Surrender (19 page)

Brody

I’m sitting on my couch, phone in hand and ready to text Ava and beg her to come and hang out with me, when the front door opens and Jo walks through looking quite glum.

She spots me on the couch and quickly gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Oh…hi Brody.”

“Hey, Jo. How did it go?”

She freezes, a look of panic taking over her features.

“How did what go?”

I look at her suspiciously, wondering what this strange behavior is about.

“The date with the girls. What did you think I meant?”

She visibly relaxes and smiles again.

“Oh, that. It was fine. Um…I’m just going to put my things away.”

She hurries off to her bedroom while I send my message to Ava, asking her to come and stay with me tonight.

A couple of minutes later I get a reply from Ava saying she will see me in a couple of hours.

Jo strolls out of her room and sits down on the couch beside me while I still play around on my phone.

I feel her eyes on me and when I glance over at her she looks like she wants to say something.

“Okay, spit it out, Jo.”

“What?”

“You obviously have something you want to talk about. Shoot.”

She fidgets a little in her seat and glances down at her hands; her fingers are laced together and her thumbs are twirling nervously.

“Well…there is something I did want to ask you. Um…have you…do you ever think about…what I’m trying to say is…do you wonder what it would be like to have kids someday?”

What the hell? That’s a bit random.

“Ah…to be honest I haven’t really thought about it. With everything that happened with my parents and Sammy, it’s not something that I like to think about. Why do you ask?”

She giggles nervously.

“Oh, no reason. Just making conversation.” She looks down at her hands again and I watch her, waiting for the next question.

“What do you think you and Ava would do if she got pregnant? Do you think you would move in together? Get married?”

I turn in my seat so I’m facing her.

“Jo, where are these questions coming from?”

She quickly stands up.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m a little tired, I think I might go and lie down. Thanks for the chat, Brody.”

As I watch her walk to her room I shake my head in disbelief. What the fuck was that? Why the fuck is she so worried about what I would do if Ava was pregnant? Wait…Oh my fucking God. She can’t be.

When Ava arrives I’m pacing nervously around the living room. I have been doing it since my conversation with Jo and it’s not helping me get my thoughts straight at all. I am really freaking out. My heart is racing and my hands are shaking. I think I’m having a fucking panic attack. She can’t be pregnant. I rack my brain; mentally trying to remember each time we have had sex over the last few weeks, trying to remember if we had used protection. I don’t fucking know.

Ava walks in the door and watches me with a look of concern.

“Brody, are you okay?”

I stop pacing and try to calm myself.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Um…how are you feeling?”

She raises her brows.

“I’m fine. Are you sure you’re okay? Your face looks a little pale.”

“No…I’m okay. But what about you? Are you feeling okay? Come and sit down.”

I take hold of her hand and pull her over to the couch, pushing her down gently. She sits there looking up at me with eyebrows raised.

“Brody, what’s going on?”

I sit down beside her and take both of her hands in mine.

“Jo…um…Jo told me…well…she didn’t tell me. I kind of guessed…about the pregnancy.”

Ava looks really surprised.

“She told you?”

“Yeah, and I just want to say that it’s really sudden and it was a complete shock. But, we’ll work it out. We can move your things in here over the next few weeks and…”

Ava holds up her hands with a lopsided grin on her face.

“Wait, wait, wait. Brody, do you think I’m the one that’s pregnant?”

His brows draw together in confusion.

“She was asking me if I wanted kids and what I would do if you fell pregnant. Wait, are you telling me you’re not pregnant?”

She chuckles softly as she shakes her head.

“It’s not me Brody. It’s Jo.”

A weird feeling settles over my chest and I’m unsure if it’s relief or disappointment.

“Oh. Jo’s pregnant? Wait, who’s the father?”

Ava glances around the room before whispering to me.

“She said she’s only been with one person.”

Holy fuck!

“Jeremy?”

Ava nods and grins.

“Wow. Has she told him yet?”

“No, she wants to go to see a Doctor first just to make sure.”

I lean back in the chair and shake my head. I can’t believe Jeremy is going to be a Dad.

Ava leans forward and places her hand on my leg.

“Brody, you can’t say anything to Jeremy. Promise me.”

“Yeah of course, it’s not my place to say anything. I promise I won’t say anything to him.”

She smiles and snuggles up beside me.

“I am kind of happy that you were so accepting when you thought it was me.”

She kisses me on the cheek and I remain silent. I don’t know what to say to that comment. I actually surprised myself too. Having children is not really something I’ve thought a lot about after my crappy childhood. As I look down into Ava’s eyes, I think to myself how cute she would be with a big, round pregnant tummy.

“You would make a great Mom you know.”

She smiles and leans in for a kiss. Our conversation ends as I lift her into my arms and carry her into my room.

Ava

Sitting in the waiting room of the Medical Centre, I eagerly wait for Jo.

