Chapter 27

Julie

As soon as Julie turned back to her family after closing the door, she couldn't help but notice the nervous look on her sister's face.

“I'm not sure I'm going,” Jessie said, as soon as their eyes connected. “I don't want to mess with the baby's schedule. She's still so young. I'm not sure I should even bring her around a lot of people yet. You go ahead. I'll just see everyone at Christmas.”

“Not a chance,” their dad said, as he looked between Julie and Jessie. “My girls are going to be home for Thanksgiving.”

“We're going to go pack our bags,” Julie said, as she looked at her mother. “Can you watch the baby for a little bit?”

“Of course,” their mom answered. “Take your time.”

Their parents walked toward the living room couch, while Julie and Jessie walked toward Jessie's room. The moment the door was closed, Julie turned toward her sister.

“You can do this,” she said. “The worst part is over. Mom and dad know. It can't be any worse than them finding out. The rest of the parents won't be so bad, and neither will the crew. They'll all be right there for you, and so will I. Jackie needs to know her family, Jessie.”

“It's not as simple as you think,” Jessie said.

“Of course it is,” Julie replied, as she wrapped her arms around her sister and hugged her. “You saw how easily mom and dad got over it. They will too, especially after they hug that precious little baby out there.”

When Jessie pulled away, Julie saw tears in her eyes.

“It'll be okay,” Julie said. “I promise.”

“If it's not, I'll just bring up Jason coming to see you,” Jessie said, as a smile spread across her face. “That should take some of the attention away from me.”

“You wouldn't,” Julie said, as she looked at her sister, ready to beg her not to do it.

“No, I wouldn't,” Jessie said, “but you should have seen the look on your face when I said it. That was priceless.”

“Get your ass ready,” Julie snapped, as she rolled her eyes.

Julie turned around and reached for the knob on the door, and it hit her.

“You,” she said.

“Me what?” Jessie asked.

“Nobody else knew Jason was here,” Julie said, as she pointed her finger toward her sister. “You told Cody.”

“Maybe he followed you around and saw the two of you together,” Jessie said.

“Really?” Julie asked. “He saw us together but didn't confront us. I don't think so. Hand me your phone.”

“What?” Jessie asked, acting as if she had no idea what Julie was talking about.

“Hand me your phone,” Julie repeated, as she walked toward Jessie's dresser.

Jessie quickly stepped in her way, blocking her from being able to reach the phone.

“It was you,” Julie said, as she laughed.

“I'm sorry,” Jessie said. “The guy was a total mess. He called me, and I couldn't just blow him off.”

“So you talked to him,” Julie said. “How many times did he call?”

“A lot,” Jessie answered, “and he sent messages as well.”

“When did it start?” Julie asked.

“The night you came home from the event,” Jessie answered.

“The whole time,” Julie whispered. “You talked to him the whole damn time.”

“I did,” Jessie replied. “There was no way I was going to let you walk away from him. You loved him, and I knew he loved you too. I'm just glad Jason didn't mess it up.”

“That wasn't possible,” Julie said. “I felt things with Cody that I'd never even come close to feeling before, not with Jason or anyone else either.”

When a sad look crossed Jessie's face, Julie narrowed her eyes at her.

“Why do I feel like your hiding something?” she asked her sister. “You've been in love, haven't you?”

“I have,” Jessie answered, “and I've lost it too. That was why I knew you couldn't lose Cody. Go get ready. I wouldn't want our parents to see your man carrying you over his shoulder to your room.”

Julie knew her face was turning the darkest shade of pink, so she quickly turned toward the door and opened it.

“You two weren't nearly as quiet as you thought you were,” Jessie said, as she burst into laughter. “Good luck trying to leave mom and dad's tomorrow.”

“You're so wrong. You know that, right?” Julie asked, as she stepped out into the hallway. “Your ass better be at Josh and Lisa's when I get there.”

And just like that, her sister's laughter stopped and tension filled the air.

“I'll be right there with you,” Julie quickly added. “We'll walk in together.”

Before her sister had the chance to try to get out of it, Julie hurried to her room. She quickly threw a bag together and headed for the living room.

The second her eyes landed on her mother and the baby, guilt filled her.

“I'm really sorry,” she said. “You know I don't lie to you, right?”

“I know,” her mom answered, as Julie walked over and sat down next to her. “You did it for your sister. I'm so glad you were here for her.”

“Me too,” Julie replied.

“You really love him, don't you?” her mom asked.

“I do,” Julie answered. “He really is a great guy, mom.”

“I know,” her mom said, as she looked over at her husband.

“What?” he asked.

“Gavin,” she said.

“One step at a time,” he said. “I don't want to pummel his ass. That's a step, right?”

“It is,” Julie said, as she hugged her mom and then walked over and wrapped her arms around her dad's shoulders. “I love you, daddy.”

“Love you too,” he said, as he hugged her back harder than he had in a long time. “How's the project going?”

“Really good,” she said, as she started rattling off all different things about it.

“I'm proud of you,” he said. “I really am.”

Julie heard the ding of her phone, and she hurried to check it.

Cody: I'm here. If you want to drive, you better get your sweet ass out here.

“I've got to go,” Julie shouted out in excitement.

“Your man here?” her dad asked, and she nodded. “This is the only time his ass won't come to the door. You hear me?”

Without thinking, Julie gave him a strange look.

“Don't think I didn't hear what he said earlier,” he said. “I'll see you at Josh and Lisa's. Be careful.”

“Okay,” Julie said, as she threw her bag over her shoulder and took off out the door, feeling totally embarrassed that her parents had heard her conversation with Cody.

When she got to the car, Cody was standing there with a huge smile on his face.

“I love you,” he said, as he pulled her in and hugged her.

“Love you too,” she said, as she grabbed the keys from his hands. “Now get your fine ass in the car.”

Cody burst into laughter as he opened her door for her.

“I think I'm in trouble,” he said, as he waited for her to get in.

“You sure are,” she said, as she pulled her door shut, turned on the car, and revved the engine.

“Watch it, Woman,” Cody hissed, as he got in and closed his door. “You got to treat her good.”

“You sure do,” Julie said, as she let out a laugh. “You're not doing bad so far.”

Cody shook his head and laughed, and Julie couldn't help but want to hear that same laugh a million more times. She'd missed him so much, and she knew in that moment that he was right, they weren't going to be without each other, not ever again.