chapter 9

**James**

.

"I know your upset about the whole vacation thing but can you at least pretend to be fine, and give him and this place a chance?" my mom preach next to me while I was opening doors to find the room I want.

.

"I know, okay, I'll suck it up," I said just to ensure her that I won't grow horns. "Thank you! and I'll even make time for the two of you to get to know each other -" "that's not necessary" I cut her off and continue "all I need to know, is that you're serious about him, right?" she stops and stares at me, squeezing my arm that she's been holding on to and nods "mmm, I'm definitely in love with him," she said, with a steady glare and flustered cheeks, and that made my heart clench in my chest.

.

"Three days," I said and mom made a question sound, "I'm only staying for three days, and after that, I'm leaving, with or without your permission," I said, opening the door to the room I pick and walking in.

.

"That's ok...but you know that I still love your dad right?" she agreed with my decision and ask a question that was oblivious to the meaning behind my words.

.

I walk up to my mom and hugged her "I know that better than anyone" I mumbled next to her ears and she just hugs me back and kisses me on the cheek, that's when I heard suitcases, touchdown on the floor.

.

Mom heard too since she lets go of me and turns towards him, "thanks babe" she said, and I felt a sting in my chest that I ignored. "How about we have pizza tonight?" my mom suggests receiving a "yeah sounds good " from Ethan and a nod from me.

.

"Okay, let get my phone, and order one of everyone's favorite," mom said while stepping over the suitcases and slipping past him at the door.

.

He stares at me intensely and I walk over to him that's still standing by the door, and this feeling in my gut says he heard everything, and that made me glad that I didn't have to say anything.

.

I put my hand on his biceps and my eyes follow my movement up to his chest, that's when I look into his eyes pushed him back.

.

He looked surprised that I was able to push him back and just enough to make sure the door could be closed.

.

"Thanks for the treat," I said while closing the door with the lock.

.

My body, suddenly, intense up as I felt a chill from behind the door that I'm leaning on.

.

I moved away from it and walk over to the bed and check the time on my phone "8:30 pm...ha" I said with a very short mocking laugh to myself and that's when it dawned on me that today's not even the first day, but the arrival.

.

.

"Just great"