10. Amberlee
Chapter 10
Amberlee
N o matter what, at least that means I don’t have to see him and Sylvia making out. That’s a huge relief.
Still, I feel like a deer in headlights and don’t know what to do or say.
“Didn’t Ryan or Maddy tell you?” Jeremiah’s voice cuts through the silence.
I don’t know how to answer.
No, he didn’t tell me, but I also avoided any conversation that included him for the last seven years.
My heart races. What do I do? Wait, is he single? He may not be married but he may be seeing someone. I haven’t heard him talk about anyone, but I try not to be around him as much as possible, so I don’t know.
“Nah, man, it never came up. But why would I tell my baby sister that my friend got a divorce? Besides, she never even asked about you. Come to think of it, anytime your name came up she disappeared.” My brother shakes his head, laughing as Maddy looks at me, her eyes locking with mine with a sense of understanding.
Does she know how I feel about Jeremiah?
“Hey, I’m an important person. Everyone wants to know about me.” He laughs, then turns to give Ryan a playful glare. “I also hate to burst your bubble Ryan, but your baby sister is all grown up now. You best be prepared for all the horny men that’ll be coming around knocking on her door. Most of them from our own unit.”
Ryan takes off after Jeremiah, tackling him to the ground, as they pretend to wrestle, while my heart deflates.
I’m an idiot. My brother will never let his best friend date me, reminding me that the man I love is not meant to be mine.
“Men and their jokes,” Maddy speaks up, pulling me out of my downward spiral.
“Are you going to ride with us, Aunt Lee Lee?” RJ tugs on my shirt to get my attention.
“Yeah, are you going to ride with us, Aunt Lee Lee?” Jeremiah croons as he and Ryan step back over to us.
“If you ride with them, Sis, that will give me and Maddy some much needed alone time,” Ryan adds as he steps up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, and cradling her growing belly in his hands.
How can I say no to that? If I thought it was going to be uncomfortable before when I thought the bitch was going on this trip, now I have to spend the weekend knowing he’s available but that we can never happen.
“She’s coming with us, Ryan. Take your woman and enjoy the two hours of free time you get before you grow to a family of five.”
“The kids will keep you entertained,” Maddy whispers after Ryan releases her to finish loading up their vehicle, Jeremiah following him.
I just nod and smile. I hope so. Thankfully, once we get to the beach, I can slip away from them. While they do the family thing, I’ll do my own. Maybe there are some women my age there, who wouldn’t mind me tagging along.
“Yeah,” I mumble under my breath.
She bumps my shoulder with hers. “You also get some time with Jeremiah,” she coos.
“And what does that have to do with anything?”
Maddy shakes her head. “The two of you can keep playing dumb if you want, but my eyes are open and I can clearly see what both of y’all are busy trying to deny. Maybe not Jeremiah as much as you.”
She walks away, not waiting for an answer. Does she know how I feel about him? And what does she mean by the two of you?
“Aunt Lee Lee, are you going to ride up front with uncle J?” RJ looks up at me sweetly, Angel by his side, both giving me the cutest faces imaginable that I can’t turn down.
“Yes.”
“Daddy,” Angel screams, as she turns and rushes toward him. “She’s riding up front with you.”
Jeremiah pops his head out of the expedition where he’s strapping in the booster seat and smiles widely.
“Bring me your bags and I’ll load them up, unless they’re already in Ryan’s vehicle.”
“There here.” I point to the ones sitting on the ground beside me.
Jeremiah steps away from his Expedition and heads my way. He’s the perfect statue of Adonis, but in real life. The way his muscles ripple as he moves has my body heating up and I can feel my pussy becoming slick with desire. It’s as if the world has handed me what I’ve desired most on a silver platter, only to add another barrier between us.
The rich scent of cedar and spice invades my nose as he bends over to grab my things. The sight draws my attention to his broad shoulders, his thick arms as he lifts my luggage. I have to fight to remain coherent and not blush like a teenage girl.
“Ready for a fun weekend?” he asks before tossing me a wink.
“Y-y-yeah,” I stutter, trying to figure out what will be fun about a weekend with a man that I can look at but not touch.
Wait, did he… he did.
He winked at me.
I’m going to try my damndest to disappear into the mass of people at the beach and stay as far away from Jeremiah as possible. No matter what, he is still firmly off limits. Ryan would have a conniption.
“Okay everyone, time to do a final check that the house is locked up, then we need to get on the road. Angel, RJ, time to use the bathroom, and no complaining,” Ryan announces loudly. “Amberlee, is your apartment locked?”
