Page 31 of We Thought We Knew It All
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for his shit again.” He fixed me with a glare.
“He’s different.”
“Callie, he dropped us. Get that? We meant nothing to him. You’d do well to remember that. My dad did.”
I bit back the retort I wanted to make about what Jamie’s dad thought of him. It’d only make things worse.
“I’m only going to say this once.” I lowered my voice. “If you start something in front ofmykids, I’ll have to rethink your relationship with them. Show them their uncle Jay’s worst attributes and that is all they will remember. And Jay, the worst thing about you has always been how you see your brother.”
I stood and straightened my dress before leaving him to think about what I’d said. I let the boys go in to see him while I followed Amber to the kitchen.
As she was pulling the roast out of the oven, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” I told her.
Jamie and Colby stood side by side, laughing at something they’d been discussing as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Seeing the two of them together made me smile.
“You boys look good.” I eyed Jamie’s khakis and button up and Colby’s sport coat and slacks.
“And you are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on.” Jamie stepped closer, his breath warming my skin before grazing my cheek with his lips. He stepped back and winked, knowing exactly what he was doing to me. Colby steadied me in a big hug.
“Breathe, sis.” He laughed.
I finally found my voice. “Glad you had the night off.”
“I wouldn’t miss this. It’s been ten years since we’ve all been together.”
“Um, we were all at the funeral.”
“No.” He looked sideways at Jamie who met his grin. “I meanallof us.”
I didn’t get a chance to question it because Morgan came running up the driveway, her long blond hair blowing out behind her like she was some beach babe in a movie.
My feet caught up before my brain and I pushed past the boys, meeting Morgan on the front porch. We collided into a crushing hug.
“I thought you weren’t coming home until Christmas,” I yelled.
“Nothing was keeping me there and when you told me you were back, I couldn’t wait.”
We were joined on the front porch by my three boys who were yelling in excitement along with us, although they didn’t know the reason why.
“Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen Jacks and Liam in years.” Morgan bent down to look at each of them. “You boys are so tall.”
“And you’ve never met Declan,” I said.
She snatched him from Amber’s arms and he hugged her. Yep, she was a goner. “What’d you say?” she asked. Declan had whispered something to her.
He raised his voice. “Eat shit.”
“Oh my God.” I covered my face in my hands as Jamie suppressed a laugh beside me and the others stared in surprise.
“I think what he means,” Jamie said, knowing full well that was Declan’s new favorite phrase. “Is eat roast. It smells delicious.”
“Come on.” Amber waved them in. “It’s ready.”
12
Jamie
