No Way Out (The James Family Book 2) by C. M. Steele Page A

minutes before then. Shit. Suddenly, my perfect life just got complicated.
    I jumped into the back of the car my parents rented and took out my phone. I wanted to forget about the busty, bubbly blonde in there and remember that I didn’t make a woman a priority.
    Speaking of priorities, Kate, my now ex, sent me another text message after I didn’t return the three missed calls in the auditorium. What the fuck didn’t she get? It was over, she said it herself. I couldn’t help that I agreed with her a thousand percent.
    I rolled my eyes, then chuckled at the message.
    So that’s it. It’s over and you’re fine with it.
    All my thoughts were centered around Emmy. I couldn’t give a shit about Kate at all. She and I were over three months ago. I tried to end it several times, but work got busy and I didn’t have time for her. That was her biggest issue with me and I didn’t care. In frustration, I sent her a text back. It was my final one to her.
    Look, it’s over. You texted me yourself. Sorry, but no takebacks. I’m glad because it saved me the trouble of doing it in person— like an adult. So long. Don’t text me again.
    Asshole. She dumped me and I was the asshole. Oh, well. Mom was out of luck. She had been the one pressuring me into a relationship with Kate in the first place. I wasn’t looking for a serious woman. I wanted sex every once in a while, but no... she’d laid out her guilt trip, and I fell for it. She still had Cam and Nat to give her some grandbabies. Although with little Emmy, I may have to change my mind.
    We got to the plane in a hurry because Cam wanted to get Natalie home as fast as he could, but my mind was telling me to stay. I was afraid I’d never see her again. I had to ask Nat some questions, but Cam got to me first and so the teasing commenced.
    “What the hell happened to you back there, Mr. Single for life?” Cam said smacking my shoulder as he and Nat took the seats across from me.
    “Nothing happened. I saw a hot woman. What’s the big fucking deal?” I was in complete denial and wasn’t letting up. No. I didn’t want to be on my ass when I just teased him three hours ago for being a lame ass.
    “I’ve seen you notice hot chicks before, that wasn’t it. That was an “I met my future wife” look. I know, I’ve seen it in me since I met Nat.”
    “He’s right. I don’t know how you two were with the ladies, but I remember the way Cam stared at me when we first met. That is a James’ “I’m making you mine” look.”
    My mother laughed as she took a seat next to my father and added her own perspective. “Yes, son. It is. Your father leered at me in that lecherous way a long time ago.”
    “It doesn’t matter. She’s hot, too young, and I’ll probably never see her again.”
    “Bullshit. It matters, bro. The way you were looking at her was out of a page of the Cameron’s devotion book.”
    “Okay, oh great, wise one. What’s my next step?”
    “Get your head out of your ass and make a plan. She’ll be joining us in a few weeks for the wedding so you have a lot of time to get your act together.”
    “Whatever. Come three weeks, I won’t even remember her name.”
    “Stop lying to yourself because you sure aren’t fooling anyone.”
    I tilted my seat back and closed my eyes; I was done with the conversation. The instant my eyelids closed, Emmy’s face appeared. Her cat-like eyes were burned into my memory and brightened the longer I kept my eyes closed. I wanted to bring her face closer so I could taste those nude-colored lips. I didn’t know I was smiling in my daydream until Cam kicked me and laughed. “Damn, bro, you’ve got it bad. Don’t worry, it’s wonderful.” He turned to Nat and kissed her roughly and rubbed her inner thigh.
    “Lucky, bastard,” I grumbled to myself.
    I closed my eyes again and she was back. This time I didn’t care if they teased me, I wanted to keep her pretty face in my mind. It made the flight easy and short.