Blood Mates

Jasper's Pain

Yasmine had left with the sworn promise that this wasn’t over. Jasper ignored the threats and instead focused on his work with his tutoring, picked up a few extra shifts at the coffee shop, and spent as much time with Alaia as possible.

They hadn’t had the time for them to be “alone” again since his dad was slowing down taking business out of town. And with her family ALWAYS home, they could only sneak in kissing and touching as they sat in their respective family rooms.

It was the second week into November that Jasper got the bad news. He had been sitting at the table with his dad for breakfast when the mail had been delivered. Inside, they found a petition for William to appear in court to discuss the custody situation over Jasper.

Jasper of course livid and it had been the first time in almost two years he called his mom. But since most of the conversation was swearing on his end, he wouldn’t consider it a good thing.

Davon and his mom had tried to talk to him again after he hung up, but Jasper refused to speak to them.

Alaia tried to be there for Jasper, but as his mother took his father to court, she could do nothing but comfort him when it was over. “So, what happens now?” she asked as they laid in her bed.

Jasper sighed as he blew out an aggravated breath, “I have to spend Thanksgiving with her on the reservation three hours away.” Alaia looked at him sadly, “And would it be so bad? You could maybe clear some of the mud out the way? Get a better understanding of each other.”

Jasper shook his head, “No, I don’t need to understand her reasons for hurting me, hurting my dad, destroying our family, and then having the gall to be surprised when I don’t want to be around her after.”

Alaia exhaled and Jasper admitted, “Besides, now my dad has to spend a holiday for family alone. With my grandpa in London, he won’t have anyone. And I don’t want him to EVER feel like that.”

Alaia smiled a little as she stroked his hair, “You and your dad’s relationship is so dad/son goals. I thought Loren and my dad were close, but you two take the cake.”

Shrugging, Jasper reminisced, “My mom used to say I use to be able to go hours if not a day or two without needing her for anything. But my dad? God, I needed him every five minutes and as I grew up, I returned the favor.”

Jasper sighed boiling mad as he thought out loud, “Now he’s going to spend Thanksgiving probably eating some god-awful microwave dinner, alone.” Alaia looked at her boyfriend stressing just the idea of it and softly offered, “How about I make sure he doesn’t for you?”

Jasper looked at Alaia surprised and she nodded happily, “Yeah, I’ll drop off some plates for him, make sure he doesn’t burn down the kitchen trying to cook. Turn on some game for him when he can’t figure out how to work the remote.”

Jasper smiled a little as he whispered, “You don’t have to do that.” Alaia grinned, “Of course I do, I don’t want him to be alone either.” Snuggling into her boyfriend’s arms, Alaia told him sweetly, “It’s not a big thing. I’ll pop in a couple times in the week just to make sure he’s okay.”

Kissing his girlfriend, Jasper was so in love with her it felt harder to keep it inside. “What am I going to do without you?” He asked as he gently stroked his hands over her hair, “I’ve never been so enraptured by a person in my life. And now I have to leave you? It’s going to be a hellish existence.”

Alaia blushed as she whispered, “You say the sweetest things to me.” Jasper grinned and kissed her before admitting, “And mean every word beautiful.”

And that’s why Eric appeared and loudly coughed. Jasper sprung out of the bed like it was on fire as Alaia sat up, “Dad?” Eric tossed something at Jasper lightly, “You left your phone downstairs.” Seeing his mom had called him ten times and texted him to see if he was on the road yet, Jasper fought groaning.

“It’s my egg donor. She’s trying to see where I am.” Looking at his girlfriend, Jasper softly told her, “I should go. But thanks, I’ll text you the moment I get there and the second I’m back.” Alaia hugged Jasper tight and whispered in his chest, “Try to make this visit cordial. And come back to me in one piece.”

Jasper agreed and left out saying a wary bye to Eric. Eric nodded and watched him go before looking at his daughter, “His relationship with his mother is a complicated one?”

Alaia listened to Jasper angrily punching his steering wheel in the front yard, his phone ringing. His clenched screams of frustration and anger making her heart ache for him, “You don’t know the half of it.”