Starring Role {Book #4 Justin & Blake Series}

Happy Birthday Jayden

Blake’s POV

“Mom! Mom! Mom!” a voice came yelling through the house, followed by feet slapping against the stairs.

“In the kitchen!” I shouted back, placing the last small wrapped package on the pile on the countertop. Marvel ran around at my feet, jumping and looking excited about the commotion. He had grown pretty big in the past 6 months, but he still thought he was a tiny puppy.

Marvel took the move very well; we all did, thankfully. I had enough money for a house that stayed close to Hazel and Chase’s and still in the same school district. We just had to downsize, by quite a lot. But with only Jayden, Marvel, and I, we didn’t need the space.

The house was smaller but it was perfect. I decorated with the money I could and just had to deal. The kitchen was full of light and I enjoyed spending time in there. Jayden’s room had been a gift from Hazel and Chase. I just didn’t have enough funds to decorate it the way he would have like it, so Hazel and Chase paid for it, calling it an ‘early birthday present’. He loved it and I was grateful that he could be happy in there. My room was neutral and small, but perfect for one person.

Justin and I were complicated, to say the least. We weren’t divorced, at least not legally. I have already divorced him once, and a large part of me didn’t want to go through with it again. But I haven’t said more than a few words to him in the past 6 months. We had an agreement for Jayden to spend the weekends with Justin, unless he had a work commitment. Every Friday night, around 7, Justin would come to the door and say hello. I’d reply with a hello and give him Jayden’s suitcase for the weekend. Jayden would happily go off with Justin, telling his Father all about his week at school. I would close the door behind them and spend the rest of the weekend either crying or smashing glass.

Every Sunday night Jayden would return with a sealed envelope. I wouldn’t even open it; I just ripped it up each time and threw it in the trash can. I knew what the envelop concealed; it was a check for child support. But I refused to use or ask for any money from Justin. Maybe my pride was too big, but I wouldn’t do it. I had enough in my savings to live a comfortable, but not frivolous life. Jayden and I would be fine if we were smart about spending.

“Mom, you will never guess what I found in my room this morning!” Jayden shrieked as he came running around the corner, into the kitchen. His booming voice broke me of my thoughts and I smiled at him. He grabbed onto the bottom of my shirt and started tugging.

“What did you find?” I asked, crouching down to give him a big hug.

“A drum set!” he screamed, squeezing my neck.

The drum set was something he had been asking for. When he found out his Father played the drums, he wanted to learn too. I finally caved and let Justin buy him a set for his birthday. Chase helped me assemble it and carry it into Jayden’s room when he fell asleep last night.

“That’s exciting Jayden! I’m sure you’ll have fun playing, but you aren’t allowed to bang on that thing when it’s bed time!” I said sternly.

“Fine Mom, whatever. Is it from you?” Jayden asked, rolling his eyes.

“No sweetie, it’s from your Dad. My gifts for you are on the kitchen table.” I replied.

“I’ll open yours later. From Dad? Wow, he’s so cool. I’m going to learn how to play like him. Do you think he’ll teach me?” Jayden asked hopefully. I saw the underlying hurt in his eyes, but I kept on smiling.

“I bet he will if you ask.”

“Is he coming to my party today?” he pleaded.

“He said he would be here.” I answered.

“Can I call him and tell him thank you?” he asked excitingly.

“Sure, go ahead.” I replied, standing up. He ran over to the counter that had the phone on it and climbed up the chair so he could see the numbers and sit down while he talked. “Jayden, before you call him, I have something to say to you.”

“What is it Mommy?”

“Happy birthday, sweetie. You’re getting old!” I gushed while sitting down next to him and giving him another hug.

“Mom, I’m only 6!” he exclaimed.

“Whatever old man!” I joked, messing up his hair. He quickly pushed my hands out of the way and ran his own hands through his hair, making sure it went back into its pristine condition. Just like Justin…

“Mom, you know I love you right?” Jayden muttered randomly.

“Of course I know that Jayden. And I love you too. To the moon and back.” I replied, sending him a weak smile.

“Well, I just wanted you to know that if you don’t want Dad to come today because he was mean to you and made you cry, it’s fine. I can call him and tell him not to come.” Jayden explained meekly.

“Of course I want your Dad to come today. He’s your Father. What happened between me and him shouldn’t worry you. I don’t want you worrying about us, ok?” I pleaded, trying to get my point across.

“Ok Mom, I get it. But remember, I can beat him up for you, if you want. No one hurts MY mom!” Jayden announced proudly. I sent him one last beaming smile and kissed his head before dialing Justin’s number so that Jayden could talk to him.

***

“Where’s the birthday boy?” Pattie yelled from the front door as she used her key to get in. I gave her a key since she is over here so often.

Jayden must have heard her because he stopped banging on his drum set and ran down stairs to give her a big hug. I hugged Pattie too in the foyer and then closed the front door behind her.

“You look cute!” I complimented her on her cute, baby blue sundress.

“So do you, hot mama!” Pattie gushed back, looking down on my outfit, which consisted of a tank top, jeans, a small clutch, and sandals.

“Are you guys ready? The caterers should be arriving at my house shortly.” Pattie explained. I nodded and got Jayden together with his shoes.

Pattie was throwing Jayden a party for our friends and family. She was having it at her house because my backyard was too small for all she had planned, which included various circus games and an inflatable jumping castle.

“I’m so excited Grandma! Hey, did you know that Dad got me a drum set?” Jayden asked Pattie excitingly. She glanced at me and I kept the smile on my face.

“No I didn’t know that, but it sounds like a lot of fun!” Pattie replied, grabbing Jayden’s hand and leading him outside to the car in the driveway.

I took a deep breath and followed them, closing the house door behind me.

When we arrived at Pattie’s house, Hazel and Chase were directing various work men on where to set everything up and Pattie jumped out of the car when the caterer’s truck pulled up. I gathered Jayden and took him inside to stay out of the way of the people setting up. We walked into the kitchen and Jayden’s eyes lit up.

“DAD!” Jayden squealed.

Justin…

“Hey little buddy! Or are you my big buddy now, since you’re 6 years old today?” Justin joked before bending down and picking Jayden up to give him a hug.

Justin locked his eyes on me while hugging Jayden’s head to his chest. I could help but sadly smile at their embrace. Justin’s eyes didn’t have an excitement to them anymore; they were just dull, different than what I remember.

I wanted his old eyes back, but I knew that I couldn’t do anything to help. He left me. He left us.

And I couldn’t let him come back into my life, just to end up leaving again.