Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

Pretty sure his definition of hang out and mine are way different. “Maybe she just wants a new start?”

“Or she’s hiding something.”

“What is going on?” I ask, a little surprised by his concern. The Justice family is very close-knit, especially since losing their dad. “This is a little off.”

“Dude, she’s pissed no one supported her marriage.”

I nod thoughtfully. “I can see that.”

“I just need her to give us a chance to apologize, but I also need to know she’s doing all right. Can you keep an eye on her?”

“Yeah,” I say, but it doesn’t sit right.

I feel like this might backfire on me.

But then, it does give me an excuse to keep seeing Amelia.

Chapter Four

Amelia

“I spoke to Ryan.”

Shelli gasps, and I hear her moving in her bed before she asks, “How’d it go?”

“Good, actually. He apologized and told me I was right.”

“Right? You shouldn’t have married Drew or given up everything for him.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, but it was my mistake to make.”

“Oh, yeah, you’re right on that. Dumb mistake.”

“Massively dumb,” I agree as I lean into my railing, my hair blowing in the ocean breeze. “I wonder how long I’ll get the checks?”

“Isn’t it supposed to be for five years?”

“I don’t know, I need to call my lawyer. I hate them.”

“So, I feel hating money is something we should discuss. You could always send it to me.”

I chuckle as I close my eyes, letting my head fall back. I love the ocean; I love the feel of the sea air on my skin. “You know why I hate it, so hush.”

“Shit, I’d be dancing to the bank and flipping him off while I’m at it.”

“I guess.” I lean my elbows on the railing and let my hair fall over my face. “I still gotta call my mom. Ryan is pushing for it. She sent me an email last night.”

“What about?”

“That she had talked to Ryan, and he told her what I said. She said she wants to talk to me one-on-one. Asked for me to call, of course, but she also wants to come see me.”

“What did you say?”

“I haven’t called or written her back.”

“You know she didn’t mean what she said. She’s guilt-stricken by the way things happened. Mom says she cries whenever anyone brings you up.”

That should gut me, and it does in a way. But also, I want her to be upset. She broke my heart. “I know she did it from a place of love, but it was uncalled for. In the end, I only had you, when I thought I had the whole Justice/Adler world behind me.”

“You always have. You’re just stubborn, and you were in a bad place with Drew.”

“Whatever,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s all done with.”

“Thank the Lord.”

I blink back my tears. I need to change the subject. “What are you…oh! The dog is back.”

A beautiful golden retriever runs along the ocean chasing a ball, and my heart swells. The dog is absolutely stunning, with the most spun-gold-colored fur I have ever seen, and I had a golden retriever growing up. A big grin covers my face as I take off for the kitchen.

“I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to feed stray dogs.”

“He’s not a stray. She’s perfect.”

“You used two different sexes there.”

“I’m unsure what it is,” I say as I run back outside with two hot dogs in hand. I make kissing noises, and its beautiful ears perk up before it comes running for my porch. I’m so high up off the beach that I can only throw the hot dogs down to it. That’s probably better, though, because if I hug her, I might keep him. I really need to know what sex the dog is. I sound like an idiot. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“You’ll see when you come.”

“We’re still dressing up like llamas and passing out candy, right? I already bought us llama heads at Walmart when I was home.”

I make a face. Before I can say anything, though, a loud whistle gets the dog’s attention, and it takes off to the left. That must be the owner. “I didn’t agree to llamas.”

“Yes, you did.”

“I didn’t.”

“You didn’t, but you did.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“It’s part of my charm.”

It’s just a simple word, charm, but hearing it reminds me of Chandler. I’ve only seen him for two days, and already he floods my thoughts. He looked so damn good today in a pair of fitted pants and a tee. He had a bit of hair on his jaw yesterday, but today it had grown so thick, and he looked majorly hot. Seeing him made my shitty morning sort of better.

“So, how’s work?”

“Work,” I groan. “I have to train two new people tomorrow who can only work in the afternoons. I’d really like to find someone for the mornings so I can get a day to myself and not harass my boss.”