Aftershock: A Charity McAdams Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

head.
    Sandy leans forward and pulls me into a hug.
    “I don’t even know why I’m crying,” I say, muffled into her sweater. “It’s all in the past now. It shouldn’t matter anymore.”
    “It’s ok, sweetie. You’ve gone through a lot, both of you, it’s going to take some time,” she reassures me, patting my back before letting me go.
    I wipe away the tears and give myself a little shake. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, with all the crying, but I am happy. Happier than I’ve been in a long, long time,” I say with a smile.
    “Oh, you don’t have to tell me that, I already know! The way you two look at each other, it’s just like before. Does a mama’s heart good,” she smiles and gives my hands a squeeze. “What do you say we go get some cake before the boys eat it all?”
    “Let’s go!” I say, giggling.
     
     
    The whole family gathers around the kitchen island and dig into the cake. When everyone is finishing up, Brandon declares that he has an announcement. Everyone’s eyes swivel in my direction, expectantly. It takes me a second to realize that they probably all think Brandon is about to say I’m pregnant or something crazy.
    Did they not see my two glasses of wine at dinner?
    “Charity has agreed to move to California with me, when I go back to shoot my next movie!”
    I watch his moms face light up and it really does melt my heart to see her so happy. Especially considering all she has been through in the past few months.
    Rick gives a loud clap. “Well, it’s about time!”
     
     
    Half an hour later, Brandon and I say goodbye to his family and head back to my house.
    “So, are you gonna tell me what you and my mom talked about?” Brandon asks with a smile.
    “Are you dying of curiosity?”
    “Oh, absolutely,” he says sarcastically with a laugh.
    “Oh you know, just girl stuff.”
    “Cherry, come on,” he says, poking me gently in the ribs.
    I laugh and smack his hand away. “Well, she mainly wanted to know how I was dealing, with everything. I think she was worried that I was upset at them because they didn’t really talk to me after you left.”
    He nods and focuses his gaze back on the road as we turn the corner and pull into the driveway in front of my townhouse. “What did you tell her?”
    “The truth, I told her that it’s been hard but that I’m happy, that we’re happy. And that I don’t hold anything against them for how things went down.”
    “So it wasn’t a disaster, like you were predicting?” He asks.
    “Brandon, I never said I thought it was going to be a disaster. And I already apologized for freaking out about it in the first place,”
    “I know, I just meant that it was good,” he explains, as he parks and turns off the engine.
    “Yeah, it was. I had a really good time,” I say. “You know what else she told me?”
    “Hmm?”
    “She said that it does her heart good to see us so happy together, like we used to.”
    He turns and gives me a smile. I lean across the center console and brush my lips against his slowly. “Think you’re all recovered from your wrestling injury?” I ask, glancing down at his lap, one eyebrow raised.
    “Only one way to find out,” he says with a laugh before kissing me again.
     

Chapter Seven
    The next day at work I get an “emergency” text from my mom, asking if I can meet her and Valerie to talk about the baby shower. I figure it’s something stupid and text her that it will have to wait until after work. The last pseudo-emergency, pow-wow was held because the tablecloths weren’t the exact same tint of pink as the ribbon for the backs of the chairs.
    Ugh.
    Personally, I think Valerie has way too much time on her hands and my mom is only feeding her obsession because she’s addicted to party planning and finds her life’s joy in fussing over Every. Single. Detail.
    Maybe that’s a little too harsh. I know she’s just excited about the baby and being a grandma. Valerie on the other hand, has