9. Jeremiah
Chapter 9
Jeremiah
T omorrow we leave for our vacation and I can't contain my happiness. Three days after going to the doctor, Amberlee moved into her apartment. Since then, I've managed to be in the same room with her maybe three times and she always comes up with a reason she has to leave. It’s like she’s actively avoiding me.
But not this weekend. There is no way in hell she's running from me. We're going to have our moment together. I need to know why she's avoiding me and if she feels the same as I do.
Maddy and Ryan are going to take Angel for a bit here and there while we're on vacation, so Amberlee and I can go out and enjoy the single life. Ryan has me under firm orders to keep all the scumbags away from his sister and make sure she doesn't go home with any of them. I wonder if that includes me?
Did they tell Amberlee the plans? If not, she's in for a surprise. Saturday night she is all mine and I plan to make the most of it. If I'm lucky, I'll be having a serious conversation with my best friend after this weekend.
Pulling out my suitcase, I pack my clothes then head to Angel’s room and grab the outfits we picked out earlier. Walking back to my room, I put them in the suitcase. I take one final look around, checking to make sure I have everything before zipping it up.
Our toiletries and toothbrushes will go in a separate bag in the morning. The last thing I get is Angel's EpiPen. She's allergic to shellfish and since we'll be at the beach, I really don't want to take any risks. I have one in the car, but this is one I'll make sure to have on me at all times.
Once everything is packed, I strip down to my boxers, turn off the lights, and climb into bed. My dreams are filled with Amberlee. This weekend she will know how I feel about her—how I’ve always felt.
The night passes restlessly, but when my alarm goes off, I jump right out of bed. It takes no time to dress, and then wake Angel. Surprisingly, she gets up easily, just as excited about this trip as me.
“Can RJ ride with us, Daddy?” We decided for the sake of emergency and comfort to take two vehicles—mine and Ryan’s.
“If his mom and dad are okay with it, yes, he can.” She jumps up and down in excitement. “Okay, you need to get dressed, eat and brush your teeth so we can get ready to go.”
“Okay!” she shouts, and I leave her room and head downstairs to the kitchen. I know she's excited, so I'm going with a light breakfast.
I made a pit stop at the bakery yesterday and picked up some croissants and muffins, some for this morning and then the rest were put in a sealed container for this weekend. That way, the kids would always have a snack. I know Angel is always hungry within an hour of eating.
I've just placed her muffin on the table when she comes running into the kitchen, skidding to a halt, barely missing slamming into the table.
All I have to do is cock my eyebrow at her and give a stern glare and she's immediately apologizing. No running in the house is the number one rule, no matter how excited she may be.
“Sorry, Daddy.” She sticks out her bottom lip, batting her lashes as her baby blue eyes look up at me. In this moment, she looks so much like her mother. She would do the same thing to get what she wanted, even after I found out how much of a bitch she truly was. I hate to think of her mother that way, but then again, Sylvia gave her up long ago. My biggest fear is one day she's going to pop back into our lives and hurt Angel. Or worse, Angel will want to find her.
I can't let those thoughts poison my mood. This is the weekend I find out if my feelings are reciprocated by Amberlee. I’ll be damned if I let thoughts of my regrets sour the occasion. All of that is in the past, and I’m only concerned with my future. The one I’m going to make sure Amberlee is included in.
“Hurry and eat. We still need to put our bags and beach stuff in the truck so we can head over to Uncle Ryan's.”
She picks up the muffin and takes a large bite. Without waiting until she's swallowed, she speaks, pieces of muffin spewing from her mouth. “Don't forget to see if RJ can ride with us.”
“And don't you forget your manners, missy. We don't talk with our mouths full. Eat and then clean up your mess.”
She opens her mouth like she’s about say something, but quickly shuts it and finishes chewing her food. Once she's swallowed everything, she opens her mouth again. “Yes, sir.”
Pouring a cup of coffee, I pick up a muffin and take a seat beside her. My nerves are a little frazzled right now and I'm hoping the food helps.
It doesn't.
“I'm all done.” Angel beams as she picks up her glass of milk and drinks it all down.
“Okay, glass in the sink and put your napkin in the trash. Then go make sure you turned off the light in your room. You can grab no more than three of your toys to take with you.”
She does as I say, then starts to run to her room. I clear my throat loudly and she immediately stops, walking the rest of the way. I don’t doubt I'll have to remind her again about only three toys.
Popping the last bite of muffin in my mouth, I stand and toss my napkin in the trash, then pull out the bag, tying it up. I pick up the coffee mug from the table, wash it and the glass Angel used and place them in the dish strainer. One cup of coffee simply isn't enough, so I pull down my travel mug, and fill it. I've just popped the lid on it when Angel reappears. Much to my surprise, she has exactly three toys.
“Alright, sweet pea. I'm going to put this trash outside in the bin, then we'll be ready to go.”
She begins jumping up and down, laughing, and my heart melts. Seeing her happy is all I ever want in life. I quickly take the bag outside, then double check to make sure I've locked the back door when I step inside. Picking up my mug, we head to the living room, where the suitcase waits by the front door.
“Vacation here we come,” I call out and she yells in excitement. Picking up our luggage, I juggle it and my coffee as we step outside the house, locking the front door behind us. Angel beats me to the truck and stands by the door, patiently waiting for me to open it.
Here we go. This is the weekend that will determine the future.
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 will never be 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 over to 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.
This revelation changes nothing, unfortunately. Jeremiah is still my brother’s best friend. Off-limits.