Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
Olive
The bright sun warmed my skin as I tossed my head back. I was on my back deck, kid-free, with a pitcher of strong ass margarita next to me as I listened to Jasiel trying to make sense of the information I had just given him. I didn’t even know why my lips got loose with him.
“I’m still not understanding what happened, Liv.
The last time we talked everything was cool with you and ol’ boy.
And now you telling me shit just didn’t work out?
” Jasiel questioned over the speakerphone.
He had called wanting to talk to Jo-Jo who was gone with Highland and the girls at Sky Zone.
It had been a couple weeks now since Highland broke up with me and I was still trying to make it make sense.
So I couldn’t explain to Jasiel that it was my job, because when I first told Highland what I did, I thought he was okay with it.
I wanted to be mad at Tunk for even letting him into the office, but I knew he was just trying to help Highland set up the surprise I couldn’t even bask in after.
“What do you want me to say, Jasiel? Relationships don’t always work out.”
“Which I get but he’s with him right now though; so y’all must still talk or some shit. Liv, nothing is making sense.”
I groaned as I worked on my schedule for this vacation that still needed to happen with Byrdie.
“Jasiel, because you’re making it more complicated than it is. The kids are still friends. Sometimes grown people who briefly dated can still be mutuals for the sake of a good reason, like the kids.”
“Okay. And he’s taking Jo-Jo out tomorrow to play ball with him and Tunk?”
“Yes, Jasiel. Enough about me and my failed relationship, can we focus on you? Did you resubmit your request for the time off for the week before he goes back to school? I know Jo-Jo is expecting you to be here.” I had to change from the subject of Highland.
My heart couldn’t take thinking or talking about him anymore today.
It was bad enough I had to see him when he dropped Jo-Jo off.
When his heavy breathing came out, I prepared myself for the bullshit.
“That’s why I called. I’m shipping out next week with a temporary extended stay overseas.
I’m sorry, Liv. I know this wasn’t in the plans, but I promise to still make his first day in second grade a good one.
I still have you down as my power of attorney, so you’ll get the updated paperwork in the mail. ”
That wasn’t something I wanted to hear, but I knew it was a good possibility that he would be deployed. It came with the job title. I had been his power of attorney since I was pregnant with Jo-Jo. This was Jasiel’s way of making sure that even in his death his son would be taken care of.
“Shit, Jasiel. Jo-Jo is going to be so disappointed. And what does extended mean? Are we talking six months or a year this time?” I kissed my teeth as he let out a frustrated sigh.
“Now I really have to go all out with this vacation.” I groaned while I looked over my screen, seeing where I could move stuff around so I could extend our original one week into two at the least.
“A year this time. But what’s the hold up with that anyway? Is it money? I can send some to take care of it for you.”
I snickered. “That’s not the hold up, work is. Although, I’m not going to stop you from sending Jo-Jo money but only for him.”
“Liv, work? You make the schedule. Make that shit fit you. Also, speaking of, don’t tell Jo-Jo. I’ll tell him once I’m stationed. I can’t handle hearing his sad tone.”
Thank God you work for yourself and make your own hours.
That thought alone had me thinking back to that shitty day yet again. I couldn’t get Highland’s pained expression out of my head when I basically chose my career over him.
Ugh! Stop thinking about it, Olive. You fucked up.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make on the spot. I felt like Highland didn’t even give me time to think about it. Nope. He made my choice for me and left me there crying my eyes out.
I didn’t even have time to figure out a plan of what else I would do before he just ended us. It was a huge, life changing decision to make with just weeks of us dating. Hell, we hadn’t even said the big three words yet.
My heart ached at that thought alone. I just knew he was it. I felt it in my bones down to my soul. I rubbed my chest, trying to soothe the pain that had been there since that day.
“No, of course not. I was leaving that for you anyway. I remember how you like to talk to him yourself when you have to leave.” The line got quiet and I was sure Jasiel was thinking about everything he had going on while mine was still on Highland.
“Hey, this is a random ass question, but if you met someone and your career got in the way of y’all’s relationship, would you consider retiring from the military?”
