Otters

Chapter 15

Jo fixed her glasses and rested my hand in her lap as she made patterns on my palm with her fingertips. Her touch gave me goosebumps. It sent shivers down my spine. "Shane, you can tell me anything."

I loved it when she said my name. She always said it as if there was worth and meaning behind it. She would say it with a smile and always seemed to say it as much as possible.

Jo reached up and touched my cheek. I held her hand there as I tried to figure out what to say. "Do you remember the diary I found at your house that first night?" I avoided eye contact.

Jo let out a quiet sigh. "Yes, I remember. How could I forget, Shane?"

I exhaled slowly. "It belonged to my last girlfriend, Cindy. I took her here on our second date. She..." I gulped, took a deep breath, and closed my eyes. "Do you know what osteosarcoma is?" I opened my eyes and glimpsed up at her face.

Jo caught her breath. "Oh my gosh," she whispered under her breath. "Shane, I'm sorry-"

"No, it's okay. It was a long time ago. I just thought you should probably know. People tend to get hurt when they're around me. My mom, Christopher, Cindy..." I trailed off.

"Shane, stop." Jo gripped my hand tighter. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily." Her lips curled into a smile.

I bit my bottom lip as I grinned. "C'mere you." I cupped her face and pulled her towards me, pressing my lips against hers.

Jo's hands found their way through my hair and twirled it around her fingers. I placed an arm around her waist, pulling her as close to me as possible. She wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Shane," she breathed, pulling away from the kiss, her lips hovering only nanometers away from mine. "I love you."

I felt my chest get lighter and my stomach do flips. "I love you too, princess." I planted my lips on hers again, softly and gently kissing her.

Hopefully she realized I really truly meant what I said. I tried hardest to prove to her how much I loved and needed her as I kissed her. I wanted her to know that I would never hurt her and that I would always put her needs in front of mine. I don't want to lose her.

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"She was ticked," Jo said into the phone. "But I don't think she's worried. She's been pretty easy on me since I've volunteered to take the night shifts with Charlie. She's already a month old. Can you believe it?" She giggled.

"Already a month?" I asked, chuckling. "She's getting old," I joked.

"Shane?" Momma called from the kitchen.

"Hey, Jo, can I talk to you later? Momma's calling me."

"Yeah, sure. Plans still on for tonight?" she asked.

"Yeah, of course. See you then, princess. I love you." I smiled as I said the words.

"I love you, too, Shane. Goodbye." Jo hung up.

I shoved my phone in my back pocket and walked into the kitchen. "What's up, Momma?"

She was still in her pajamas and robe, pouring cereal into a bowl. "How's Jo?" she asked.

"Fine, Momma..." I had a suspicious feeling that something was going on. "Why?"

She sat down at the table and sighed, running a hand through her short blonde hair tiredly. "You're going to have to spend as time with her as possible for the next couple weeks."

I sat down stiffly across from her. "Why are you saying this?" I crossed my arms.

"We have to move, Shane. There's a job available with better pay and we'd get a better house and there's a better school for you."