14. Jake: Mom and Bella Arrive

Chapter fourteen

Jake – Mom and Bella Arrive

I’ve never had a problem waking up early, nor do I have issues sleeping late. Me scowling at the ceiling has nothing to do with either of those things.

Today is Saturday. Mom and Isabella are coming down to Birchwood. The week has passed by in a blur, faster than I’d ever witnessed any week whizz by. But I know why the week has been fast for me, and it has nothing to do with work. It’s all about the impending deadline for introducing a girl to my mom.

On Wednesday, I had called her to see if I could indirectly influence her decision into not coming to Birchwood, at least for now. I would have come up with a solution before Bella’s wedding. But the conversation hadn’t gone as planned. Bella will be coming with her wedding planner to check out halls and locations suitable for her wedding .

There’s no escaping their visit today. It turns out Dad’s travel had been postponed—a piece of information I would have found useful earlier.

With no alternative in sight, I will have to man up and just tell Mom the truth and try my very best to convince Bella, without hurting her feelings, that I will find it impossible to be close with Sophia for the duration of the rehearsals and the ceremony.

Their train arrives at 10:00 am, which is thirty minutes from now, so I’d better get a move on so they aren’t left waiting at the station for me.

I quickly brush my teeth and splash my face with water. It might improve my look from a grumpy bear to a decent son. Choosing gray-colored joggers, I pair them with a black shirt and a pair of black sneakers. Running my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it, is a hopeless effort and it still looks tousled, as usual.

Grabbing my phone, I have just about twenty minutes left to get my mom and sister from the station, so I grab my keys and run for the car. How absurd is a tractor-shaped bowl for my keys? The answer is that it is just perfect, since Bells had given it to me years ago.

The streets are lively and bustling, filled with people going on about their days, running errands, and enjoying the weekend. A mix of locals and tourists are exploring the town, shopping at various stores, and grabbing quick bites to eat at the local cafes and restaurants.

As I drive through The Dynamic Trio section, the streets are actually even busier, which seems quite amazing. Passing by Aurora’s shops, the outsides are pretty much filled with families, friends, and tourists alike. At the pastry shop especially, children are running around the open, outdoor seating, their cheerful laughs and squeals ringing throughout the area. The Dynamic Trio really adds more liveliness to the area.

I can’t help but think about Aurora. I haven’t seen or heard from her since her exit from my office on Monday. The last I saw of her was when she sped off in her car, no doubt calling me all the bad names she could think of.

***

Thinking back, I had gotten a call from Ryan that fateful night, asking to hang out at Aurora’s Ember Bar. I rejected the offer immediately, remembering how that had turned out the last time.

Or maybe you were scared that she’d poison your drink, after what you did to her in your office. I clear my throat, ignoring the tiny voice in my head. But Ryan had promised that Aurora and Brittney were at Britt’s house, having a girls’ night in—or whatever he had called it—so I decided to go. I clearly remember the conversation. Ryan wasted no time jumping in to pelt me with questions.

“What is with you, Jake?” he asks, after we exchanged greetings, and a bartender had taken our orders.

I recall a bitter feeling washing through me, having a sense of déjà vu. It was just this past Saturday and I’m now going to be asked the same questions.

“Whatever do you mean?” I ask, playing dumb .

Ryan rolls his eyes and nails me with a stare that says not to act smart with him. I sigh and I’m about to talk when our drinks are served. Perfect timing, I think, thanking the lady who brought them. I take a long swig of my drink, the sweet, cold, and refreshing fluid calming me a little.

These people really know how to do their jobs. I don’t even know what was mixed together in that glass, but Ryan has assured me it’s the VIP special.

“Whoa! Calm down there, Jake. You don’t want to get drunk that fast,” he says, stressing ‘that.’ “Are you sure there’s nothing else on your mind? You asked Aurora to be your fake girlfriend, being a total butthead. Now, you’re acting as if something terrible has happened. What’s really going on, man?”

“My mom’s coming on Saturday with Bells. She’s getting married.”

“Your mom’s getting married?” Ryan asks incredulously, and I glare at him.

He can be such an idiot at times.

“My sister, idiot,” I say, and Ryan grins, raising his palms in surrender.

