Surrender (18 page)

Ava

Dipping a chip into the salsa I admire Lara's wild red hair. It's beyond curly, it's unruly. Her blue eyes are shining in the sun light and she opens her mouth to stuff a nacho chip in.

"So how long have you and Brody been together?"

"Ahh. That is a really complicated answer. Well over all maybe four months. We were together for two months before his accident but then kind of separated because he didn’t even remember who I was. We have just started dating over the last month and a bit. Overall, I have known him for about six and a half months."

"Shit, that is complicated. I did read about that in a magazine, I can't imagine how hard that has been for you both."

"We are making it though. Anyway enough about me how did you make your way to fame?"

"Jake, Ashley and I have always been musical, mom had us going to a music tutor from a young age and eventually we started up our own band. Played at some clubs and got noticed and that was that."

"That's great. You guys are so talented. I can’t imagine what it would be like spending so much time with your siblings though. You must all be really close to one another?"

"Yeah, we are. We fight like any normal siblings though."

My phone buzzes on the table and I open the message from Brody.

Next Friday at San Rita's, 6 o'clock
.
It's a retro cafe and bar.

I text back a smiley face and look back up to Lara.

"So next Friday, you, Ashley and Jake have to come to this little retro cafe bar San Rita's at six and meet Relentless Soul."

"Sounds great. I know the place. I'll check with everyone and let you know if we can make it."

"That will be great, I'm sure you will all get along like a house on fire." Smiling, I pick my water up and have a sip.

***

Standing in Brody's bedroom I put on a black skirt and my purple halter neck. Turning around I see Brody staring at me with a cheeky smirk on his face.

"What?"

"You are just stunning that’s all."

Smiling back at him, I feel a warm feeling spread over my chest.

"Thanks. Can you please see if Jo is almost ready? We need to leave soon."

Pulling my hair down from its tie, I let it flow down around my back and shoulders.

"We're ready."

"I'm all done now, let's go and call a taxi."

***

Walking out on the patio of San Rita's we greet Emma, Tori, Hunter, Luke and Jeremy. Brody hugs the girls and shakes hands with the guys, while I make my way around hugging everyone. Jo gives everyone a hug but takes a wide step around Jeremy, avoiding any contact with him. Sitting down on the lounge chairs outside we look out over the street. The guys all head off to the bar to get drinks while we wait for the members of Finn to show. Lara sent me a message saying they were a few minutes away.

"So how has every one’s week been?"

Looking at Tori I wait for her to answer Jo's question.

"It's been really busy; work has been crazy this week. Erica has really been breathing down my back, with this fashion show coming up. I'm so thankful for tonight."

Emma smiles shyly as she starts telling us about her week.

"Work has been pretty laid back this week but I met this cute guy in the cafe down from the studio. He brought my coffee for me and gave me his number; we are going to the baseball tomorrow."

"Wow, what’s he like?" I ask her.

"Well he is tall, sandy hair, blue eyes and has the sweetest smile."

"So dreamy. What about you Ava?"

"Oh work has been a bit sluggish. They are sending me all over the place to check out music videos and new record labels and stuff."

"Cool, is that new band you met coming?"

"Yeah Em, they will be here soon."

"And you Jo?"

Jo shrugs, "School is really coming along and I'm taking extra classes to get it over with, but I'm going to have to get a part time job, I'm looking at a few design houses to start to boost my career."

"Jo there might be a place going at my work, you should check it out."

"Oh thanks, Tori I'll check it out."

Tori looks over at me.

“So what is this new band like? I’ve seen a couple of pictures around. The guy’s hot. Little bit punk, little bit rock, whole lot of tattoos. Yummy.”

