by Rachel Ryan
She blinks at me and nods once.
“Jeremy, I know you are hurting because you feel like they both betrayed you. But what you and Ava had is over. You need to move on and stop letting the situation ruin your life. Brody told me about what happened at the show a couple nights ago. He told me he walked offstage in the middle of the show because you were being a jerk.”
“I wasn’t being a jerk. I was stating facts.”
“You were being a jerk. He is your best friend. I know you need time to get over what happened, but you can’t just blame them and keep holding this grudge. You and Brody need to talk this out.”
Shaking my head I run my hand through my hair. “I’m not ready for that. I can’t even look at him without wanting to smash his face.”
Jo frowns. “That’s not you Jeremy. You love him like a brother. Why ruin that over a girl? What is so special about Ava that you will ruin such an important friendship over her?”
She stares at me waiting for my answer.
“I guess it’s not so much the girl, but the fact that he was stealing her away from me while I was trying to build a relationship with her. I know I fucked up with those groupies, I admit that. But he didn’t even give me the chance to sort it out with her. That’s what pissed me off the most.”
Jo looks down at her drink for a minute and then she turns and looks into my eyes. “I really hope for your sake that you can put it all behind you. Because if you can’t, you’re not only going to lose your best friend, but your band is going to fall apart as well.”
My brows draw together in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Jeremy, if you keep stirring up shit with Brody, he will leave the band.”
“No, he wouldn’t. The band is his life.”
Jo shakes her head sadly. “That’s where you are wrong, Jeremy. Ava is his life now.”
***
Later that night I’m lying in bed thinking about what Jo said. Is it really that serious between Ava and Brody? Would he really throw away everything we have worked so hard for over a girl? He’d be fucking mad to. Jo and I sorted out our issue. I promised not to take my anger out on her again. Nothing was mentioned about the kiss, but I think that one was better left alone. She is a good friend and I’m glad we can get past that and go back to normal without it being too awkward between us. My mind wanders back to that night weeks ago when she revealed her true feelings to me. There was a spark between us that night and I was really close to doing something stupid with her. The only thing that stopped me that night was Ava. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Ava and I hadn’t been together then…
Ava
Sitting down at my desk at the end of the day, I sigh. It has been a hectic day. I had access on the set of a music video that the girl group Violetta is filming, so it was stressful to say the least. They are extremely high maintenance, and trooping around LA is a mission on its own. Closing my computer down for the day, I open my desk draw and pull my phone out. Scrolling down to Brody’s name I hit the call button and lean back in my chair.
Brody’s deep voice greets me at the other end of the call.
“Hey babe, how has your day been? How was the music video?”
“Hey, it hasn’t been too bad. Violetta are really demanding, but I got the article done so that’s good. Are you coming around tonight after the gym or am I going to your place?”
“My place if that’s ok.”
“That’s fine, it works out well I want to see Jo and catch up with her.”
“Anything important?”
“No, I want to just get to know her better. Seeing as she’s living with my boyfriend”
“Okay I’ll see you when I get home, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Hanging up from the call I grab my handbag and walk out of the office. Brody has been pretty quiet lately. I don’t know if it’s because of what’s happening with the band or if the call from his mum has him worried. Maybe it’s both.
Pulling my key out of the door I walk into Brody’s apartment and head into his room. I put my handbag down on the floor and walk over to his wardrobe. Digging around I find a pair of my yoga pants and one of Brody’s shirts. Getting out of my work clothes at the end of a long day is a blessing. Heading to the kitchen I attempt to work Brody’s coffee machine. I hear the front door open and turn around to see Jo walking in dressed in ripped jeans and a deep V neck top.
“Hey Jo, how was your day?”
“Hey, good. You’re not trying to use the coffee machine again are you? I’ll just put my things away and then I’ll help you. Hold on.”
“Thanks you’re a life saver.”
After Jo has put her stuff away she comes and fixes the coffee for us. Looking around the room I want to talk to Jo and clear some things up but I don’t really know how to start. “Umm Jo can we talk?” Jo looks at me and I can see something pass over her face. I’m not too sure what it is though. Walking into the living room I sit down and cross my legs underneath me. I look across at Jo sitting on the other end of the couch with one leg under her while the other is stretched out. Turning my body to face her I launch into it.
“Jo I think we need to just sort some things out. When I first met you, I didn’t like the way you were acting with Jeremy. The way you made it clear you had feelings for him when he had a girlfriend. I didn’t like it then but I understand now. I know what it feels like to love someone that you don’t think you can ever have.”
“Look Ava I’m sorry for all of that. I know it was bad timing and I was stepping all over your toes, but these feelings for Jeremy have been eating me up for years. I was drunk the night I pushed myself on him. Yes it hurt that he chose you, but I respected that choice.”
“Jo it’s okay, I’m over it. I’m not going to hold it against you. I just want us to be friends and I didn’t want this past stuff standing in our way. Do you know how Jeremy is?”
