Page 43 of Something Reckless
ALBA
E arly the next Saturday morning, I prepare myself a cup of coffee and sit in front of my laptop.
Compared to my ‘sick day’, I’m feeling a million times better. Even though I don’t want to admit it out loud, I think Easton was right. I was overdoing it and my body had had enough. I really needed that day off.
In any case, today is bill-paying day, also known as, the monthly reminder that I don’t have enough money. I never have enough money. The strategies I have to come up with to make each dollar stretch. Which bill can wait until next month? Which one can be paid late without too much of a penalty?
Ugh. It’s clearly not my favorite way to spend the weekend.
But I’m committed to getting it over and done with, so I can hang out with Jagger before it’s time to take on the day.
Today is a big one. My nephew is supposed to be spending the weekend at Easton’s house.
As much as I hate any time away from Jagger, it’s the agreement we’re adhering to for the moment.
It’s what’s fair to everyone involved. Easton and Jagger need to get to know each other and I can’t stand in the way of that.
But even still, I’m not handling this new reality very well and I think Easton feels sorry for me. That’s got to be why he suggested that the three of us spend the afternoon at the town’s annual Rock and Ride County Fair together before Jagger spends the night away from me.
Easton is so considerate, and as difficult as this situation is, I appreciate all the little ways he tries to make it easier for us all.
Jagger truly could not have asked for a better father.
Bringing my attention back to the task in front of me, I rip open all my bills, stack them high and pull up my banking site. When I take a look at the first one on the pile—my electricity bill—I nearly spew coffee all over my kitchen table.
What the heck? How does the electricity company owe me over four grand?!
Laughing at what I assume to be a major typo from someone in their billing department, I set that aside and move on to my internet bill.
Whoa. What? No way… It’s happened again.
Papers go flying as I do a mad dash through every bill. Each and every one has something similar: a positive balance. Meaning, I owe them nothing.
With shaky hands, I call my electricity provider to confirm what I already know. My bills have been paid in advance for the entire year. Phone bill. Utilities. Health insurance. All are paid up for months and months to come. And my car note—it’s paid in full.
Easton .This has Easton’s name written all over it.
I sit there, staring at my computer screen, feeling a little lost. I want to be mad. I do. I wait for the annoyance to set in…but it never comes.
Instead, I feel lighter. Healthier. Clear-headed. Like I can truly breathe.Finally.
And more than anything, I feel so incredibly grateful for this man. Maybe I have been too much of a control freak about letting Easton help. Because if his help allows me to give Jagger the kind of life he deserves, why should I be stubborn about that?
I’m starting to realize that I’m my own worst enemy. And without the stress of it all, I can actually take a breath and enjoy myself.I can admit to myself that it would be nice to feel this way more often.
With my Saturday morning plans now obsolete, I’m really hit with the desire to do something fun and frivolous. It’s so unlike me.
Picking up my phone, I dial Easton’s number.
“Thank you…” I say as soon as I hear the call connect.
The device instantly buzzes in my hand. I grin as I accept the video call.
Easton is lying in his big bed, looking sleepy and sexy, surrounded by cozy-looking duvets and fluffy pillows.
“What are you thanking me for this early in the morning?” He grins at me.
“You know exactly what you did,” I say, not buying the innocent act for one second. Still, I flip the camera around and show him all of my bills with their positive balances. “I just want to say that I appreciate it.”
Easton sits up now, raking a hand through his mussed up hair and putting his strong, broad chest on display. His eyes go soft. “Well, thank you for not being mad.”
“I’m not mad,” I say, enjoying the way it feels to be stress- free for once. I feel my smile going wider as I stare into Easton’s groggy face. “Anyway, it’s time for you to get out of bed.”
His eyebrows slash down with suspicion and he stubbornly burrows beneath his bedding again. “Why?” he all but pouts.
“Because you’re coming over to take us to the fair, remember? And today, I’m spoiling the two of you. Both you and Jagger. My treat.”
Easton is grinning again, and this time, he’s throwing his blankets off his body. “Shit—now you’ve got me excited, Tiny Tiger. I’m jumping in the shower. I’ll be over in a few.” The screen goes black as the call disconnects.
With a grin, I dart into Jagger’s room and wake him up by bouncing on the bed. “Time to wake up, sleepy head!” I sing.
He rolls over, giggling into his pillow. “Mimi! What are you doing?”
Without the dark cloud of debt hanging over my head at the moment, I want to spoil Jagger. He’s such a good kid, and he deserves the whole world.
“Come on, little man. We’re going somewhere fun today!”