14. Fourteen
Fourteen
Tessa
B y the time Jake fires up the grill to start an early dinner, it's late afternoon. Carter texted to let us know they were on their way back, and Jake figured they’d most likely not eaten much, being stuck at the hospital all day.
When the kids also started complaining about their rumbling tummies, an impromptu dinner party was decided.
I watch Jake through the patio door leading to the backyard as he expertly flips burgers and hot dogs, all while balancing a baby on his hip like a pro.
Every once in a while, Ariana grabs his cheeks to get his attention, and he rewards her by blowing raspberries on her little round Buddha belly.
When he did so earlier, she giggled so hard she let loose a series of farts—which made Jake crack up so much he almost dropped the meat plate .
I refocus on the head of romaine lettuce I’m in the process of chopping, and smile to myself as I remember the key moments of the day.
The way he chased Nathan and Josie up and down the equipment of the local playground, growling like a rabid bear and making the kids squeal with delight.
The imaginary gunfight that left Jake the victim as they all piled on top of him to make sure he was down for the count.
That one ended in a giant pile of flailing limbs after Jake miraculously came back to life to tickle his assailants until they cried for mercy.
His horrified expression after Ariana left a surprise in her diaper that had him rejoining our party looking a little green around the gills.
How adorable he looked, sitting at the children’s furniture set he apparently built for occasions such as this, decked out in a tiara and more jewelry than Flavor Flav, while he pretended to drink tea from a cup so tiny his palm swallowed it up.
The absolute highlight of my day, however, was when Nathan unintentionally disclosed more about his parent’s kinky sex life than I ever wanted to know. The conversation between him and his godfather went something like this:
Nathan: “Uncle Jake? Are you and Auntie Teresa dating?”
Jake: “Well, we were on a date last night, so I guess you could call it that. ”
Nathan: “Okay. So, let’s say Auntie Teresa is your girlfriend. Would you ever spank her butt if she did something wrong?”
Jake, after choking on his cookie: “Where’s this coming from, bud?”
Nathan: “Well, the other night I woke up dreaming about that scary movie I wasn’t supposed to watch, and I wanted to crawl into Mommy and Daddy’s bed like I always do.
But when I got to the door, I heard Daddy tell Mommy she’d been a naughty girl.
Then there was a loud smack, and Mommy yelped, and I got even more scared, you know?
Obviously, Daddy was real mad and Mommy was in trouble.
So, I decided it was probably safer in my own bed after all. ”
Nathan, looking pensive: “It just had me wondering. I mean, Mommy must’ve done something real bad because we’re naughty all the time, but he’s never spanked our butts.”
Jake: “Christ almighty.”
I giggle, thinking about the exchange, as I give the salad dressing a final stir.
Watching Jake sputter and flail to come up with an appropriate response was hilarious, but I can’t deny that he handled the situation beautifully.
I’d almost forgotten how good he is with kids.
Seeing as he pretty much raised his own siblings, it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Throughout the entire day, Jake remained patient and kind, and he genuinely seemed to enjoy his time with the little ones.
I always knew he’d make a wonderful father someday, but watching him interact with them now, all grown up and ready to be a parent himself, makes my chest ache with longing.
Suddenly, I can easily picture myself, belly rounded with his child, and I want nothing more than to watch him chase our own kids around the yard.
I’ve always wanted children. A house full of them, seeing as I’ve never enjoyed being an only child myself.
I’d just never found someone I could picture that life with during my time away.
When I thought about a family, I saw a little boy with an unruly mass of dark curls and a little girl with ocean eyes framed by thick lashes.
My heart has always known it would be Jake.
It just took the rest of me a little longer to catch up.
I laugh when his loud whoops and hollers pour through the door opening as he cheers on the older two while they run through the sprinklers, shrieking like banshees.
It’s obvious by their bond that Jake has played a huge part in their upbringing, and any remaining resentment I may have held toward Megan for having taken his side at the saloon vanishes.
How can I hold on to my anger when Jake being such a vital part of her family is all but slapping me in the face?
I, on the other hand, have been MIA for close to a decade, only calling sporadically and never visiting long enough to be of any real help.
I have no one but myself to blame for our estrangement, and I make a silent promise to myself to make more of an effort to be a better friend. I’m snapped out of my musings when the front door opens and Carter steps inside, helping his wife navigate through the doorway on crutches.
“Oh my God, Megan. Are you okay?” I cry out, abandoning my task and rushing toward my injured friend. Megan waves a hand, dismissing my concern before she offers me a sheepish smile.
“Please don’t fuss. I’m already embarrassed enough.
I swear, I’m such a klutz sometimes, and it looks a lot worse than it is.
I wasn’t paying attention and tripped on the stairs.
Luckily, I caught myself but missed the bottom step and twisted my ankle.
Hurt like a son of a bitch, but it’s just a bad sprain. No biggie.”
“Yeah, no biggie for you,” Carter grumbles, pushing past me to snatch a crouton from the bowl.
Popping it into his mouth, he says, “I’m the one who has to cater to your every need until you’re back on your feet, and I just know you’ll milk the shit out of this.
