Page 28 of Just My Luck

“There you are.” Chris reached over and opened the case and took out a beer, handing one to Nova first, then taking one for himself.

“Where’s Mom?” I asked, glancing around.

“In the kitchen.” Chris motioned with his beer.

Nova had yet to even glance in my direction. So, keeping with my in-control attitude, I got up and walked into the kitchen. My mother stood at the sink, looking out the window. There was a tear slipping down her cheek.

Without saying anything, I walked over and wrapped my arms around her.

“Oh.” She sniffled and leaned back against my chest. “There you are.”

“I miss him too,” I said into her hair and kissed the top of her head.

She turned in my arms and held onto me as more tears soaked my shirt.

“Sorry,” she said a few moments later.

“Don’t be. You’re due a few hundred tears.”

“I’ve tried to keep it together. Really. It just hits me at times.” She leaned back and laid her hands on my face. “Now the moment is over.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled. “When are you going to finally make a move on…” She motioned toward the living room.

I frowned as my mother’s eyes got huge.

“You have,” she gasped and then whispered, “Finally. Stop toying with the woman. She’s totally miserable.”

“She is?” My frown increased.

My mother shook her head. “Whatever games the two of you are playing”—she laid her hands on my face again—“remember, life is short. Don’t waste a moment of it.” She slapped my cheek softly. “Don’t be a fool. Tell Nova how you feel about her.” She turned away to finish cooking dinner.

Chapter 11

Nova

So my night hadn’t exactly gone as planned. When Chris had reached out to me earlier that morning to put in his bet on tonight’s game and he’d invite me over to watch, I hadn’t expected Jax to show up. After all, I knew exactly how busy he’d been since his father’s death.

Then he’d walked in and blown all my plans. Seeing him act cool, however, made me pull out my phone during half time and scroll through several dating apps I’d installed recently.

I really did have to move on. My gut told me this wasn’t going to work, but my heart still dreamed.

“Seriously?” Chris mumbled next to me.

“What?” I glanced over.

He nodded to where Jax was brooding at the table, talking to Rick.

“He’s right there,” Chris whispered.

“And?” I arched my brows. “I’m right here.”

Chris rolled his eyes. “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but I can see it all over both of your faces that something has changed.”

He waited, and after a moment I nodded. “It has, and now…” I shrugged. “I don’t know what it is.”

His eyes narrowed. “My brother is an idiot.”

“On that we agree completely.” I smiled.

“Don’t wait around for him too long. Life is short. If he can’t make up his mind…” He shut his mouth as Jax walked over and sat next to me again as the game started back up.