Chapter 12

Julie

Julie had just gotten home from class, and she was more exhausted than she'd been in a long time. Between Cody pressuring her to work for him, her dad being so damn excited about her brother, helping her sister get the baby's room ready, and keeping secrets from the one person that had always believed in her, her mother, she was barely getting any sleep at all, and it was taking it's toll on her.

She set her bag down on her desk, walked over, and fell onto her bed, hoping for just a little sleep. The apartment was quiet.

Jessie only had one month to go before the baby would be there, and she was determined to work until the very last moment. She worked at the hospital she'd be giving birth in, so Julie didn't push her to quit working.

As Julie soaked up the silence, she thought about Cody. Nothing he'd done had represented what her father had said about him, not one thing. She'd known him for three months, and in that time, he'd been amazing. They'd gone out together, and they'd sat at her apartment too. He'd even helped her put furniture together in the baby's room. She'd opened up about Gavin working for their dad and how upset she was, and he'd done nothing to use that against her. They'd sat on the phone talking for hours. Not once had he talked down to her or made her feel like she was any less than him. He'd also never made her feel like she wasn't good enough. That was more than she could say for her own father. Cody was a good guy. She knew he was. He listened when she spoke, and she was pretty sure he'd even used some of her suggestions at his company. When she'd got the teaching job for the summer, he'd congratulated her and asked her often how things were going. Again, more than her father did. Cody even complimented her and told her how smart she was. That was usually when he was trying to get her to work with him, but he'd still said it. There was nothing bad about him, not one thing, and she was done trying to find fault in him.

Just as Julie was drifting off, she heard her phone ring and jumped to grab it. When she saw it was one of the school's numbers, a nervous feeling ran through her. Had she done something wrong? Had one of the students complained about her? She sat up on her bed and quickly pulled herself together. Then she answered the phone.

“Hello,” she said.

“Julie?” the voice on the other end questioned.

She recognized the voice right away. It was coming from the head of the department she was teaching in, the same man that had hired her to teach for the summer.

“Yes,” she replied. “Is everything okay?”

“More than okay,” he said. “I have some news for you and an offer to go with it.”

“Really?” she asked, in a nervous tone.

“Your students rated you higher than any teacher in the last few years,” he said. “They love you, Julie. You've done a great job this semester. That's where the offer comes in. I would like to offer you a teaching position for the fall, and I already know exactly what classes you'd be teaching.”

Julie listened, as the man went on, with excitement in his tone, about each class she would be expected to teach. She loved them all. They were offering her a full schedule. She couldn't believe it.

“I'm going to need your answer as soon as possible,” the man said. “Classes start in two weeks, and I'd like you to be there right from the start. You can come by my office tomorrow and pick up everything you'll need. I already have it sitting on my desk.”

“Already?” she asked.

“I know you have other options, Julie,” he said, “but I'm hoping you'll give this serious consideration. We really would love to have you stay on as a teacher here. You're amazing at what you do.”

Julie couldn't help but feel the pride that filled her. They liked how she taught, and they wanted her there. That was so exciting to her. She enjoyed teaching. The students listened, and she felt like she'd actually been able to help them learn. That felt better than anything she'd ever done before.

“I'll get back to you by the end of the day,” she said.

“Great,” he said. “I'm emailing you the offer right now. You can just reply to that. I'm hoping to see you in my office tomorrow, Julie. You would definitely be an asset to our team.”

Julie hung up and fell back onto her bed with her phone still in her hand. They wanted her to stay. She didn't want to leave her sister, and she honestly wasn't ready to go home. If she was being truthful with herself, she wasn't ready to leave Cody either. The thought of being hours away from him bothered her. She wasn't sure how he felt about her, but she knew she wasn't ready to let him go yet. He was sweet and so damn gorgeous, not to mention his mouth and just how good it felt on hers. They hadn't done more than kiss, but she enjoyed it every single time. He hadn't tried for more, and she was both relieved and disappointed at the same time. Nobody knew it, but she hadn't been with a man yet. She'd been too busy studying and working in college to bother with parties or boys, and not once had she ever thought about any man in that way, not until Cody. She'd definitely thought about him a time or two, but she'd never acted on it. Taking that step with him would make a difference, it would mean something, not just to her but to the people she loved as well. That wasn't something she was ready for.

