"If you want to make it out that door, you'd better stop looking at me like that. And stop being funny."
My only reply was to laugh and slip out the front door. I hadn't even made it to the edge of the porch before the front door flew open and Brody grabbed me. He pinned me against one of the posts that supported the porch and kissed the daylights out of me.
"I'm walking you to your car," he said, both of us breathing heavily.
"Okay."
Brody stepped back and put his hand on the small of my back. He literally walked me to my car and opened the door for me.
Once I'd sat down and started it, I looked back up at him. "Bye, Brody."
"Bye, Cam."
He shut the door and watched me from the sidewalk as I pulled away from the curb. I knew better than to fall into a serious relationship in such a short amount of time, but it was so difficult to resist the temptation.
I knew I wouldn't be doing myself or Brody any favors by jumping into this with both feet. He had a little girl to consider. And I had to be smart. Brody meant a lot to my entire family, not just me. If we got hot and heavy too soon, we'd be asking for trouble.
I had totally forgotten about Sunday lunch with my parents. For the first time in years, I didn't show up without making previous plans.
I was in the middle of a shower when my cell phone rang. It hit me then. It was Sunday, well into mid-afternoon. And I hadn't gone to Sunday lunch with my parents.
I slipped getting out of the tub and nearly faceplanted on the floor of the bathroom. Cursing, naked, and soaking wet, I scrambled to the counter where my phone sat. Sure enough, my mother's name was on the screen.
I hesitated before I picked it up. She wasn't going to be happy with me. But any irritation she felt now would only be amplified if I ignored the call and returned it in a half-hour.
I took a deep breath and released it before I picked up the phone.
"Hey, Mom. I'm sorry about today."
"I'm guessing you spent the weekend with Brody since he didn't show up today either."
I bit my bottom lip. "Um...."
"Cameron, you are a grown woman. I'm not going to take you to task for having a boyfriend. Or spending the weekend with him. Though I would ask that next time, you let me know in advance so I don't make enough food to feed eight people and then have only three show up."
"I won't."
"And please, for the love of God, tell me you're using protection."
I sighed. "Yes, Mom."
"Don't take that tone with me, Cameron Diana McClane."
"Sorry."
"Should we expect both of you next week?" she asked.
"Yes, but Jacks will still be with her mother then."
"Lovely. Then we'll expect the two of you for lunch next Sunday."
I knew better than to argue. "Of course."
"So did you have a fun weekend? Sierra came to lunch and mentioned that you left on Friday and she hadn't seen you since."
"Bye, Mom. Love you."
I intended to hang up the phone without an ounce of remorse. My mother always said I could talk to her about anything but I had to draw the line somewhere.
"Love you, too, hon. See you next week. Be sure to remind Brody that we'll be expecting him."
"I won't forget again, Mom. I promise."
"I remember how that first rush of passion is, sweetie. I'm surprised you came up for air today."
"I'm hanging up for real now," I said.
I heard her laugh as I disconnected the call. Oh, my God. I knew my parents had sex. And they were always matter-of-fact about, well, the facts of life.
But that didn't mean I wanted to share a dish session with my mother. Or listen to her reminisce about how she boned my dad when they first hooked up. Which is exactly where that phone call was heading.
I shuddered as I thought about it, then, I grinned. The next time J.J. was driving me crazy, I was going to bring up this conversation.
Hee hee.
I dumped the last of my clothes in the washer and closed the lid. The dryer was already rumbling as my sheets dried.
I'd been surprised when I arrived home. Sierra had kept the house nearly pristine, which was unlike her. I'd have to make sure she didn't feel like she had to be a perfect guest. I didn't want to stress her out while she was here.
As I looked around my house, I realized that for the first time in a long time, I had nothing to do. The house was clean. My laundry would have to run for at least another hour before it was done.
And I was alone.
Before Brody had come back to town, I'd lived for days like this. Times when I could just sit around and do nothing. They'd been few and far between. Now, between Sierra's help, the new assistant manager we'd hired, and Brody, my entire life had changed in just a few short weeks.
I had time to myself and I finally understood.
I'd been lonely.
I hadn't noticed because I was always so busy, but I'd been living my life one day at a time, alone. I needed affection. Conversation. Company. I didn't just need or want a boyfriend. I needed friends. People I enjoyed spending time with in general that weren't related to me by blood.
I wouldn't be able to go back to the frantic existence I'd had before. I'd been so hyper-focused on my big dreams that I hadn't noticed the rest of my life was empty.
In this moment, in my quiet house, it was obvious that I needed to change my priorities. No matter what happened with Brody, I couldn't close myself off again.
It was my time to live.
23
Since I finished my laundry and cleaning so early, I decided to meal prep. I'd been meaning to do it for ages, but never found the block of time required.
I dug chicken breast out of the freezer and thawed it out in the microwave. Then I mixed up a quick marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a few other dried herbs. Once I'd cut the chicken up and dumped it in a bag with the liquid, I closed it up and stuck it in the fridge.
I scrubbed, peeled, and cubed several sweet potatoes. I tossed them with oil and stuck them in the oven to roast. I'd nuke a big bag of frozen broccoli later and add it to the containers.
Two hours later, I'd just finished cooking up the chicken breast and put it in the glass containers I'd bought for this specific purpose and never used.
I put several in the fridge, but kept two out. I hadn't seen Sierra in a couple of days and I needed to check in.
I also needed to get out of the house because the longer I sat around with nothing to do, the stronger the temptation to call Brody became.
It was a little early for dinner, but the food was still hot, so I grabbed the two containers and took them with me. I stopped at the local taco joint for a couple of half-and-half teas. East Texas restaurants tended to make sweet tea with so much sugar it was nearly syrup. So Sierra and I had to compromise and get our tea with half sweet and half unsweet. It was usually perfect then.
I parked behind the shop and carried the food and drinks inside. I managed to time it just right during the lull between the afternoon and after-dinner crowds. When I walked in the door, I surprised Lee, who was pulling a container of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.