Together Forever

17: TAYLOR WAS RIGHT

"Happy birthday!"

Jax's look of surprise was always—and apparently, still is—the most adorable thing ever.

"Ollie," he gasps incredulously.

I hold up the box of cupcakes. "Are you going to let me in? Kevin will be by to pick me up any minute."

He recovers himself. "Yeah, of course, come in"

I enter his house and head straight for the kitchen where Jasper and Nicole are still having breakfast.

"Cupcakes!" Jasper exclaims excitedly as I place the large box on the island.

Jax is right behind me, peering over my shoulder as I remove the box cover to reveal the six cupcakes, each with a candle shaped into a number: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

"For every birthday I missed," I say as I turn around to smile up at him.

He returns my smile with a shy one of his. "Thanks."

He rubs his neck awkwardly. "I wasn't expecting anything from you."

I shrug. "I'm amazing like that."

His arms twitch at his sides and I know he's trying to figure out if he's allowed to give me a hug or not.

So I help him with the decision. "Happy birthday," I mumble into his shirt as my arms wrap around his waist.

I smile when he doesn't hesitate to hug me back. "Thank you, Ollie."

I pull back when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.

"Kevin's here," I explain.

Jax nods. "I'll see you in school."

I nod and after saying goodbye to Jasper and Nicole, leave their house.

I hold up a finger to Kevin waiting in his car and head into my house to grab my backpack from the foyer before joining him.

"Why were you in Callahan's house?" he asks before I've even closed the door.

I purse my lips. "Good morning to you too."

He raises an eyebrow in response.

I roll my eyes. "It's his birthday today, I was just wishing him a happy birthday."

"You're going to see him in school."

I sigh, leaning back against the seat. "It's not a big deal, Kevin."

He starts the engine with more force than necessary. "I just don't see why you couldn't wish him happy birthday in the hall or in the class you have together, or better still, sent him a text."

I turn on the stereo in reply and Kevin fumes all the way to school.

***

"What are you doing after school?"

"Engaging in the eternal battle of my soul that is the decision between homework and Netflix," Kim replies. "Why?"

I roll my eyes. "Do you and Kiara want to come over to Jax's? We're throwing him a small surprise party."

"Aww," she coos. "I thought he didn't want one?"

"He never had parties because I always had big parties so we figured he was owed one," I say. "But it's going to be so dead, he doesn't really have any proper friends here except for maybe the soccer team and I can't invite them without inviting Kevin, and that would just be awkward."

Kim frowns. "You're making it sound like you're cheating on him."

I sigh. "We almost fought this morning because I went over to Jax's house to wish him a happy birthday and give him the cupcakes."