Juicy Rebound by Toni Aleo

Author:Toni Aleo [Aleo, Toni]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-28T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Amelia

“I won’t be alone.”

“Amelia, honey, just come home. Elli will send the plane now,” my mom insists. I know she’s getting upset, but I’m not ready. The thought of being around my whole family, having them look at me like I’ve messed up my life completely, is not how I want to spend the holiday. Plus, I know they’ll try to pressure me into moving back home. Sofia will come at me with the perfect job. Ryan will say I need family. My mom will stress that she has a place for me to stay, and then my aunt and uncle will fill in what everyone else hasn’t covered. It’s what my family does. They love until you’re completely suffocated and start to agree with them.

“Mom, really, I’m good.”

“We haven’t had a holiday together in years. This was our year.”

“No, it wasn’t. Not yet. I promise, I’ll come home next year.”

She lets out an aggravated sigh. “So you’re staying there?”

Damn, why did I say that? “I don’t know, Mom. I’m trying to figure things out. That is what this year is supposed to do for me.”

“But it’s been over a year now.”

I want to slam my head into the dashboard. Chandler must feel my anxiety, because he grabs my hand, kissing my palm. I send him a weak smile as I sigh deeply. “I know, and I’m still working things out. I won’t apologize for wanting to better myself and heal, Mom.”

She lets out a long breath. “Fine. I understand. I took a solid three years when I lost your dad.”

“Exactly. Thank you.”

“But you’re not alone?”

“No, I promise I’m not.”

“Who are you with?”

I look to my left, where Chandler is driving with absolutely no clue that he may be saving me one day at a time. I don’t know how in the world this all happened, but it has. I find myself wanting him all the time. He was only gone for four days, and I’ve been so lonely without him. I fear I’m depending on him, but then I remind myself it’s just my broken confidence that makes me feel that way. I was okay before him, I was finding myself, and I was working. I didn’t just lie in bed, crying over my failed marriage. I was living. But now, I’m living my best life because he’s adding to it in such a beautiful way.

He makes me happy.

“I’d rather not say.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll jump to conclusions.”

“So it’s a guy?”

“Mom—”

“Please, do not let it be Drew.”

“Ew,” I say quickly, my face scrunched up. “No, never.”

“Oh. Thank God.” She breathes out a sigh of relief, and I smile. “I sort of hope it’s Chandler, though I’m sure Ryan will have something to say about that.”

“Okay, so I’m gonna go.”

“Fine. I love you. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Love you. Happy Thanksgiving.”

I hang up the phone and tuck it into my purse. Chandler looks over at me, and I smile. He’s wearing a nice dress shirt and slacks. His hair is brushed to the side, and he’s had his beard neatly barbered.

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