Chapter Six

"Can I help you cook?", Ashley asked. I stopped singing and looked at him, tilting my head slightly out of curiosity. "You want to help me cook?", I asked with a tone that implied disbelief. He nodded. "Yeah. I would love that", I said with a soft smile. He washed his hands in the sink, then walked over to me waiting for instruction. "Okay so obviously we are having pizza for dinner. I am making two large pizzas. So we are going to split the dough in half and we are each going to knead it into a pizza crust.", I said. He nodded and took the bowl I handed him.

I wiped off the counters and sprinkled flour to avoid the dough sticking to the counter. I grabbed the dough out of the bowl and split it in half. I put one half on the left side of the counter, and the other on the right. "Take your pick", I said gesturing to the two balls of dough on the counter. He set the bowl down and stood in front of the one on the right.

I began to knead the dough and he watched, then followed suit. We started talking. We discussed the various genres of music I enjoyed, and his obsession with Hello Kitty. He talked about what it was like for him to be in a band and he was genuinely curious about my being a model. We even talked about family.

"So your family supports you being a rockstar?", I asked. "Yeah. I come from a family of bikers with tons of tattoos. Being a rockstar wasn't too out there for us Purdys", he said laughing. I chuckled lightly and continued kneading the dough. "What about your family?", he asked. I sighed before answering, "They aren't thrilled with me being a model. My mother wanted me to be a doctor. I am taking classes to get a doctorate in psychology but that's not good enough for her. I think they are embarrassed by me, although my sisters always want free handouts.", I said laughing dryly.

He looked at me with sympathy. I shrugged and continued, "But there came a time when I stopped caring what they think. I'm happy doing what I am doing and I am happy with the people I surround myself with. I don't worry about them and they sure as hell don't worry about me.", I said. Yeah, I'm still kinda bitter. I wonder if I will ever stop being bitter.

Suddenly I felt warm, strong arms go around my shoulders and pull me into… Ashley? He was hugging me? It was odd, but felt good. I hugged him back… tightly. I just wanted him to hold me, and he did. It was just what I needed. I looked at him and he slowly leaned down towards me. I began to slowly lean in… *BEEP BEEP*

Damn oven! It was beeping to let us know it was done pre-heating. We jerked away in surprise and went back to finishing the pizza. After we put the pizza in the oven, I sat on the counter kicking my legs out of habit while I checked the messages on my phone. Ashley came and stood in front of me. I stopped kicking and looked at him.

"We scream! We Shout! We are the fallen angels!", my phone rang. "Who did that cover?", he asked, not recognizing the voice singing his band's song. "My nephew. It's his favorite song", I said giggling. I answered the phone, "Hey!", I chirped happily into the phone. "Hey Jayden, what's up?", I asked. I put the phone on speaker.

"I-I-I I playin Batman!", he yelled excitedly into the phone. I laughed and told Ashley who was on the phone. He smiled. "Wow! How was school buddy? Were you good?", I asked. "Yeah. But my face is bleeding!", he said. "What? Why? What happened?", I asked, worried. His mom jumped on the phone. "He is fine. This boy in his class pushed him and he scraped his cheek on the cement", she said. "My poor baby! Are you okay Jayden?", I asked. My heart ached to hold him and clean up his face. "Yes", he said sadly.

"How would you like to come visit me for a week?", I asked. "YEAH! I WANNA VISIT CALLIE MOMMY!", he screamed. I held my hand over the speaker to keep it as quiet as possible. Laughing I uncovered the speaker. "You seriously want Jayden for a week", his mother asked. "Yeah! I would love to have him. I would take him all summer if you would let me", I said. "Well actually that would be great! I have a really busy schedule this summer and no one to watch him. I would really miss him but he misses you and it would help me out a lot. What do you say?", she asked.

I'm not gonna lie. My eyes got huge. I jumped off the counter. "Really? I get to kidnap him for the summer?", I asked excitedly. "Yeah! You are his godmother!", she said laughing. "You do realize that if anything were to happen to me, he would be yours", she said. "Oh yeah. That's true. Well tell Jayden to pack his bags! I will be coming on Friday to get him.", I said excitedly. "Okay well he needs a bath so tell him bye", she said handing off the phone. "Bye Jayden! I will see you soon baby! You get to spend all summer with me", I said. "Bye Callie! Love you!", Jayden said happily. "Love you too buddy", I said sadly hanging up the phone.