“Yes, daddy, I even turned the alarm on.” If he doesn’t get the sarcasm lacing my voice, then my eye roll will give it away for sure.
Maddy lets out a snort-like laugh as she takes RJ and Angel’s hands and leads them inside, slightly waddling with each step. I can only imagine how big she’s going to be the further along she gets, but God, I can’t wait for her to have these babies.
Ryan takes off at a jog, catching up with Maddy and the kids, leaving Jeremiah and I alone for the first time in years.
Fuck!
I should’ve lied and said I needed to check the door, at least then I could escape for a moment.
“Looks like it’s you and me on the ride to the beach.” Jeremiah’s muscular arm brushes against mine and my heart races as a shiver zips across my skin.
“We do have the kiddos. Or did you forget that?”
“Nope, I didn’t. But they’ll be so engrossed in whatever they’re talking about or asleep so it’ll be just me and you.”
The slight touch has my body on fire, clouding my brain. I step away, needing to break the contact. It shouldn’t be this easy to get me turned on. It really shouldn’t.
But the hold this man has on me is unlike anything else I’ve ever felt—even after all these years.
“I asked Ryan and Maddy if they could watch Angel one night during the trip, so I could take you out and show you all the attractions in Myrtle.” His eyes twinkle and his dimples wink at me as he smiles, making my pussy throb all the more. I swallow harshly.
“Oh, that’s okay. No need, I don’t want to burden them, this is a vacation for them before the twins arrive. Besides, I’m sure you have better things to do than show me around. I can see the sights myself.” The lies roll off my tongue with such ease. I want nothing more than to be the center of Jeremiah’s attention, I just know I can’t be.
“It’s a vacation for you too. Don’t worry about it, they’re going to get time to themselves while we take the kids one night. I was thinking of taking them to play some mini golf or the amusement park there.”
“Excuse me!” How dare he plan my time for me, without even consulting me? It’s not like I’d turn down watching the kids for any of them. RJ is great and from what I’ve seen, Angel seems to be just the sweetest little thing. But I have a life too, though not at the moment, but maybe I have my own plans.
“Why am I excusing you? Come on, Amberlee. Ryan and Maddy get to spend time alone. Something they only get now when RJ spends the night at my house. And once the twins come, they’re going to have their hands full.”
“I get the win for them, but you just volunteered my time, without even asking. I know RJ is my nephew and I love him. Spending time with him is never an issue, but it would’ve been nice if you asked me first. Just like this trip that was sprung on me.”
I can see the hurt on his face. The smile disappears and the playful glint in his eyes fades.
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry.” I soften my tone. “That came out all wrong. It’s just always been me. Now I’m here with Ryan and Maddy and I’m not used to decisions being made for me. It’s just nice to be asked and not for something to be assumed.”
His face warms back up, just as Ryan, Maddy and the kids step out of the house. Angel comes racing toward her dad at warp speed, slinging her arms around his legs as she crashes into him, causing him to step back to catch his balance.
“It’s time to leave, I want to go to the beach,” she squeals, sending everyone into laughter. The tension between the two of us fades but is not forgotten. Not by me, anyway.
“Okay, let’s go then.” He reaches down, lifting Angel into his arms, carrying her to his Expedition.
Get it together, Amberlee, you’re about to be alone in the SUV with this man for two hours. Not alone per se, but might as well be since the kiddos are going to be thoroughly focused on their tablets.
I can do this. I recite over and over in my head.
“Come on, Aunt Lee Lee,” RJ calls, as Ryan picks him up and carries him around to the other side of the Expedition, securing him in his booster seat.
I take a deep breath, pull my shoulders back, and lift my chin. I can do this. It’s just two hours. Small talk, that’s all I have to do. Being around Jeremiah is something I’ll have to do until after Christmas when I move out. I may as well get used to it now. I’ve got to keep my promise to Maddy and Ryan to remain here to help them until the birth of the babies.
Putting one foot in front of the other, I make my way over, opening the passenger door, and climbing inside.
His cologne covers me like a blanket. He smells like fucking heaven, which makes it that much harder. Clicking my seat belt in place, I fold my hands in my lap and chew on my lip.
“Ready for some fun?” he asks as he climbs behind the steering wheel, pushing the button, and the engine comes to life.
I flash him a smile and put my thumb up in the air. The universal yes.
He just shakes his head, laughing. “Okay, Amberlee, you’re in the passenger seat so you have control of the radio. What are we listening to?”
Now that’s a good question. Lady Gaga for the win.