me up on the sofa. He wraps his leg around mine, running his hand up and down my back.
A fire burns low and builds up. I draw him closer on instinct, the intense heat shutting down thoughts of tearing myself away.
Jason breaks us apart, making the decision. His eyes blaze and his breath is heavy. He twists a lock of my hair between his fingers. “I could wake up to your face every day.”
Heat flushes my cheeks. “I have something for you.”
He lights up. “What?”
“Well, if we can untangle ourselves, it’s on the floor.”
He moves his leg and releases my head. I hold his arm and pick up the present.
“Happy birthday.” I smile, handing it to him.
“You got me a present?” he asks, excited. He maneuvers into a sitting position, placing the gift on his lap.
“Of course I did. It’s the first time I get to celebrate your birthday.”
The left side of his mouth quirks into a half-grin. He tears into the wrapping with abandon, then slips the top off the box and peels back the tissue paper. His jaw drops and his eyes gleam as his hand skims over the assortment of hooks and lures.
“Your dad told me what you would want.” I love the delight on his face. I finally get to be the giver instead of the taker. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Parker, I love it.”
Damian’s car, the Riven’s car, and Dad’s Cadillac are out front when we arrive at Jason’s. They left a spot open in the driveway for Jason’s car.
Everyone wishes him happy birthday and he gets caught up in the excitement.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” he says after the well-wishing dies down. “I’ll be right back.”
I give him a questioning look.
“The fish,” he whispers.
“What are you doing?” Alana asks, finding him stooped over the cooler in the kitchen a few minutes later.
“Cleaning the fish,” he answers.
“No, you’re not. I’ll take care of it,” she says, her tone telling him there is no arguing.
“Do you want some help?” I ask.
“No, honey. Go enjoy yourself.”
Hunter arrives and we spend the afternoon lounging around the backyard talking with everyone. We take a break for Jason to open presents, then Andrew and Felix fire up the grill.
“I don’t even get to man the grill?” Jason asks, his mouth in a mock frown.
“I’m afraid not,” Felix answers, shaking his head. “You get to be a spectator today.”
“That’s no fun,” he grumbles, no longer being playful.
After dinner, we sing “Happy Birthday” to Jason as Alana brings the cake with lit candles to the dining room table. He pauses a moment, then blows out all the candles. Alana passes him a knife and he slices up the cake.
He finally takes a bite once everyone has a piece and moans happily. “Nothing like your homemade strawberry cake, Mom.” He kisses her cheek. “Thank you.”
She beams. “You’re welcome, honey.”
Jason keeps Mike company and drums his fingers on the table while the rest of us clean up and put the leftovers away. He tugs me into his lap as I pass by, wrapping his arms around my waist. I circle my arm around his shoulder as his lips graze my cheek.
“What do you say we blow this joint?” he says, more than asks.
I raise my eyebrows.
“It’s my party, I can leave if I want to.”
“What about helping your dad?”
“Mom,” he calls out, “are you okay with Dad if I take Sara out?”
“Go right ahead, honey,” she replies.
He arches a challenging brow back at me.
My eyes never leave his. “Mom, is it okay if I go out with Jason to who knows where for who knows what?”
She chuckles. “Sure, sweetie.”
“See!” he exclaims, hooking his arm under my knees then standing. “Thank you all for the party and the presents. I’m taking my Parker away from here.”
A chorus of goodbyes echo as Jason strolls out of the house with me in his arms.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“It’s a surprise,” he answers, grinning and opening the door for me.
He removes something from the trunk before getting in the car. “Cover your face with it,” he says, handing me a shirt with “PROPERTY OF ENCINITAS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL” on the front.
“Seriously?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.
“It’s clean, Parker.”
I eye him before complying. He starts the car and pulls out of the driveway.
“This reminds me of the day we tried to confuse the reporters,” I state.
“Try? We did confuse them. It’s why they didn’t rush us when me and Damian came out carrying you and Arissa. They