Page 45 of The First Chord

Eventually, she slowly peeled herself away from me, her bright eyes looking into mine the whole time. “Oh, my boy, you are in trouble, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what to do, Auntie Mo. Do I tell her exactly how I feel? I mean,” I said, throwing my hands up in the air, “is it too soon after Jimmy? Am I being selfish if I put pressure on her?”

A cool hand cupped my cheek. “I think you need to think about yourself in this, too. I do think she has more than friendly feelings for you, but I think that you need to be sure that it’s not just gratitude that’s she’s feeling.”

My mouth suddenly felt like it was full of gravel and my stomach rolled. “Y-you think that’s it?” I asked.

“That’s not what I’m saying, love. What I’m saying is, make sure thatshe’ssure. I do not want to see you have your heart broken and I think this one, this situation could do that.”

Her comment shocked me. She was the one person who I wanted to be mine and Amber’s cheerleader. If I didn’t have Auntie Mo’s support it would hurt more than I could imagine.

“You think she’s not good for me? That maybe she’s going to hurt me?”

“Not what I said, me duck.” She shook her head and patted my cheek before dropping her hand to her lap. Instantly I wanted to pull it back and feel that familiar sense of love. “She won’t mean to because I can see she cares for you, but I don’t think the record company or that husband of hers will spare two thoughts about it. She may not have a choice.”

“So, I leave her to deal with it on her own?”

“God, no.” Auntie Mo frowned. “You feel people’s pain, Ronnie, and you couldn’t leave her to it even if you tried. All I’m saying is take care of that in there.” She patted my chest over my heart. “Just in case.”

I nodded, knowing that she was right. I did take on other people’s worries too often and I needed to be sure that Amber and I were both feeling something more than gratitude and sympathy.

“On the other hand,” Auntie Mo, said. “She’s a lovely girl and I’d welcome her to the family.”

The relief I felt was immense and I just had to hope that things went my way.

“Now.” Auntie Mo clapped her hands excitedly. “I wonder what she’s going to make us for tea.”

* * *

Looking over at Auntie Mo my stomach rolled. She was staring at Amber and the distaste on her expression would have been funny under any other circumstance.

“I’m so sorry,” Amber whispered, dropping her face into her hands. “I didn’t know.”

Auntie Mo cleared her throat. “Know what, me duck? That you couldn’t cook.”

Amber looked at me and I felt awful because she looked so upset and disappointed. Yet, I couldn’t help the belly laugh building up inside of me. Biting my lip, I tried hard not to show how hilarious it was. It seemed it wasn’t to Amber, but it was just a bowl of stew. A bowl of stew that tasted like she’d emptied a whole bag of salt into it. As for the meat it was as tough as rubber.

“Ronnie,” Auntie Mo scolded. “Stop smirking.” She wasn’t even looking at me. How did the woman know that I was finding it amusing?

Amber’s gaze shot to mine, and she frowned. “Are you laughing at me?”

My teeth clamped down on my bottom lip and I shook my head.

“You are, aren’t you? You think that it’s funny that I almost poisoned both of you.”

Again, I shook my head and Auntie Mo stepped in.

“You weren’t trying to poison us, Amber. Your recipe just needs some adjustment, that’s all. Well, that and the cooking time.” She patted Amber’s hand. “Did you start cooking the beef last week?”

That was it, I couldn’t hold the laughter back. My head went back, and I roared at the amusement of it all. It was enough for Auntie Mo because she then joined in with me, laughing loudly and holding onto her sides.

“It’s not funny,” Amber protested. “I’m mortified.”

The look on her face did nothing but make us laugh harder and louder. That only seemed to make Amber frown more. Then it struck me, the poor girl had cooked for us and all we’d done was ridicule what she’d made. When I saw her bottom lip pop out, my heart stalled.

“Ah, shit,” I said, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Amber, I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just a bit of stew.” Reaching for her hand, I was out of my chair and kneeling at her feet. “Please, don’t get upset.”

“I’m so hurt and upset.” Her head dropped and her shoulders shook as she was undoubtedly upset.

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