“Hey, you’re the one who isn’t being clear. Congratulations to Bella, but that hasn’t explained why you are being a total weirdo, might I add, towards Aurora.”

Recounting the whole episode for Ryan, his expression turns darker with each word I say. By the end of my narration, his warm, brown eyes have turned totally cold, glaring harshly at me. His eyes slightly soften when I mention Bella’s suggestion to pair me with Sophia.

“Jake, you have always been the rational one among us. When exactly did that change? You got mad at her? Really? You never even told her the reason why you asked her such a strange question or actually explained yourself.

“All you did was lash out at her because you are still angry about the incident at your first meeting—which, by the way, I keep telling you had been a misunderstanding.”

“You asked her to be your girlfriend! What were you expecting? For her to jump into your arms and say yes to an eccentric happily ever after? Of course, she would look confused. Then you went on to tell her it was to be a fake relationship and offered her the job if she agreed? Dude!”

I open my mouth to talk, but he holds up his left hand, indicating he isn’t finished yet.

“See, I get that you both got started on the wrong foot, but it hasn’t been easy convincing Aurora to go to the interview. It’s not my place to tell, and I will not get into details, but she has abandonment issues, leading to a fear of anything stable.

“Britt had convinced her to go for the interview because she felt there was actual chemistry between you two and honestly wants her friend to heal. But I see that was a total mistake. I get that Sophia’s return and the alarm of needing to introduce a girl to your mom caused you to panic, but it’s no excuse to have treated Aurora like that.” Ryan has let me have it full force.

** *

I jolt back into current reality as I hear a car honk at me. Easing into the station’s parking space, I kill the engine and patiently wait for Mom or Bella to text or call.

My mind couldn’t help but to, again, go back to the conversation I had with Ryan on Monday night.

I sigh. The whole event replays in my head, and I feel like a fool. What was I thinking, really? I can imagine Aurora seeing me as a power-tripping psycho. I realize I hadn’t actually explained why I had suddenly dropped such a bomb on her. I thought she had been judging me and I let my ego take over. Basically, I acted like a total jerk. And the realization is making me feel even worse.

I may not be her greatest fan, but at least I’m man enough to acknowledge the fact that I have treated her wrongly.

I hear a knock on my window, and my little sister stands there grinning and waving madly at me. Excitement and happiness course through me.

I unlock the car and get out fast. I lift Bella, as she always liked it when we were kids. Being six years older still has its advantages. She laughs, squealing happily until I put her down.

“How did you know where to find me?” I ask, still smiling widely.

“I saw your car, latecomer! Mom’s still on her way. I totally ran all the way here!” she says joyfully.

“I’ve missed you, Jakey. So much,” she says. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I hug her tightly.

“I’ve missed you too, Bells. I missed you a lot, Squirt.”

“Hey! Stop calling me that! I’ll be a married woman soon,” she laughs out loud, wiggling her brows and flashing her engagement ring at me.

Laughing, I kiss her forehead. “Congratulations, sweetheart. You deserve the world.”

“Save some affection for your old woman too, son,” mom says from behind us, and I smile widely. I turn to hug my mom tightly. Kissing her forehead, I swell with emotion, seeing her, “You’re forever young Mrs. Reynolds. I see no old woman here.”

She laughs and hits my arm affectionately. “You definitely got your charm from your dad. How have you been? Have you been eating well? You look thinner!”

I laugh and hug her tighter. Leave it to moms to worry over nothing. I definitely do not look thinner.

“How’s Dad? Hear his business trip got postponed.”

“He’s doing great. He sends his love. He went to the golf club with Dylan. Mr. Hart invited them to play with him and some friends. Dylan sends his greetings too.”

I laugh in reply. “Dylan playing golf? Now, that’s something I’d love to see.”

“It was either that or go on a blind date with Mrs. Smith’s daughter.” Mom grins and I laugh.

Mrs. Smith has been trying to get her daughter married to either of us for a while. She doesn’t care which, as long as she marries her daughter into the family.

I laugh, about to reply, when I hear a voice behind us, and I see mom roll her eyes and Isabella suddenly look anxious.

“Hi, Jacob. Long time no see.” I feel myself tense. I don’t even need to turn around.