by Kim Jones
Gina spun around and kissed Alan soundly on the lips, pulling away with a satisfied smile. “She’s right, you know. We need to get back to the cooking, so shoo.”
Alan rolled his eyes. “Outnumbered, but not for long. By the way, I know I haven’t said it lately, but you’ve got a sweet ass, Gina.”
Aimee choked, and Gina’s face erupted into a grin as she swatted Alan’s hands away, pushing him out of the kitchen amidst a fit of giggles.
“I think I’m scarred for life,” Aimee muttered, glowering at the bowl in front of her.
“You’ll get over it,” Gina countered, cheerfully.
“I doubt that,” Aimee spoke, darkly. “It’s burned into my retina.”
“I’m sure you didn’t get the melodramatic streak from my side of the family,” Gina wondered. “Probably your father’s side.”
“What was that?” Alan’s voice floated in.
“Nothing, dear,” Gina called out, her voice saccharine sweet. She gave Aimee a quick wink. “What time did they say they’d be here?”
As if on cue, the bell rang, and Aimee could hear her father opening the door and greeting their guests. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard Tommy’s deep voice, and she became painfully aware of the distance that separated them.
It had been two months since they’d last seen each other face to face, or had any kind of interaction beyond the phone or the internet. It had been hard at first, especially after getting used to seeing each other every day, and it was the promise that they would meet over Thanksgiving that kept them going.
Aimee felt nervous and shy, an unusual feeling for her as her palms grew sweaty, and her throat felt parched. She tried to swallow, but it felt dry.
“Aren’t you going to go say hi?” Gina turned her in the direction of the living room, nudging Aimee with her shoulder.
“I can’t,” Aimee mouthed, edgily.
“Why not?”
“Because I smell like sweat after being in the kitchen for so long, my hair’s a mess, and I should’ve gone with a different outfit,” Aimee complained.
Tommy had seen her before, but it suddenly seemed important for Aimee to leave a good impression after so long apart. Tommy was no longer the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. He was a baseball star now.
On the fast track to success with the Chicago Coyotes, so everything was different.
“Nonsense.” Gina waved her protests away. “You look great, smell fine, and I’m sure Tommy wouldn’t care if you didn’t. That boy looks at you like you’re the sun.”
“Looked,” Aimee corrected. “I haven’t seen him since September, mom, remember?”
“All the more reason for you to go out there,” Gina pointed out. “Come on. You’ll be just fine.”
Aimee took a deep breath, carefully set the bowl down, and took a deep breath. It was Tommy. The guy she was crazy about, so there was nothing to be worried about.
She could do this.
Aimee ran her hands across her skirt, smoothing out the creases and tossed her hair behind her back, crossing over to the door and opening it. Her eyes scanned the room, and they immediately landed on Tommy, who was already looking at her like nothing else existed.
Her heart pounded wildly in her ribcage as the rest of the world melted away, and it was just the two of them. As if by some gravitational force, they moved towards each other until they were standing with only a foot apart.
“Hi,” Tommy greeted, warmly.
“Hi.” Aimee grinned like an idiot, unable to take her eyes off of him.
“I’ve missed you.” Tommy reached out, and her hands immediately sought his. She melted into his embrace, her head fitting comfortably in the crook of his neck while his hand rested on her waist.
“I’ve missed you too,” she breathed, inhaling his scent. Tommy buried his face in her hair, and she loved the way her body curved against his, they just fit together, like two pieces of a much larger puzzle.
Someone cleared their throat, and Aimee reluctantly lifted her head up to see her father, and Tommy’s mother glancing at them in obvious amusement and slight discomfort. Tommy disentangled himself from her but kept an arm firmly on her waist. Aimee leaned into his touch, loosely wrapping an arm around his torso.
They were linked now. In more ways than one.
“So, tell me, Tommy, how’s baseball going?” Alan asked, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “I heard the Coyotes are in for quite a season.”
“We hope so sir.” Tommy smiled, casually. “We’ve been working really hard.”
“I’ve heard great things about you in particular,” Alan boasted, proudly. He turned to face, Maria, Tommy’s mother, who stood there with a bemused expression on her face.
Maria’s eyebrow climbed to her hair. “Oh? What did you hear, Alan?”
“That he’s going to be like the MVP of baseball,” Alan confided, beaming at everyone in the room.