“We met for drinks the other day, and finally spoke about the party.”
“You haven’t spoken to him since?”
“No, after I followed him outside to make sure he was okay, he kissed me.”
“Shit.”
“Mmhmm, a rebound kiss.”
“He knows how you feel about him, why would he do that?”
“I don’t know but he still thinks you belong with him. He doesn’t want to accept what you and Brody have. I warned him that if Brody is forced to choose between you and the band, it is obvious he will choose you every time.”
“I really don’t want that to happen. They all have worked so hard to get where they are now. Speaking of Brody has he seemed a bit off to you lately?”
“He has been kind of broody and shitty. Is the whole thing with Jeremy getting to him that much?”
“That and the fact that…um… his mother contacted him.”
“What? How?”
“Travis gave her his number.”
“I hope Brody told her to go and jump.”
“Brody went to see Travis and told him he had no right to give out his personal details to anyone, but Travis gave a bullshit excuse about her calling nonstop.”
“He is a dick, so what did she want?”
“She wants to meet up but Brody said no. I think she is still texting and calling him trying to get him to cave in, he isn’t telling me too much though. I don’t think he wants to see her.”
“That’s understandable though.”
“I know but I know what it’s like to not have parents and it sucks, I don’t have a choice as mine are gone but he has a chance to mend his relationship with his Mom. I just don’t want him to regret it later on in life. I’m not going to push it though. It’s his choice and I do understand the things they did were horrible.”
“I won’t tell him that I know but I’ll keep an eye on him and make sure he is ok.”
“Thanks Jo you’re a good friend to him.”
Suddenly, the door opens and Brody walks in looki
ng pretty down.
“Hey babe, how was the gym?” Brody smiles up at Jo and I.
“Ladies. It looks like you two have had fun this afternoon. The gym was good I got a great work out.”
“Hey coops, teach Ava to use the damn coffee machine.”
“Oh shit, not again Ava.”
“Jo saved me just in time, go get in the shower I can smell you from here.”
Brody laughs and mumbles something under his breath as he walks into the bathroom.
Brody
As the hot water runs down my face, my mind is elsewhere. No matter how hard I try I can’t get my mum’s phone call out of my head. I still can’t figure out why the hell she would wait this long to get in touch with me if she was really serious about building some kind of relationship? Fuck! I shouldn’t be letting it get to me like this.
I quickly finish up my shower and then dress in some sweat pants, before heading out to the living room where Ava and Jo are giggling about something. The fact that they have worked out their differences and are beginning to form a friendship makes me so happy. Apart from Tori and Emma Ava doesn’t have any other girl friends in L.A, so it’s nice that she is trying to get along with Jo. I flop down on the couch in between the two girls and place my hand on Ava’s thigh. As soon as I touch her I just want to go all caveman and drag her into my room and rip her clothes off. Normally, I don’t think she would protest, but she’s having fun with Jo, so I just close my eyes and try to relax while she and Jo chat.
Later on I wake to the feeling of soft hands running over my bare chest. Opening my eyes I see Ava’s beautiful golden eyes and I grin as her fingertips slide lower over my abs.
“Hey, Baby.”
“Sorry to wake you. You looked so peaceful sound asleep, but Jo and I made dinner and I thought you might be hungry.”
Grabbing her around her waist I lift her onto my lap so that she is straddling me and I pull her to me for a deep kiss.
“Mmm, I am hungry, but not for food.”
She laughs and snuggles into my neck. I run my hands up and down her back and feel her body shiver as she looks up into my eyes.
“Brody, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“You’ve been a little quiet the last few days. I thought maybe you were still worrying about the phone call from your mum.”
“Honestly, I can’t get her out of my fucking head. I try not to think about her. She isn’t worth my time. But I just keep wondering; what if Travis is right and she does deserve a second chance and I’m just too stubborn and bull headed to see it. Whenever I think about her and the old man, I just feel so angry. More than anything, I’m angry at myself for letting them have this hold over my life for so long and just when I thought I was getting past that stage of my life she calls me and drags me back in. If I come face to face with her, I don’t know if I will be able to keep all of that anger inside of me and not lash out at her.”
“And no one can blame you for that, Brody. Your parents made the worst mistake they could ever make and they not only lost Sammy, but they also lost you because of it. Only you can decide if you are willing to forgive them for their mistakes and give them another chance. I just wonder what you will feel if you don’t see her. Will you spend the rest of your life wondering what could have happened?”
Sighing, I know she’s right. I need to see her and just hear what she has to say. After that I can decide if I will let her back in my life.
“Okay, I’ll call her tomorrow and agree to meet up with her.”
Ava smiles and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“You are a beautiful, strong man, Brody Cooper. And I am so lucky to have you in my life.”
God damn this woman makes me feel so good with just a few words. Standing up I carry her toward my room, calling out to Jo to put our dinner in the fridge for later.
