My Way Swoon

✨Chapter Thirty Four✨

I got out of bed when I heard Danny fumbling around. He was making himself a cup of coffee. I came out, stretching my arms over my head.

"Oh, good morning sunshine!" he greeted me.

"Morning."

"Thought you'd be at Jake's."

"Nah. I wanted to sleep in my own bed."

"Uh huh."

"I need some bags for the boys presents."

"You know where they're at. Help yourself. I gotta go. I'll see you tonight bud," he said as he patted my head and hurried out the door with his Starbucks travel mug.

I climbed the stairs and found a smaller bag that would fit Josh's crystals. I wrote out a nice little note and stuffed it in the bag with his crystals. Then I found a bigger bag that would fit Jake's soccer ball. I wrote an even longer note to Jake and shoved it at the very bottom of the bag. Then I found a smaller bag and put his skin care products in it.

I got ready for the day and then drove over to the boys' house. Josh and Sammy were awake. Sammy was on his way out to work. Josh was making breakfast.

"He's still sleeping. Lazy bastard," Josh told me before I could even ask where Jake was.

I tiptoed up the stairs and opened his door. Sure enough, he was asleep on his back. One arm was flung over his head across his pillow. The other was resting on his chest.

I shook his shoulder gently. He moved the arm over his head down to his chest.

"Wakey wakey sweet Jakey," I whispered as I bent down closer to him.

"Mmm..." he groaned.

"Baby, wake up. You gotta go to work in an hour."

"Lay down with me."

I laid down on the other side of him and he instantly rolled over, resting his head on my chest. I could feel my heart racing but I didn't know why.

"Are you nervous?" Jake whispered.

"No. I'm fine. I have something for you but you need to get up for it."

"I wanna stay in bed."

I kissed his forehead.

"Get up and come downstairs when you're ready," I told him as I slipped away and down the stairs.

Josh was still making breakfast when I came down.

"Let me take over. You shouldn't have to cook on your birthday," I told him.

"I like cooking! Besides Nell is coming over so I wanna feed her."

"That's nice of you."

"She's helping us get the place ready for tonight."

"I feel like she has a funky shift today. Like 3-7 or something."

"Yeah, she said it was a half day."

"Hey, happy birthday!" I cheered as I gave Josh a hug.

"Thanks Bean! Hey, I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. I was just kidding. I really don't care about presents at all. The best gift is your friendship. I don't want you to think I take that for granted."

"Oh, Josh! I knew you were kidding. It didn't upset me. I don't take you for granted either, okay? I know Sammy's my best friend and Jake is well, Jake, but I fell like I can always depend on you. You're consistent and really you don't know how much that means to me."

"Are you trying to make me cry on my birthday?"

"No. Sorry. Come here," I gestured for him to give me a hug.