If I Knew Then

Chapter 26: Unsaid Words Pooling in My Chest

I didn't expect to wake up to a message from Amelia the next morning. While we texted all the time, after yesterday I figured she would take advantage of the chance to sleep in. One would think that she would be exhausted, but she probably couldn't sleep and was looking for a distraction.

      Amelia: Are you doing anything, today?

      Of course, I wasn't doing anything. I spent every waking moment with her or thinking about her, with the occasional sprinkle of torment from Jaxson. Even his torment usually involved teasing me about Amelia.

      Me: No, I'm free. How are you feeling?

      I pictured her rolling her eyes at the question.

      Amelia: Better, thx. Come over. Bring a bathing suit.

     My brows pinched together, wondering what she had in mind. She didn't have a pool or hot tub, and I couldn't imagine that she would be interested in the water park with her fear of heights. Maybe we would spend the day in the lazy river.

      Me: When?

     Amelia: I'm already ready. Whenever you can.

      With just six words, I was rolling out of bed even though my eyes were still crusted half-way shut.

      I rooted through the closet, hoping that Jaxson thought of supplying it with bathing suits. Finding nothing useful in my search, I sighed when my exploration was interrupted by a knock on the door. Thus, marked the arrival of my favourite tormenter.

      "Hi, Jaxson," I greeted before fully opening the door.

      Leaning against the doorway with one hand, he smirked in greeting and waved his other hand around that held multiple bathing suits.

      "Your knight in shining armor to the rescue," he sang.

      I chuckled softly and let him in. Of course, he couldn't have simply made them appear in the closet. He had to get his moment of glory from my acknowledgement that he chose suits to my taste.

      "Thank you," I took the bathing suits from his hold. "But this is not something that we're doing another fashion show for."

      Jaxson crinkled his nose. "Obviously."

     I cocked a brow at him. While I didn't disagree, he didn't have to be so blunt about his lacking desire to see me in a swimming suit.

      "I'm just agreeing that it would be weird! You're like my little sister," he defended. "That's not to say you won't look great. Amelia will love anything you choose to wear."

      My stomach lurched at her name. It seemed silly to worry about something so simple when she was likely to pluck the first bikini from her drawer, but the idea of wearing something even remotely revealing, around Amelia, had me in a cold sweat. At least I wouldn't have to worry about her seeing my inevitable pit stains in the swimsuit.

      I especially missed my mother in times like these. She would know instantly which swimsuit to recommend, in an honest yet simultaneously complimentary way. Her approval would have significantly reduced my nerves.

      "Are there no women left in this house?" I asked. Though I could have used someone's opinion, upon second thought, I supposed that the small number of occupants in the safe house was a blessing.

      Jaxson shook his head. "The pen that orchestrates this world has yet to name our newest member. You're stuck with me and grandpa for now."

      I blinked. "What does that even mean?" A simple yes or no would have sufficed in answering my question. He was beginning to speak in riddles, just like he always complained that Leonard used to do.