I can’t help the laugh that flies out of my mouth as I glance around to make sure that Hunter isn’t around to hear his girlfriend talking about another guy like that. As I scan the bar, I see Brody standing with his back to the bar watching me. My eyes meet his and I can feel the heat in them. My God, he is the most beautiful man I have ever met. His dark hair is messy, like I’ve been running my hands through it in the throes of passion and I can’t help but sigh a little as he flashes me a lopsided smile. My eyes travel down his lean, but muscular body and I just want to go to him and wrap my body around his. My heart speeds up and I feel my stomach doing little somersaults as I think about what I’m going to do to him when I get him home tonight.

Jeremy

As we wait at the bar for our drinks I turn around and glance back at the table where the girls are sitting. They’re all chatting and laughing, except for Jo. She is staring out at the street, with a strange expression on her face. I hate seeing her looking so down, but I just don’t know what I can say to make her change her mind about us.

Suddenly, her eyes meet mine and she catches me watching her. I feel the corners of my mouth tilt in a small grin, but she just frowns and looks away. It feels like a punch in the gut, but what can I do. I told her how I feel, the balls in her court now.

As I glance around the room, movement near the girls table catches my attention. Two girls and a guy have just arrived and are greeting Ava. They must be from that band Ava was telling me about. I haven’t heard any of their music, but from what Brody has told me about them, it sounds like they have a bit of a punk rock sound. The girl with the fiery red hair is hugging Ava and I see the other girl sit down in the seat next to Tori. The guy is tall and dressed in tight black jeans and a Blink 182 t-shirt. His dark hair is kind of on the long side and shaggy. He has a couple of small spacers in his ears and his arms are covered with colorful sleeve tattoos. Apparently they are siblings but they all look totally different. The redhead turns to her brother and says something. He says something to Ava, but then his eyes dart back to Jo as she stands and shakes his hand. I stand up straight and I feel my body tense. Fuck! Calm down, she only shook his hand.

He is still gripping Jo’s hand and I feel like storming over there and staking my claim on her in front of everyone, but I know that would just make her hate me even more. The sleazy fucker finally let’s go of her hand but then sits down in the chair beside hers. Come
on
! I grab my beer and Jo’s glass of wine off the bar and leave the other guys to bring everyone else’s drink. I walk over to the table, my eyes on Jo. I expect her to look up at me but she just stares at this douchebag. Anyone would think it was him she was fucking a few days ago, the way she’s staring up into his eyes. As I reach the table all eyes turn to me. The redhead gives me a sexy smile, but my eyes drift back to Jo as I place her wine on the table in front of her.

“Here you go, Babe.”

She glares at me before picking up her glass and taking a sip. I sit down on the other side of the douchebag, the only other vacant seat that’s close to Jo, and introduce myself to him.

“Hey, I’m Jeremy.”

He holds out his hand.

“Hey, man. I know who you are. I’ve been to a few of your shows. You’re killer on your guitar, dude.”

“Oh…thanks.” Fuck, the guys nice. That makes it worse.

The guys return from the bar and place the drinks down on the table. We seem to be one chair short so Ava stands up and lets Brody sit down on her chair before sitting back down on his lap. Fuck! Get a room you two.

Nah, I’m happy they are sorting their shit out and getting dirty again. If anyone deserves to find this kind of true love and happiness it’s my man Brody. I glance at Jo again and see her watching me. She quickly looks away as a smile spreads across her face. She wants me, I know she does.

For the next couple of hours I sit in my chair, downing my beers and internally seething over the fact that this guy is trying to pick up my woman. He gradually moved his chair closer to hers until he was almost sitting in her fucking lap, and the worst thing is she doesn’t seem to be too pissed off about it. Is she trying to make me jealous? Because, if she is, it’s fucking working. The redhead, Lara keeps giving me the eye and is kind of making me uncomfortable. Normally, I’d be keen, but I can’t think about being with anyone but Jo. Ever since the night in the back of my car, all I can think about is her. When I close my eyes at night, in my mind I see her beautiful smile. When I wake up in the morning, I imagine waking up beside her. She has taken over my brain and my dick. I don’t think I could even get a boner for any other chick anymore.

