by Rachel Ryan
“Or, the hundred people we invite could turn up…with extras. I just want this party to be the best, Jeremy. After everything you guys have been through, I just want everyone to have a night where they can forget about it all and just…have fun.”
Jo rises from the couch and heads to the kitchen. It feels strange being in Brody’s place without him, but hopefully in a few days he will be able to come home and everything will go back to normal…well…kind of.
Jo returns to the couch with two bottles of beer and hands one to me. I watch her as she sips on her beer, places it on the coffee table and peruses the guest list…again. Her blond hair is sleek and straight and tucked behind her ears. Her dark brows are furrowed as she frowns at the list and her plump, pink lips are turned down at the corners.
“Jo, stop stressing. It will all work out fine.”
She turns to me and smiles sadly.
“I just want this party to be great, you know? I want Ava and Brody to enjoy themselves. They really deserve it after the last couple of weeks. I feel so terrible for both of them.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears and I reach out, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to me. She rests her head on my chest and the fruity scent of her shampoo reaches my nostrils as I lean my chin on top of her head.
“I know you do, Babe. I’m sure they will appreciate all of the hard work you’re putting into this party.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, her hands resting just above the waistband of my jeans. A warm feeling begins to spread through me and I pull her closer to me. Her fingers start rubbing circles on my lower back and I close my eyes at the sensation of having her touch me. It’s the same thing I felt when we danced at the nightclub all those weeks ago and when I kissed her outside Brody’s place after the disastrous dinner party. It feels…nice.
I accidentally let out a soft moan and my eyes snap open as I feel her body tense. She quickly drops her hands to her lap and looks up into my eyes. Hers are no longer filled with tears and sadness, now they hold a fire in them that is intense, to say the least. She suddenly shakes her head and scoots back on the couch.
“I’m sorry, Jeremy. I…I just needed a hug.”
“That’s okay. Uh…where were we?” I pick up the list and pretend to read it again as a bunch of wild images swirl around in my head. Jo in her underwear…Jo in my bed…Jo on her knees…Shit! I quickly stand up and grab my keys and phone off the coffee table, before heading to the front door and mumbling something about having to be somewhere.
I get into my car and sit for a minute trying to work out what I’m feeling. I’ve always found Jo attractive, but after the incident at the nightclub, I’ve often wondered if there is more to it. Since she moved back to L.A we’ve spent a lot of time together and it’s been nice to get to know her all over again. Fuck! What am I doing? You don’t picture your friends half naked or sucking your dick. I think it would be a huge mistake to let it get that far.
I start my car up and head in the direction of the hospital, maybe a visit with Brody will get my mind off Jo.
***
“Hey, earth to Jeremy! What’s wrong, man? You seem a bit quiet today.”
I look at Brody and shake my head, realizing that I have just been sitting here staring out the window but not seeing anything other than an image of Jo’s pretty face.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just…just a little confused is all.”
“What about?”
I fill Brody in on what happened between Jo and me at the nightclub when we were on tour and all about her confession of being in love with me.
He smiles mischievously at me and I realize he doesn’t remember telling me that he knew about her feelings all those years ago.
I smile back at him.
“I know that you knew about it. You already admitted to keeping it a secret for her.”
“Oh.”
“But the problem is every time I’m around her now; all I can think of is how good it would be to…you know…”
Brody throws his head back and laughs, it is nice to see him in such good spirits, but I wish it wasn’t at my expense.
“What’s so funny?”
His laughter settles into a low chuckle and he grins knowingly at me.
“I don’t see a problem. She likes you; you like her, go for it.”
Shaking my head, I frown slightly.
“It’s not that simple. How would our friendship survive if I gave in to my dirty thoughts? It wouldn’t. Fuck! I used to think of her as my little sister, it just doesn’t seem right.”
Brody shakes his head and grins again.
“Trust me, man. She never thought of you as her brother. That girl has been in love with you since you met. I’m glad she finally told you. She’s held it in for a long time.”
“I kind of wish she hadn’t told me. I wouldn’t be picturing her naked and sucking my dick if she hadn’t told me she was hot for me.”
Brody laughs again, but this time winces in pain and holds a hand up to his ribs.
“You okay, man?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I really think you should go for it, Jeremy. You two would be good together.”
Changing the subject I ask him if he’s seen Ava recently.
“Yeah, she was here yesterday afternoon. After you left I had a sleep and when I woke up she was asleep on the chair beside the bed. She seems like a really nice girl. I can see why I was drawn to her.”
I smile as I think back to how strongly he obviously felt for her over the last few months.
“Brody, you were more than drawn to her man. You were totally fucking head over heels in love with this girl. You started hiding things from me so that you could spend time with her. You’ve never lied to me before, so for her to drive you to that, you must have been fucking crazy about her.”
He sighs.
“I just wish I could remember it. I hate that she is hurting because of me. I honestly don’t know what to do.”
“Body, all you can do is try to get to know her again. Spend time with her; see if any of your memories come back to you. The more time you spend with her, the more chance of those memories returning, even the Doc said that.”
He nods and looks at the doorway. Hearing footsteps I turn and see Doctor Graham walking into the room with a clipboard in her hand.
“Good afternoon, Brody. I’m here to run a few more tests and then we can determine whether you will be able to go home in a couple of days.”
Rising from my chair I tell him I’ll head down and grab a coffee and give them some privacy.
