Unexpected Love (Jo's Story)

by Nikki Williams

  “Come one girls, follow us,” I nod at Annie. Her and I made up a dance for this song our senior year in high school I know they will not be expecting this. We start dancing and Molly and Marie catch on quick and so does Lisa. My mom not so much but she tries. I see Barb jump in and start dancing with us. By the end of the song all the girls are out dancing.

  “Wow guys, you better come up with something good,” the DJ laughs. “Here’s a little number you might be able to handle,” he plays Teach Me How to Dougie. I laugh because I am sure none of them know this dance, but the DJ gets out there and helps them. I watch the guys and I see Mark and Jake standing by the bar. I just shake my head. They are such chickens. I point it out to Lisa and she laughs. Next thing I know here they come to the dance floor and start dancing. All the girls are screaming and laughing. I didn’t know Jake could move like that. When the song ends the DJ goes back up to the stage. “What did you think ladies?” Some cheer but most of us boo. “Oh come on now,” he laughs. “I will agree you guys suck,” he starts a new song. “I'm giving it to the women, they came prepared for this one,” he laughs.

  “Nice try,” I walk over to Jake and put my arm around him and get close.

  “It’s not fair, you had a dance made up,” Mark laughs.

  “That was from high school, I'm surprised we did as well as we did,” I laugh.

  “I love seeing you like this,” Jake kisses my cheek.

  “What do you mean?” I look up at him.

  “Carefree and having fun with your friends.”

  “I have you to thank for that.”

  “How?”

  “Because I have realized that I need all these people in my life and with you in my life I have accepted that it is time to move forward from everything that has happened and I need to live and have fun too.”

  He smiles and grabs my hand and pulls me into a hall next to where we are standing. “I love you,” he kisses me. When he pulls away he is breathing heavy, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  I run my hand up his neck to his cheek. “Me too,” I smile and pull him back down to kiss me.

  “Will you two get a room,” Molly walks around the corner.

  Jake laughs and backs away from me. “We have one, just not ready to go there yet,” he jokes.

  “Yuck big brother,” she walks past us to the bathroom.

  “I do have a lot of guests, I should probably go back out there,” I smile.

  “I hate sharing you sometimes,” he smiles and kisses me again. We walk back out and the DJ has some good music going. I watch as people dance and make fools out of themselves. I look at the clock and it is 9:00 already. I realize that there are people starting to leave and try to talk a little bit to everyone that leaves. Next thing I know it is after 11:00 and Jake walks up to me. “You just about ready? We have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Yes, I am exhausted and may have had a little too much to drink,” I smile.

  “I would say so yes,” he laughs. “I am pretty sure you have had a drink in your hand the entire night. Come on, Ryan is driving us.”

  “I have to say good bye to Annie and Michael,” I look at him. He smiles and grabs my hand and leads me over to where they are standing. “Hey, we are going to head out,” I give them both a hug. “I had a great night thank you.”

  “It was awesome,” Annie laughs. She is super drunk.

  “I hope you guys have a ride home,” Jake gives Annie a hug.

  “Yes, my mom is taking us,” Michael laughs.

  “I want a picture of you in the gorgeous dress tomorrow,” Annie points at me.

  “Yes ma’am,” I laugh. Jake grabs my hand and we head for the door.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Time to wake up sleepy head,” I hear Jake say. I open my eyes and see him sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “What time is it?” I close my eyes again. It is really bright in his room and I have a killer headache.

  “Almost 10:00,” he laughs. “How’s your head?”

  “Not great,” I muster a smile.

  “I bet not, you had some fun last night.”

  “There is a reason I don’t drink like that,” I sit up a little and look at him. He is in his running clothes. “Did you seriously get up and go for a run already?”

  “Yes,” he laughs. “And I brought this up for you,” he sets a tray over my lap with a bagel, some orange juice, coffee, and strawberries on it.

  “Awe breakfast in bed, thanks,” I smile.

  “Here I got these for you two,” he hands me some pills for my headache.

  “You know me well,” I laugh.

  “I remember from the beach,” he kisses my cheek. “So did you have fun last night?” He crawls back in bed next to me.

  “I did, I'm glad you were there with me.”

  “Me too, I very much enjoyed the dance off that you started.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t know you could dance like that,” I take a bite of my bagel.

  “I have a couple hidden talents,” he steals a strawberry of my plate.

  “Oh really,” I look at him.

  “Yes,” he laughs. I just shake my head and finish eating my bagel. I grab my phone from the table next to the bed and look at it.

  “Your mom called already this morning.”

  “What time did you get up?”

  “About 8:00.”

  “Did you not drink much last night?”

  “I had enough, just not quite as much as you.” He rubs my back a little, “which is fine, you were celebrating,” he smiles.

  “Well like I said it has been a long time since I have drank like that, now I remember why I don’t,” I laugh.

  “It could be worse,” he kisses my cheek.

  “Yeah.” I look at my text messages and see one from Bobby saying he had a great time last night. There is also one from Ryan saying that I should stop down at the station to give my statement about Amber at some point today. “Crap,” I say.

  “What?” Jake looks at me.

