Marriage By Contract

Chapter 32: Something Serious

"Is she still asleep?"

"I'm afraid so,"

I know that voice. It was Susie. I groaned and opened my eyes. At first, the lights in the room were blinding, so I quickly shut my eyes again. When I reopened them, my surroundings weren't so bad. Susan was beside my bed caressing my head. I looked around the room and saw Jason behind the door, peeking at me. I've been fainting way too many times. It needs to stop. It's like ever since that contract was made official and I've been forced into the same household with him, my life has taken a complete turn for the worst. Ever since I met Jason, nothing right has happened. 

"What time is it?" I croaked.

Susan looked over at Jason who immediately responded. "2:45 am."

Great, so I was only out for a few hours. My throat was pretty dry so I asked Susan to fetch me some water. She happily obeyed, leaving the room in an instant. I stood from the bed, ready to go to the bathroom.

"You really shouldn't do that, you need to rest."

I recalled the conversation he had with Jessica in the kitchen. That son of a bitch.

"Why are you here?" I snapped.

He walked into the room and closed the door. 

"What do you mean?"

"And to think I spilled my heart to you. Then I had to find out you're having Jessica's baby! You have feelings for someone else Jason, what is wrong with you?" My voice cracked while I talked but I didn't care. I told him everything. Things Alex didn't even know. I spilled my heart out to him. Jason even confirmed he had feelings for someone else. What the hell is that girl supposed to think? That he's true to her?

"I didn't even know Lola I swear. I just-" he sighed. "I wasn't expecting this."

"Damn right you weren't but you know what Jason? You deserve it. That baby and Jessica. You two aren't really different from each other."

"Lola-"

I cut him off. "Let me ask you a question, Jason." His expression was solemn. "Why did you kiss me and what did that kiss mean to you?"

I was dying to know. "Because believe it or not Jason, that kiss was my first. And to have you play me the same way, Derek did-"

"I'm not playing you, Lola!"

"Yeah? then why don't you call your pregnant girlfriend and ask her? Because anyone with a reasonable mind would see that I'm being used. Is that why you check on me all the time? To use me as a distraction?"

I wanted to cry but I wouldn't even dare myself to do it in front of Jason. Not while I'm confronting him. He'll know he has some kind of effect on me. And I, Lola Parker do not have a weakness. But that's when I cried. I broke down right there in front of Jason, realizing that I addressed myself once again as a Parker. 

Jason stepped closer to me but I told him not to. He ignored my command and continued to approach me. What made it worse was the fact that I could do nothing about it. I'm weak! Crying over a boy that I thought was different from the jocks in school.

"Babygirl, I'm not using you."

And that beautiful nickname was all it took to set me off. 

"Don't call me that!"

Jason cupped my face in his hands and as much as I wanted to push him away, I couldn't. I couldn't muster the strength and my brain decided to stop functioning. I knew what was coming next and I didn't want it to happen. But I was stuck as if both of my feet were plunged in quick sand. My hands were paralyzed and the only thing I could do was blink and speak. And at that moment I discovered something new. Something that scared me beyond imagination. Jason Parker is my weakness. 

"Don't," I whispered. Jason ignored me again. Not caring whether I wanted it or not. He lowered his face to mine, staring into my orbs.

"That kiss meant everything to me," he whispered. "And this one does too."

HIs lips planted itself onto mine and for a moment we stood still, not moving at all. The same strange feeling I felt a few days ago sprang up from my chest into my arms. It was electrifying, intoxicating, and warm all at the same time. I didn't need butterflies because Jason gave me the whole damn zoo. (Comment down below where that line is from. Hint: It's a song)

His lips felt like a thousand soft feathers. Tickling me and moving teasingly slow against mine. I kissed back, responding the only way I knew how at the moment. Everything felt so peaceful, but then I remembered reality. The truth that pained me so much. Jason was a father now. He has priorities. I can't be a distraction, I don't want to be one. I pushed him away when the kiss almost deepened. I looked down, not wanting to face his eyes, or allow him to see me crying.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

I scoffed. Is he being serious right now? "Everything is wrong! Nothing is ever right. You're a father now. You need to be responsible and-"

"Lola, you're the girl I have feelings for. I thought you'd get that by now."

I laughed. "And exactly how long will those feelings last? A few weeks or maybe even days before you toss me aside like the rest of your little toys."

He looked hurt but that was the truth. Commitment wasn't in Jason's vocabulary. He didn't understand that.

"Then let me show you," his voice was so low, I barely heard it. "Let me show you that I can be responsible. That it's you I want. Not Jessica or the baby she's having."

I didn't realize we were so close again until I felt his hands around me. I pushed him away again.

"See that? That right there is the problem. You said you don't want the baby, but it wants you. It needs you. Leaving is irresponsible. You need to be there. For Jessica and for your child."

The words pained me more than ever. I looked up to see Jason's face stained with tears. I bet my face was a reflection of his. "Please go," I whispered. "And if you need Jessica to move in, I'm fine with that. But you better find a damn good excuse for why if our parents ever find out."

Susan entered the room, stopping Jason from saying anything. "Your water." She said, handing me the glass cup. I took it gratefully and thanked her. Jason was still stunned. Susan soon excused herself from the room. She must've noticed Jason's tears and realized something serious was happening. Once the doors closed behind her. I stepped closer to Jason. I did the same thing he did for me whenever I cried. I wiped away his tears. He held my hand just when I wanted to pull away. 

"Jason, you need to stop."

He shook his head. "I know I'm not the father Lola. You have to believe me."

I considered his words. But what are the chances? Yes, Jessica is a slut. So there's no doubt in my mind that she slept with someone else right after Jason. But even if there was a sly possibility and Jason and I became something, would he take me seriously? Would he put forth the effort to make our relationship last long? I looked at his face and studied it. He looked sad. I never saw him this way. Like glass already cracked but ready to shatter.

"Take a test," I broke the silence. "Take a test to see if the child is really yours then we'll talk."

His face brightened a little, holding a little bit of optimism. But I knew better to give him hope at the moment. Everything could back fire. "But until then, this" I pointed back and forth between us. "This isn't a thing. We have to be distant. I need time to think."

He looked dejected but understanding all the same.

"You need to go."

And that's exactly what he did. He left the room, leaving me alone to ponder my thoughts. And in the depth of my heart, I prayed that when the test results came back, Jason would not be the father.