"Where does he live?", Ashley asked. I almost forgot he had been there listening to my conversation. "He lives in Carter. It's about three hours away. I see him whenever I can but modeling usually gets in the way. Plus he has school and all that jazz.", I said looking at my phone. The background just happened to be a picture of me and Jayden from our last visit. We had gone to the aquarium and took a picture in front of the penguins. They are one of my favorite animals, and Jayden loves them too. Ashley looked over at my phone and smiled at the picture.

I sighed and began to walk into the living room when a hand gently grabbed my wrist. I turned and Ashley was standing behind me. "When are you leaving to pick him up?", he asked. "Next Friday.", I said. "Would it be okay if I went with you? I'd love to meet him. Besides, what good is a road trip without me?", he asked smirking. I laughed and nodded. "Okay Purdy, you can come. But it's my way or you are walking home", I said. He laughed and nodded. I grabbed his hand and ran towards the living room where Sammi and Jinxx were watching a movie.

"Where is everyone else?", I asked. "Andy invited Juliette over and they are outside playing in the pool. CC and Jake wanted to play catch when they saw your softball equipment.", she said laughing. "That's fine. So I was going to let you know that my Jayden is coming for the whole summer!", I said excitedly. "I am going to go get him next Friday. Ashley is coming with me!" Sammi's mouth dropped. "Jayden is coming? That's awesome! I can't wait to see him!", she said jumping excitedly in her seat.

Jinxx looked at Sammi confused. "Jayden is Callie's nephew.", she said smiling. "Well he isn't actually my nephew. He is my friend's son. I helped raise him because his sperm donor is a piece of shit, and he is my whole world. Jayden is almost like a son to me", I said smiling.

"You have a son?", Andy yelled as he walked into the living room with a girl I assumed was Juliette. "No Andy", I said. I proceeded to explain my bond with Jayden. "That's so cute. I hope I can meet him too", Juliette said. "Well maybe we should meet first", I said laughing.

"Oh sorry. Juliette, this is our new friend Callie. It's short for Calliope", he said gesturing to me. "And Callie, this is my girlfriend Juliette". Juliette came and shook my hand. "It's so nice to meet you. I heard great things about you", she said. "It's nice to meet you too. I have the feeling we are going to be awesome friends", I said pointing to her zebra stripe bathing suit.

We spent the rest of the day all getting to know each other… Okay so they were all getting to know me and vice versa, but still. It was an awesome day. The guys were hesitant to head home but they left anyways. Ashley stayed behind to ride home with Jinxx. Obviously Jinxx stayed to say good bye to Sammi.

"Well I guess I will see you tomorrow for our date", Ashley said smirking at me. I laughed and nodded. He was standing on the front porch while I was leaning on one of the posts. "You know, I have only known you for one day but I feel like I have known you for much longer", he said. I felt as if he was looking into my soul. "I feel the same way. Ashley, I have major trust issues. I hate trusting new people yet for some reason, I trust you. Please don't screw that up", I said looking at him. I wanted to cry but I refused to do so. I was stronger than that.

"I would never intentionally hurt you", he said holding my face with both of his hands. We both leaned in slowly until our lips met softly. We kissed for a little while, but it was all innocent. I wasn't ready to go farther and he seemed to know this. With a hug from him and Jinxx, they left to head home.

"Ashley really likes you, ya know", Sammi said standing next to me as we watched the boys pull out of the driveway. "Yeah. I really like him too. But I'm scared. I'm falling for him way too fast, and I don't want to be hurt", I said. My voice started to strain at the end of that sentence. Sammi hugged me. "It's going to be okay sweetie. I'm not going to say he won't hurt you, but maybe you should give him a chance. Either way, I will be here for you and so will the boys. They love you like a sister already. You do what you feel is best and I will support you no matter what", she said. I smiled and hugged her tightly.

Sammi knows about my past and why I am so hesitant to trust anyone. She has watched me overcome all my obstacles and become the person I am today. She is the only person on the planet that I trust. We talked for a while, then said goodnight and went to bed. I was almost too excited to sleep. I met the most amazing guy today, and some awesome new friends. I get to have my Jayden for the entire summer and I have my first date with Ashley tomorrow.