Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

That poor child. These amazing people. God, he is so lucky. Tears flood my eyes. “That’s amazing.”

“I could have said I was a failure at becoming a mother over and over again, but I didn’t. Charles wouldn’t let me if I tried. He didn’t have to stay with me—it wasn’t his problem, it was mine—yet he stood by my side.” She reaches over, taking my hands in hers. “A real man looks at your flaws and loves them because they’re a part of you. He doesn’t look at you just as a right now. He looks to the future. Charles knew we would be great parents, one way or another.”

I’m speechless. My heart is in my throat as I gaze into her eyes. “You are.”

She gives me a wide smile, patting the back of my hand. “You’re a good girl, Amelia.”

I grin back. “I try.”

“Lana,” she says with such distaste, “was the most awful person I’ve ever met.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes. I knew she was with him for his money and she would take him down. I just knew it, and I told Chandler that. He didn’t like what I had to say and fought with me about it, but I stood my ground. I tolerated her because of Chandler, but I never cared for her.”

“My mom hated my ex too.”

“Well, if someone made my child give up on his dreams for them, I wouldn’t care for them either.”

I press my lips together as I look down at the cutting boards. “Yeah, dumb mistakes.”

“True, but we learn from them,” she says with a shrug. “At least no children were involved in either of your mistakes.”

My heart starts to pound as I nod. “Yeah, true.”

When tears spring to my eyes, I look back down as I take a shaky breath.

The back door opens then, and Chandler comes in. I put a smile on my face as he wraps me up from behind. He’s sweaty, but I don’t care. “Feed me a carrot. I need strength.”

I giggle as I give him a piece of carrot, and he chews it up. “Thank you.” He then turns his mouth to my ear. “You are so hot when you cook.”

I grin. “You could be too.”

He scoffs. “Mom, can I cook?”

She laughs. “I had to move for him so he wouldn’t starve.”

We all laugh, and then Chandler kisses my jaw. “Okay, I’m out. Just wanted to check on you.”

As soon as he lets me go, rushing out the door, I miss him. I feel as if he protects me from all the bad decisions I made. I want nothing more than to follow him out there and watch, but I want to spend time with his mom. When I glance up, she’s studying me with a knowing look on her face.

“Oh yeah, I really like you.”

I smile. “I like you too.”

Her grin widens. “Good, because I’m pretty sure that boy is completely taken with you.”

My smile falters a bit because I want to believe her words. I want to believe he loves all my stupid issues, but it’s so damn hard. So hard.

And that’s a problem.

Because I’m completely taken with him.

Dinner was perfection. Lizzy cooks like a dream, and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. A bunch of Chandler’s teammates ate with us—the single ones, mainly—and they were a hoot. Especially Nico, though he wouldn’t look me in the eye. I guess he thinks I’m mad he hooked up with Shelli, but I’m not. She’s a grown woman; she can do what she wants.

I go up to bed before everyone else. As much as I want to stay up and spend time with Chandler’s family, I know I have the plane ride with them tomorrow to chitchat. I honestly adore both of them. They’re amazing and sweet. So kind. They love everyone and treat everyone as theirs. I’m pretty sure Lizzy told every guy at the table she loved him. She’s incredible, and Charles is hilarious. They remind me so much of my family, and that makes me really happy. We had so much fun. More fun than I’ve had in a really long time.

I sit down on the edge of the bed with my phone in my hand. There are billions of text messages, and I’ve been ignoring them all afternoon.

Mom: It was lonely without you. Hope you had a nice day.

I want to feel awful for not going home, but I don’t. I still need more time, and I don’t regret coming to Chandler’s.

Ryan: Wish you were here. Miss you, and if you tell me who you’re with, I won’t tell Mom.

I snort. Liar.

Sofia: Love you. Miss you. Can’t wait to see you!

I smile. I miss her too.

Shelli: Really? You didn’t come? I’m stuck here being questioned on who you’re with and what you’re doing! Jerk!

I type back quickly.