She has been freaking out the last week and a half about the results of the home pregnancy test. She has tried to convince herself that the test was wrong and that she’s not really pregnant. I think the confirmation of the pregnancy from a Doctor will settle her internal struggle with accepting the fact that she is going to be a Mommy.

She doesn’t know that I told Brody about her secret, I mean I had to, he thought
I
was pregnant. Hopefully he will be able to keep the news from Jeremy so she can tell him herself.

Jo has been considering putting the baby up for adoption as she doesn't even know if she wants children let alone what Jeremy wants. She just seems to be so confused, we have told her that we will all be there for her no matter what she does but she is convinced that she is going to be a single mom or not one at all. She is dead set serious that if Jeremy finds out and wants to be in a relationship that she wouldn't accept it. She doesn't want him to feel that he has to be with her, she won't give a child a forced family.

Jo finally walks out of the Doctors office, head held high but tears staining her face. I walk up and hug her.

"So?"

"I'm about eleven weeks; I have booked an ultrasound next week."

"Oh Jo, I know you don’t think so now, but this is good, a baby is a blessing."

"I don't know Ava."

"Jo if you choose to keep your baby you will be the best mom."

"I'm sure there is a better mom out there for this baby."

"I don't think so."

***

Standing in the ultrasound technician’s office I watch her squirt the gel onto Jo’s flat tummy. Looking up at the screen, eyes squinting, I see a cloudy image, but it doesn’t look like a baby to me.

"There's your baby."

"Where?"

She points to something round and then I can finally see a little head.

"Oh my god Jo, it's gorgeous. Oh and look there is a little hand. Right?"

"Right, your baby looks nice and healthy. Size is good and I would say that your twelve weeks."

"When can we find out the sex?" I know I’m asking all of the questions Jo should be asking, but she is silent.

"In a few weeks. I can't tell at the moment but we can schedule in another ultrasound in a few weeks to determine the sex."

Looking at Jo I see she isn't even looking at the screen. She seems to be trying not to show any interest in the baby that’s growing inside of her.

"Jo, look at your baby. Would you like to find out the gender in a few weeks?"

Jo finally looks up at the screen and I see her mouth open wide. Placing a hand on her shoulder I smile, tears running down my face.

"No I think a surprise is good."

"I'm just going to listen to the heart beat to make sure everything’s fine. It will be quite fast but that's normal."

A few seconds later a fast thudding fills the room, it’s so magical hearing a tiny little heartbeat. Smiling at Jo I know she is going to be great, this is the greatest experience a woman could ever go through, creating a life. I just hope she makes the right choice.

Jeremy

Placing my guitar on the stand I run my hand through my hair and flash Brody a massive grin.

“That sounded awesome. The guys are going to be stoked with these new tunes.”

Brody sets his bass on the stand beside his stool and stretches his arms above his head. His shoulder and ribs have healed completely, but he said that his shoulder still gets a little stiff when he plays for an extended period of time.

We’ve been sitting in the small studio in my apartment for the last seven hours working on getting down some new melodies and lyrics. Brody really seems to have been inspired by his new found love for Ava and has been writing some great lyrics for a mushy ballad. For some reason all I have been able to contribute to our writing session is anger and frustration. My mind has been completely on Jo since our night out and the only image I see is her leaving with that dipshit, Jake. I still can’t believe she went home with him. I know Ava said Jo isn’t interested in him that way, but Brody told me that apparently they have been getting together for coffee dates, which makes my blood fucking boil.

For some reason, I can’t even think about spending time with other girls, but she was so quick to move on from our little…fling. A couple days after she went home with the douchebag, I went out to a bar downtown and picked up these two hot blonde chicks that were seriously down for a good time. But, as soon as they started running their hands all over me, all I could see was Jo’s gorgeous face and I couldn’t get away from them quick enough. Now, six weeks later, I still get angry when I think about them together. I know I told her to let me know when she’s ready for more, but I really seem to be struggling to let her go. The thought of her and another guy together just gets me so fucking angry.

I grab a couple of beers from the bar fridge and pass one to Brody before twisting the cap off mine and having a long drink.

“So, how’s Jo going?”

Brody frowns and glances down at the floor before looking up at me. He looks uncomfortable. I hate putting him in the middle of all of this, but he’s my only way of finding out how she’s doing.

“She’s okay, man. I guess she’s really busy with her classes and she ended up getting a job working with Tori. So, really I haven’t seen that much of her.”

“Is she um…is she seeing anyone?”

Brody shakes his head and smiles at me.

“You two are so fucking ridiculous, I don’t know which one of you is worse. She is always asking me about you, you’re always asking me about her. I just wish you two would wake up and realize that you fucking belong together.”

“I told you man, the ball’s in her court. I told her I wanted more with her than just a fuck and she didn’t believe it, so what more can I do?”

We finish our beers and work on our song for another hour before we’re completely happy with it. After Brody’s gone and I’m sitting on my couch staring at the television, Brody’s words repeat in my head. She’s been asking about me? Maybe I should give her a call. I don’t know if she’d want to talk to me though.