I didn’t even know why I asked.
Yes you do, Olive. It’s still bothering the fuck out of you that Highland expected you to just give up your career.
“Are we talking mad in love, about to marry and give my babies type of love relationship or just a shorty that I’m digging and we kicking it?”
“Madly in love, Jasiel.”
“For sure,” he responded in a confidence-laced tone with ease.
Is something wrong with me?
And before I could catch myself, I asked a question I already knew the answer to.
“Would you have done it for me? I mean, if I’d asked for Jo-Jo?”
“Honestly, yeah, but you never asked or made it seem like you wanted me to. Liv, you were content with us being friends with a dope ass co-parenting setup, but back then, I would have done whatever you wanted.”
He was right. I didn’t pressure Jasiel for anything. Despite us making Jo-Jo, it was never anything beyond sex with us.
“Why do you ask?”
I didn’t want to get into this with him because I knew how he felt about my career choice too. Even with us not being together, Jasiel hated it. He was the reason Tunk was around.
“Just wondering. Hey, I have to go. I want dinner to be done when Jo-Jo comes home and I have to finish this schedule for Byrdie.”
I went to hang up when Jasiel called out to me.
“I know I’m not Byrdie, but you can tell me anything, Liv. And I might be reaching when I say this, but there are other ways to help people with intimacy issues that don’t involve physical touch from you. I think once you figure that out, everything will make sense.”
“Ugh, not you trying to give me sound advice like you’re some relationship guru or something,” I joked but appreciated Jasiel’s subtle approach to helping me without prying into my fucked up love life.
“Anytime, baby momma.” I groaned while he released a light chuckle.
“Kiss my son. I’ll call once I make it.”
“Will do.”
We hung up and I busied myself to keep my mind off the man who had managed to swoop in and attach his soul to mine, yet to let it go.
The sound of music blaring and a car pulling into my driveway had me turning my head to the side to see Byrdie bopping her head to the latest track by Siren as she sang loud and off key.
“Don’t play me second when you know I’m your only one.” I smirked at her ass even trying to harmonize with the oohs that made it sound as if she was crying out in pain for real.
“Uht uhn, heffa, don’t pull up to my shit doing all that hooting and hollering.
Let the professional handle that, please and thank you.
” She shot me a glare before she went back to singing, flipping me off in the process.
I cackled as I put my attention back on my tablet screen that displayed two calendars, both hers and mine, so I could finalize the best days for this mini vacation.
By the time Byrdie made it onto the patio with me, I was reaching over the table for the pitcher and the glass I had waiting for her.
“Ooh, I love this car to table service I’m receiving. Are you trying to make up for the fact that your ass has been M.I.A these last couple weeks for real? If so, a snack or charcuterie board would’ve told me that you’re sorry for real.” I snorted as I topped my glass off.
“No. And I haven’t been M.I.A, just extremely busy.
Camp is over so I’m officially working around the kids’ schedule with Highland.
” Which was the truth. Like I told Jasiel, Highland and I still let the kids spend time with each other, just separately.
It felt as if we were sharing custody with our agreement.
While I worked, he had Jo-Jo, and while he worked, I had the girls.
Unlike Jasiel, Byrdie didn’t know Highland and I had broken up.
I wasn’t ready to go over everything that happened that day again because I was sure she would side with him too.
And I didn’t need another person not seeing my side of things right now.
This was my career, my business, and how I made my money that took care of me and Jo-Jo.
It was all I knew since I graduated from school.
“How are things going with you two? Ooh, we should double date while we’re down there. No, wait, maybe have a family game night while there. And y’all can most definitely host it at Stepdaddy Highland’s beach house.”
“Slow down, girl. We haven’t even finalized dates yet. Highland might be working. Are you still thinking of staying one week?”
He might be working, Olive?
I had to say something that would make sense as to why he wouldn’t be part of any double dates or family game nights while we were down there. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I was going to get away with renting a house for Jo-Jo and me without Byrdie knowing.
Girl, ain’t no way you’re going to rent a whole house to save face. Just tell Byrdie, that way you can get the house together.
No.