Page 31 of We're Just Friends
“She needs a new hat,” Caley said while reaching into the box that it came in.
Then Caley pulled out a bunch of plastic accessories and started playing. I helped her pick out a new bag and shoes for the Barbie, too. We dressed the doll and played a little longer before Caley yawned and focused back on the movie. After she laid down on the blanket and curled into a ball, it was only a matter of minutes before she was fast asleep.
I sat back down in my chair and held Julianna’s hand again, only letting it go whenever we thought Caley might wake up and glance up at us. But by the time the movie was over, Caley was lightly snoring.
As we stood up and began to gather all of our belongings, I heard a male voice call out. "Julianna?"
I looked up and saw a guy about our age, with his arm around a woman.
Julianna’s body immediately tensed up. “Cam.”
I went over and put my arm around Julianna’s waist. Hearing her father’s voice, Caley started to wake up.
“Who’s this?” Cam looked right into my eyes, and I could tell he was challenging me. Even though he had been the one to ruin their marriage, he still wanted to come out looking like the real man.
“I’m Jake,” I said while extending my free hand. He shook it but didn't introduce himself. I refused to let go of Julianna, who was holding Caley.
“I think I’ve heard of you. Jake Truman, right? I’ve read a few articles about you online. You live quite the life in San Diego.” He was trying to make Julianna feel insecure, to remind her that she was on a date with a womanizer — no doubt.
“Thank you, and yes, I do. I can’t take all of the credit for my success, though. My father raised me to be a… real man.”
Cam swallowed a lump in his throat as his girlfriend just stood there with a smirk on her face not saying a word.
“What exactly do you do for a living?” He asked with an attitude, as though I were hiding something from Julianna.
“I’m a businessman. You can Google it if you’d like. My life is an open book.”
“Kind of surprised to see you out here with so many families, Jake. Especially since you’re often surrounded by multiple women.” His girlfriend bit her lip and looked away, not wanting to let on that she found his comment funny.
“I think everyone goes through a party phase, Cam. It’s important to get it out before you settle down with the right one.” I smiled condescendingly at him.
The air was tense as we all stood there, none of us really knowing what to say next.
“When did you get back in town?” Julianna quipped, lifting Caley further up on her hip.
“I’ve just been swamped, Jules.”
I didn’t like the way he saidJules…presumably her nickname.
She rolled her eyes. “It’s Julianna, Cam. Please call me by my name.”
“Daddy,” Caley said while rubbing her eyes with her fists. “When are you going to come and visit me again?”
I could see both anger and sadness in Caley's expression. Her big, beautiful eyes were practically begging for attention from her father.
“Really soon, Sweetie.” He faked a smile as his girlfriend ran her fingers through his hair.
Bullshit.
He’s living the life right now. No family obligations whatsoever. Just doing his own thing with his new girlfriend, completely forgetting about what he gave up for another woman.
“I wanna go,” Caley said as she leaned into Julianna, nestling against her shoulder.
The fact that Cam was so clearly uninterested in his own daughter enraged both of us. Finally, we turned around and left without even saying goodbye.
Since Caley was wide awake at that point, I asked Julianna if they’d like to go out for ice cream, and she said “yes.” Caley immediately got excited when I mentioned it, too.
During the car ride, Caley told me all about the day they got to make ice cream sundaes at school and how hers was covered in gummy worms. “It looked like dirt because I put cookie crumbs all over it too, Jake. It was this big!”
