Chapter 29

Cody

Just as Gavin had gotten down on one knee, Cody noticed tears in Jessie's eyes. Before Gavin had even gotten through one sentence, Jessie had quietly gotten up and headed for the stairs. Cody waited, unsure of what to do. She was upset, and nobody else had noticed. Was she okay, he wondered? He looked over to see Julie sucked into what her brother was saying, so instead of taking her away from the moment, he got up and headed up the stairs.

When he hit the top step, he turned the corner and began walking down the hall. Just as he was approaching one of the doors to his right, Jessie stepped out of the room.

“Cody,” she gasped, the moment she saw him.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I was just coming up to use the bathroom,” she said, as she turned away from him.

“In there?” Cody asked, as he pointed toward the room she'd come out of.

“Oh, I walked in there to look for something,” Jessie said, as she took a step away from him.

Cody reached out and quickly caught her arm, pulling her back toward him.

“Julie's here for you,” he said, “and so am I.”

“I know,” she said, as she pulled her arm away and reached up to wipe the tears from her face. “I don't like all that mushy stuff.”

“Yeah,” he said. “I just want you to know we're here for whatever you need. Your sister loves you, Jessie.”

“I know,” she said. “I'm good. I really am. Thank you though.”

Cody nodded, knowing it would do no good to push her. If Jessie wanted to talk, she would. She walked into the bathroom and closed the door. He shook his head, but he didn't move. Instead, he turned to see what room she'd come out of. It was Jacks. He'd been gone for seven months, and Cody could tell that nothing had been changed in it yet. What could she have been looking for in there, he wondered? Before he even had the chance to think about it, he heard footsteps behind him.

“Looking for something?” he heard Jason's voice and quickly turned around.

“No,” Cody answered. “I was actually on my way to the bathroom.”

“You're one lucky fucker, you know that?” Jason asked, in a rough tone.

“Excuse me,” Cody said, totally confused by Jason's words.

“It used to be me she wanted,” Jason growled out.

“Oh yeah?” Cody asked, feeling anger instantly fill him.

Was it true? Had she wanted Jason? They were best friends, always had been. At least that was what Julie had told him.

“Yep,” Jason answered. “You better count your lucky stars. I fucked up.”

“How's that?” Cody asked, ready to lash out and kick the fucker's ass.

“I waited,” Jason said. “I thought she was too wrapped up in her work to worry about a damn man, but I was wrong. You came along. I came back and told her I loved her, but she turned me away. She's stuck on your ass.”

“You told her you loved her,” Cody said roughly, just an inch away from losing his shit.

“I did,” Jason said. “Let me tell you something, Cody. If you do one thing to hurt my girl.”

“My girl,” Cody growled out, cutting Jason off.

“One little thing,” Jason said, as he pointed his finger in Cody's chest, “and I will be right there for her. I fucked up once. I won't make that mistake a second time. Do you hear me?”

“You don't have to worry,” Cody said, as he grabbed Jason's finger and shoved it away from him. “There's no fucking way you'll ever have that chance. She's mine, and I will do everything I can to keep her happy, forever. Do you hear me?”

“Let's hope you're right,” Jason said, as he turned and walked away.

Cody stood still for a moment. When he heard the bathroom door open behind him, he turned quickly.

“Cody,” Jessie whispered.

“Did you know?” Cody snapped out.

“That he told her he loved her? No,” she said, standing there, looking just as shocked as he felt. “I had no idea.”

“Did she have feelings for him?” Cody asked.

Jessie didn't answer.

“Jessie,” he said, with warning in his tone.

“Cody,” Jessie said. “It's you she loves. She's never felt about anyone the way she feels about you.”

Cody took a deep breath and wondered if his relationship with Julie even had a chance. Would someone always be against them? Without another word, he turned around and headed for the stairs.

“Cody,” Jessie yelled after him, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. He had to get out of there.