Page 101 of Tease
I look over the screen of my laptop and see Jared, shirtless, making me scrambled eggs.
“Well, I might have something to tell them today, and it might lessen the blow for you.”
He rests his elbows on his desk and leans closer to the camera. “Yeah? Do I get a heads-up first?”
“No way. I’d rather tell everyone together and see their judgment all at once.”
“Fair enough. Looks like they’re also on time today.”
Mom and Dad’s faces appear on camera. “Good morning, my beautiful children!” Mom’s voice is chipper this morning. Dad gives her a kiss and says hello, too.
“How’s work and college been, kiddos?” Dad’s holding hisNumber One Dadcoffee mug.
“Kailey has something to tell us!” Travey chirps loudly.
“Alright, well you can’t just say that and not tell us more.” Mom leans into the camera. “One sec, let me turn the volume up.”
I laugh while shaking my head, pointing at Travey. “Thanks for that.”
“Welcome.” He smiles back at me.
“Well, uh, I do have something to tell everyone, but I’m a little nervous about how you’ll react.”
“Are you going back to nursing school?” Mom asks eagerly.
“Uhm, I hadn’t thought about it. But maybe? That’s not my news though.” I make eye contact with Jared, and he’s smiling at me, giving me the hand motion to continue.
“I’m dating someone.”
“That’s great news, babygirl. We only want you to be happy.” Dad’s tone tells me he means it.
“We can’t wait to meet him, honey.” Mom smiles at my dad.
Travey must know something is up because he hasn’t added his two cents yet.
“Well, that’s the thing. You’ve actually met him before.” Jared walks into the view of the camera to bring me my eggs and sits down next to me.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Caine.” Jared mock-salutes them.
“Oh, Jared, it’s so good to see you. We had wondered where you ran off to when we saw Greg had been mowing our yard instead of you.”
I look from my mom and back to Jared. “Wait, what? You guys have been seeing and talking to Jared all these years?”
Dad clears his throat and speaks first. “Yes, babygirl. We never blamed him for what happened. And after you and Travis left town, he came around often to see if we needed anything.” He looks over at my mom before continuing. “Then, when I had a severe heat stroke, Jared came over every week and mowed the yard and made sure your momma didn’t need anything else done outside. He had been giving me a break like the doctor demanded I take.”
My mouth pops open, and Jared closes it by lifting my chin with his finger. “I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t want to sway you one way or the other in taking me back.”
“I knew you two were meant to be together,” Travey finally chimes in, dramatically clapping his hands.
I hold my hand up. “Wait. You’re telling me that all of you have been in contact with him in one way or another?”
“Yes,” they all say at the same time.
“Honey, don’t get mad at us. We understood that you needed your own time and space to heal from what happened to Beth.” Mom’s eyes start to water, and Dad hands her a tissue.
“We miss her everyday, too, but we never blamed Jared,or you, babygirl.”
“I’m not sure if I should be mad that you all kept this from me, or be happy that you accept that Jared and I are together.” I jut out my bottom lip in a pout.
