by R. J. Sable
We helped Jason into the house despite his protests about not being a pensioner. Ian met us at the door and exchanged a guilty look with Jason. We sat down in the lounge on the sofa and Jason sighed deeply as he relaxed into his seat.
“I owe you an apology,” Ian said sheepishly.
“You owe my spleen one at least,” Jason grinned.
I knew apologising was hard for Ian and I wasn't sure how he'd take Jason's light-hearted response, but it seemed to put him at ease.
“I was way out of line.” Ian shook his head, his face lined with regret.
“What's done is done.”
They held each other's gaze for a while and an unspoken discourse seemed to pass between them.
Eventually, Jason turned to look at me. “You promised me pancakes, woman!”
I giggled and jumped up to fix his pancakes. It was the least I could do.
Chapter 41
Tuesday, December 25th 2012
“Merry Christmas,” Ian grinned as Jason and I crossed the threshold into the lounge, still in our pyjamas as tradition dictates.
The main lights were off and the room was lit by the fairy lights twinkling on the real Christmas tree. Elise and I had decorated it with silver and gold decorations and Ian had lifted me up to put the fairy on top the same way he used to when I was a kid. The fairy was ancient, Karl had made it when he was at school and it had somehow survived all these years, although it was looking a little worse for wear.
“Merry Christmas,” we beamed back.
Everyone had soon joined us and we were sat around the tree enjoying the scent of the cinnamon candles Elise had lit around the room. Ian started handing out presents and we were quickly buried in a sea of wrapping paper as everyone tore into their respective gifts.
“Awesome!” The twins opened the presents they'd gotten from me.
I'd managed to track down some adult-sized reversible t-shirts and Ben had helped me print out some iron-on transfers so that they each had identical t-shirts which read either Rick or Danny depending on which way round they had them.
“These are ace, Jelly, thanks!” They beamed, pulling me into a jelly sandwich.
I hugged them back and returned to opening my own presents. I'd gotten a onesie, a ‘Big Bang Theory’ box set, and some new running gear so far.
I spotted Jason opening my present and watched him anxiously. It really was only a tiny present and I was worried he'd think it was pathetic. He unwrapped the present slowly, a boyish grin on his face that warmed my heart. He pulled the last of the paper off to reveal an A5 leather-bound photo album and a basic instant camera. He grinned up at me.
“I know you wanted to see photos of me, but there aren't many. I figured we could make our own album, of me and you,” I smiled, still blushing. “It's a good job you like disposable cameras because the proper ones were a bit out of my price range.”
Jason chuckled and pulled me into a hug. “Thank you, Jamie. I love it,” he grinned.
“Open the album.”
He looked at me with his eyebrow cocked but did as I said to find the small silver envelope inside. He opened it slowly and let the small metal object slide out. He held the key ring in his hand. It depicted a squirrel sitting on an acorn. It was so adorable and I'd grinned when I'd seen it and I knew I'd have to get it for him.
“This is brilliant!” He smiled from ear to ear as he held it up and looked at it as the light reflected off its surfaces.
“Sorry it's only a little present,” I blushed.
“Baby, it's perfect,” he grinned. “Now you'll always be with me.”
That was exactly what I'd been thinking and I smiled broadly at his ability to read my mind.
“My present is sort of along the same vein.” He looked mischievous and pointed to a present still under the tree.
I pulled it out and felt it, trying to figure out what he'd gotten me. The package had a hard box at the bottom but was soft and fairly squidgy at the top.
“That's cheating,” he said nervously. “Just open it.”
I carefully unwrapped the paper, doing my best not to rip it as I always did with my presents. I grinned broadly as I saw the cute, stuffed toy squirrel that greeted me as I peeled the paper away. I beamed up at Jason and he smiled back. It took my eyes a few seconds to notice that the squirrel was sat on yet another wrapped present and held an even smaller present in his little furry paws, secured by a ribbon.
“You got me three presents?” I asked incredulously.
“You got me three as well, technically,” he pointed out smugly.
He was right, technically, but I had a feeling his were going to be a lot more extravagant than mine.
“Which one should I open first?” I asked excitedly.
He pointed to the larger one at the bottom which I began opening carefully with great eagerness. Oh my God. I can't believe he's bought me a watch. This wasn't a normal watch though, it was a Garmin 910XT. A triathlon watch that literally did everything, and had a price tag to match. I knew several of the guys at the club had been drooling over these for a few months. My mouth dropped open as I gaped at Jason.
“Are you serious?” I whispered.
He nodded excitedly, although I could see hesitation in his eyes.
“Jason-” I started to protest but he shook his head.
“Don't you dare complain about the money,” he warned, leaning closer to me and whispering in my ear. “I'll take you over my knee later if you do, and I don't care if your brothers hear.”
I pouted up at him, it would have been worth complaining just for the bedroom fun but I wasn't sure I wanted my brothers to hear that. I decided to accept the gift gratefully instead.
“You need one for running. It’ll save you draining the battery life on your phone when you go for a long run. Plus, it'll be handy to see what your heart rate is so you can optimize your training.”
I wrapped my arms around him, trying to express my thanks with the simple embrace.
