Awkward Love (Stumbling into Love 2)

I pushed open the french doors and walked in.

I poked my head into the living room, where my sister, Cherise, was on the couch with her laptop. She was eighteen and had just graduated. She was going to be a doctor, which meant, yep, neither of Dad’s kids was interested in Crane Entertainment, but I always felt more like it was my responsibility than hers. I was the oldest.

“Hey, Jamey.” She looked up at me and smiled. Cherise was gorgeous. She got her tall, thin body from Mom, and there was no doubt she could be a model if she wanted. She looked like a younger Tyra Banks. She was also a social-justice warrior and was actively involved with organizations for equality, the homeless, and fighting for the rights of Americans to be insured. I was certain my sister would change the world one day, and I was damn proud of her.

“What’s up?” I plopped down on the couch beside her.

“Nothing much with me, but FYI, Mom is going to mention a guy to you. He’s the son of some new friend she met…hell, I don’t know where, but apparently he’s perfect for you. She’s already spoken to the guy’s mom. She wants to invite them over one day, and you too, of course.”

“Oh God.” I dropped my head back against the couch and looked at the ceiling. “Why is she like this?” Mom somehow believed that if I met the right guy, I’d get some confidence and experience and poof, it would suddenly make me less, well, me, I guessed. I knew she meant well, but she drove me crazy.

However, she was also my mama and one of my favorite people in the world.

“Because she’s Mom, and that’s how she is. She loves you, wants you happy, and she also loves projects. She would never realize it, but our dear sweet mother sees you as a project, and until you stand up to her, tell her you’re happy with who you are, that you can find your own man, or maybe, you know, date someone, she isn’t going to change.”

I looked over at her, and she shrugged and grinned.

“You suck. You just might be the worst sister in the world.”

“You love me, and I’m obviously the best sister in the world,” she countered, and honestly, she was.

“Thanks for the warning.”

“What good is having the best sister in the world if I don’t have your back?”

“Where is she?”

“She called and said she and Dad will be home in a few minutes. They’re bringing dinner with them. She was doing some work or something, and they’re riding home together.”

“Holy shit. Dad’s going to be on time?” He was known for being late or missing dinners altogether. Something always came up, whether it was in the office here or if he had to make a sudden trip out of state or the country. I got it, and it didn’t bother me now, but I’d hated it when I was growing up.

“Yep. He’s trying and getting much better at being involved. I think with you heading to graduate school and me graduating high school and going to college, he’s realizing he missed a whole lot of shit. Better late than never, I guess.”

“I guess,” I agreed, and Cherise went back to doing whatever she was busy doing on her computer.

I stood, then wandered around. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I tugged it out, assuming it was Ali or Kira, then fumbled it when I saw Will’s name on the screen, and the phone clattered to the floor. Holy fuck. He was calling me. Why in the hell was he calling me?

I snatched my cell off the floor, then stumbled while darting out the back door and into the yard, my eyes shooting around as if Secret Agent Will was there to watch me answer his call. Or, you know, my mom was in hiding and would jump out as soon as I answered and start gushing because I met a boy…who she wouldn’t know was dating me for charity.

“Hel-lo.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. “I mean, hello?” I said a little deeper.

“This is Jameson, right?” he asked, calm and maybe confused.

“Yes, yes it is. Why?”

“Oh, you sounded different. Like your voice was a little husky or something.”

Well, that was because I was trying to sound more put together than I obviously was. “Hmm. Weird.” Hmm, weird? That was all I could think of?

“You’re not getting sick, are you?”

God. He’s hoping I’m getting sick. He wants to cancel on me! “No, I’m fine.” My voice was maybe a little stiff now. If the guy wanted out, he should have said so the other night, or not participated, or…I didn’t know. Something.

“Cool. I was just calling to check in and make sure everything is still a go for Friday night.”