  “I have to stop at the station to give my formal statement about what happened with Amber last night.”

  “Well, we have to go get your car anyways; we can swing by on our way.”

  “Yeah, then I should really get over to Mark and Lisa’s to get ready for tonight.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “A little yeah, I mean this will be the first official time we are seen together in public.”

  “Yes, and this is a pretty big fundraiser, there will be a lot of press there.”

  “Not making it better,” I look at him.

  “Sorry,” he gives me that smile. “You will do fine baby,” he gets closer to me. “I'm so excited to show you off tonight. I know you are going to look amazing,” he kisses my neck.

  “If you start that I am not going to be going anywhere,” he try to push him away.

  “We have a little time,” he continues to trail kisses down my neck to my shoulder and moves my tank top strap with his fingers. He sits up and takes the tray off my lap and sets it on the floor.

  ~~~~~

  “So what is she being charged with?” I ask Ryan about Amber when I sit at my desk to write up my statement.

  “I think assault on an officer and disorderly,” he looks over at me. “How are you feeling today?” He smiles.

  “I'm fine,” I laugh. “I had a bit of a headache earlier, but a little TLC from my honey and I feel better.”

  “TLC huh?” He smirks.

  “Yes,” I shake my head and write out my statement. I go over everything in my head that happened and write it all down. “So how was your night?”

  “Fun,” he says. “I actually had a blast. I feel like this was the first time in a long time that I could relax and be myself. I never realized how much Hailey brought me down until recently.”

  “Yeah, it’s crazy to think of what either of us was like a month ago isn’t it,” I laugh.

  “Well you have ma
de a huge change. I have seen you relax and become less stressed Jo. Jake has been very good for you. I hope you guys don’t let anything come between you.”

  “We are trying. It’s so hard with all the attention that he gets, but I love him and I don’t think anything could make that change.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think he would intentionally hurt you.”

  “I don’t either.”

  “Detective Lewis, what are you doing here?” Chief walks into our office smiling.

  “Just filling out my statement for last night.”

  “I didn’t think you would be out of bed yet, I heard you had lots of fun last night,” he laughs.

  “Oh I did. I have been up since 10:00,” I laugh.

  “Oh Jo, must be nice,” Ryan laughs.

  “Hey, you be quiet,” I throw my pen at him. “I have to go though; I have to go get ready for this ball. Wish me luck.” I stand up from my desk and grab my statement.

  “Good luck,” Ryan looks at me. “You will be fine, just try not to trip and fall on your face,” he laughs.

  “Thanks,” I roll my eyes at him and walk toward Chief. “Here you go,” I hand him my statement.

  “Have a good night,” he smiles.

  “I will try,” I smile and walk past him. I go out to my brand new car and smile. Jake dropped me off at it and left to go home. I have to go to my house, pick up some stuff and head to Lisa’s house to get ready. I look at the clock when I get in and it is a little after noon. I dial Lisa’s number.

  “Hey,” I hear her answer.

  “Hello, I am on my way back to my place to get some stuff then coming over, do you want me to pick up some lunch?”

  “Sure if you want to.”

  “Ok, what are you in the mood for?”

  “Not sure, what are you hungry for?”

  “Well, if you’re ok with it, I was thinking the deli up the road from where I work. I had to stop and fill something out so I am not far from it.”

  “Sounds good to me. I'm not picky when it comes to that, get me whatever you get.”

  “Perfect, I will see you soon.”

  “Sounds good,” she says then hangs up. I stop at the deli and get us some food then run home to grab some makeup and stuff to fix my hair before I head over to her house. As I am driving down their road I decide I want to look and see how far they are on the house. I pull up to the curb and see the contractor that Jake hired standing there. He smiles when he sees me; I assume he remembers me from signing some papers for him while Jake was in Denver.

  “Hi Ms. Lewis,” he smiles and meets me at the sidewalk.

  “Hi,” I smile. “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would stop and check things out.” I smile.

  “Absolutely, I can show you what we are doing if you want?” I nod, hoping it doesn’t take too long. “Well we got the basement poured, now they are working on getting the walls up, not too much noticeable progress yet, but all needed to make sure we get it done right. I am thinking we should have it enclosed two weeks tops so we can start getting the rooms done.”

  “Wow, that fast?”

  “Oh yeah, provided the weather cooperates,” he smiles.

  “Has Jake been by to see it?”

  “He was going to stop over a little later I think.”

  “Probably before our dinner thing tonight,” I smile. “Well thanks for letting me look.”

  “Not a problem, anytime,” he smiles at me. I turn and walk back to my car and get it and go to Lisa’s house. I knock on the door then open it.

  “Hey,” Lisa smiles and meets me at the door. “Here, let me take something,” she grabs the bag of food that I picked up.

  “Thanks,” I smile. “I have one more bag of stuff in the car.”

  “I want to come see,” she smiles. I assume that Mark knew I was getting it. “Oh wow, this is nice,” she smiles as she looks in the passenger door.

  “Yes it is, so far I like it,” I smile.

  “I bet, he is so crazy about you,” she looks at me.

  “Yeah, you could say that,” I laugh.