As I watch Jo giggle at something the douchebag says, she goes to sip on her wine but stops as the glass reaches her lips. She has a slight frown on her pale face as she stands up out of her chair saying softly that she’s going to the bathroom.

After a few minutes she still isn’t back, and I’m a little concerned.

Leaning over to my right I lightly tap Ava on her arm.

“Hey, Jo went to the bathroom a few minutes ago and she didn’t look well. I’m a little worried about her. Would you mind checking on her for me?”

Ava jumps off of Brody’s lap and makes her way to the bathroom. As I wait for the girls to emerge from the bathroom, my eyes don’t move away from the door.

The douche, otherwise known as Jake, tries to start a conversation with me, but at the risk of coming across like a cockhead, I can’t be bothered.

What feels like half an hour, but is actually only two minutes after Ava went in; she and Jo emerge from the bathroom. My brows crease in concern as I take in Jo’s pale appearance. The hair around her face looks damp like she has splashed water on her face and her eyes are red. She doesn’t bother sitting back down as she approaches the table, she just picks up her handbag.

Everyone turns to look at her.

“I’m really sorry guys, but I’m not feeling well, so I’m going to head home.”

I stand up and place a hand on her shoulder and I feel her body tense.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to go and flag down a cab for you?”

She shakes her head and looks away.

“No that’s fine. I can do that myself.”

Jake chooses that exact moment to try and be the hero.

“Hey, Jo, I’m the designated driver tonight. I can give you a ride home.”

My gaze snaps to him. If looks could fucking kill…

Jo turns to Jake.

“Are you sure you don’t mind? That would be really great. Thanks Jake.”

Is she fucking kidding? She only just met this guy a couple hours ago and she’s going to let him drive her home?

I flop back down in my chair and pick up my beer, needing to do something with my hands so I don’t punch the cocky smirk off this guy’s face.

Jo glances at me before walking off with Jake and I am left sitting here feeling like I could just punch someone or something. Downing the rest of my beer I get up and walk to the bar. Time to get shit faced.

As I wait for my beer, I feel a hand on my shoulder. Glancing back I see Ava’s gorgeous face looking worried.

“Jer, are you okay?”

Leaning on the bar I drop my head into my hands.

“I don’t know what to do, Ava. This girl is driving me fucking crazy. One minute she’s all over me and the next she’s taking off with other guys.”

“She’s not interested in him Jeremy. She’s in love with you.”

I laugh but the sound is hollow.

“Yeah, well, she has a funny way of showing it. She told me the other night, after fucking my brains out; that she couldn’t be with me. She doesn’t think I could be faithful to her. I don’t know what to do. I can’t stop thinking about her. Every minute of every fucking day, I wonder where she is and what she’s doing. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.”

I turn and look at Ava to see her grinning at me.

“I do. You’re in love with her.”

She pats me on my shoulder before walking back to the table where Brody is sitting, watching her stroll toward him, his love for her so evident in his eyes. Is Ava right? Am I in love with Jo? I see what Brody has with Ava and at times I still feel jealous. Not really jealous that he has Ava, but the fact that he has someone. I grab my beer and throw some money down on the bar as I make my way back to the group.

Ava

Sitting down at our usual table at Daisy's, I wait for the girls to show up to our weekly coffee date. Hearing the bell ring above the door I look up and see Tori walking towards me. She smiles and sits down in the chair opposite me.

"Hey, have you been here long?"

"No, I just got here. How has your week been?"

"Pretty good, I had an amazing weekend of just doing nothing. I did have a small hangover on Saturday though. What do you and Brody have planned for this weekend?"

"Nothing really, just hanging at home, and spending some time with Ash."

"How is the little fur ball doing?"

"Not so little."

Looking at Emma who has just answered Tori’s question, I smile. She takes the seat beside me.

"Yeah not so little, he’s really playful and a bit naughty but he is just so cute and I just love him."

"You would love anything that gave you those sad little eyes."

Giggling at Emma we all look at Jo who has just entered the café and sat down beside Tori.

Tori's eyes widen.

"Shit."