If she stayed, she'd be there when the baby was born, and that was something she definitely wanted. There was no way she wanted her sister to be alone while she was bringing a baby into the world. That would also give her three months to help her sister in any way she needed. It would give her time to see what would happen between her and Cody too. Top that off with teaching even more students about coding, and she was so close to being sold. The only thing holding her back from making the decision was her father, the one she hadn't heard from since she'd told him she was staying for the summer, except for when he called to tell her about Gavin working for him.. Why she even thought to take him into consideration in the situation, she didn't know. Her brother was there to help him, and that seemed to be all he needed.

Julie closed her eyes. She'd wait for Cody to call after work. Then she'd make her final decision. Why did he matter? He'd be honest with her. He'd tell her what he really thought about the situation. Asking anyone else wouldn't work. Anyone she could possibly ask would have a stilted view on the situation. That wasn't what she needed. She needed honesty, and she felt Cody was the only one that would give her that.

When Julie opened her eyes again, the room was dark. She reached around for her phone and found it under her covers. When she turned it on and saw that it was ten o'clock, she jumped up from her bed and hurried to turn her bedroom light on. Then she checked her phone again.

Cody hadn't sent her a message, and he hadn't called either. That was strange. He must have been busy, she thought. He usually sent her a text when he got home, called her on his way home, or stopped by, but he'd done none of that. Part of her felt hurt. Then she realized there was no reason for it. She had no claim to him. He was under no obligation to contact her. She'd just gotten used to it, and that was her fault. Another part of her was actually worried about him. Was he okay? Had something happened? Was he just really busy? Was it something else? A third part of her wanted his advice on the teaching job. Did she really want advice, or did she just want him to tell her it was a good idea so she didn't feel the blame would be on her if it didn't work out, she wondered? Shit!

“What is wrong with you?” she asked herself aloud. “You're friends. If you want to call him, do it. He doesn't have to always be the one contacting you. Just call the man and be done with it.”

“Call who?” she heard Jessie ask, as she jumped and turned toward her door.

“Cody,” Julie answered. “I wanted to ask his opinion about something.”

“So call him,” Jessie said. “What's the big deal?”

“What if he's busy?” Julie asked. “What if he's in a meeting? Shit! What if he's with someone?”

“Then he won't answer,” Jessie said. “You two drive me crazy.”

“Why is that?” Julie asked, feeling offended.

“No reason,” Jessie said, as she waved her hand, turned, and walked back out of Julie's room.

“Yeah,” Julie said. “What's the big deal?”

She pulled up Cody's number and hit call. When the phone rang, she was just about to hit end call when she heard his voice.

“What's up?” he asked, as soon as he answered.

“Are you busy?” she asked.

“I'm just working, why?” he asked.

“You're still at the office,” she said, mocking shock as she laughed.

“No,” he answered, without a hint of laughter in the word. “I'm working at home.”

“Oh,” she said, sensing something in his tone she couldn't place. “You know what, I'm sorry. I'll let you go.”

“No,” he said, as he let out a sigh. “I need a break anyway. What's up?”

“I just wanted to get your advice on something,” she answered.

“Okay,” he said, with nervousness in his voice.

“They want me to teach for the fall semester,” she said. “A full class load.”

“No way!” he let out with excitement, and Julie couldn't help but wonder what he'd been nervous about just a moment before. “That's awesome, right? You love teaching. You're great at it too.”

“You just saying that so I'll concentrate on something other than kicking your ass?” she asked.

“Not at all,” he answered, with seriousness in his words. “Do whatever you want. I just thought you liked teaching.”

“I do,” she said. “I really do.”

“So what do you need my advice for?” he asked. “It sounds like you've already got it all figured out.”

“I don't know,” she answered, as she let out a huff and fell down onto her bed.

“What are you thinking, Julie?” he asked. “Honestly.”

“I don't want to leave Jessie,” she answered. “I don't want to leave you either.”

“Don't stay because of me,” he let out quickly.

“Okay,” she replied. “I think I'm going to just let you go. Thanks for answering the phone though. I wanted to get an opinion, your opinion, but I made a mistake. Bye.”

“Wait!” he shouted, just before her finger hit the button. “I'm sorry. I've been really stressed. It's not your fault.”

“Want to talk about it?” she asked.

“No,” he answered. “I'm fine. I didn't mean anything bad by what I said. I just don't want you to make a decision with me in mind. I want you to do what you want to do.”

“Okay,” she said. “I don't want my sister to have this baby alone. I want to be here to help her.”

“Then take the job,” he said.

“I guess,” she said.

“What's stopping you from taking it, Julie?” he asked.

When she didn't answer, he said her name again.

