57. Official 🔗

I didn't plan to fall asleep on the plane, but it was a great nap. I was still stretching as I walked through the airport. Before I could get to the exit doors, I pulled out my phone and text A.B. that I was ready. I yawned before looking up.

Standing right outside the airport, next to his Mustang was my man. I nearly ran out the airport. When A.B. saw me, he smiled brightly. We embraced each other.

"I'm glad you made it safe. How was your flight?" He asked me.

I was still lost in the scent of his cologne as I closed my eyes, nearly burying my face in his shirt.

"Are you tired?" A.B. asked.

I finally spoke, "I took a nap on the plane. It was good." I opened my eyes and looked at A.B. with my arms still wrapped around his torso.

"Okay. Are you hungry?"

I nodded my head. "I'm starving."

A.B. starred at me. It wasn't like he was deep in thought, more so he seemed to be analyzing.

"What is it?" I asked him.

"How long are you staying?"

"Aww, you want me to stay forever?" I joked.

A.B. chuckled, "If only forever were possible."

We released one another.

"I'm here until Tuesday morning. I have to go back to rehearse for two more performances. I might also be opening for the Grammy's," I informed him.

A.B. put my luggage in his car. "You're doing big things, Jamie."

I didn't think about it until he said it. This whole time I've been so focused on Aja when I'm booked to perform on a popular late night show, Good Morning America, and possibly the Grammy's. What is wrong with me?

A.B. opened the passenger's door for me.

"Thank you." I stepped inside the car.

With A.B. at the wheel, we left the airport.

Then, I remembered. "Can I see Mr. Dave after we get something to eat?"

A.B. answered, "We have to see him tomorrow morning if that's okay..."

I glanced at A.B. "Of course. What are we doing today?"

A.B. looked over at me, "You just got back home. I'm not gonna take up time that you could be spending with your family. We'll hang out tomorrow."

Not fair!

"What do you have a taste for?" He asked me.

"Umm," I thought, "Surprise me."

I was so in bliss at the moment that I didn't realize he drove to my parents' house. Now there's no way I'm gonna be able to go out to eat with A.B. I sat in the passenger's seat looking at my nails when he got out the car. Then, he opened my door. I shook my head.

"Jamie, you said to surprise you."

I slowly looked up at him. "Somehow, I feel like even if I said what I wanted to eat, we'd still end up here. You know my parents are not gonna let me walk in to drop off my stuff and leave."

"Remember when I said we'll hang out tomorrow?" He smiled at me.

I playfully rolled my eyes as I got out the car. "Hurry up with my bags, chico!" I snapped my fingers as I walked to the front door of my parents' house.

His laughter almost made me trip as I continued to walk.

"I saw that!"

I smirked as I stood in front of the door. I knocked a couple times.

"Is that Jamie?" I heard my mother on the other side of the door.

A.B. stood behind me with my luggage.

The door opened and my mom immediately pulled me into a hug. "You brought her, Jace! Thank you!" She squeezed me. "I missed you so much, baby. You showed out on that TV. I said that's my daughter!" She released me.

"Mama, you kinda loud," I whispered as I watched her hug A.B.

"It's good to see you, Mrs. Sawyer."

My mom let him go. "Jace, you know you can come over anytime, not just when Jamie's here."

I grabbed the handle of my luggage. "Where's daddy?" I asked her.

"He's on his way back. We didn't have any steak sauce. Y'all sit down. I'm gonna get y'all something to drink." My mom went to the kitchen.

I looked at A.B. "Follow me." I led the way to my old bedroom. I opened the door and walked in. When I turned around, A.B. was still standing in the hall. "A.B., get in here."

He did as told.

I closed the door before folding my arms. "How close are you with my parents, because... my mom's acting is not fooling me? And my dad only makes steaks for special occasions."

A.B. seemed surprised as he folded his arms to copy my stance. "You being back home is a special occasion." He stepped closer to me and put his hands on my shoulder. "Now if you're hungry, you'd be going to the kitchen like I am."

I smacked my lips. "Are you trying to replace me?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

A.B. dropped his hands and leaned toward me. "No, but you are blocking the door."

I arched a brow. "I'm not holding you hostage. You can leave as you please." I stepped aside.

"Don't be mad. I still like you," he  teased as he opened the door.

I lightly pushed him out my room. He didn't have to do much, but him being able to play along was the cherry on top. I'm actually glad we've only kissed, because my mom would be talking about marriage and grandbabies if we were dating.

I looked around my old bedroom. Now that I don't have an apartment anymore, I'll be staying here. After doing a quick check in the mirror that hung behind the door, I joined my mom and A.B. in the kitchen.

My stepdad came back with more than steak sauce, he had balloons, a cake, and gifts. What is going on?

We ended up eating outside together. The food really made me feel at home, too. Then we got to the cake that read "Congratulations, Jamie!" I'm telling you I'll never be too old to get a cake from my parents.