"What." Jo mumbles looking at Tori.

"Jo, are you okay?"

"Why?"

"You look really pale, are you still sick?"

"I don't feel that crash hot actually."

Emma looks up at me and raises her eyebrows.

"Jo, have you been to the doctor?"

Jo pauses, "No Tori, I…um…I…"

"What is it? Jo?" Emma's petite face frowns.

"I'm too scared?"

"What do you mean Jo, why?"

We all stare at Jo and wait for her to answer me. She doesn't even look up.

"You think you might be pregnant?"

Jo's eyes fly up to Tori and she slowly nods her head. Emma places her hand on Jo's.

"Have you done a test?"

She looks up at me and shakes her head.

"Right. Tori can you and Emma go and buy two tests from the chemist and meet me and Jo back at my house?"

"Sure but from where?"

"The chemist."

"What the hell is that?"

Shaking my head I look around at the table and all of the girls are smiling. Looking Tori in the eyes I rephrase myself.

"The drug store."

A cackle erupts around the table as the girls all make fun of my Australian sayings. This is a weekly thing. Normally these weekly coffee dates consist of the girls giving me American words and I tell them the Australian equivalent and then they laugh at me. The whole flip flops and thongs thing had them crying with laughter, none of them could understand why Aussies named a pair of shoes after underwear. I grab my handbag and push my chair back. "Ok Jo lets go."

"What? Now?"

"Yes we need to find out now."

"But…"

"Jo, no buts. You need to know. You were drinking the other night. What if you are pregnant and we don't find out now? The baby could be at risk."

"Oh god, you’re right. I have only just started thinking I might be but I can't leave it any longer. I won't take that risk I can't."

"Ok we will see you girls soon. Be quick and discreet."

***

Rolling Ash’s toy mouse back and forth across the floor, Tori, Emma and I wait nervously in the living room. Jo opens up the bathroom door tears running down her face.

"It's positive isn't it?"

Jo just nods again; she can't even find the words to answer Emma. She flops down on my couch with the stick still in her hand. She just sits there watching it like she’s hoping it’s going to change. She starts sobbing, "What am I going to do."

"Well do you know who the father is?"

Looking over at Tori I can't believe she asked that, then again it is Tori.

"There has only been one."

"Fuck Jo."

Tori and Emma look up to me and a look of curiosity crosses their faces. I look at Jo and she has finally stopped looking at the stick.

She nods at me, knowing my thoughts.

"Jeremy."

"What? No way. When did that happen?" Tori is completely surprised, although I don’t know why she would be. Jeremy has been flirting with Jo for the last couple of months.

"The night of the party and then again a few weeks ago, after we met up at a bar.”

"So which time do you think it happened?"

"My guess is the first. It would probably be too early to tell if it had happened the second time. But what am I going to do? I don't even know if I want children let alone be a single mom."

"Jo just give it some time, think about it. You need to go to the doctor and double check, let them confirm it before you make any plans."

Jo sighs and rests her head on the back of the couch.

“This is such a fucking mess. I told Jeremy it was a mistake.”

Tori gasps.

“I bet he didn’t take that well.”

Jo shakes her head.

“I have been such a bitch to him. Straight after it happened I pretty much threw him out of the house and told him we couldn’t do anything more. He’s never going to forgive me for this.” A tear runs down her cheek and I shift closer to her, resting my hand on her knee.

“Jo, Jeremy is a great guy. He will be there for you, and the baby.”

She looks over at me, the tears staining her cheeks.

“After the way I treated him I’d be surprised if he ever speaks to me again.”

Shaking my head, I try to reassure her.

“Jeremy loves you, Jo. I know he hasn’t admitted that to you, but I can tell. He cares about you. I’m sure when you tell him; he will be there for you.”

Jo sits up shaking her head.

“I can’t tell him yet and neither can you girls. Please promise me that you won’t say anything to him you guys.”

We all agree that we won’t say anything to Jeremy, but I’m secretly hoping that she tells him soon.