Still Dunno

Chapter 18 - Birthday Surprises - Part One

Jamey's POV

I pulled into Uncle Zack's driveway around three o'clock on Sunday afternoon.

We were celebrating Mary's seventeenth birthday today.

Uncle Zack and Aunt Sabrina invited everyone over for a cookout, along with some of Mary's friends from school.

I didn't want to be here.

I hadn't seen Stephanie in two days, and I missed her.

And it pissed me off that I missed her because she was a sixteen-year-old, and I shouldn't be this into her.

But I am.

I exited the car and walked up the driveway to the front door.

I let myself in and was greeted by Cooper.

"Hey, boy!" I scratched his head. "Where is everyone?"

Cooper turned around and started for the kitchen. He stopped and looked back at me to see if I was following.

Damn, the dog is too smart.

I followed Cooper into the kitchen and found Grandma and Grandpa Lynch, Aunt Sabrina, Janis, Joslyn, and Dad.

"Hey," I said.

Everyone looked over at me.

"Hi, Jamey," Grandma said, coming to me and giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I haven't seen you in so long! Look how tall and handsome you are," She gushed.

My cheeks grew hot.

"Hi, Grandma."

"Hey, Jamey," Dad said.

Janis nodded, and Joslyn didn't even look up from her phone.

"Hi, Jamey," Aunt Sabrina said. "The boys are outside picking on Mary and her friends. Your uncles are out there too."

"And Aunt Rydel," Joslyn spoke up.

"Yes," Aunt Sabrina nodded. "And we are expecting Rocky, Ross, and Ryland too."

"Great! Do you need help?" I asked, praying she'd say no.

"No thanks, honey," Aunt Sabrina said.

I nodded.

"I'll go see what's going on outside."

I stopped outside the patio door until my eyes adjusted to the sunlight.

"Go on, Jamey, you are holding up the line," Joslyn complained from behind me.

I rolled my eyes.

Joslyn has been a bitch lately.

I couldn't figure her out. It was like she went to bed one night and woke up the following day a different person.

She was quiet, moody, and crabby. She constantly was sleeping.

She just got over being sick but should be feeling better now.

Joslyn pushed me and stopped. "What the hell is going on over there?"

I looked up and saw Rydel sitting at the table with Uncle Tristan.

They were deep in conversation, and both were smiling.

Aunt Rydel tolerated Uncle Tristan on most days.

It was no secret that he was not her favorite person.

Uncle Tristan had strong beliefs, and Rydel didn't agree with any of them.