9. Aspen

Last weekend feels like it was years ago. The way Jasper and I tore at each other's clothes the minute our dinner was done, the way his tongue licked every square inch of my body. This last time, it was me leaving marks on Jasper's body in the form of me sucking on the hollow of his throat, low enough that no one will give him shit out on the rig, but the way he was pounding into my pussy, I needed something to do with my mouth to keep from screaming so loud when he finally let me come. My body still shivers when I think of the way he would tease me, then back off, only to build me up again.

I can't say it's been the easiest thing being away from Jasper days and weeks at a time, but the one bright side of this week is that Peyton, Rowen, and Berkley are coming in for two days of nothing but fun and girl time. I'm hoping to persuade Berkley to stay down here. I have a two-bedroom, and it's not like she has a job in Virginia. Plus, no joke, our area is crawling with the need for teachers right now. It would be a perfect fit. Our lives are all moving forward, and I won't lie, I'd like to have a piece of my family closer to me. Even if that is for selfish reasons. I love Jasper, there's no doubt about that, even if I haven't told him that yet.

"It's time to party! The crew is here! Shots?" Berkley hasn't even made it all the way through the terminal when she's turning heads with her comment.

I just shake my head and smile, Rowen rolls her eyes, and Peyton looks like she needs a shot more than anyone.

"Hey, party girl. The Jell-O shots are in the fridge, as requested, but listen, lady, no open containers in my car. Something tells me we'd have all the Jennings men down here and Jasper leaving the rig right away if something happened."

"Fun sucker." She sticks her tongue out at me. I just laugh. She's supposed to be the prim and proper one, for goodness sakes.

"Yeah, whatever. Give me a hug, crazy." All four of us bring it in, our arms looped around each other. It's something we've always done. If our parents or, God forbid, Bridger saw us do this, they knew we were up to no good.

"It's so good to see you," Rowen says. I'm actually shocked she was able to unglue herself from Braxton for two days.

"You just saw me, silly, but I love seeing you too. How's the ball and chain?" I joke.

"Oh, you know, probably tracking Ro on her phone as we speak. How's that hunk of a man of yours?" Peyton interjects.

"Your time is coming, Pey. Braxton is good, sends his love and is prepared for me to come home with a new suitcase full of clothes."

"He's great, one tall drink of water, but getting used to his schedule sucks," I say honestly. Peyton deflates a bit at that. She knows Jasper's schedule sucks and the struggles I've been going through.

"It'll all be worth it, and you're not wrong, Ro, but I'm waiting till the right man comes along. I'm not settling for a dumpster fire of a man." She snorts.

We are still huddled together. "I have to find a job, or I'm going to pull my hair out. I love my parents, but for the love of all things holy, living with them is hell on earth," Berkley states.

"I have a two-bedroom apartment, you know, and I hear the elementary school is hiring," I give her an opening.

"No way. You think I can stay? I mean, even if I don't get a job, maybe I'll find something part-time until I do," she offers.

"Vintage Threads could use some extra help. Stella will soon be off for the holidays, so that leaves just Ruthie and me."

"Let's see if I even like Texas this weekend. Are you ready, ladies?" Berkley is the ringleader of our gang. Some would think it was Peyton, but even she can't compete with all the crazy that is Berkley.

"Yep, it's a good thing I have a big SUV. You girls sure can pack for only a weekend away." I snort. Each one of them has a carry-on along with a bag on their shoulder.

"As if you didn't pack half your closet when you came to Virginia last time. I don't think Jasper fully grasps what he's getting into. Tell me, Aspen, how many closets do you have filled with clothes, shoes, and bags?" Peyton arches her eyebrow at me.

"Oh, fine, both bedroom closets are full, and the hall closet. Also, he knows. It's not like he hasn't been at my place before." Last weekend when I went to stay with him, I did finally steal a shirt of his, and I sleep in it every night. When we FaceTimed and he saw what I was wearing, his eyes sparkled, and let's just say him watching me get myself off in nothing but his shirt still has me blushing.

"Oh snap, have you told Bridger yet? You know he'll do a full background check, financials, and anything else Jasper could have hidden in his past." I huff out a breath before responding.

"Considering Bridger called when I was with Jasper last weekend, we talked, then he demanded we video call him. They got along well, a little too well. Jasper and I are talking about going to Virginia for a weekend once his schedule gets settled again. Bridger was more than impressed, and I'm pretty sure he'll be a part of the boys club before too long." We all make our way to my car, stow their luggage in the back, and climb inside. Our first stop is my apartment for drinks and food. Then who knows what else we'll get into. I'm honestly hoping it's a pretty low-key weekend, hanging out in our downtown area and being vegetables at my apartment.

"You okay?" Rowen asks. She somehow managed to finagle the passenger seat while Peyton and Berkley are sitting in the captain's chairs in the back.

"I'm tired, but I think that has more to do with staying up late to talk to Jasper for a few minutes. Plus the store being in full swing for the holidays. I don't know how Ruthie does it. That woman has more energy than all of us and Mom put together." I need to call Mom when the girls leave. We chat every few days. I'm so thankful she's doing better, though I still worry.

"Well, it's a good thing we're here. Put us to work for a bit, take us sight-seeing, and get us food. That's all we need, honestly."

"I'm going to take you guys up on that. Thank you for coming down here. I really needed my girl gang." Berkley and Peyton make cooing noises in the back. Ro grabs my hand and holds it, giving me a bit of strength I clearly need. This emotional upheaval must mean my period is coming, and it's surely going to be a doozy.

"We're here for it, and who knows, maybe I'll stay," Berkley chimes in. I think I'd like that more than I'm letting on.

"Can I be a fly on the wall when you tell Uncle Mick if you do stay?" Peyton asks.

"I'll record it. That way, we have proof of him shitting a brick over his only baby girl wanting to spread her wings and fly." If we thought Dad and Bridger were overprotective, we all have another thing coming. Uncle Mick is ten times worse. I know he comes from a good place, but yikes.

"We'll all figure it out," I say as we drive towards my apartment. The girls offered to get a hotel room, but there was no need. Not with Jasper gone. And even still if he were home, they could have taken my place and I would have stayed with him. This actually works out better though, because while he's working, my days will be occupied with them. This weekend is going to be a lot of fun, and I think it will lift my spirits even more. I listen to the girls catching me up on the latest gossip in Lodgeview. Yeah, this is exactly what I needed.