But Cameron knew her kids.
It was odd that Jonah wasn’t in the kitchen with her as she prepared the pasta dish. He was usually always trying to snack around whatever she was eating or pepper her with a hundred questions about Melanie. Cameron loved how close the two of them were, which made her son’s absence the last few hours even more noticeable.
Putting the pasta dish into the oven, Cameron headed upstairs. She walked down the small hallway to Jonah’s room and was surprised to find the door cracked open. Cameron tapped her fingers on the door, but didn’t open it fully yet.
“Jonah?”
“I’m okay.”
Her son’s voice indicated otherwise. Cameron opened the door and looked at Jonah. His eyes were red, and it was obvious he’d been crying. She felt a pang of guilt that she hadn’t checked on him sooner.
Dammit it, Cam. Way to be a great mom.
Going to Jonah, she sat beside him on the bed and pulled him close. She cradled his head as he buried his face in her chest.
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
“Eva broke up with me.”
“What? When?”
“After school,” Jonah sniffed, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I thought things were good between us but she apparently didn’t think so.”
Cameron’s heart broke for her baby boy. He had one of the biggest hearts of any teenage boy that Cameron had ever met. Any girl would be lucky to have him as a boyfriend.
Stupid Eva,Cameron scoffed to herself.
Jonah and Eva had been dating since the start of the school year. While Cameron didn’t expect it to last forever, she’d hoped Eva wouldn’t break her baby’s heart. And on Valentine’s Day, nonetheless.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when I got home. I just didn’t want to bring down the mood of today.”
“Oh, honey,” she kissed his forehead, “you can always talk to me about anything, always. You know that.”
“I know, Mom.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t check on you sooner, honey.”
“It’s okay.” Jonah smiled at her with red eyes. “You were busy getting ready for your date with Mel.”
Cameron shook her head. “That’s not an excuse. You’re my kid and you come first. You hear me?”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“Your dinner smells good.”
“That’s how I knew something was wrong. You weren’t downstairs begging me for a bite.” Cameron playfully bumped the shoulder against Jonah’s, making him smile. “I’m going to call Mel and cancel tonight.”
“Mom, no,” Jonah shook his head adamantly. “No. You’re not canceling your first Valentine’s Day with Aunt Mel because Eva dumped me. That’s not fair to you.”
“Then it’s settled. You’ll have dinner with me and Mel.”
Jonah looked at her quizzingly. “You want a Valentine’s dinner with your girlfriend and your son?”
“All I heard was dinner with two of my favorite people.” Cameron winked at him. “Mel won’t mind; we both know that. She loves you too, kid.”
“Are you sure?”