  “Let’s go eat lunch and get ready,” she smiles. “Mark already asked me if we were ready yet.”

  “Are they a little impatient?” I follow her back into the house.

  “I think Jake is driving him crazy wanting to know when they can come over.”

  “I thought we agreed they would come at 4:00 and the limo is picking us up at 4:30.”

  “Yes, we did, but Jake isn’t the type to be very patient,” she laughs.

  “I have noticed that about him.” I drink my water and take the last bite of my sandwich. “Did you get my dress also?” I ask her.

  “Yes, they are both hanging in my room waiting for us,” she smiles. “I can’t wait to see the look on Jake’s face when he sees you tonight. I think he is going to be in shock.”

  “I love that dress, I can’t wait to put it on. Now I just have to figure out what to do with my hair.”

  “That’s what I am here for,” Melissa walks out of the living room and joins us at the counter. “I can do just about anything.”

  “She is really good,” Lisa nods. “She is doing both of ours.”

  “You don’t have to do that, I can figure something out,” I object.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Melissa smiles. “I love doing it. Plus I already have an idea for yours.” She smiles and grabs a soda out of the fridge. “I'm ready when you ladies are.”

  “Let’s get to it,” Lisa smiles. I follow her and Melissa up to the bathroom. Melissa starts on my hair first; she puts curlers all over and tells me to let it sit for a while.

  “So did you have fun last night?” Lisa asks me as Melissa starts to hand curl her hair.

  “I had a blast; I was surprised the night went as good as it did after the way it started.”

  “Yeah, it got off to a rough start. We weren’t there yet but Molly told me about it. That girl has it out for you huh?”

  “Unfortunately yes she does.”

  “So you think she will try it again?”

  “No, on Monday I am going to make sure that I get a restraining order filed against her. She can’t come near me for a while because of the assault charge but a restraining order is good for five years.”

  “Some people just don’t know when to stop do they?”

  “No, and she is desperate to make my life hell so she will never stop.” I look at the time on the clock. It’s a little before 2:00.

  “So are you nervous about tonight?”

  “Yes, this will be the first time we have been out together to something like this. I think I am more concerned about what kinds of questions I will get asked. I just hope my past stays out of it and they ask questions about Jake and me. Those I think I can answer,” I laugh.

  “Yeah, it’s crappy that they brought Jarrod into it at first.”

  “Yeah, but they didn’t know anything about me. When you do research on me my name is linked with his all over the place. Every report that has ever been done on me is because of him. I'm sure the people at the news station remember me from that.”

  “Yeah, at least they didn’t make it bad reports.”

  “No, I never saw any of the full reports, but I know everyone said they were very good with the situation.” I smile and look at Lisa. “I don’t know how you handle all the attention.”

  She laughs. “It isn’t that easy, especially at first. But after while the attention goes away and you just live the life. We didn’t really have the big publicity like you have though; we were together when he made the team already. We had a few interviews when we first got here, but not the drama.”

  “Yeah, the drama sucks.”

  “Mark said Trisha is trying to start some rumors?”

  “Apparently, I don’t know he sort of told me some stuff last night, but it sounds like she is capable of starting a lot of crap.”

  “Yeah, she is a devious bitch, I'm sure she will keep trying. Bu
t Joan is good at her job and comes highly recommended for a reason, I'm sure she will keep it under control the best that she can.”

  “Let’s hope so,” I smile. Just then my phone starts ringing. I see it is Annie and put it on speaker. “Hello Annie.”

  “Hey, how’s it going?” She sounds a little under the weather.

  “Good, how are you?”

  “Shitty. I think I drank too much.”

  “I'm pretty sure you did,” Lisa laughs.

  “Hey Lisa,” I can hear her chuckle. “Are you getting ready?”

  “Yes, we are getting our hair done right now.” I tell her.

  “Oh, I was just calling to see how it was going. Michael is over helping his dad with some stuff so I am sitting here alone.”

  “Pack up and come on over,” Lisa looks at me and smiles.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, we are just getting ready. You should bring some of that champagne that you got last night.”

  “I think I can handle that. See you guys in a little bit.”

  “Ok,” I laugh and hang up.

  “I like her,” Lisa smiles. “She is so nice; I know why you keep her around.”

  “Yeah, she’s nice, but sometimes I think we know each other way too good.”

  “That’s what happens when you have a lifelong friend. I don’t have any of those left, they all got jealous when I married Mark.”

  “Well, they aren’t true friends then are they?”

  “No, they aren’t. That’s why I am glad that Jake found you. I consider you my closest friend now.”

  “I'm glad, because I think the same about you. I'm sure you have a good friend in Annie too, she really likes you.”

  “I like her too,” she smiles. “I will go down and wait for her while Melissa starts on your hair.” She gets up and goes out the door.

  “Alright, ready?” Melissa smiles at me.

  “Sure,” I laugh and sit where Lisa just was. She starts taking the curlers out of my hair and lets it hang. I looks good curly like she has it right now but she isn’t done. She works for a while putting some of them up and leaves half down. I hear Lisa and Annie coming down the hall.