Three days later I am on my bike on the way to a small coffee shop on the other side of L.A. My mother sounded happy when I called and agreed to see her, but as I cruise through downtown L.A I am already regretting my decision. I really don’t think I can forgive her for neglecting me for all of those years and especially for neglecting and killing her baby. She made the choice all those years ago to be a bad parent and choose drugs over her children. Sammy paid the price and deep down, I know I am still paying for their choices. I was messed up for so long and I failed to realize that I am worthy of anyone’s love. I almost missed out on being with this amazing, gorgeous girl because my parents were fuck ups.
As I walk into the small café, I see her straight away. Apart from looking a lot older she hasn’t changed much. Her dark brown hair is now streaked with grey and she is still very thin. She stands up as I approach and smiles at me as I sit down on the chair opposite hers.
“You are so handsome, Brody. I always knew you would be handsome, just like your dad.”
“What do you want?”
“I…I just missed you and I was hoping that we could put the past behind us and try again.”
Shaking my head at her I can’t believe her nerve. How the fuck am I supposed to put that shit behind me.
“That’s not going to happen, Mom. I can’t just get over what happened to Sammy. I can’t just ignore the fact that you were a shitty Mother who didn’t give a fuck about either of her children. Your addiction was number one to you.”
I notice when I say Sam’s name that she doesn’t even flinch. There is no reaction to his name whatsoever.
“Look, Honey. I know we weren’t the best parents. But I’m clean now. I’ve been clean for months. I want to make it up to you.”
“What does my father say about this?”
She looks down at the table.
“I left him. He couldn’t stay off the drugs. I couldn’t be with him anymore. He was dragging me down with him.”
Chuckling coldly I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“What? You only just realized this?”
She starts wringing her hands together nervously.
“It took me a while to come to my senses, but I have and I want to be back in your life. You’re my son and I want to get to know you. I want us to get to know each other.”
Call me a pessimist, but I can’t believe a word she is saying. She really is tripping if she thinks that her words are going to make all of our problems go away and instantly change things between us.
“I moved into my own little apartment and I’m doing it up real nice, so you can come visit me. I just need to find a job or some money for next month’s rent, so you can come see me. I hear you and your band are doing well. Maybe you could lend me some money and I could pay you back when I get a job.”
Gritting my teeth, I ask “How much do you need?”
“Oh. Just a couple of thousand to start with. That should be enough.”
“Of course this is about money.”
Shaking my head I stand up and pull out my wallet. Throwing down some bills onto the table I try to hold in my anger.
She snatches up the bills and tucks them into her pocket.
“No, sweetie. It’s not about money. I want to spend time with you.”
“Stop the bullshit. Take the money and don’t contact me again. I’m done with your shit. I knew this was a mistake.”
She doesn’t even try to stop me from leaving as I storm past the waitress that was on her way to take our order. Hopping onto my bike, I don’t even bother with my helmet; I just need to get out of here as quick as I can. I start up my bike and pull out into the traffic.
My body is shaking with the anger that is coursing through my veins. Why the fuck did I delude myself that anything had changed with these people. All they have ever done is make me feel like shit. I weave through the traffic as I speed up, the adrenalin somehow making me feel better. Horns beep as I almost clip a couple of cars and race through the streets. Lost in my head, I don’t see the SUV until it is right in front of me and suddenly, my body feels w
eightless as I am flying through the air. An image of Ava’s beautiful smile flashes in my mind just before I hit the ground and then…darkness.
Chapter 6
Jeremy
Walking into my apartment I toss my car keys into the bowl on the side table. I’ve just returned home from a private meeting with Travis to discuss what’s been happening with the band. Hunter and Luke have been questioning the state of the band over the last few days and want to know what I’m doing to ensure that we stay together. Travis isn’t happy about me and Brody letting a piece of ass come between us and jeopardize the success of the band. Of course that’s all Travis is worried about; our success means more money in his pocket. He doesn’t care that I’ve lost my girlfriend and my best mate all at once.
Just as I open up the fridge and pull out a beer my phone rings. Glancing at the screen I see it’s an unknown number. Normally, I make it a habit to ignore unknown numbers, but curiosity gets the better of me and I answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Yes, hello. Is this Jeremy Stone?” It’s some chick; probably a groupie that somehow got my number.
“Sure is.”
“This is Officer Jensen from the LAPD. We need to speak to you about an incident involving Brody Cooper.”
Great! What the fuck has he done? Probably got himself arrested. I hope he isn’t expecting me to bail him out.
“Yeah, what incident?”
“Sir, Mr Cooper was involved in a motorcycle accident this afternoon and was taken to the UCLA Medical Centre. You’re listed as his Next of Kin.”
Holy fuck! I wasn’t expecting this.
“Sir, are you there?”
“Uh, yeah. Is…um…is Brody okay?”
“There were some complications at the scene, but the paramedics were able to transport him to UCLA for surgery. I believe his injuries were critical.”
“But is he okay?” My voice is rising and my heart starts to speed up.