“Open the next one!” He demanded, bouncing excitedly next to me.
I slowly unwrapped the tiny packet to reveal what had to be a jewellery box. He's got me jewellery as well? He's got more money than sense. I glanced up at him before I opened the box and saw his eyes following me excitedly. I took a deep breath and opened the box to reveal two beautiful silver studs. I gasped, taking in their intricate beauty. They were tear shaped in white gold with what had to be a diamond at the base of each tear. They were absolutely beautiful.
“Jason...” I breathed, lost for words.
“Do you like them?” He asked uncertainly.
“I love them! They're so beautiful.”
He smiled his million-dollar smile and his shoulders visibly relaxed.
“Oh my God! Those are gorgeous!” Elise cooed over my shoulder.
“First Christmas and he's already making me look bad,” Karl grumbled to Ian.
The others chuckled and Craig swiped the watch off me to have a look.
“This is awesome,” he nodded, expressing his approval. “I've been thinking about getting one of these.”
That night, I curled up in bed next to Jason in a completely satiated state. I couldn't remember a better Christmas since Dad had died. There'd not been a single argument, not even so much as an acid glare in Jason's direction. Admittedly, my brothers had been a little nicer to Jason since he was released from hospital but they were still giving him a hard time every now and then. Today, however, they seemed to have gone out of their way not to have a go at him.
Jake was still not really talking to me, and although it hurt I knew he'd need time to come around. He'd still not accepted I was telling the truth and I guessed he must have felt torn between his best friend and me and I was sorry that he'd been put in that situation.
“Thank you, Jason,” I said, wrapping my arms around him and enjoying the feel of skin against skin.
“Thank you,” he breathed against the top of my head, pressing gentle ki
sses along my hairline. “I've never had a Christmas this fun before.”
“I know one way it could be better,” I pouted.
“Oh?” He frowned, pushing up onto his elbow to look at me.
I nodded mischievously and pushed myself up against him in what I hoped was a seductive fashion.
“Oh...” he grinned, his eyes lighting up. “You want that do you?”
“Yes, please,” I fluttered my eyelashes at him sweetly.
“Anything for you baby, you know that,” he smirked, rolling over so that he was on top of me.
“I love you, Jason.”
“I love you too, Jamie-Lea.”
Our eyes met before he pulled me into a passionate embrace. The strength of our feelings passed between us in that moment and I felt more loved than I ever had in my life, safe in the arms of the man I loved, the man who I knew would go to any length to protect me and keep me from harm's way.
Thank you for reading Right There with You.
This was my first novel and it was pure pleasure to write. Writing it has been a journey and no matter how it ends, I am grateful I took the first step.
Each of the characters are personal to me and works of pure fiction. Any similarities to real life people are pure coincidence.
If you enjoyed reading Jamie-Lea and Jason’s story please continue reading for a preview of the next book in this series.
Stronger with You
Book 2 in the With You Trilogy.
I watched the two of them circling each other, each coated with a thin layer of perspiration which gleamed underneath the afternoon sun. There expressions were ones of deep concentration as they watched each other, unblinking. I grimaced as Jason ducked to avoid a blow that barely missed him. I can’t watch this. I covered my eyes with my hands but it was even worse being able to hear their anguished grunts and the sound of fists meeting flesh without being able to see that they were okay.
Craig tackled Jason to the ground and they grappled on the lawn. My heartbeat quickened and I sent up a silent prayer that neither of them would get seriously hurt. I wanted to kick the two of them for putting me through this, but of course I wouldn’t. I winced every time one of them took a blow and breathed a sigh of relief each time they missed.
I felt two long, gangly arms wrapping around me from behind and was momentarily distracted from watching the two of them beating on each other to turn around and greet the owner of the lean limbs. I didn’t have to check who it was first. I’d know his cologne anywhere.
“Alex!” I grinned, pulling my best friend of seven years into a rib-cracking embrace.
“Jellybaby!” He giggled, spinning me round and pulling me back into him before planting a loud, lip-smacking peck on my lips.
I’d known Alex was back home but I just assumed he’d be too busy unpacking and recovering from jet lag to come and see me.
We were both distracted by a loud thwack that drew our attention back to the two muscly men who were still lying in the grass breathing heavily. Craig had landed a pretty harsh blow to Jason’s jaw and I jumped up to make sure he was okay.
“What the fuck, Jamie?” Jason looked furious as he shoved Craig off of him and made his way towards us.
“Easy, Reed,” Craig warned, grabbing Jason’s arm and pulling him away from Alex.
I appreciated it, seeing as my boyfriend was currently aiming murderous looks at my best friend.
“Did you just kiss him?” Jason asked me, pushing Craig off and sounding very angry, and very confused.
I could hear the hurt in his voice and it upset me but I still had to fight to stop myself from giggling. “Yes,” I nodded, glancing over at Alex. He seemed amused and admittedly a little cautious as his eyes scanned Jason from my side.
Jason’s normally dirty blond hair was darkened with sweat and clung to his forehead. His exquisitely sculpted body was strained from the physical exertion of fighting, which made all his abs pop beautifully and had the muscles deep inside me tensing in the way they always seem to when Jason is around.