“My dad,” she answered. “He wasn't happy when I accepted the job for the summer. I can't imagine what he'll say now.”

“You're happy, right?” Cody asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “I am. I still code. I just don't do it for a living. I do it for myself.”

“Then he'll be happy for you,” he said.

“I sure hope so,” she said. “I don't know why he'd care anyway. He has my brother.”

“What?” Cody asked, in a questioning tone. “At work?”

“Yeah,” she answered.

“You need to do what's right for you, Julie,” he said, with a softness to his words. “You should be where you're happiest. It needs to be for you. Not Jessie, not me, and not your dad. Make you happy. That's what matters most.”

“Thank you!” she said. “I knew you would understand. I'll talk to you later.”

“Julie,” he said, so softly that she barely heard it.

“Yes,” she said.

“Nothing,” he said. “Bye.”

She hung up the phone, and a sad feeling filled her. Why did it feel like he was pulling away? Things had been perfect just the day before.

Julie looked down at her phone and knew what she was going to do. She'd known before she'd even called him. Her email was right there, staring back at her. She opened the one with the offer and was happy to see a higher salary than she thought she would find. That wasn't something she'd even considered when making her decision, and that made her laugh. If her dad knew that, he'd really give her a talking-to. She hit the reply button and typed out her acceptance. Once she'd sent it, she set her phone down and walked out of her room.

“Hope you like having me around,” she said, as she walked over to the couch and sat down next to her sister.

“Why's that?” Jessie asked.

“I accepted an offer to stay for fall classes,” she said.

Her sister's head turned faster than Julie thought it could.

“Seriously?” Jessie asked. “Why?”

“Damn!” Julie said. “Seems like I'm not wanted here at all.”

“Oh, you're wanted,” Jessie said, with excitement filling her words. “I just want to make sure it's not because of me. If you don't want to be here, you shouldn't be.”

“I want to be here,” Julie said. “I want to see my niece come into this world, and I want to spend time with her. I wouldn't mind getting to know Cody a little better either. I like teaching, so that's an added bonus.”

“You're really staying?” Jessie asked.

“I am,” Julie answered.

“Have you told dad?” Jessie asked, with her eyes opened wide and a nervous look on her face.

“No,” Julie answered. “He'll figure it out when I'm not there. Shit! He probably won't even notice.”

“Oh, he'll notice,” Jessie said. “He's probably counting the days.”

“I seriously doubt that,” Julie said.

She hadn't even finished her sentence when she heard her phone ring from her room. Figuring it was Cody calling back, maybe to apologize for being so short with her, she ran to grab it and answered without even looking at the screen.

“Hey, Cody,” she said. “You ready to have me kick your ass after all.”

“Excuse me,” her dad's deep voice boomed through the line. “Who the fuck is Cody? What's this about kissing his ass?”

“I said kicking,” Julie answered. “What's up? I haven't heard from you in a while.”

“When will you be here?” he asked.

“What?” she asked in return.

“Are those classes you insisted on teaching over yet?” he asked. “I need you here, Julie.”

“Hello to you too,” she said, as she walked back into the living room and sat down where she'd been before. “Don't you think you could at least ask how I am before going on about what you need?”

“I'm sorry,” he said. “How are you?”

“Good,” she answered.

“Great,” he said. “I just really need you here. That fucking Williams punk is getting on my nerves, and your brother is bailing on me.”

“What?” she asked.

“The Williams punk,” her dad snapped out. “I don't know. He's gotten some pretty good ideas lately, and his ass stole another damn client.”

“Stole a client?” I asked. “Are you sure he didn't just outbid you?”

“Whatever,” her dad growled out. “Either way, I'm not happy.”

“What about Gavin?” she asked. “Did he finally figure out that he hates it there?”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” her dad barked out.

“Nothing,” she barked back. “Don't take it out on me. I didn't do anything.”

“You should have been here,” he said roughly. “This is where you belong.”

“Working for you?” she asked.

“Exactly,” he said, with happiness in his tone.

“So, what happened to Gavin?” she asked.

“Some shit about wanting to fight fires,” he replied, with aggravation filling his words. “Can you believe that shit? He's not been back that long. His ass was injured pretty badly. I can't believe they're even going to take him, but they are. That isn't him. He belongs here. I'm sure he'll see that after a bit. He's doing it because of Jack. I know he is.”

“You think he's doing it because of Jack?” she asked. “It couldn't possibly be what he really wants.”

“Doing what because of Jack?” Jessie asked.

“So, when are you coming home?” her dad asked.

