so today i'm 23. not a big number so it's whatever. i just planned on spending it with brooke, but my friends had other plans. they're making me go out tonight. at the moment, i'm sitting on the couch with brooke as she watches cocomelon. it is terrible annoying but she loves it. i get a face time from jaden and answer.
josh: hey jade-
brooke: uncle jay!!!!!
she stands up on my lap to see my phone making me laugh.
jaden: hey brooke! being good for your dad?
brooke: ya!
i laugh again and head to my room leaving brooke sitting on the couch watching tv.
jaden: gotta be ready by 6 tonight
josh: alright. carmen and steven have the day off. i'm having an early dinner at my parents, then brooke is staying with them tonight.
jaden: ok. andddd your gonna love your birthday surprise
josh: whatever *laughs* i'll see ya later
jaden: bye
i hang up and go back onto the couch with brooke.
brooke: daddy how old aw you?
josh: i'm 23 *laughs
brooke: you old!!!
i laugh knowing that i'm really not. i honestly wish i could go back to being 19. brooke was a baby and i at least knew how to still have fun.
•••
after we eat, i go get ready. i put on black dress pants, and a dark blue button down. i leave the top 3 buttons undone. i fold the collar of my shirt down and button the sleeves before slipping on my black dress shoes. i ruffle my hair. picking up my gel bottle, i remember something.
"it looks better messy"
kate would always tell me that. i decide to not use gel and just keep it messy.
•••
mike: have fun son. you deserve a night out
michelle: and happy birthday
they hug me and i go to the couch where brooke is laying. i crouch down so i'm at her eye level.
josh: hey munchkin
brooke: hi daddy
she sits up and smiles at me.
josh: i'm gonna go out with uncle jay. your gonna stay here with grammy and pappap tonight. i brought cookie over and i have your blanky packed. alright?
her eyes start to water and her lip quivers. dammit it breaks my heart to see that sad little face.
brooke: you stay too?
josh: no but i'll be back in the morning. and if your good for grammy then maybe we can go pick out a toy. that sound good?
she nods and sniffles before climbing into my arms to hug me.
brooke: i- i wuv you
josh: aww i love you too baby *laughs
i kiss her head and hug her tighter.
josh: be good ok?
she nods and i head out the door. brooklyn has spent nights away from me but only when she was too young to remember. that's probably why she got all upset.
•••
addison: happy birthday j!!
all my friends hug me.
•••
many many many beers and white claws later, i'm drunk as fuck.
anthony: now for your birthday presenttttt
they all cheer and sit me in a chair. some girl comes out giving me a lap dance.
•••
i wake up in my hotel room all groggy and hungover. all i remember from last night was someone giving me a lap dance and then- coming back here. shit. i look to the other side of the bed to see someone laying there but turned away from me. i peek under the covers and see i'm not wearing anything. fuck. i sit up slowly causing my pounding headache to increase. once i'm able to throw on my clothes from last night, i spot my phone on the nightstand on the other side of the bed. i sneak over there and grab it. then i realize. the girl in the bed was none other than...
nessa barrett.
oh god. that's just great. i leave the hotel room and get in my car. my head is pounding and i feel like i'm gonna throw up. ugh. i make my way to my parents and go in.
liv: damn you look like you were hit with a fucking bus
my clothes are wrinkled, i have dark eye bags, my shoes are untied, my hair is practically standing up, and when i buttoned my shirt, i missed a few in between. i flip her off.
liv: don't let brooklyn see you like that. it'd be sad *laughs
i stumble into the kitchen getting a glass of water and chugging it. then i take some advil. i get more water and go to my old room where brooke was supposed to sleep last night. she's still sleeping so i take off my shirt and shoes, and lay down with her.
•••
brooke: daddy daddy!
she jumps on me to wake me up and i just groan.
brooke: daddy wake up!
i rub my eyes.
brooke: it's wunch time
josh: not hungry *groans
brooke: DADDYYYYY!!!
josh: ok ok i'm up
i sit up and brooke smiles, finally satisfied that i'm up. she takes my hand and leads me to the dining room. i sit in a chair and brooke climbs on my lap and opens her mouth. she knows how to eat yet she still likes when i feed her. i pick up the sandwich and feed brooke a bit before taking one myself.
josh: thanks mom
she nods.
mike: you look terrible. good night or bad *laughs
josh: both. it was all good til this morning. apparently- i had a..... sleepover..... with nessa barrett
luv almost spits out her water, my parents eyes widen, and will and brooklyn didn't understand. will is only 10, so my parents haven't talked to him yet about that stuff.
liv: nessa??
josh: ya. not proud of it
••••••••••••••••••
