your homework and pay attention in classes.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Aunt Maddy grins, pulling back. “That’s all I ask.”
“Okay, hon,” David says. “I’ll grab your bags and then we’ll head off.”
I move to the trunk at the same time as David to collect my bags.
I want to ignore him when he asks if I need a hand.
Instead, I let him help and give him a smile.
Heck, he’s taking my aunt on a getaway. I know he’s good to her, and I want to ensure he stays good to her.
Just because he’s not my type doesn’t mean I should continue being curt with him.
To be completely real, he’s never done a thing wrong to me.
I think I’ve just enjoyed making faces at him.
I need to work on cutting that habit. Even though it’s fun.
I thank David, and then see Maddy get Gandalf’s carrier from the backseat. I realize, for a brief moment, I’d forgotten his existence.
Aunt Maddy helps me walk my gear and my fake baby to the door. I want to send her packing after I ring the doorbell. Her jitters come back in full force, waiting for someone to answer the door.
“Why don’t you take off?” I suggest. “Everyone’s out watching Kai’s game, and Milo’s probably upstairs. He’ll take a few minutes to open the door.”
“No, I can’t leave until you’re inside.”
“Aunt Maddy, please,” I whine. “I’m afraid your nerves are contagious.”
She kisses the side of my head and squeezes my shoulder. “Okay, baby, I’ll get going. I’m so proud of you. Do well this week.”
“Have fun on your trip. I truly mean it.”
Aunt Maddy grins, backing down the garden path. “Thanks, we will.”
Ugh. We.
Seriously, I gotta stop grimacing at the thought of Mr. Stuffy. She’s crazy nervous because she likes him so much. I gotta practice being happy for her, plain and simple.
David’s car fires up the moment Milo answers the front door.
“Hey,” he says in a somewhat croaky voice.
“Did you just wake up?”
He adjusts his glasses, stifling a yawn. “Yeah. Stayed up too late reading.”
“Nerd,” I cough.
Milo smirks and picks up Gandalf’s carrier from beside my feet. “It had to be a better night than you had. This guy kept you up all night, huh?”
I blow out a hard breath and grab my two duffel bags. I follow Milo inside as he carries Gandalf and the baby bag. My nostrils twitch as my eyes drift along Milo’s shoulder blades. How does he smell so good first thing in the morning?
Jamie, no. What are you thinking? Stop it.
I drop my bags and shake out my hands. “Sorry again about texting you in the middle of the night.”
Milo shakes his head. “I already told you; you don’t have to be sorry about that.”
I rub my temples. “Man, my head is throbbing.”
“Yeah, you look super tired. So, having a baby isn’t the greatest?”
“He’s an absolute monster.” My gaze lands on the invitingly comfy couch. “Do you mind if I take a nap?”
“Not at all. Did you want to go to my room?” Milo asks, sending a thumb over his shoulder toward the stairs. “Mom already changed the sheets for you.”
I slink around the couch and flop onto the pillowy soft cushions. “Nope. I’m good right here.”
“I’ll take your bags upstairs for you.”
“Oh.” It takes me off guard because it sounds so gentlemanly. “Okay, thanks.”
Milo smiles. “No problem.”
I settle on the couch, and my crusty eyes close immediately. My body relaxes without the threat of Gandalf’s nearby cries.