Picking up my phone off the side table, I type out a quick text.

Just wanted to say Hi and tell you that I miss you.

I hit send before I can change my mind and then sit here staring mindlessly, waiting for a reply.

It comes two hours later when I’m lying in bed, thinking of her.

I miss you too.

Feeling my lips lifting at the corners, I close my eyes and have the best night’s sleep in a long time.

***

A few days later, I am standing at Brody’s door. He invited me over to watch a fight on pay per view and as I stand here staring at his front door, I’m feeling quite nervous. I wonder if she’s here.

Raising my hand, I tap loudly with my knuckles. I hear movement and laughter from inside and a few seconds later the door opens.

Ava greets me with a huge smile and pulls me into her arms.

“Hey, you! I feel like I haven’t seen you for ages. Where have you been hiding Jeremy?”

I give her a lopsided grin as I enter the room.

“I’ve been around.”

Glancing around the living room I see the usual suspects. Tori and Hunter are curled up on a beanbag in front of the couch and Ava’s friend Lara is sitting on another one beside it. I quickly scan the room to see if her douche of a brother is here, and feel relieved when I don’t see him.

Laughter from the kitchen catches my attention and I look over to see Jo walk out holding a big bowl of potato chips, followed by Jake. Her steps halt when her eyes fall on me and my heart starts going crazy in my chest. She is looking beautiful in a loose, flowing, white peasant top and black tights. She stares at me for a few seconds before a smile lights up her eyes.

Just as I’m about to say hello Brody walks out of his bedroom and breaks my trance.

“Hey, Stone. Come in, pull up a chair.”

Jo and Jake make their way to one of the couches and I sit down on the other one. My eyes drift to Jo as she leans forward and places the bowl of chips on the coffee table. Her shoulder length hair is pulled up into a tiny little pony tail on the top of her head, with a few loose strands framing her face. As I sit here staring at her I can tell she is trying not to look at me. Her eyes betray her and they slowly drift to mine. It’s like everyone else in the room disappears and all I see is her. I would give anything to take her in my arms and show her just how much I want to be with her, but I’m not going to force her into something she doesn’t want to do. I make myself look away from her before I throw caution to the wind and act on my impulses.

Brody sits down on the couch beside me and Ava climbs onto his lap and places a kiss on his cheek. He takes hold of her hand and brings it up to his lips placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. My eyes drift back to Jo to find her watching me. She looks away quickly like she doesn’t want me to know that she was watching me. Glancing to her left I see Jake watching me, brows drawn together. What the fuck is his deal? He looks back at the TV and I turn to Brody.

“What’s the douchebag doing here?”

Ava leans toward me and hisses.

“Shh, he’ll hear you. I invited all of them around to watch the fight. I told you though, she isn’t interested in him.” She’s whispering, but I feel like everyone has heard us as I turn back to Jo and see her watching me again.

She suddenly rises out of her chair and walks into the kitchen.

Fuck this!

I jump out of my chair and follow her. When I enter the kitchen she is bent down looking inside the refrigerator.

Her black tights hug her gorgeous curves and I long to run my hands over her hips and ass. As my eyes travel down her long slender legs, she closes the door of the refrigerator and spins around, jumping slightly when she spots me standing in the doorway.

“Geez, Jeremy. You scared me. What are you doing? Do you want a drink?”

“Nah, I’m good. I just wanted to come and say hello.”

I take a couple more steps closer to her and her breath seems to hitch in her throat. She is watching my face, eyes wide and looking a little frightened.

“Are you avoiding me, Jo?”

She shakes her head.

“No, I’m not avoiding you. After what happened between us I thought we needed a little space.”

“No! We don’t. We don’t need space. We need to talk about it. It wasn’t just a one-time thing Jo, it happened twice. It happened and we need to talk about where we go from here.”

“There is nowhere for us to go. I told you it would never work between us Jeremy. We want different things in our lives…”

“Cut the bullshit, Jo.” She jumps a little as that sentence comes out a little louder than I expected. “You know there is more to this than just a f…”

A voice cuts me off and I spin around to see Jake standing behind me.

“Are you okay, Jo?”

“She’s fine. We’re just talking. Do you mind?”

He frowns then looks past me at Jo, as if waiting for her reply.

“I’m fine, Jake. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Are you sure?”

Balling my hands into fists I spin around to him.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I step toward him and stand a little taller. Fuck this kid is tall. He’s a fucking string bean though. All it would take is one punch and he’d be down for the count.

He doesn’t back away at all. I’ll give it to him, the kid has balls.

“I’m just a concerned friend. That’s all.”

Throwing my head back, I chuckle.

“Is that right? A concerned friend? More like you want to get your dick wet.”

“Jeremy!”

Jo makes her way around me and stands in between us, facing me with a look of rage in her eyes.

“Jo! Can’t you see this fuck head is just trying to get in your pants?”

She narrows her eyes at me.

“That is so not fair, Jeremy. Jake is a friend.”

“What? A friend with benefits?”