Twenty-One {Book 2 of Blaze} [Jatrific]

Joey's Pov

How have you been?

That question's not so easy to answer, considering what I've gone through in the past three years.

Stress, Stress, and more stress.

Dani has Stella for the day. And thank the lord for that. Dani and I tried being in a relationship after Cat broke up with me but we both knew that it wasn't going to work out. Wer'e not really even friends anymore which sucks.

Raising a child is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. I love my daughter, it's just the fact that I have so many more responsibilities at my young age that makes me regret having sex with Dani even more than I already do.

Speaking of age, today's my birthday.

I wouldn't say I'm exactly thrilled about turning twenty-one, considering I don't really have any one to celebrate with.

My family never wants to spend time together, since wer're pretty dysfunctional, and I have no real friends to speak of. I'll be lucky if I even get a text from my own mother saying 'happy b-day son'

I've never felt like more of a loner.

I unlock my iphone, and scroll through the pages in complete boredom. I tap the 'messages' icon, looking through my text conversations.

As I reach the bottom of the list, I come across of bunch of old texts from my buddies in college. I smile, remembering the good days in my life. When Dani said she wanted to keep the baby I instantly knew we would both have to drop out of college.

I felt my heart stop as I got to the very bottom of the page, seeing a long conversation.

I read the conversations slowly, analyzing every word.

January 17, 2014

Cat: I thought you hated cranberries

Joey: I said I had i love-hate relationship with them! its different.....

Cat: good for you?

Joey: u were the one who asked

Cat:.......

Joey:......

Cat: im going to bed now

I chuckled and thought to myself, "that must have been when we first became friends"

We had texted each other everyday since then, I scrolled to February.

February 13, 2014

Joey: Happy Valentine's day! Will u let me take u on a date yet?

Cat: u do know that's not till tomorrow right?

Joey: XD u serious?

Cat: lol yeah

Joey: wow. i feel like an idiot

Cat: that makes sense, u are one.

Joey: very funny.

Cat: ask me out again tomorrow. i may say yes

Joey: will do

I smile again, remembering Valentine's Day that year. I managed to win Cat over.

May 16, 2014

Cat: happy birthday babe! I miss u

Joey: thanks <3 I miss u too

Cat: Let me know when ur free next. i wanna give u ur gift.

Joey: u got me a gift?

Cat: yeah.

Cat: why wouldn't i?

Joey: idk. i just feel bad. i never got u anything for ur birthday

Cat: that's ok babe. we weren't even dating then.

Joey; i guess so.

Joey: i'm free on friday this week, y don't u come visit me then?

Cat: sure! sounds cool.

Cat: that'll give me a chance to catch up with Dani, too.

Joey: k. i gtg but I'll text u later. luv u

Cat: luv u too <3

May 21, 2014

Joey: have i told u how much I love ur gift?

Cat: a million times joey.

Joey: i just can't believe you bought me a Mac! how'd u afford it?

Cat: i saved up. u kept talking about how much u wanted one.

Joey: well i really appreciate it. thx again.

Cat: np. i <3 u

Joey: i <3 u too

Joey: but can i ask u something?

Cat: i guess. if it's not totally disgusting.

Joey: why would i ask u something disgusting?

Cat: i don't need to answer that cuz u already know.

Joey; fine. I just wanna ask you, if wer're still together for my Twenty-first birthday, would u buy me some expensive champange since i'll be old enough to drink?

Cat: u drink anyway bro

Joey: i mean legally! will you?

Cat: uh sure? why expensive?

Joey: its not like u can't afford it. u bought me a Mac remember? ;)

Cat: haha yeah. i guess.

Joey: good i'll hold u to that.

As I finish reading all of out texts to each other, I'm startled by my phone buzzing in my hand, as a bright light flashes across my screen.

My stomach drops.

Cat: Happy Birthday, Joey. Did you get my gift yet? I had to send it all the way from Seattle. U still live in New York City, right?

I sprint to the door, opening it and looking down to find a bottle of fancy red wine with a card attached.

I pick it up, shutting the door behind me.

Tearing the card from the bottle, I immediately read it's contents.

I notice Cat's significantly neat handwriting on the card.

Dear Joey,

Well, you're finally twenty-one years old. Now you can drink legally as you once told me you couldn't wait to do. I know I didn't have to get you a gift, considering we broke up years ago, but every year May Sixteenth came around, I always thought of the promise I made to you. I really hope you're doing well. I talked to Dani recently too. She told me about the baby and how you guys tried a relationship but I didn't work out. I really like the name Stella, it's cute. I wouldn't exactly call Dani a friend anymore, but we talk every now and then. As crazy as it sounds, even though she stabbed me in the back, I still constantly worry about Dani. Which brings me to you. You created the happiest days in my entire life and I want to thank you for that. When you and Dani told me that she was pregnant I was shocked, hurt, and angry. But, I think I overreacted. I'm sorry for acting like such a bitch to you and I really hope that one day you'll forgive me and then maybe we can start over. Like, trying a relationship again. Call me if you ever want to talk, I miss you.

Love, Cat

I grin as I look down at the card, reading it over and over again.

My twenty-first birthday just got amazing, and it's all thanks to Cat.

Maybe I do have somone on my side.