Chapter 21

Cody

When Cody stood on the stage and looked out at everyone that had come to the charity event, his eyes zeroed in on Julie, the most beautiful woman in the room, and that was where they stayed. There was just something about her, he couldn't pull them away. Seeing her look up at him as if what he was saying was the most important thing in the world, Cody knew she was the one, the one that he'd want by his side forever. When he stepped off that stage, he went right to her. Nothing was going to stand in his way.

They danced and talked, and for the first time ever, he actually wanted to stay. He wanted to be right there, with her, until there wasn't a person left in the place. Then he wanted to take her home and show her just how much she meant to him. She was his, and she was perfect.

Then it happened, and his world was torn in two. Someone he hadn't seen in months approached him. Then the guy opened his mouth, and before Cody could say anything, Julie was there. She was hurt, and she was angry. She had every right to be. What she'd overheard was fucked up, but it wasn't true, not all of it.

Before he could stop her, she was gone. He wanted to go after her, but he couldn't leave, not until he thanked everyone for coming and giving to such a great cause. Cody was passionate about the charities his company was involved in, and he couldn't let his emotions and mistakes stand in the way of the things he was able to do with the help of the people around him.

As he walked around the room, speaking to each person, he thought about her. She'd said she loved him. Had she meant it? Had she even realized she'd said it? The more he thought about those words, the faster he worked to get out of there. He was shocked that she'd said it, but what shocked him even more was the fact that it didn't scare him, not one bit.

It wasn't until he'd said his last thank you and goodbye that he thought about what she'd said on her way out. It wasn't her father that outbid him, and it wasn't her uncle either. It was her. She'd outbid him on a huge job. How the fuck had she pulled that off? What else was she keeping from him? Was she any better than he was?

He got in his car and took off as fast as he could. When he pulled up outside of her apartment, there were so many emotions running through him. He got out, grabbed the bag her sister had packed for her, and stormed up the sidewalk. When he pounded on the door and it swung open, there was a very pissed off Jessie on the other side. He looked by her to see Julie, asleep on the couch, still in the dress she'd been wearing at the event. Her face was red and stained with tears, and even in her sleep, he could see the hurt.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Jessie asked, as she pushed against him, walked out, and closed the door behind her.

“I need to see her,” he said. “It's not what she thinks.”

“Not tonight you won't,” Jessie said sternly. “What the fuck, Cody?”

“Listen, Jessie,” he began, but she cut him off.

“I don't get it,” she said. “She told me what your friend said.”

“He's not my friend,” Cody hissed out. “Not anymore anyway.”

“Did you do it?” she asked, with hurt in her tone. “Did you really use her?”

Cody opened his mouth to answer, but she cut him off again.

“I warned you,” she growled out. “When you first came here, I fucking warned you. Do you remember that?”

“I do,” he answered.

“But you kept on,” she said. “Not only did you keep talking to her and spending time with her, but you helped us get ready for the baby. You put the furniture together. You played with Jackie many times. You went to our parents' home. Shit! You fucking took her virginity. Why would you hurt her like that? She never did a damn thing to you but care about you.”

“Jessie,” he said.

“No,” she said, as she shook her head. “You're good. You even fooled me, and I was watching you. I don't know how you do it, but you're fucking good. You even had us defending you. Her to our father, and me to her.”

“You?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she snapped. “I was on your side, Cody. I was pushing her to trust you, and I was wrong. I'm so fucking disgusted with you. She's a good person, and you were the first guy she really let in. How could you hurt her so bad just to get ahead?”

“I'm not, Jessie,” Cody said, hurting worse than than he'd already been. “It's not like that. I care about her. It has nothing to do with your dad. I swear.”

“I don't believe you, Cody,” she said. “You're fucked. When my dad finds out about this, he's going to come after you. You don't mess with one of his. The rest of the parents are the same way. They will all come together. Then there's the crew. All those kids you saw, they'll do whatever it takes for another, but they're still not the worst of your worries. That would be Jason. He will tear your ass from limb to limb, Cody. I fucking warned you, but you didn't listen. You've made a huge mistake. If I were you, I'd go and never come back. I'll take care of her.”

