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Once the sun was up, and we both had two coffees in our systems, we were well on the way to Utah. Jamie had texted her sister to let her know we were on the way, even including a photo of me driving so we could start “selling the relationship.” I gave a grin but kept my eyes on the road. A text came through a second later, making Jamie laugh.
“She says you're cute.”
“Oh good, already in good graces with your sister.” I drummed my thumb on the steering wheel. “Jillian, right? And Holden and Harrison.”
“Impressive.” Jamie looked over at me and smirked. “And my parents?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gaines,” I answered, giving her a slight nod.
“Ha . . . good one. My dad’s name is Howard, my mom’s name is Janet.”
“Again, with the H’s and J’s.” I chuckled.
“Again, unintentionally.” Jamie shook her head and unlocked her phone screen, “But unless they tell you otherwise—”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gaines,” I repeated. I gave her a side eye and smirked. “That’s what you told me a few weeks ago.”
Jamie’s smile grew as she typed out a quick text, then locked her phone, flipping the silent switch, and slipping it into her bag byher feet. Shifting her body to face me slightly, she asked, “Okay, what about your family?”
I grinned, hoping that questions would start flying. Ever since we talked the other day I’ve been wanting to get her alone for these twelve hours. I thought of all the questions I wanted to ask—and hoped she would ask me—the entire time I was on stage last night.
“Mom’s name is Linda, Dad’s name is Graham. Older brother is Jacob and younger sister is Sydney. Jacob is a doctor, specializing in Alzheimer’s treatment. Sydney just opened her own salon and is insanely busy. Mom is retired and just spoils Jacob’s kids all day,” I answered.
“Are you close to them?”
“Sydney and I text at least once a day, but my brother is more focused on my dad and his family. He’s busy and, as much as I hate to say it, he and I don't always see eye to eye.”
Jamie’s focus shifted. She turned her head towards the road once again.
After a deep breath, she said, “I’m close to Jilly. Holden is a typical older brother, very protective of us, and Harrison is always traveling. I can’t keep up with him.”
I nodded along with her. Closer to our sisters, more distant from our brothers. I knew eventually we’d find something we’d have in common, but I was hoping it would be our taste in music—something less . . . daunting.
“It’s not that Harrison and I aren’t close,” Jamie added, almost as if she could hear my thoughts, “it’s just that he’s always traveling. He backpacks all over different countries. We only see him at this reunion. The man doesn’t even have a cell phone.”
“How do you keep in touch?”
“He calls Mom when he can, and sends postcards—I have a whole collection. My parents want him to settle down,” she groaned. “Jilly and Holden have graced them with grandchildren, but Harry and I are the odd ducks—the ones that will forever be single.”
“You’re not single. You have your loving boyfriend right beside you.” I leaned my body toward her, cocking an eyebrow.
“Ha ha. You’re full of jokes today, aren’t you? Enough about my family, you’ll get your fill of them and then wish that you never agreed to this. What’s up with Jacob? Why do you not see ‘eye to eye’?” She threw her fingers up in air quotes.
I clenched my teeth and let out a low growl. My relationship with Jacob wasn’t complicated, it just wasn’t the best. He stepped in where Dad couldn’t and gave the disapproving comments where he could. He hated the tattoo, he never came to shows, and now he was giving me the silent treatment since he learned I was selling the company. If he wasn’t already a doctor, who was leading a new study, he would take over the company simply to keep it in the Whittaker name. Jacob was my older brother whom I once admired, now—even though I’m close to forty—all I saw when he talked to me was complete and utter disappointment.
“It’s complicated,” I answered. Simple and sweet.
Jamie hummed, accepting the answer. “Families can be a blast sometimes, can’t they? But you and . . . Sydney?”
I smiled at my sister's name. “My baby sis. Sydney is creative and talented in more ways than I can fathom. I took on music, where she took up art and she decided to express it with hair and nails and she just . . . excels. She’s a gem, you would like her.”
“Maybe I’ll make an appointment when we get back. Lord knows my nails could use some help.” She held her hand out in front of her, showing off her short, plain nails. “I love getting my nails done, but the dental office keeps me from that.”
I chuckled. “Okay so, why dental? You obviously have a passion for painting.”
“I love to paint, but it’s hard to make a career out of it. I’ve always loved going to the dentist, so I decided I could work at an office while finishing my degree, but when that didn’t happen . . .”—she shrugged her shoulders—“I just stayed in the dental field. I get to work in the lab, and I love it because I get to work with my hands. It’s not much different than working with clay. I can still do art . . .just in a different way. Plus, thanks to that job, I met my best friend.”
“I’ll take that. Thanks to a job, I met Milo. And through Milo”—I looked over at her, catching and locking her gaze for a moment before having to turn back to the road—“I met you.”
