Jase Fields, J. (best time to read books TXT) 📖

I laughed, “That’ll probably not work ladies.”

“Why not?” we asked at the same time and he laughed.

“Because I said so,” he winked at me.

When she had fallen asleep he explained that he just felt like it would be too much and I completely understood.

9

My phone chimed as Mom and I were walking in the house after two hours at the gym. I looked down and saw Jase’s picture and face time request.

I grabbed a bandana off the counter and quickly covered my sweat drenched hair before answering.

“Hi Carly,” Bella whispered.

“Hey birthday girl, what are you doing?”

“Dad said no, but I think it’s rude that you can’t see how pretty everything looks,” her smile did me in.

“Well that’s very thoughtful. Okay do a quick tour and then we can talk later,” I loved that she wanted to include me, so sweet. There was no way Jase could be upset about this.

While Bella began the tour Mom leaned over my shoulder and watched with me. Bella showed me the hot pink and lavender streamers and balloons, “I am glad the banner says Bella and not Little Bell, I am six now you know,” she smiled into the phone and my Mom laughed. She continued and showed the cake and table coverings, “Daddy wouldn’t let me open the presents, he said they were goody bags to share with my guests and that if Carly went through all that trouble it should be a surprise. I like surprises but this is killing me,” she crossed her eyes and smiled.

I heard someone say hello to her and she smiled, “Hello, Aunt Pam.” She hugged her and I saw blonde hair and then I heard the voice, rabid dog Pam.

I felt my face burning and then Bella scooted under the table, “There are lots of people here.”

“I’m glad I could sort of be there too,” I forced a giant smile on my face.

Cyrus peeked under the table, “Little Bell you have friends here, what are ya hiding from?”

“I snuck Carly in, but don’t tell Daddy.”

Cyrus grabbed the phone, “Well hello, Carly.”

“Hey Bella, have a great time Happy Birthday.”

“Get out there birthday girl,” Cyrus smiled at Bella and then looked at the phone, “I thought Jase said no to this.”

“He did --oh, now I get it.”

“No you don’t, he has a lot of shit going on, Carly. It’s not about you. You should have left it alone,” Cyrus gave me a dirty look.

“Go fuck yourself, she called me. Have a nice day, asshole.”

“Feeling pretty badass huh? You’re going to ruin his…”

“I don’t want him to know. I want that little girl to have the best birthday ever,” my voice broke. “Goodbye.”

I hung up the phone and looked over at my Mom, “Bella is beautiful.”

“Yeah, I know,” Mom hugged me and I cried, “What the hell was I thinking?”

“You love him. Our hearts want what they want Carly. You just need to step back, take a break, and wait very patiently for your head to catch up to your heart.”

“Mom I spent way too much money for Bella’s birthday,” she started to interrupt and I put my hand up stopping her. “I realize I know better and I’m disappointed in myself. I’m so confused and unfocused. Thank God it’s not an election year, next thing you know I’m going to wake up a fucking Republican!” Mom laughed out loud and so did I, “Whatever happens I don’t want Brad to know.”

“Okay, I think that’s a good idea, especially if you think you may give him a shot someday. He deserves a clear headed Carly.”

~

I woke up on my bed hearing my phone vibrate, “Hello.”

“Hey Baby, you sleeping already?”

“Yeah.”

“We should talk,” Jase’s voice was not tense, he seemed fine.

“How is the party going?”

“Well six little girls are asleep on my living room floor wearing the most adorable matching pajamas and sleep masks. Thanks for that, and everything else you did for Bella today.”

“It wasn’t a big deal, it was fun picking everything out,” I was starting to wake up and my ears had built up a resistance to the seductive sound of Jase’s voice, I swear he was like the Pied Piper of pootie

“It was great. I really appreciated it, so did she, but you know this already, huh?”

“Yes,” it came out as a whisper.

“Baby...”

“Jase, I’m really tired and think I have a fever, I don’t want to talk about it right now okay?”

“Bella would like to say goodnight, is that alright?”

“Yeah.”

Jase turned it to face time and his jaw dropped, “Baby you should probably put a shirt on.”

I looked down and realized I was still wrapped in a towel, well part of me was wrapped. I jumped up and flew out of bed and grabbed a tee shirt.

“One week is too long to see you again. As unintentional as that was I need to remind myself every day how fucking beautiful you are.”

“Yeah I’m a prize,” I rolled my eyes.

“Your perfect,” Jase smiled and it was a sad smile, “Hey Little Bell, Carly is here.”

“Thank you for the pajama’s and sleepy masks, everyone loved them,” Bella yawned. “And the music, and disco ball, and the books. I love you, Carly.”

“Oh Bella, you deserve even more,” I swallowed hard, “I love you, too.”

Jase closed his eyes tight and opened them and he smiled when Bella looked back at him, “I’m tired Daddy.”

“Okay hop down,” Jase would normally have ended the call and called me back, but he didn’t.

I watched as he tucked her into a sleeping bag next to one of her little friends, as he kissed her little cheek goodnight, and as he told her he loved her.

He walked quickly out of the room and then looked at me as if he was thinking of what to say.

“I shouldn’t have said it back but I couldn’t help it,” I started to cry and he didn’t say anything for a long time.

“Did you say it because she did?” there was a hidden question in that