Page 25 of Home Run Fiancé
“All right, Mama.” Jake leans down and kisses her on the cheek, then kisses me too. When he stands back up, he whacks Damon on the chest.
“Stay away from Rhys.”
Damon barks out a laugh and I can’t help but grin. Feels nice to be wanted. Even if it is all fake.
* * *
The oven dings right when Jake comes through the front door. I’ve had a fantastic day with Susan and Damon. They’ve been just the right mix of friendly and welcoming, but not stifling or overbearing. I’ve picked flowers in Susan’s yard and made her one of my signature flower crowns which she’s wearing proudly instead of the Dangers cap. She was self-conscious about her hair loss, but with the flower crown in place, I told her she looks gorgeous. And she does. A bald head can’t dim her natural shine.
After that, Damon took me to the grocery store in town and we got everything we needed for a pot roast and my surprise dessert. Damon reminds me a lot of Jake, but we get along just like Asher and I do. We’re already teasing each other like a real brother and sister.
All of it’s overshadowed by my knowledge they aren’t my real family and I won’t be seeing them again after tomorrow. Every time I think about it, I get a pit in my stomach and I have to distract myself. I will simply enjoy the time I have with them and not think about the future. Because, right now, the future is looking bleak despite my business continuing to do well.
“Honey, I’m home!” Jake jokes as he slams the door shut and swoops into the kitchen. He winks at me before exiting again and finding his mama in the living room.
Ignoring the pang in my heart, I pull out my pan of brownies and set it on the counter to cool. I check the pot roast and see it’s ready. Putting the pot holders down, I go out into the living room to let everyone know it’s time to eat.
“What is that on your head?” Jake’s sitting next to Susan, pointing at my flower crown. “Did you fall into an azalea bush this afternoon?”
“Haha, funny boy. Your blushing bride made it for me. Isn’t it beautiful?” Susan tilts her head left and right, showing off my handiwork.
“It is, but not prettier than the head it’s on.” Jake kisses his mama and stands up, helping her up off the couch. He hooks her hand on his elbow and then walks over to me, extending his other elbow, which I wrap my arm around. “Ladies. Shall we head to the dinner table?”
Damon rolls his eyes. “I’ll walk there myself. Don’t worry. I got it.”
We chuckle at his antics, but when we all get settled around the dinner table and Susan says grace, it feels like one big happy family. Tears threaten to fill my eyes, but I swallow hard and bat them back. My family may be even smaller, with just Asher, but it’s just as loving. No need to wish to be part of this family too.
We all tuck into the pot roast I made, Damon and Jake competing over who compliments me the most. Through it all, I keep an eye on Susan and am happy to see her eating heartily.
“So, how did your meeting go with the Sliders?” I ask Jake in between bites. He seems pretty jovial, but I don’t know how much of that is for his mama’s benefit.
He wipes his mouth with his napkin before placing it carefully back on his lap. His hand finds mine on the table, squeezing with the sort of affection that could make a woman fall for him if she wasn’t careful. Everyone remains silent, each second he holds out on us deflating our hope of him getting the transfer. His expression gives away nothing which scares me even more.
“Well,” he starts, clears his throat and continues, “They haven’t signed me yet, but Bobby is on board. He says he has to get approval from a couple other people and if that happens in the next two weeks, I’ll be an official Slider.”
His mama lets out a relieved cheer, Damon gets up to whack Jake on the back in a rough hug. I let out a huge breath, squeezing his hand. I know I should congratulate him, but I can’t seem to get the words out. My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat.
Two weeks.
That’s the expiration date of our relationship. Fake relationship, that is.
Probably for the best. I can’t seem to keep things straight in my head or my heart. The sooner I can get back to my normal life, the better.
I hop up from my chair, paste a smile on my face, and embrace my reality like an over-caffeinated cheerleader.
“I think this calls for my world-famous brownies!” I practically run out of the dining room and into the kitchen, a bounce in my step I don’t actually feel. When I get back home, I should start going to auditions. My acting skills are getting pretty good.
Cutting the cooled brownies in perfect squares, I place them on a plate and head back into the dining room. Susan leans over to wrap her arms around Jake’s broad shoulders as much as she can.
“I like her, Jake. You better hang on to her.” Susan whispers it, but it’s loud enough I can hear from the doorway. Jake looks up and sees me standing there. He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. I launch back into my inane chatter and place the plate of brownies on the table, intent on lightening the mood.
“Now I know you love peanut butter, Susan, so watch out. This is actually a closely guarded family recipe so don’t even bother to ask what’s in it.”
Everyone reaches for one and I stand at the edge of the table in anticipation. These brownies really are good. My old manager begged me to make them for the coffee shop but I refused his offer when it required hours of baking for pennies.
Damon takes a huge bite and drops his brownie on his place. Then he’s out of his chair and on one knee in front of me.
“I was kidding before, but now I’m serious. Forget my brother and marry me. I can’t live without these brownies—I mean—I can’t live withoutyou.”
