Ashley
The mouthwatering flavours soaring through the air from Rosa's creation hit me once again when I opened the door. Now there was an upbeat song thrumming from the tv, probably Cam's doing, teasing my ears with low Spanish lyrics. It was the kind of song I wanted to throw my head back and dance to.
The mother and son were sashaying their shoulders side by side at the counter. I could hear both murmuring to each other from the hall.
"Extraño hacer esto contigo, cariño." Rosa gave him a warm smile to enforce whatever it was she said.
[I miss doing this with you, honey.]
"Lo se, mamá. Igual que yo."
[I know, mom. So do I.]
This time when she spoke there was a whining undertone in her voice. "Nunca vienes a casa a visitarme. Solo para la cena." Cam leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, listening with a sad-like expression. "Solías venir todas las semanas y hablarme sobre tus problemas y tus triunfos. Ahora solo dices hola."
[You never come home to visit me. You only come for dinner. You used to come every week and talk to me about your problems and your triumphs. Now you just say hello.]
"Lo siento mucho, mamá, pero las cosas han cambiado para mí. Tengo muchas cosas más en mi vida." There was a gasp from his mom but I couldn't see her expression.
[I'm so sorry, mom, but things have changed for me. I have a lot more going on in my life.]
She put a hand on her hip to emphasize her next words. "¿Y te niegas a hacer tiempo para mí, la mujer que te dio a luz?"
[And you refuse to make time for me, the woman who birthed you?]
He groaned and scratched his head before taking his mothers hands into his. "No es así y lo sabes. Además, ¿por qué iría a verte si no respetas a la mujer que amo?" She took a breath like she was going to say something but he beat her to it, pointing accusingly. "No, no lo niegues. Ella piensa que la odias y no estoy de acuerdo con eso. Ella es importante..." His eyes fell on me and those words trailed off. I felt myself blush under his gaze and cursed my body for reacting so obviously. "Tenemos compañía."
[It's not like that and you know that. Besides, why would I come see you if you're disrespecting the woman I love? - No, don't deny it. She thinks you hate her and I'm not okay with that. She's important... we have company.]
He nodded toward me and she spun around. I immediately felt guilty. "I wasn't eaves dropping, I swear. Really, I wasn't. I didn't want to interrupt you guys and..." I forced myself to stop babbling and bit my lip. Cam had a shit-eating grin but Rosa just stared. "I don't even understand what you said."
Cam just shrugged. "Don't sweat it, princesa."
I cleared my throat, not oblivious to the pain that shot through me. "Good morning, then, I suppose."
"Morning." Cam winked. I was thrilled to see he was back to the flirty oversized boy I knew and missed so much.
However, Rosa kept my joy stuffed inside. "Good morning." She said curtly.
The two grabbed plates and filled them. She handed me one with a smile that looked forced or at least difficult to provide. I smiled back anyway and thanked her for making breakfast. She simply nodded. Cam gave me an encouraging look but I glared at him. This somehow had to be his doing. She wouldn't come here because she was concerned about my well-being and then just not talk to me the whole time.
"How did you sleep?" Cam asked after he sat down.
An unexplainable feeling rushed through me at the memory. The way he effortlessly pulled me against him, like it was something he did every night, was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. I couldn't remember anyone holding me that way ever. It was such a strong feeling I could almost close my eyes and be there.
"Really well." I said quietly.
I focused on my food - Rosa had cooked some sort of breakfast burrito and when I cut into it onions, mushrooms, beans, peppers, and so many more delicious things spilled out onto the plate. I eagerly scooped them up and ate them, resisting the urge to moan at the explosion of flavor spreading over my tastebuds.
"This is insanely delicious, Mrs. Garcia." I said after swallowing.
She nodded. I didn't miss the pointed look she got from her son. "Thank you, Ashley. My husband used to make it for me when I was feeling under the weather." She said finally.
Knowing she didn't want to be here made me feel like a burden. I wanted to apologize but I knew Cam. He would say I was being ridiculous and had nothing to be sorry for. So I kept that to myself.
"How very sweet of him." I said politely. She nodded in agreement.
Cam kept he conversation light and coaxed out a few laughs here and there. Part of me wished his mother wasn't here so we could be alone but that was rude. I tried to, instead, pay close attention to the things she liked and the things she didn't. Maybe getting to know her would offer some insight on how to get her to like me or at least be indifferent toward me. She didn't make it easy though.
When they finished I reached for their plates but both of them stopped me.
"No." Cam stated as if that was all I needed to hear.
"Why-"
"He's right, Ashley." Rosa said. I looked at her with unexpectant eyes. "You should be resting and recovering."
Did she actually care? Was she truly here of her own free will? This was so weird. I reluctantly retreated, resting the side of my head in my hand as I watched Cam clean them instead.
He looked so good. Just like I remembered yet better than the version in my dreams. When he was finished he dried his hands and leaned against the sink. He smiled warmly and I smiled back, blushing lightly. In that moment I felt the need to mouth something to him. Like thank you or I missed you or even just hello. I don't know. Man, I really missed him. I missed him and this house and our time together. I really wanted to get him alone.
"Thank you again for cooking for us, Mrs Garcia." I said, tearing my eyes from her son.
She smiled and nodded. "It was my pleasure. I hardly get to cook breakfast for anyone these days."
Cam touched her shoulder, glancing to me before smiling softly at her. "Let me walk you to your car, mama."
He grabbed her things as she shook her head. "¿Tratando de deshacerte de mí?"
[Trying to get rid of me?]
He shrugged, seeming impatient. "Si, más o menos."
[Yeah, kind of.]
"I see." Her eyes traveled to me, scrutinizing once again. What? Was she talking about me? Damn it, why couldn't I be bilingual too? So lame... "Goodbye. Ashley. Get well, yes?"
I nodded a little too much and she was definitely exasperated at my reaction. I really just wanted to please her. Wait, what did I do to piss her off so much in the first place? Why was I letting her turn me into this eager little girl? I looked at her son.
Yeah, that's why.
A/N:
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