The Chase

Chapter 15

    I wake to Jasper's heavy breaths tickling the back of my neck. One arm under the pillow below my head and the other draped over my waist, hugging me closely to him as he slept. This had become my favorite part of the day. Waking in the warm and safe embrace of the man I had grown so fond of. Unfortunately I had to pee. 

    Holding my breath as I slowly move his arm from my hip and rest it on the bed behind me as I slip out of the bed. I take a moment to just appreciate him. His lips were slightly parted as he lightly snores. Eyes moving rapidly under his eyelids. 

    I wander what he's dreaming about? I hope it's a good one. Selfishly hope it's about me.. I make my escape quickly before I wake him.    

    I stare at myself in the mirror, inspecting my imperfect skin and bags that had form under my eyes after years of all-nighters. I spark cold water onto my face to help clean the sleep from my eyes and wake me up. Finishing with some mouth wash to freshen my breath.     

    I really should keep a tooth brush here. It would make since seeing as I spent almost every night here. Somehow it felt too serious. I still hadn't figured out how serious he actually wanted.

    "Good morning beautiful" Jasper peaks his head into the bathroom, sleep still apparent in his eyes.

    "Good morning handsome" I kiss his lips quickly before slipping past him and down the hall. 

    The smell of coffee fills my nostrils as I watch the black liquid drip into the glass pot. I was never a fan of coffee, but Jasper was. He drank his black. I can't stand how bitter it tastes so mine mainly consists of creamer with a small amount of coffee for color.

    Toast pops up causing me to jump, I had completely forgotten all about it. Jasper enters the kitchen as I lather a hefty scoop of butter onto the bread.

    "Jesus women! We have got to fix your eating habits" Jasper's laugh fills the room, brightening my morning.

    "I am heathy as a horse!" Crumbles fall my lips as I try to speak without opening my mouth.

    "I can see that.." Jasper leans against the counter and sips his coffee. "You know horses only to like 30 years right?"

    "In that case, I better make the next 6 years count huh?" I smile before shoving the rest of the toast into my mouth, wiping butter off my fingers on a napkin.

    He rolls his eye and pulls a container of precut fruit from the fridge, his normal breakfast of fruit and yogurt. "This is what healthy looks like.." he quips.

    I pretend to gag after popping a cube of cantaloupe into my mouth. It was delicious. "If only all healthy foods tasted as good as fruit"

    "Oh come on. Let me cook for you tonight instead of ordering in!! I swear you'll love it!" Jasper fakes a begging puppy dog face with his bottom lip pouting out.

    "The last time you cook it was boiled chicken breast and bland rice... And I know how to cook!"

    "I can cook with seasonings, it's just not has healthy. Boiling pasta and sauce from a jar doesn't count as cook." 

    "Fine you can cook. But I don't have an interest in learning. I can follow a recipe if the time comes that I just absolutely have to cook, okay?" I did know how to cook, my mother taught me when I was young. They weren't fond memories.

    Jasper looks triumphant as he pulls me into a tight embrace. I bury my face in his chest, breath in his natural scent. It felt like I was home. It's hard to explain, but somehow I knew this is where I was supposed to be.

    My phone buzzes on the counter. I flip it over to find a text from Lucas. He had reached out to me about a week ago and we had been chatting a lot. I hadn't thought much up it until now. Jasper was reading the newspaper and sipping coffee and I'm here. Texting another guy. 

    I feel a little guilty but it was just texting. We were doing anything wrong right?

    I couldn't help but remember how I felt the night that girl showed up here. But Luc was an old friend. Why shouldn't I be allowed to talk to him?

    Allowed?

    I'm an adult I do not need permission.

*****

    "You have got to be f*****g kidding me?!" Tabitha paces back and forth in the small living room, running her fingers through her wild hair. Flipping it from left to right over and over again. 

    "No, I'm not joking. This is a really good opportunity for professional growth!" I try not to get defensive but could tell she wasn't buying it as she glared at me. 

    "'Professional growth'?" She spat the words at me like they were poison. "Who the f**k are you? Where did you suddenly decide you were too help run a boutique?"

    "I'm not too good for anything. I just think this is the right step for me now.." I hesitate. I didn't want to offend her. She was still my best friend and roommate, she could really make my life really difficult.

    "Yeah Cece, good opportunity for him to keep an eye on you." She looks at me like I'm stupid.

    "Oh okay. So you're upset I'll be working with Jasper. Not that I'm quitting." That makes total since. She hasn't even met him!

    "No I'm upset because you're acting f*****g stupid. You're following this guy around like a desperate little puppy and you don't even see it! Open your eyes!" She was shouting now. 

    Stupid? Desperate little puppy? f**k her.

    "I'm not following him around. I-I" She cuts me off

    "You are following him around. Sleeping at his place every night. Dressing the way he wants you to. You're even letting him effect your eating habits. If hear another comment about how horrible he thinks you eat, I'll lose it!" Her eyes were huge and her face way red from frustration.

    "There is nothing wrong with eating right or the clothes I choose to wear! So what if I'm caught up in the moment. You should be happy I have found someone I care this much about!" Tabitha's face softens slightly as she stares at me.

    "As your best friend it is my job to tell you when you're acting off. All I hear is 'Jasper this' and 'Jasper that'. You haven't even brought him here. Does he know who I am?" Tabitha looked genuinely concerned. This was just her way of being there for me. Regardless I didn't like it.

    "Yes he knows who you are and he thinks you need to support me in the decisions I make." Tabitha laughs loudly. It sounds more like a cackle then a laugh.

    "You can tell Jasper that I don't give a f**k what he thinks." She walks away, slamming the door to her room. Leaving me alone with my thoughts.

    Did Tabitha have a point? I don't see it how she does. I feel like I am growing up and she thinks that I am changing for a guy. I don't want to be that girl. But at the same time maybe he is changing me for the better. I can't be Tabs party girl partner forever. Jasper was good for me.