“I’ll tell you what I told my son. I’m doing great,” she emphasizes. “I don’t need you to check up on me as if I were some helpless toddler.”
“That’s not why I came,” I shake my head, sighing dramatically, which causes her to laugh. “I was out for a run and saw Bakeology, so I decided to buy you some and head over.”
“Thank you.” She places a tray with two coffee mugs, sugar, milk, and coffee. “How are you?” She looks at me intently. “You know… I could introduce you to a Teacher Assistant that started this semester. She’d be perfect for you,” she gives me her devious smile.
Shaking my head, I lift my hands. “I’m okay the way I am, Char. I don’t need anyone setting me up on dates.” If she only knew the woman consuming my thoughts is her own daughter. I shrug that off and prepare my coffee.
“Your momma is going to want grandchildren soon.”
“Sammy could give her some,” I shrug, throwing my sister under the bus since she’s not around to defend herself.
Charlene laughs, catching on to my game. “She’ll want some from you. Your sister shouldn’t be the solely responsible child to do so.”
I chuckle and take a sip of coffee. I don’t know what she puts in it, but her coffee is some of the best I’ve ever had. Since my parents lived further away in Virginia Beach, visiting Easton’s family always gave me a sense of home. When my mom and Charlene first met, they hit it off and became fast friends. They still keep in touch, and I’m sure this conversation has come up more than once.
“Think about it. I’ll be happy to introduce you to Rose if you want me to,” she nods. I assume Rose is the TA she mentioned and smirk.
“I’ll make sure to do so, but honestly, I’m good the way I am. How’s work?” I switch topics.
I spend the afternoon with Charlene, talking and keeping her company for a while. She’s felt lonely without her husband, and I make sure to pay my due since I’m close enough to drive over on the weekends.
Just when I thought I’d spend the rest of the day not thinking about Allyson, I come to the one place that’s plagued with memories of her.
Charlene’s phone rings, interrupting our conversation about the football season starting at the university. Smiling, she says, “It’s Allyson. Let me answer quickly, or she’ll worry something happened, call Easton terrified that I’ve fallen, and he’ll send an army over to check on me,” she jokes, but she’s not far off from the truth.
“I should go,” I move to stand, but she firmly motions for me to stay seated as she answers the phone.
“Hi, sweetie.” Charlene holds the phone in front of her as Allyson’s voice rings loud and clear.
“Hey, Mom, how are you?” I inhale her sweet voice.
“I’m good. I’m here with Camden, who brought pastries from Bakeology.” Charlene turns the phone to me, and I see Allyson on the screen. I smile and wave.
“Oh, hi…” Her green eyes widen, and I recall the nickname I gave her, my smile growing. Her hair is thrown in a messy bun, much like my sister does when she’s home and doesn’t feel like combing it through.
“I can call you back, Mom.” Charlene turns the phone back to her.
“We can talk. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I was just calling to see how you were doing. Call me later, okay?” Allyson’s voice is even, but her eyes were filled with curiosity when they looked at me.
“Okay,” her mom agrees, and they hang up with goodbyes.
“She’s doing so well over there, but I do miss her.” Charlene smiles sadly, taking a bite of a cream-filled eclair.
“I bet it’s difficult having her so far away.”
“Yes, but she’ll be home for the holidays, and that keeps me happy. Besides, technology is so advanced nowadays, it’s almost as if she were here talking to me.”
“That does help.” I nod, picking up the conversation about the university’s football team as time passes.
By the time I say goodbye to Charlene and get in my car, I have a notification from Allyson. Smiling like a fool, I open it and read it before responding.
@AllyinSpain: Why were you there?
@CamSteeleIT: Because I wanted to. I visit her whenever I can. Told Easton I would after everything that happened.
@AllyinSpain: Ok
@CamSteeleIT: She’s proud of you
@AllyinSpain: Yea
@AllyinSpain: I’m gonna call her
I let her have time to talk to her mom. I’m no one to keep her from that, even if I selfishly want to continue my conversation with her. I turn up the music as I pull out of the parking lot in the apartment complex and drive back home.
I’m in deep water when it comes to Allyson, and I don’t see how I can do anything but try to forget about her. She may be beautiful, smart, funny, and a bit of a mess, but she’s also Easton’s sister and lives in another country. The fact that she’s Easton’s sister alone should be enough for me to slam on the brakes of this thing we have going on, yet I find myself pulled to her like I’ve never felt before. Some kind of draw and it has to do with a lot more than her tight pussy.
chapter 10
Allyson
My foot rests on the coffee table as I lean over my bent leg and paint my toes. The Spanish translation of Pretty Woman plays in the background as I continue to try to figure out why Camden was at my mom’s house the other day, and more importantly, I can’t get over the fact that it’s a recurring thing.
After my dad passed away, it was hard to watch my mom live alone. Soon after, my job sent me to Spain, and Easton was researching the possibilities of moving to Everton—both