“Gavin left,” Julie mouthed at Jessie. “He's going to fight fires and dad thinks it's because of Jack.”

“Oh,” Jessie said.

“Julie,” her dad snapped. “What are you doing?”

“Talking to my sister,” she answered. “I don't know how to tell you this, dad. I'm not coming home. I accepted a full load of classes for the fall semester.”

“Julie,” he snapped out, sounding like he was going to lose his mind. “You belong here. What is this shit about teaching? You're a developer.”

“I am,” she said. “I can teach and code at the same time.”

“This is bullshit,” he growled out. “You should be working at the family company. What is wrong with you kids? Where did I go wrong?”

“Gavin,” Julie heard her mom snap in the background. “That's enough.”

“I counted on Julie,” he replied to her mom.

“Really?” Julie asked. “You could have fooled me.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” he snapped.

“Gavin,” Julie heard her mom growl out at him. “That is enough. She will do what she wants. If teaching makes her happy, then so be it.”

“What about fucking Williams?” her dad asked. “That little punk is going to win. I will not have that.”

“What do you have against him?” Julie asked, and she thought her dad's head was going to instantly explode.

“What do I have against him?” he yelled. “He's an asshole. Just a young punk thinking he's going to push me out.”

“Is he?” Julie asked. “Is he playing dirty, or is he playing fair?”

“Oh, so you're on his side now,” he yelled into the phone.

“Not at all,” she answered, with her words much calmer than she was really feeling. “I just don't get you, dad. I really don't.”

“You'll be home in the winter, Julie,” he said roughly. “You will come home as soon as those classes are over. I don't care if I have to come there and carry you out over my shoulder. You belong here.”

“Gavin,” her mom yelled. “Hang up that phone right now.”

“Becky,” he snapped.

“Don't you Becky me,” she snapped back. “You will not talk to my little girl that way.”

The next thing Julie knew, her mom's voice was coming through the line.

“I'm sorry, baby,” she said. “He's just having a small breakdown. I'll be sure to kick his ass for you. You do what you love. Do you hear me?”

“Yeah,” Julie said, feeling so damn bad for keeping secrets from the one person that was actually in her corner. “I love you, mom. I'll talk to you later.”

She hung up the phone and looked over at Jessie.

“Maybe I should tell him I'm pregnant,” Jessie joked, but Julie heard a sadness in her words. “That would take him over the edge.”

“Not funny,” Julie said. “I swear I could almost hear the veins in his head bulging out.”

She let her head fall back against the couch and her eyes closed. Then it hit her. When she'd said something to Cody about her dad having Gavin, his voice changed and he questioned her. Julie felt anger fill her, as she brought her phone to life and pulled up a new text.

Julie: You knew, didn't you?

It didn't take long for her phone to ding.

Cody: What?

Julie: You obviously know I'm his daughter, and you knew Gavin bailed on my dad. I could hear it in your voice. You knew, but you didn't tell me. How the fuck did you know, Cody?

Julie's phone rang instantly. It was him. She shook her head and declined the call.

Cody: Of course I know you're his daughter, but that doesn't mean shit to me. I just found out about your brother today.

Julie: But you didn't tell me. I just got a call from my dad.

Before he could even answer, she'd already hurriedly typed out another message.

Julie: What the hell is wrong with you two? You should have heard the things he said about you on the phone. It was awful. The craziest part of it all was that I defended you. I defended you, Cody. I know you're not the man he makes you out to be, at least I didn't think you were.

Cody: I'm not, Julie. I've never done anything to your father or your uncle. I don't know what those two have against me. I do business fairly. I have never done anything shady or behind their backs. I hope you believe me.

Julie: I don't know what I believe anymore. You should have told me about my brother before I accepted the teaching job.

Cody: Would it have changed your mind, Julie? Would you have went home just because of that? If you wanted to leave, you wouldn't have accepted the job.

Julie: You should have told me.

Cody: I'm sorry. I keep my business and personal life separate.

Julie: Really? So which am I? Business or personal?

Before he could answer, she replied again, too afraid to find out his answer.

Julie: Don't answer that. I'll talk to you later. Bye!

Before Cody even had time to answer, Julie shut her phone off. She didn't want to talk to her dad, her mom, or Cody. All she wanted was to be alone.

“You okay?” Jessie asked.

“I don't know,” Julie answered.

She really didn't know the answer to her sister's question.

Julie got up, walked into her room, turned out the lights, and fell onto her bed, closing out the world around her.