I kid you not, she was checking out call bells online on our way over. ”
Megan lifts a shoulder. “How else am I going to get your attention?” she asks, throwing me a wink before she slowly hobbles toward the open patio doors. “Where are my babies, and how much crap did he feed them?”
As if summoned by her words, Jake slips inside, making a beeline for Carter. Ariana hangs from his outstretched arms, pumping her chubby legs at the sight of her father, whose exuberant expression falls the second she comes within sniffing distance.
“I know,” Jake says, scrunching up his nose like this is the vilest thing he’s ever smelled. “Your little lady has been farting up a storm all day. I don’t know what you’re feeding this kid, but this is the third time she’s filled her diaper, and honestly, the first two times were two too many.”
Jake thrusts the baby forward, and Carter rears back, eyes flaring at the intense odor wafting off of such an adorable package before he gives a resigned sigh.
“And for the record,” Jake adds, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge before he turns to Megan.
“Everything I fed your children was one hundred percent organic and nutritious,” he announces, obviously proud of himself.
“Which started right after our ice cream breakfast.” Megan releases a frustrated groan.
“Hey,” he snaps, narrowing his eyes at my friend.
“It’s not like you guys gave me much time to prepare, bringing them around at the butt crack of dawn. My fridge was a literal wasteland.”
“I can attest to that,” I chime in, and Megan gives a mumbled, “Whatever,” before she resumes her awkward hobble to the backyard .
“You’re welcome, by the way,” Jake calls after her. “Glad to see your unfortunate accident hasn’t impacted your delightful personality at all.”
Megan ignores him completely, choosing to greet her children instead, who squeal with excitement upon spotting their mother and begin checking out her crutches.
Shaking his head, Jake wraps his arms around my middle and presses his hard body against my back.
He takes his time nibbling the side of my throat before sucking my earlobe into the heat of his mouth.
“If you don’t want to end up taking me to the hospital to reattach my severed finger, you’d better stop that right now, Mister.”
“Yeah, Mister. Keep your hands to yourself. There are children present,” Carter teases as he re-enters the kitchen with a kicking Ariana.
“Whatever, Christian Grey,” Jake shoots back, and I can’t hold back the bark of laughter that rips itself from my throat.
“What’s that about?” Carter inquires when neither one of us cares to explain our juvenile behavior.
“Let’s just say,” Jake starts with a wide grin, grabbing his unfinished water bottle to take outside.
“The next time you feel the need to spank your naughty wife, you better make damn sure your kids are fast asleep.” Carter’s eyes widen, and an honest-to-God blush spreads from the base of his throat all the way to his hairline.
Jake slaps his thigh, laughing heartily at his friend’s expense before he goes back to tend to the grill.
“What I’d like to know,” I say once he’s out of earshot, “is what exactly Megan did to deserve such a harsh punishment, Master Evans ?”
“Oh, shut up, Tessa,” Carter mutters, hurrying after Jake like he can’t get away from me fast enough.
Oh, it’s most definitely good to be back.
We’re all seated around the large patio table, enjoying our dinner and generally having a good time, when Anna arrives.
“Look who it is,” Jake teases, leaning back in his chair and flashing his baby sister a wide grin. “I was beginning to think I’m an only child. I even considered posting an ad to find myself a new housemate, seeing as you never seem to be home anymore.”
“Ha ha. Very funny,” Anna grumbles, giving her brother a peck on the cheek in passing before her gaze zeros in on me. Recognition flashes in her eyes before suspicion takes over.
“Tessa? What are you doing here? ”
Jake stabs at a piece of steak and pops it in his mouth before answering for me.
“Well, you wouldn’t be so surprised if you were around more. This is not her first visit, and it probably won’t be her last.”
“How have you been, Anna?” I ask, giving her a warm smile. “Look at you, all grown up. I always knew you’d turn into a heartbreaker someday.”
“Thanks,” Anna replies with a petulant undertone.
She doesn’t look at me while she loads up her plate and plops down next to Carter, keeping her eyes on her food as she digs in.
Our chatter resumes, but her disdain for me becomes glaringly obvious by the way she scoffs whenever it’s my turn to contribute to the conversation.
“Where’s Alicia?” she asks during a lull, side-eyeing me like I’m somehow responsible for her absence.
“Alicia and I broke up,” Jake replies simply. His head snaps up when Anna slams her fork down so hard her plate rattles.
“Because of her?” she screeches, jerking her chin at me. All activity stops and no one dares breathe a word as Jake tilts his head, shooting her a warning look.
“No. Not because of her. I just had an epiphany and realized I won’t ever care enough for Alicia to offer her the future she deserves. ”
“Oh, and it just so happened that you came to that conclusion right after Tessa rides back into town? What a coincidence.”
Carter’s quiet chuckle earns him a slap to the chest from his wife, who seems to be hyper-focused on figuring out the thread count of the tablecloth. Call me crazy, but I have the distinct feeling Jake isn’t the only Nelson who can hold a grudge.