Page 23 of Embers of You (Amity #1)

Jameson

Ma isn’t having a good day. After her appointment, which didn’t go as well as we hoped, the mood is somber as we get back home.

She tries to lighten it like she always does but I don’t think anything can help right now.

The disease is progressing faster than any of us thought and I can’t bear to think about what that truly means.

“I think we could splurge for some ice cream, what do you think?” Her voice is just as bright as it always is, not a hint of sadness or fear.

“I think that’s hardly a splurge, Ma. You have ice cream after dinner every day.” She always has. It was basically a tradition as I was growing up. I’m not big on sweets, but I’ll always have ice cream, especially her favorite, chocolate chip cookie dough.

“What if my splurge is having it twice?” She smiles.

I can’t help but smile back and nod, agreeing. “Fine, but sit down and I’ll bring it to you.”

She huffs like she wants to argue, but no matter how hard she tries to hide how tired she is from me, it won’t work.

I can read the truth in her eyes, but I’m not going to call her on it.

Instead of saying anything, she goes and sits in her chair while I go to the kitchen to get her a bowl of ice cream.

I don’t think I can stand to eat any right now, but I’ll give her whatever it is she wants.

My dad ends up coming into the kitchen while I’m scooping the dessert.

He didn’t come with us because Ma insisted he didn’t need to.

He loves her, and I know he wants to be with her every step of the way, but being around me creates a tension in the air that’s impossible to ignore.

Ma knows it. My dad knows it. I know it.

I just want us to be civil, at least for Ma. He doesn’t seem to agree with that. Especially with the way he’s looking at me right now. I do my best to ignore his gaze, looking down as I scoop the second spoonful into the glass bowl.

“How’d it go?” his gruff voice asks quietly. I’m taken aback by the fact that he’s asking me.

I sigh. “Not great. It’s progressing faster than they would like and the treatment isn’t as effective as they hoped.”

His face remains blank, hiding any emotion he might be feeling just like he always does.

I may know my parents love each other, but sometimes I wonder how I’ve come to that conclusion.

They’ve never been overly affectionate. I would never walk into a room where they were dancing.

We wouldn’t come home to my dad scooping her up with a kiss because he missed her so much.

All the things I think I would want to do with my wife, if I ever get married. I would want her to know how loved and lucky I am to have her every single day of our lives.

On the other hand, I’ve never felt that way with anyone before and it’s why I haven’t gotten married. So maybe that doesn’t exist for anyone, even if you are in love it is never as intense as I think it should be.

Except, I can’t help but think about Sutton.

The feelings I’m already having for her are stronger than I’ve ever felt for anyone, and I barely even know her.

There’s just something there, something about her.

About us. I can feel it simmering under the surface and it’s like the type of love I’ve thought about.

The kind I wasn’t sure existed may be real.

My dad still hasn’t said anything, but him clearing his throat pulls me from my runaway thoughts.

The ice cream I’ve scooped already starting to melt.

I grab a spoon, and the bowl to take to Ma.

I stop before leaving the kitchen, “She may not admit she’s scared to me, but I can tell she feels more than she’s letting on.

Just like I know she would like to see us get along for her sake. ”

I don’t give him a chance to respond before I’m joining my mom in the living room, handing her the bowl. She has a smile on her face, but her eyes are tired.

“Thank you, sweetie.” Her eyebrows furrow when she takes in the one bowl. “Why don’t you have one for yourself?”

“I’m not really hungry.”

She narrows her eyes at me, taking a bite and I look down, huffing out a laugh at her glare. I don’t expect my dad to enter the room, but Ma’s expression changes from her lighthearted glare to a soft smile toward my dad.

Maybe that has been there before and I just haven’t noticed or maybe it’s something I’ve never really thought much about. Seeing the way she’s looking at him and the concern in his eyes toward her makes me think that maybe I’ve just chosen not to pay attention to their kind of love.

“What if we all went to dinner at some point,” my dad suggests out of the blue and I jolt at the surprise of his suggestion.

Ma on the other hand, is already beaming at the idea. “That would be so nice, we haven’t all gone to dinner in…well since before you moved.”

The reminder has my dad’s posture stiffening and even though this is clearly his idea to do what I suggested, I can’t help but think this may end up being a terrible idea.

“You can bring that sweet girl, Sutton,” Ma says to me, and I grin at her name, but hate that I’m going to have to shoot the idea down.

“I don’t think she would agree to come to dinner with us, Ma.”

“Oh, you don’t invite her, then. I will.”

I chuckle. “You can try, she’s more likely to say yes to you.”

“Perfect, it’s settled then. One condition.” We both wait to see what her condition is about to be, though I know no matter what it is, I’m going to agree. “I get to pick the restaurant.”

I end up at the grooming salon the next day when I drive by heading to the grocery store, and see Sutton’s Jeep outside. It only takes me a second to decide to turn into the parking lot that sits between the fire station and the salon.

When I walk inside I’m immediately greeted by that bird barking at me, “Hello.”

“Hello,” I tell my fan club president.

“One second,” the familiar voice calls out from further inside, and I regret not bringing Duke with me. But I really wasn’t planning on stopping in here, and most people frown upon a dog at the grocery store. Plus he was sleeping on a bed next to the couch at my parent’s house when I left.

As soon as Sutton steps out into the entry area and sees me, her face falls in shock. “What’re you doing here?”

“You haven’t replied to my last few texts.”

She looks down to hide the way her face floods with color, but I catch it. I also know it doesn’t help when the bird says, “Hot guy, Jameson.”

“Jerry Lee, I’m opening a window for you,” Sutton threatens and I smother a laugh.

“Since I knew this would get ignored like the rest, I decided to come in person to invite you to dinner.”

She sighs. “Jameson, I’ve already told you?—”

“I know.” I almost remind her that she’s turned me down, but also was the one to initiate our last encounter.

The one that ended with her coming on my lap while I came in my pants like a teenager, but I have a feeling if I said anything about that she would kick me out. “I’m not inviting you for myself.”

She gives me a curious look.

“My ma wants you to come with us.”

“Why?” she snaps suddenly.

“She likes you.”

“She hardly met me.”

“Must just be a Turner thing to like you then.” I smirk and she shakes her head and rolls her eyes.

“You’re really persistent, you know that?”

“I know.”

“Why does she want me to come with?”

“I already told you.”

Sutton groans. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, I don’t really do family stuff.”

I note the grimace at the word family, and feel like there’s more about that than she’s letting on.

However, I want her to come more than just because Ma wants her there.

I feel like I’ll need the distraction. I haven’t been around my dad for an extended amount of time in years, and though he suggested this, I feel like the dinner will be anything but smooth.

“It’s not for me,” I tell her. “It’s for my ma. She’s sick,” I choke on the last word, but do my best to hide it. “She wants you to come with.”

“Oh,” she sighs, looking down at her feet.

“So, will you come?”

She hesitates before nodding slightly. “But, only for your mom. Not for you.”

“Good.” I nod. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

As I leave I don’t miss the way her gaze softens.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six.”

I walk out before she has the chance to change her mind, and can’t wipe the smile off my face. It may not be the date I thought I would get with her, but it’s something. I can only hope this one dinner won’t scare her away for good.

Even if it does, she’s right about me being persistent and I won’t be giving up any time soon.