My mom was taking photos nonstop. "Open your gifts, Jamie!"

My stepdad laughed as he handed me the first gift. I opened the bag and pulled out stationery items from a thick journal with a latch on it, three unique ink pens, transparent sticky notes, and stickers. Don't judge me! I grew up on Lisa Frank.

"This one is from your cousin." My dad handed me another bag. I already expected it to be something crazy so my expression of shock was at a low. I opened the bag to see a box. I pulled out the box and opened it.

"Ohh! Is that the platinum thing for your music?" My mom asked as she took more photos. Somebody get my mom a chair so she can sit down.

I looked at her. "Mama, it's a YouTube plaque." I picked up the Congratulations card and read aloud, "Congrats, Cousin! I won't see you when you get here, but don't worry, I'll see you before you leave."

I was shocked to hear that. I continued to read, "I'm so happy and proud of you. You out here not only making your dream come true, but mine too. My gift to you is my old Silver plaque, because the Gold one is on the way. Ever since I've been reacting to videos with you in it, my subscribers and views been going up. #WeMillionaires Love, Monica."

"That child is so silly," my mom commented.

"Honey, they really make a lot of money on that YouTube show," my dad told her.

I glanced at A.B. to see if he was amused by any of this, and it was written all over his face.

"You got another one from us." My stepdad handed me a small box.

"Thank you." I untied the bow and took the lid off the small box. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a key with my name engraved on it. "And what is this to?" I asked my stepdad.

He smiled, "Your storage. Jace and I moved your stuff--"

My mom interrupted him, "No, baby. Remember? Jace moved her stuff. We've only talked to Jace yesterday."

I looked at my mom, shaking my head. "There is no point in keeping this a secret. If y'all have been hanging out with A.B. while I'm way in another state, just say he's my replacement."

"Baby, you're our only child," my mom smiled at me.

"I'm just making sure y'all know that," I grinned.

A.B. spoke up, "Is that another gift?" He pointed at a small gift bag.

I reached across the table to grab it. Without hesitation, I opened it to see a small jewelry box. Inside the box were two letter J diamond earrings. I looked at each person in my presence. "This is so beautiful!"

My mom said, "The whole family pitched in. We got it so you'll always think of us when you wear them."

I stood up and gave my parents hugs. "Thank you for everything!"

"We love you, Jamie," my stepdad told me.

"I love y'all, too."

After taking the food and dishes back inside, my parents retired to their bedroom. Listen, it has to be an old people thing because it was barely seven o'clock. A.B. and I stayed outside and talked or rather he listened and I talked.

"You know you're officially a part of the family now?"

A.B. asked, "I am?"

I pointed at him. "I know y'all been talking and hanging out more than y'all tried to say. You could've gotten away with it, but my mom can't play anything off and my dad don't be caring. He'll listen to a criminal's story and go tell it to the police as if it's no big deal."

A.B. chuckled, "I like you're parents a lot. Your dad got a text about your lease ending. He contacted Monica, and Monica text me. Then, we ended up talking on the phone for a few minutes and setup a day and time to move your stuff out the apartment."

I cringed, "Did he know you were staying there?"

"No," A.B. replied, "I'd already moved my stuff into my apartment."

"Good." I wiped the fake sweat from my forehead.

A.B. added, "Monica was there telling us what to put in the moving truck and what to put in her car."

I snapped my fingers. "I knew it! She hiding from me, because she got some of my stuff."

"Well, it was stuff that wouldn't hold up in a storage like food. She has some of your lotions and perfumes, too."

I took a deep breath. "That's okay. I can buy it, again."

A.B. slid his chair closer to me. "So what's been going on? Want to talk about anything?"

I shrugged, "I don't know... I'm... Can we talk about it tomorrow?"

He nodded his head. "Of course." He stood to his feet. "Well, pretty lady, I'll pick you up tomorrow when I get off work around 12 o'clock. Is that cool?"

My brows merged as I stood up in front of him. "Yes, but... do you have to leave right now?" I gave him the saddest facial expression that I could display.

"I have some work to finish at the store. I promise that it'll be you and me after that."

I sighed, "Okay, Mr. Bravos." I folded my arms.

A.B. touched my jawline and pinched my chin.

I blushed before closing my eyes. Okay, Jamie, just relax and let him lead.

"Goodnight, Jamie."

I quickly opened my eyes to see A.B. already inside the house. I purposely yelled, "Goodnight, A.B.! Don't be late picking me up tomorrow!"

He lightly laughed as he walked out the house.

I looked at my gifts on the table. You would think this was for a little girl's birthday party. "Something is wrong with me," I giggled. And I'm referring to how I behave around A.B. Don't hate on my gifts. I'm about to write in my journal, anyway!

Dear Diary...