Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

Amelia. I wish. “Eh, I might go stag.”

“You haven’t been with anyone since the ex,” Dad says.

“You don’t know that,” I say with a wink, and he laughs.

Mom gags. “Not what I wanted to know,” she says dryly. “But you haven’t dated.”

“Don’t have time.” I shrug as I lay my head on the table, looking up at them. “Guess who lives here?”

Why did I say that?

“Who?”

“Ryan’s sister.”

She coos, and I really don’t know why I set myself up for that. “Amelia.”

“The fact that you know her name is concerning.”

She raises an eyebrow at me, but before she can say anything, Dad chimes in, “You talked about her for a month straight, and then you were bummed when she chose her ex-boyfriend, even though you never made a move. Wasn’t he scared of Ryan or something?” he asks my mom.

“Terrified, which makes him a good friend, but he ruined his chances at love. If only he’d married her instead of the ex.”

They both look dreamily at the ceiling, and I roll my eyes. “You guys are ridiculous.”

“Again, only stating the truth. So, you ask her out yet?” Mom asks, and again, I don’t know what to do with these two.

“Yes, but she turned me down.” What is wrong with me? I could have lied.

Mom makes a face. “Why? You’re adorable, minus that thing on your face.”

I give her a dry look. “My beard?”

“It’s awful.”

“Eh, I think it makes him like a man and not a child.”

“Wow. Thanks, Dad.” I sit up and look out the window. “I think she went through a bad divorce—”

“With the ex from college?”

“Yeah.”

“Told you. Should have picked you and married you,” Mom says matter-of-factly, and Dad nods.

“Yup, what Mom said.”

I blink. “But I think she’s hung up on that.”

“That’s too bad. Have you brought her flowers?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m taking it slow.”

Like molasses, apparently.

“Well, that’s boring. You should go declare your love for her,” Dad teases, and I scoff.

“I’m not in love.”

“Yet,” Mom sings, and Dad nods.

“Okay, so I’m going.”

“To Amelia’s?” Mom asks as I push in my chair.

“No, I haven’t seen her in a couple days. I think she’s busy or something,” I say, and then I whistle for Sadie. She comes running with one of her toys in her mouth. “Leave that here.”

Sadie drops it, and I swear she’s cursing me. I put her leash on as my dad says, “So, go see her.”

“For what?”

“To check in on her.”

“Yeah, that’s a great excuse.”

I look back at my parents, and then I roll my eyes. “I’ll see you two later.”

As I head out, I wonder if I should go over and check on her. Would it be weird? Sadie’s head hangs out the window as I drive. When I turn onto our road, I find myself creeping along, looking for Amelia’s house. When I reach her cottage, I can see the lights are on, and there are two cars in the driveway. She has company. I shouldn’t stop.

I stop.

I get out of the car and look at Sadie. “You stay.”

She whines, but she’s fine. The air conditioner is on, and PopRocks is playing. It’s her favorite station. My heart is pounding as I head up the walkway to Amelia’s stoop. What if she has a guy over? I should leave. I shouldn’t knock, yet I head right for the door. I have to know. Maybe I am wasting my time, like Nico says.

I step up onto the first step and then knock on the door before stepping back down. When the door opens, it’s not Amelia. It’s Mrs. Justice.

“Chandler!” she exclaims before coming out the door and wrapping me up in a big hug. “How are you, honey?”

I hug her tightly before she pulls away. “I’m great. How are you?”

“So wonderful,” she says with a smile, and I can tell she is. She looks way better than she did last time I saw her. Happier, like she found the missing piece she so desperately needed to become whole again. I never suspected it could be Amelia. Their family is solid. But then, even the families that look perfect on the outside can have cracks. “What brings you by?”

The door opens wider, stealing my attention, and there she is. Amelia is wearing a pair of jean shorts and a crop top, and her hair is falling like a curtain over her shoulder. She isn’t wearing makeup, but her face shines. Or maybe it’s her eyes. Man, she’s beautiful.

I clear my throat and smile. “I, um, uh… I came to check on Amelia. I hadn’t seen her at the coffee shop, and I was worried.”

A small smile pulls at Amelia’s lips as Mrs. Justice gushes, “Well, that’s so sweet. I’ve stolen all her time! But please, we’re about to eat. Would you like to join us?”