Page 74 of Barron's Second Chance
His Eden.
Lust replaced jealousy as he observed her beautiful, smiling face, beaming widely as she ushered them inside. Her legs were bare in tiny jean shorts paired with a simple white tee.
Barron suddenly frowned when he thought of Rocker Boy getting to see her half-naked anytime he wanted.
Jealousy simmered away in his stomach again.
"Kell, Gav," Eden greeted warmly, hugging his parents. As she chatted a bit with them, Barron took in her make-up-free face, which made her look seventeen again, and her long brown hair pulled up carelessly in a ponytail. She was so achingly gorgeous that it hurt to look at her.
As he rubbed at his chest, attempting to soothe the twinge he felt there, Eden turned to greet him next. Her smile wasn't as wide, but it was still genuine.
"Hi, Barron." Her clear blue eyes shyly regarded him before she took him by surprise and leaned up, wrapping her arms around his neck in a warm embrace.
He closed his eyes as emotion tugged at his throat. He wrapped his arms around her slim waist a little too tightly.
He breathed in her essence, inhaling her floral shampoo, the fragrant body spray she used, a tingle of clean soap, and just... Eden.
She gave him a final squeeze before pulling back, causing him to let her go reluctantly. She regarded him with guarded eyes for a brief moment before her mouth opened to speak.
"Oh, Barron!" Susan came towards him, smiling from ear to ear. Eden closed her mouth, giving him a rueful look before stepping away.
He swallowed down a disappointed groan as he turned towards Susan. If anyone else had interrupted his moment with Eden, he would've bitten their head off.
As it was, seeing Susan enthusiastically greet him stunned but pleased him immensely. He quickly bent to return her hug, blinking back tears as warm, familiar memories once again assailed him.
Susan was to him what his mom was to Eden. A second mom.
After he fucked things up with Eden, he felt Susan's absence big time.
She was reserved with him, only giving him a small smile of acknowledgement whenever she saw him, which was always tinged with disappointment.
He tried sucking up to her. He couldn't stand to lose the love and respect of someone he admired so greatly. Every time she came round, he would be charming and entertaining - praying that she would feel sorry enough for him to break through her steely demeanor.
Unfortunately, he underestimated the loyalty and protectiveness a mama bear has towards her cub.
And he got it now; he did. If he had a daughter whose heart had been obliterated by some fucker, he'd be polishing his shotgun at the asshole any chance he got.
Once Eden moved to New York, though, he abandoned all attempts at reconciling his relationship with Susan. Especially when he stupidly started dating Lissa.
He felt embarrassed and guilty, not only for betraying the trust of so many people, but a part of him was worried that Susan would blame him for Eden moving away.
So having Susan welcome him with a genuine and heartfelt smile and hug touched him deeply.
"So happy to see you," Susan whispered in his ear, giving him a tight squeeze before pulling back. She cupped his face in her hands, tears glistening in her eyes, before nodding and patting his cheek affectionately.
"Go say hi to everyone."
As he followed Susan and Eden through to the living area, he couldn't help checking out Eden's spectacular ass in those shorts. His thoughts drifted to a certain lingerie fashion show where she had strutted down the catwalk in a diamond-encrusted thong. He couldn't remember how many times he jerked off to that image.
The scent of roast chicken and fresh bread hit his senses as he came through to the open-plan dining and living area. The smell was so delicious that his mouth watered in anticipation of dinner.
Ryan and Sofia were sitting at the dining table where his parents had seated themselves.
As he always did, he felt a jolt of apprehension at seeing his old friends. While he had fixed most of his friendships from high school, Sofia and Ryan remained immune. They were loyal to his girl, and he couldn't fault them for that.
Ryan had always been polite to him, yet distant. A stark contrast to his usual effervescent personality. On the other hand, Sofia had no qualms about letting him know how displeased she was with him. She scared him a little.
But now, seeing Ryan give him a smile and a wave while Sofia flicked him the peace sign - her version of playing nice - he couldn't help the feeling of joy at the small step towards a new friendship of sorts with them.
