Page 44 of Cat's Outta the Bag

Turned out that all my dad wanted was to show me the cake they had gotten for Alexis and get my approval. Dinner passes quickly, everyone enjoying the food and cake. Alexis even looks delighted when we light the candles and sing to her. We're incredibly off-key, but she's smiling so big, it doesn't matter. This is what birthdays are about, being surrounded by your loved ones, sharing meals and stories.

***

It’s late, everyone has gone to bed, but Alexis and I are still by the fire pit, snuggled under a blanket. I gave her not only the required foot rubs, but I also gave her a back rub. And no funny business.

It's time for her present, but I'm suddenly very nervous about giving it to her. What if she hates it?

She yawns for the second time and begins her eye-rubbing routine. Every night as she gets sleepy, she rubs each eye twice. I don't think she realizes she does it, but I find it fucking adorable. It's the surefire way to know that she needs to go to bed.

So, I put on my big kid pants and grab her gift from under the deck lounger we’re on.

"This is for you, baby; happy birthday."

"Jason, you didn't have to get me anything! This whole weekend is plenty." She says this while simultaneously ripping open the box, clearly eager to see what I got her. When she pulls the item out, she goes quiet and I immediately start to sweat.

I shift uncomfortably, wondering what the hell she's thinking.

“It’s, uh, it’s all my short stories I’ve ever written. I had them bound. For you.” Shit, she still hasn’t said anything, and my insecurities over my writing are starting to invade. “If you don’t like it, I’ll just take it back. Maybe this was a dumb—“

One of her hands gently covers my mouth, stopping me from completing that sentence. She turns so that she's straddling me, and I have a full view of her face. Tears are slipping from her eyes, and all at once, I'm alarmed and relieved.

"Jason. This is legitimately the best gift I have ever gotten. I don't just like it. I love it. And if you try to take this back, I will cut off your dick.” I legit flinch at her threat, no one with a penis wants their junk cut off. Even if it’s an adorable brunette, who you love, doing it.

“Ok.” I smile shakily. “There are fifteen of them. Some are from high school, so don’t judge them too harshly.”

She clutches the book to her chest before leaning forward and pressing her lips to mine. The kiss is short and sweet, but it fills me with the warm fuzzies.

Any writer will tell you; it can be incredibly difficult to let someone read your work. It's like taking a piece of your soul and handing it over. Even if it's someone you love, maybe especially when it's someone you love. At the moment, I'm equally excited and terrified of what she'll think.

She yawns again, and I know it's time to call it.

"Alright, sleepyhead. Let's go to bed. We have our kayaking tour tomorrow, and you need to be well-rested."

She doesn’t fight me as I stand up, pulling her with me. She then forces me to pick her up and carry her all the way to bed.

No complaints here. I love carrying her. Taking care of her.

Chapter 31

Alexis

We said goodbye to my parents this morning, who left for a Mediterranean cruise. I won't say I necessarily cheered when the door closed behind them, but I definitely thrust my fists into the air in victory.

In all honesty, my mom did calm down a lot and was almost a normal human being by the end of the weekend. Hopefully, this is a sign that she will remain chill.

Ha. No, she’s just saving up her energy.

Since I’m about to start three overnight shifts followed by two days on-call, Jason and I are settling in for a quiet day watching movies.

I’m in the kitchen popping our first round of popcorn when his phone goes off. I watch as he pulls it out, grimaces, and shuts off the ringer. It’s the fourth time I’ve watched him do that today. Not to mention the number of times he did that all weekend. I’ve seen his call screen; I know it’s his agent. What I don’t understand is why he won’t talk to the guy, clearly, he has something to say.

My first instinct is to say it’s not my business and let him talk about it if he wants. Fuck that. He’s the first person I want to talk things out with, and after that gift he gave me, I know he feels the same. We're barreling toward a lifetime together, so we need to start talking about the stuff that scares us, not just the fun stuff. My stomach clenches. I'm nervous about bringing it up, but I know if I don't, I'll regret it.

Popcorn in hand, I join him on the couch. He helps me get settled under the blanket, and I take the leap just as the opening scenes come on screen.

“Are you going to answer Steven next time he calls?”

Silence.

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