Ever since he’d accepted Tommy, he liked to brag about him as if he were his own son. They were alike in many ways, and once Alan saw that, the two of them were inseparable. Aimee had even complained about it on more than one occasion.
Still, it warmed her heart to see the two most important men in her life come together like that. It was more than she could’ve ever hoped for.
“MVP in baseball?” Aimee’s eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. Tommy turned his head to whisper in her ear.
“Most Valuable Player. It’s an annual Major League Baseball Award that’s awarded to one outstanding player,” Tommy explained, running his hands through his hair. Aimee made a small noise of contentment in the back of her throat, forgetting for a moment that they were still in her parent’s house.
“You didn’t tell me about that.” Aimee nudged him.
“It’s not a sure thing yet,” Tommy admitted. “You know how rumors are.”
Aimee pushed herself on her toes and pressed her lips firmly to his cheek. “I think you have a good chance.”
“I heard you got into Berkley,” Alan commented, interrupting their thoughts.
“Yeah, I got a full scholarship.”
Alan clapped him on the back. “That’s amazing news. Berkley is a great college.”
Maria sidled up to Aimee, looking out of place and a little unsure of herself as she fidgeted with her hands. She ran her hands across her blonde bob before downing her drink in one swallow.
“Maria, my mom is in the kitchen if you want to help her out,” Aimee offered.
Maria shot her a grateful look. “Yes, I think she could definitely use the help. Excuse me.”
She took another sip of her drink before she wandered off in the general direction of the kitchen. It wasn’t long before the sound of muffled laughter could be heard, and it brought an immediate smile to Aimee’s face.
The fireplace cackled quietly in the corner, keeping the living room warm and cozy as the snow fell steadily outside. Aimee brushed away a few stray flakes off of Tommy’s jacket, smiling as he squeezed her hand in response. Aimee shifted towards the kitchen, but Tommy tightened his grip while he continued to speak to her father.
“Where are you going?”
“I figured I’d let you and my Dad have some quality time,” Aimee whispered as she eyed her father out of the corner of her eye. He was stroking the fire, making sure to keep it going as he rearranged the pillows on the couch.
“I don’t want quality time with your Dad right now. I want some time with you.” His voice was pitched low, and he kept an easy smile, but Aimee knew what he meant. She felt it too. This desperate need to be around him, and soak up as much as she could. His meaning was clear.
She pretended to adjust his shirt. “We’re still in my parent’s house.”
“So?” Tommy raised an eyebrow. “That’s never stopped us before.”
Aimee blushed. “Stop that.”
“I want you all to myself, Aimee. I haven’t seen you in 2 months, and God knows how much I crave you.”
“Aimee,” Maria called out as she pushed the kitchen door open with her hips, balancing trays. They all rushed forward to help as Maria’s cheeks were pleasantly warm, and her eyes had a soft glow to them.
“Your mother just told me you decided to pursue med school after all.”
Aimee nodded. “Yeah. When I was taking care of Tommy, the doctors at the hospital were impressed with my dedication and passion, so they encouraged me to go for it. They thought I could make a great doctor someday, so I’m going to study to be a sports doctor.”
Tommy placed a kiss on the side of her head. “I’m proud of you, baby.”
“Well done.” Maria squeezed her shoulders briefly. “That’s great news.”
Gina emerged from the kitchen, a glass of wine in hand. “I propose a toast.”
Everyone held up their glasses expectantly, eyes trained on Gina.
“To family, friendship and new beginnings.” She held up her glass, making eye contact with each person. “Cheers.”
Everyone clinked their glasses against each other, and Aimee sighed as the wine burned its way down her throat, leaving a trail of warmth behind.
The adults began to chatter aimlessly, and Tommy tugged on Aimee’s hand, gesturing towards the terrace outside. She followed him out, pressing herself close for warmth.
Aimee rubbed his arm up and down. “I think your father would be really proud.”
Tommy smiled as he wrapped his arm around her, tucking her into his side. “I think he’d be proud I found you. It’s not just about the baseball.”
“Is that so?” Aimee raised an eyebrow, playfully.
Tommy looked down and rubbed his nose against hers. “Uh-huh.”
“Then why don’t you kiss me already?”
Tommy smiled against her mouth as he pressed his lips to hers for a sweet kiss.
