Page 44 of Already Callin’ You Mine

“I got Little Man, don’t worry. You rest. When…if…you’re feeling up to it, we’ll be on the couch waiting for you. I’ll get Toy Story moving and some lunch going too.”

“Thank you.”

It’s all I can manage, too overcome by his offer. Not only because of who he is and our history, but because I’ve never had anyone who was willing to do anything like this. Other than my parents, no one has ever stepped up to help. Even Cody.

Especially Cody.

Fuck him…

I’ve lost count of all the times I’ve wondered what life would be like if I had a partner who cared. Someone to share the load with. Don’t get me wrong—I’m glad Cody showed his true colors sooner rather than later. Although one could argue that eight years together does not qualify as sooner. Still, deep down I know that finding out when I did was a blessing in disguise. Even if it left me high and dry and then landed me in court for years.

None of that, however, changes the fact that doing this alone is hard. Really fucking hard. Especially in moments like this one.

Jace nods, then stands up, turning to go. I watch as he saunters out of my room, looking about as comfortable as one can. Like walking out of my bedroom isn’t anything special. An everyday occurrence. Leaving me here halfway giddy that there was a boy in my room.

Because deep down, high school me is giggling uncontrollably that Jace Hayes was sitting on my bed. I can’t imagine what she would do if she knew we kissed him.

And then promptly threw up on him.

Ugggggh…not one of my better moves. I should work on that.

My phone vibrates against my nightstand, and I look over to see a text with my mother’s name on it flash onto the screen. Reaching for it, I try not to move too fast, knowing that the next thing I’ll be reaching for is that mixing bowl if I do.

Mom

Hi honey! We’re on our way back now. We should be home by dinnertime. Do you need us to pick up anything?

Errr, what?

My parents aren’t due back from their weekend getaway to Savannah until tomorrow. Unless it’s already Sunday and I didn’t just sleep through the morning, but an entire day. I flip to my calendar app to confirm—nope, still Saturday.

So, why are they on their way home now?

I thought you weren’t coming home until tomorrow. What changed?

Mom

You getting sick

There’s no way you’re taking care of a sick 3-year-old if you also have an upset tummy

I blink, trying to make sense of her response. I don’t disagree—the two of us being sick like this at the same time is not ideal, but how does she even know? Scanning back through our texts, I look to see if maybe I texted her and simply don’t remember. I’ve done stranger things while sick. But there’s nothing. The last exchange between us was her sending me their hotel reservation information so that I would have it.

How did you hear I was sick?

Mom’s response appears almost instantly.

Mom

Jace called your daddy.

Jace called my dad. He not only stuck around all night and all morning, but he called my parents to let them know that I’d come down with whatever this is too.

Holy shit.

Mom

I know he said that he’d stay as long as needed, but I don’t want to put him out