Jase, Fields, J. [story reading TXT] 📗

call and I could find out how to get a hold of her, just one fucking call.

When Abe got off the phone he glanced at me and walked out the door. I carried sleeping beauty to the car where she slept on my chest.

Abe looked at me, “Sorry, I don’t want to fight with you. I know what you are doing and what you have done. Watching Benny boy last night, fucked me up. I don’t want that for her.”

“Did it fuck you up before or after you took off with …”

Abe laughed and slugged me in the arm, “I’m not claiming to be in love.”

“I know, but I really didn’t, fuck Abe how much did I drink?”

“I am assuming doubles of whatever you ordered, you’re the shit now man, Jase Steel fucking business tycoon.

“No different than before, brother.”

“We have a party to throw on the shore,” Abe laughed.

“Abraham O’Donnell CFO of Steel USA.”

“No kidding,” Abe laughed, “Jase, you’re amazing with her.”

“This little thing? It’s nothing man, and everything, she is the coolest little chick in the world. My girl, finally in my arms.”

“So that’s enough right?”

“What are you getting at Abe?”

“You won’t fall apart, you’ll still be her Daddy, like you have been for over a year now, not just a piece of him if Carly tells you to fuck off?”

“She won’t,” I smiled and looked down at Bella’s little face. “But if it happens, I would be no different, hurt, but no different than I’ve been for over a year now. In love with your crazy, beautiful cousin, who I didn’t have the balls to…”

Abe covered his ears, “No, I don’t want to hear it.”

I laughed, “I’m going to nail her ass.”

“Jase you’re pissing me off,” Abe warned.

“She is not going to be able to walk for …”

“Hey Bella, time for you to wake up,” Abe tried to poke her.

“Don’t do it, she won’t sleep for hours if she wakes up,” I was serious, if she fell asleep for ten minutes it was a fucking party for at least three hours when she woke up.

“Shut up and I won’t,” Abe laughed.

We pulled up in front of Abe’s place, “Busy day tomorrow.”

“Oh she will be here in two days. The Professor has to take care of a few things and he will follow.”

“You sure nothing is going on with her and him?”

“I’m sure,” Abe rolled his eyes, “My cousin seems to like bad asses.”

“Smart girl.”

~

Abe called me in the morning, really early, “She’s leaving now, a day early. Cameron isn’t going to be back in town for two days. I’m picking her up at six. Going to bring her by the house and then I don’t know, what the fuck!”

“I got the party, you take care of her. Call the office, see …”

“She scheduled that for Saturday morning, she wants to get started right away,” Abe was freaking, which was not like him.

“I will call Dom and get him back here, it’ll be fine. Sleep for a couple hours. We got people now Abe, we got this.”

13

I hated airplanes. They sucked, life sucks. I really wish Thomas was with me, but I know a lot needed to be done. I couldn’t believe how quickly we packed up a house that I lived at for so long and I couldn’t believe how much we gave away. I know I kept more than I should have, not my things, but Mom’s.

Three different blankets, why blankets? It took me forever to figure that out. The one that hung on the back of the couch, the deep red afghan that Mom and I snuggled under while we watched the vampire series every day for a month straight. We had read the books first (of course), but to watch the movie bring it to life was amazing. I hated that girl who sat by the window and cried. I thought she should get over it but Mom had told me that the heart wants what the heart wants, and I never understood that until over a year ago.

The purple velour blanket that sat folded on the end of her bed, we had laid and read side by side for hours covered in that thing. Thomas pointed out the holes and said I should throw it out but I wouldn’t. And last but not least the smaller army green wool one that Mom often stood wrapped in, on the back porch over-looking our garden on chilly spring mornings. She always got up before me and I joined her after watching her stand and admire our garden in peace. She would lift it and drape it over my shoulder and wrap her arm around me, kiss my head, and tell me good morning. For me those three blankets were as close as I would ever get to receiving a hug from Mom. They were her embrace now, and I would treasure them always.

I woke when the plane touched down and folded up that army green blanket and shoved it in my carry on. I didn’t check a bag. Thomas had all of it in the moving truck he insisted on driving in, across country. DeLuca had set up the condo they were providing for me with everything I needed, it was amazing that they had taken interest in our project, and that everything Thomas and I had requested was approved. Even things like housing were provided, not just for Thomas, but for me as well. My mother would be so happy for the both of us. She gave us two days to grieve and forever to celebrate, and we were trying to honor her request.

I saw Abe holding up a sign with my name on it and I smiled. I truly felt bad that I had avoided him since that summer that seemed like it was a lifetime ago now. But I wouldn’t anymore.

He extended his arms and I dove into them, he laughed, hugged me, and leaned back, “I’m so sorry Carly.”

“I