14 - Jessica

Jessica

Miles was right. It really was a playdate. It says on the calendar. Welp. So much for my idea of "responsible godmother." Two days in and I have already forgotten about the calendar. In my defense, I have so much in mind at the moment. Plus, the calendar was with Matthew. How am I supposed to know?

Kathie and Emma (the triplets' nanny) brought cookies and cupcakes. Thank God. Because I'm about to do some stress-eating. I leaned against the doorframe (my third strawberry cupcake in hand) and watched Miles with his cousins play in his playroom – closely supervised by Emma and Matthew.

Chloe is coloring one of her drawing books on the kiddie table, Miles is building a castle with his Lego, and Kyle and Coby are wrestling over a dinosaur. Matthew is trying to break it up and... failing mightily. The playroom was a mess but mute the playful screeches and it could be peaceful to the eye. Emma is patient as Matthew. Matthew is as good with kids as Emma.

They can be good together.

I was just about to take another bite of my cupcake when Kathie came up from behind me.

"How are you guys getting along?" Kathie playfully elbowed my arm with more force than necessary.

The cupcake missed my mouth and made a slanting trail of icing across my cheek. I turned to Kathie and gave her a black look. "I was going makeup-free today."

"Oh, gosh. I'm really sorry. I'll get you some napkins."

"Nah, don't worry about it. I was gonna wash my face anyway." I turned away from the playroom and started heading to the kitchen, icing still on my cheek.

Kathie followed me. "So, how are you guys getting along?"

"You're that interested to know?"

"You're dodging the question. All the more reason I should be interested."

We made it to the kitchen with Kathie prodding and me dodging every question. I walked over to the sink and set aside my cupcake. "Why are you so interested in all of this?"

She propped her elbow next to the sink and watched me lean over the faucet to let the water run down my icing-smeared cheek. "There's nothing new to this. I'm always interested in my best friend's welfare."

I snorted. "Yeah, right."

Kathie chuckles and gives my arm another nudge, this time with just the slightest force. "You look stressed out."

Understatement.

"Just work stuff."

She nods, unconvinced. "I'm gonna get you a soft towel."

"I'll be fine with a kitchen towel, Kathie."

She shakes her head, ignoring my protest, and left my side. I didn't stop at drenching my cheek clean from icing. I did my whole face. It felt necessary at the moment. Maybe it will wash off the heated conversation I had earlier with my mother – one of the million arguments we had in the past and will be having in the future because we never agree on anything. My dad wouldn't be much of a referee either. What can I say? Jordan Keith is just an extension of Lilian.

Two control freaks trying to control an uncontrollable kid.

Not a good family dynamic.

I'd call it a disaster on more than one occasion. Especially that one time when I quit law school and packed my bags. That one chaotic night when my mother and I had that one argument that we didn't expect to be anywhere near dramatic.

If you're going to take one step out of that front door, you won't be welcome to take a step back in. Never ever.

I was the challenging kind at the time, so I did take that one step out the front door and have never taken a step back in since then. Even when I realized months later that it was just something my mother said out of blinded anger. Out of hurt for hearing the words I said... or yelled.

Dramatic, right?

I did leave and stayed in a hotel for a few days. Probably three. I had a total of five hundred fifty-nine missed calls from my dad and seven hundred twenty-eight texts. My mother had over a thousand. Eventually, everything blew over but it never really broke the wall between me and my mother.

Our head-to-head sparring just downgraded into cell phone fights. She initiates the call. I don't have much to tell them to update them with my life. The cheap tabloids do the updating for me. So basically, when she calls, it's out of frustrated anger and I answer out of spite.

I can take lectures about my poor life choices but to be constantly matched with the same "well-established" bachelor – that I can't stand.

Alistair Hunt, Esquire. My parents' very own protégé. But he will always be that one kid I play with because I just had to.

Now I have to see him at my grandmother's 70th birthday party.

"Here you go, Jess. Nice, soft towel for a beauty like you." Kathie handed me the towel with a smile of an angel.

I shake the thoughts off my mind and stamped a smile on my face. "Thanks. You always have this way to cheer me up."

"Of course. Now, will you tell me what's going on with you?"

I dab my face dry with the towel and grabbed my cupcake, shoving the whole thing to my mouth. Partly because I was hungry and partly because I don't want to answer her question.

She stares at me. "Wow. You're stuffing your face more than usual. What's really stressing you out?"

"Parents. My mother mostly."

Kathie nods slowly. "I think this is the first time you talk to me about them."

"I don't have a fond relationship with my parents. Hell, I was raised by my grandmother. And now they're using her to corral me. Again."

"They're your family though. You might have some misunderstandings here and there, but that doesn't change that fact." She tucks a strand of hair over my ear.

I sighed.

"Aww. Jess, it can't be that bad." She pressed a comforting palm across my cheek. "More cupcakes?"

My mouth curved slightly. "Yes, please. And also, I think I need a hug."

Her caramel brown eyes tendered. "Come here, you little angel." She pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back until I felt the tension left my body. "It will be okay. You'll see."

"Okay. Now, can we talk about anything else?" I stepped out of the hug but kept her at arm's length.

She nodded and gave me a bright smile that made me feel even better. "Are you sure Matty is comfortable with you walking around in crop tops and short shorts?"

My mouth dropped open. "You're the second person today who worried over my wardrobe. For the nth time, it's fine. Your brother-in-law is not my type. I don't have any intentions to jump his bones."

"I'm not just talking about you." She folded her arms over her chest and gave me a serious look.

I look back at her, suddenly confused. Then I laughed so hard when I got what she meant. "That's ridiculous. I'm not his type. He's got class written all over his face."

"Do I have to point it out for you?"

"Point out what?"

She exhaled sharply. "You're a living temptation, Jess. And you don't even need short shorts to be one."

"I can't tell whether it was a compliment or a warning." I narrowed my eyes on her.

"It was both." She threw her hands in the air, frustration in her voice.

I clasped my hand over her shoulder. "We'll be fine. It's not like we're doing things together around this house. Audrey gave us separate tasks."

Footsteps came from the doorway, interrupting my smug reassurance. Chloe came into view with a winning, dimpled smile. "Mommy, look, I made this calendar pretty."

My blood ran cold.

Chloe showed us the calendar – everything glittered on and highlighted. Everything. I couldn't tell anymore which tasks were mine and which were Matthew's.

I suck in a horrified gasp.

Shit!

"Wow, sweetie. That's so pretty." Kathie's voice got drowned in the panicked pounding in my chest.

I stood there frozen, feeling like someone just banged a giant gong in my face.

Again, how did I get this freakin' lucky?

We reached 10K reads! You guys, I'm so happy. Thank you so much for your patience even with my inconsistent updates. On top of that, I reached 2.01K followers! I want to give you guys something back. It's not much but I decided to finally have an update schedule. It will be once a week on Saturdays. Thank you so sooo much. This is that one thing that makes me feel better about myself. My stories are my safe havens for when life gets too hard and I can't it anymore. Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you and I love you!