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“I don’t care.”
“Well, I do. Now, come on, get up. Get in the shower.”
He got up and tore the covers off, then grabbed Jayme’s arm and dragged him into a sitting position on the edge of the bed.
“Tripp leave me alone,” Jayme said, and slapped his hands away.
“I will not. If you don’t pull yourself out of this funk, I’m gonna be forced to take you to the VA. Is that what you want?”
“No.”
“Then get moving. Shower, then come downstairs and you can eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I don’t care. You’re going to eat anyway.”
“You’re being a dick.”
“Oh well, I guess that’s what you need right now.”
He waited until Jayme trudged into the bathroom and turned on the shower, before going downstairs. He had set up the crock pot that morning with chicken soup. The house smelled delicious. His stomach rumbled. He was hungry, but he was going to wait for Jayme before digging in.
Fifteen minutes later, Jayme shuffled into the kitchen in a fresh pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. His hair was still damp. Even though he spent most of the past couple days in bed, he had dark circles under his eyes.
“There, don’t you feel a little better now that you showered?”
Jayme shrugged. “I guess.”
“Sit down. I made chicken soup.”
Jayme sat at the table and waited while Tripp got them each a bowl of soup. He brought it over to the table and put one in front of Jayme. He set a spoon down next to it, then sat down adjacent to Jayme at the head of the table. Jayme stared at the bowl of soup for far too long.
“Eat,” he snapped.
Jayme jolted in his seat, his eyes flicking over to Tripp for a moment; before he picked up the spoon and started eating. Once he started, he ended up finishing before Tripp. Apparently, he was hungry. Asshole.
“Do you want more?” he asked.
Jayme nodded.
“Good. I’ll get it.”
He got up and got Jayme another bowl of soup. He set it down in front of him, and Jayme started eating right away. He hoped that he was doing the right thing. Jayme already had problems with PTSD and anxiety. He no doubt could easily fall into a deep depression if Tripp wasn’t vigilant and forced him to take care of himself.
“Have you taken your medicine?” he asked, knowing that the answer was probably no.
Jayme shook his head. “No.”
“You’re going to take it when your done eating.”
“Okay.”
Jayme finished his second bowl of soup, then got up to go take his medicine. When he came back into the kitchen, he grabbed his bowl; and took it to the sink, where he rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. He then sat back down at the table and rested his head in his hands.
“Jayme, I know you’re devastated. I’m hurting too. I don’t know what to do to help you though. I just know you can’t keep this up.”
Jayme shook his head which was still in his hands. “I didn’t even think about how this whole thing impacted you. I’m sorry.”
“If you think for one second, I didn’t fall in love with that baby the moment I laid eyes on him, you’re fucking crazy.”
Jayme lifted his head and met Tripp’s gaze. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been selfish, and only thinking about myself the past couple days.”
“It’s okay. I understand, but I want you to start moving forward. Life is still here, and you still have to live it.”
“Yeah. You’re right. I’m wallowing. I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. All I ask is for you to come back to me. I want my Jayme back.”
One side of Jayme’s mouth lifted, as he reached across the table and took Tripp’s hand. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
“I never thought someone could hurt me as much as she did.”
“She’s a fucking asshole. Karma will get her.”
“In a way, I’m kinda glad that I’m not tied to her forever; but I didn’t want it to happen this way. I was ready to be a father, and she tore it away because she wanted to teach me a lesson.”
“It was totally fucked up. But, yeah, you dodged a bullet. Now poor Brendan might be stuck with her forever. I’m glad he asked for a paternity test, who knows how many guys she’s been sleeping with.”
"Yeah. For real."
“Come on, why don’t we go out. It’s Friday night, let’s go to Rain; get drunk, and dance.”
“Ehhh, I don’t know if I’m ready for all that.” Jayme ran his hand over his short hair, then rubbed the back of his neck.
“How about just the bar then? We can sit there and relax.”
Jayme nodded slowly. “Yeah, okay.”
“Sweet. Let’s at least put on a pair of jeans first.” he chuckled.
“Okay.”
They both went upstairs and changed into jeans. Tripp drove them to the bar. He figured Jayme deserved to get drunk if he wanted to. They walked in and found an empty table. The waitress came around a couple minutes later and took their drink order.