Jessie turned to walk away, but Cody couldn't let her. He couldn't let things be over between Julie and him. There was no way. He quickly stepped between Jessie and the door.

“Jessie,” he said.

“If I were you, I'd get out of my way,” she snapped.

“Listen to me,” he growled out. “Please, just listen. You're the only one that can help me.”

“Not anymore,” she said, as she pushed against him.

“I knew you were pregnant,” he said. “I knew you hadn't told your parents. If I wanted to get to your dad, don't you think I would have told him?”

Jessie stopped pushing against him, and he watched her body relax.

“If I wanted to hurt him, that would have done it,” he continued. “I didn't say a word, not to anyone. When I went to his home, I knew the baby was a girl, but I said nothing. I didn't say a single thing to piss him off. Instead, I stood by Julie, ready to rip his ass apart if he did anything to hurt her.”

“I don't know,” she said, as she looked up at him with confusion written all over her face.

“What about you?” he asked.

“Me,” she said, as her hand moved to cover her chest. “What about me?”

“Julie doesn't think you know the baby's father,” he said. “She thinks it's a guy you met, were with once, and is now gone, but that's not true. We both know it. I heard you that day, talking to the baby. You do know him. You've even written to him. Did I tell her? No. Did I tell your father? No. You have to believe me. I need your help.”

“But that guy said you used her,” she said. “Did you?”

“I won't lie,” he said. “That first time I met her, in class, I thought about your dad. Then I heard her say where she was going to be that night, and I showed up. That again was because of him, but that was it. That was where it ended, Jessie. The next time I saw her, he was gone, out of my mind. She's so damn smart and passionate about what she does. I've never found that in a woman, not until her. She doesn't care about who I am or what I have. Shit! She's even helped me with my own work. She's damn brilliant. Your father doesn't deserve to have her on his team, and neither do I.”

“Cody,” Jessie said.

“I care about her, Jessie,” Cody said. “Don't you think I've been worried about her too?”

“Why would you ever be worried about her?” Jessie asked.

“For the same reason she'd be worried about me,” he answered. “Your father.”

“What?” she asked.

“She is your father's daughter,” he answered. “She's told me some of the things he's said about me. Don't you think I've been worried that she was trying to get something that would help him get to me? I let her see my damn work, Jessie. That was stupid of me. I tried not to, but hearing her passion when she spoke, I couldn't help but let her in. I don't care what your dad says. I've worked my ass off to get where I am. I am not some shady fucker. I'm fair. I always have been. When she asked me to go home with her, I knew not to go. It could have all been a setup, but I went. I did it to make sure he didn't fuck with her over not coming home. I knew what could have happened, but I went anyway. I went for her.”

“She would never do that,” she said. “She cares about you.”

“I care about her too, Jessie,” he said. “Shit! I even care about you and Jackie, not in the same way of course. I need your help. I know her. She's not going to talk to me on her own. You have to help me. She's mine. I can't lose her. I won't.”

“Fuck,” Jessie hissed. “Do not make me regret this, Cody. If you hurt her again, Jason will be the least of your worries.”

“Will you quit saying that fucker's name,” Cody growled out.

“You jealous?” Jessie asked, with a smile.

Cody couldn't stop the loud rumble that came from deep in his chest.

“You need to take your ass home,” Jessie said. “Nothing is going to get resolved tonight. I'll text you tomorrow.”

“Fine,” Cody said, as he handed her Julie's bag before turning and walking back down the sidewalk.

“Cody,” she called out to him.

He stopped and turned toward her.

“I believe you,” she said. “We'll figure this out.”

Cody nodded before turning and continuing toward his car, hoping with everything in him that she was right. He needed his woman, and he wasn't sure how long he could make it without her.