"A kid really?"
"Yes Key, a kid and he's almost done with high school." I said as I flipped through the channel. Arlen was on his way over with the food and Keenan had dropped by first. "I thought you'd be coming with Arlen?"
"I finished work early and he didn't want me to pick him up because I refused to wear that henley he liked." Keenan said, shaking his head fondly. I let out a snort at his words. That was definitely something Arlen could do. He had done it once for me. He didn't speak to me for two days because I wouldn't wear the glittery boots he had gotten me.
"Are you sure you can do this?" Keenan asked again and this time I turned to look at him rather than face the tv. Did he think I can't do this? Was that why he kept asking me all these questions?
"Do you think I can't?"
"You are one of the strongest people I know. If anyone can raise a kid, it would be you." Keenan said, with a large smile. He gave me a little pat on my shoulder. Before I could even react, Keenan grabbed the remote from my hand. The sneaky shit.
Jaden was currently in his room, taking a little nap. I should probably wake him up or he might not be able to sleep again. Thankfully I didn't have work today, so I could properly introduce him to Arlen and Keenan. It was almost six thirty.
I'll wait for Arlen to turn up with the food before I wake him.
My phone buzzed and I quickly pulled it out of my pants,, swiping at the screen.
waitwithnate: what are you up to?
chillwithcil: being robbed of my remote control by an asshole
waitwithnate: friend or boyfriend?
waitwithnate: never mind that, you wouldn't be on a dating site if you had a boyfriend
chillwithcil: nah , not my boyfriend. Key is a close friend of mine and the husband of my best friend.
waitwithname: your name is Cill, your close friend's name is Key. That's it, you win the name competition.
I couldn't hold back the laugh. My fingers moved swiftly across the screen as I typed out my reply. I had just tapped send when the door was pushed open and Arlen walks in. Keenan quickly made his way over to Arlen, pressing a kiss to his cheeks as he took the bags Arlen was holding.
"Thank you, baby."
"I thought you weren't talking to me." Key said and I chuckled at them. Arlen pouted at his husband before making his way over to me, he plops onto the couch and pulled me in close enough and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"Hey Arl."
"Don't call me that." Arlen said.
"You called me Cilly for a year. You can manage me calling you Arl once in a while."
"Oh my god, you are never going to let that go are you?" Arlene and Key said at the same time. I looked at them with a raised brow. They tended to do that a lot. Like they knew what the other was thinking or about to say. Sometimes I hated it and other times, I envied them.
I shook my head at them and got off the couch. Since Arlen was here, I could wake Jaden now and get him to eat dinner before he uses his meds. I made my way down the hallway and knocked on Jaden's door, pushing open the door once I don't get a reply. Jaden was tucked under his duvet, only half of his face peeking out.
"Do you think they'll like me?" Jaden asked once he was awake.
"They'll love you. Key and Arlen are the best. They are the nicest people in the world." I said, patting the duvet.
That night, I introduced Jaden to my friends and was so happy when they blended. Arlen and Key talked to him, asked him questions and included him in our conversations and it felt so good. I have known Jaden for weeks now and I haven't seen him smile or laugh this much. So yeah. I could totally do it. I could take care of him.
–
"Don't forget your lunch money!" I yelled as Jaden ran past my room. I was dressed in a white shirt tucked into vintage jeans and white Nike on my feet. My phone buzzed in pocket and it was probably Nate.
Finally Jaden was dressed and ready for school, while I was ready to meet with a potential client. By the time I had grabbed my wallet and walked out of my room, Jaden was ready. He was dressed in his school uniform and blazer, his hair styled off his face and lunch money being pushed into the inner pocket of his blazer.
"If it isn't mister smarty fancy pants." I teased as I walked over to grab a drink from the fridge. I grabbed a bottle of Welch's fruit punch.
"You call me that every morning."
"But I'm not wrong am I? I have seen your gpa." I said, wiggling my brows at the younger boy.
"I still think you're nuts."
It's been three weeks since Jaden began to live with me. Three weeks since I started talking to Nate too and everything, like some wise legos said, is awesome.
"I have work tonight and I might be late. Do you think you can stay by yourself or do I call Arlen?" I asked Jaden.
"I can stay by myself. I am not a kid, you know."
"I know. I just thought I'd ask."
"What do you do? Like for work? I've never asked." Jaden said and I looked at him, my eyes narrowed. I walked Jaden over to his bus stop and waited long enough for him to get onto the bus.
"Do you really want to know?" I asked.
"Yes."
"What if I say I'm a stripper?" I asked and Jaden lets out a loud snort.
"Then I'd say that's a lie. You're too awkward and I have seen you dance." Jaden said and I laughed. This boy was so rude and always said what was on his mind. Never holding back and it was one of the many reasons why my friends and I love him.
"I'm a professional bed warmer. " I said and Jaden stops right there.
"What?"
"A bed warmer."
"Like in the naked kind of bed warmer?" Jaden asked and my eyes widened as I realized what exactly he had been thinking about. Ugh. I reached for his hand arm and pinched him as hard as I could. Jaden flinched back and rubbed at his arm.
"I am always fully clothed, thank you." I said, rolling my eyes at him. "A lot of people don't like coming home to an empty house, a lot of people don't like coming home to a cold bed. So that's what I'm there for. Some people have lost their wives or husband so they either give me the perfume or cologne to spray on so the bed smells like their partner or to just keep the bed warm." I explained.
"And this is a real job?"
"Yeah. You can google it."
"How much is the highest you've ever been paid?" Jaden asked.
"A thousand bucks." I said, trying not to feel smug as Jaden choked on air and started coughing. I knew he was going to doubt me, so I pulled out my phone and there was indeed two messages from Nate. Instead of clicking on that, I went through my emails until I got the proof of payment from one of my regulars.
"Oh my god."
"Yeah."
"Oh my god."
Thankfully, the bus pulls to a stop in front of us before Jaden could get any questions out. I pushed him towards the door and waved at him. Waiting there until the bus pulled away, Jaden still staring at me with wide eyes.
While I waited for the next bus, I tapped on Nate's message.
waitwithnate: morning Cil
waitwithnate: I was thinking, we could swap numbers and text, rather than keep using the app. that's if you feel comfortable enough to. it's just... we've been talking for three weeks. If you don't want to, how about we use the audio function on the app and call? It would be lovely to actually hear your voice
I bit on my bottom lip as I read the message over and over again. This... I was not expecting. Just because Nate wasn't bigdeeck6969, doesn't mean he might not be a creep, or a pervert.
chillwithcil: let's keep talking here for a while and yeah, we could use the audio function and call, when I'm a little more comfortable.
And to make things less awkward than it already was, I decided to add.
chillwithcil: I bet you sound like Kermit
The response was instant.
waitwithnate: of course. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here.
waitwithnate: Kermit?
waitwithnate: KERMIT THE FROG?
I giggled as I read his read his response over and over again.
chillwithcil: well, am I wrong?
waitwithnate: you'll have to find out, won't you?
—
Eek! I'm so excited ☺️☺️☺️☺️
What do you think? What do you want to see next?