Chapter 10
Ava
I feel a huge grin spread across my face as I hear the great news. Brody is being released from hospital in an hour. It’s about time he has been here for just over two weeks I think. The smile disappears as I realize that it now means I can’t peek in to check on him throughout the day.
I hate the way I feel so torn between what’s happening. I live on hope and gratefulness. Words can’t describe how satisfying it is that he is alive but I am silently hurting so much. I am nothing to him, not even a memory.
I have to go back to work on Monday and in a way I’m so glad. It will keep me occupied but it will also bring back the memories; that’s where it all began. It was my job that led me to him.
Sighing I stand up and head back home, no point sitting around the hospital when he is going home. Hearing the buzz of my phone I expect it to be Jeremy with more updates on Brody but I’m surprised to see it’s from Jo.
Girl’s night out tonight! Emma and Tori are in. Dinner at Sam’s and then we will head on to the clubs afterward.
Jo
Leaning back in my chair I think about saying no but I’ve hardly seen the girls over the last few weeks, my life stopped to be there for Brody. What the hell!
Sounds good, what time?
It doesn’t take long for Jo to reply.
8. I have classes until about 6.30. See you then
x
***
Knocking on Brody’s door I glance quickly around the hallway of his apartment building. I feel really awkward but I need to get my hair straightener and heels for tonight. I left them here before Brody’s accident and I really haven't bothered with my appearance the last couple of weeks but I need them now. Hearing sounds from the other side of the door I wait to see Brody’s face.
"Oh. Hi, Ava. What can I do for you?"
"Hey. Sorry to just drop by, but I left my hair straightener and my favorite heels and I need them for tonight."
"Come on in and get them, I wouldn't know what’s yours and what's Jo's."
"That's okay." Walking in I move to the bathroom to get my straightener.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm good; it's great to be home but so weird having Jo living here and just having girly things around the house." Laughing at Brody I walk out of the bathroom and stop at his bedroom door.
"Umm my heels are in here, do you mind?"
"No, go for it. Umm I think you have some more stuff in my wardrobe if you want to take that."
"Oh, yeah I suppose I should." Picking up my overnight bag in his wardrobe I stuff my belongings into it.
"Would you like a coffee?"
"I would love one but I have to go and get ready for tonight."
"Oh yeah you have plans, sorry."
"Yeah I'm going out to dinner with Jo, Emma and Tori. Then we will go and have some drinks."
"Is this a regular thing?"
"No it's our first time, Jo and I didn't get along so well when we first met but now everything is good, and they all thought I needed a night out, so…"
"Was that because of her feelings for Stone?"
"Umm…yeah, she kind of pushed herself on Jeremy and none of us girls were happy with that but I have no hard feelings, everything happens for a reason."
"She tried to push those feelings away but sometimes it doesn't happen like that."
"I can totally understand that, Brody. I should give you this as well."
Digging my keys out of my handbag I work a key off the ring. Holding my hand out, I look up at him. He frowns slightly.
"A key?"
"It's your key. I don't need it anymore so I'm giving it back."
"Oh." Turning around, I avoid his eyes. I can't do this any longer it is just killing me.
"Bye." Waking out the door I head down the hall, looking over my shoulder I see Brody standing there in his doorway watching me.
"Bye." Turning back around I walk away, away from the love of my life, away from my hopes and dreams.
***
Waking into the club I laugh at Tori as she is filling us in on her dinner with Hunters parents the night before. It was the first time she met them and apparently it didn’t go very smoothly.
"So the wine went all over you?"
"Yes, Jo. It went all over my brand new shirt. It's ruined."
"Did she offer to buy you a new one?"
"Ava she didn't even offer to get it cleaned."
"Brutal. What do we want to drink?"
"Just get us all a gin and tonic and a shot of tequila."
Making my way up to the bar, I smile at Emma and her choice of drinks. She said she has been swamped at work and really needed a night out as well. Standing at the bar I wait to get the bartenders attention. He glances up at me and smiles as he moves toward my end of the bar.
"Hey, what can I get you?"
"Hi, can I have four gin and tonics and four shots of tequila."
"Sure. Big night ahead I see?"
I smile "Yeah just a bit." Placing my drinks on a tray he smiles at me.
"Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thanks." Picking up the tray I walk back over to the girls.
"Ava that guy was totally drooling over you."
"Doesn't matter, I'm not available."
"We know, but…um…what if he doesn't get his memory back?”
"Then I try and make him fall in love with me again." Looking at Emma I hate to think she could be right. Glancing at Jo I see her eyes soften sympathetically.
"No more Ava and Brody talk. This is a happy night."
"So let's talk about you and Stone."
"There is nothing to talk about Tori."
"Bullshit, he has been acting so strange around you. There’s definitely some sexual tension there."
Jo rolls her eyes and smiles at me.
“Let’s go dance.”
Brody
Lying back on the couch, I put my feet up and rearrange the cushions under my head, trying to get comfortable. I went to bed a few hours ago but I just lay there tossing and turning and eventually got up. I can feel the start of a headache coming on and my shoulder is aching a little tonight. I took some painkillers a little while ago; surely they will kick in soon. Hopefully, along with some late night television, they will help me get to sleep.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I see it’s after midnight. I flick through the channels and settle on one of the late night talk shows. My brain isn’t really processing what I’m hearing or seeing though.
Glancing up at the clock again, I realize it’s only a minute later than the last time I checked. Geez! What’s my problem? For some reason I am feeling really anxious and I don’t know why.
Hearing a giggle outside my front door, I rise up off the couch and head toward it. I hear some swearing and as I throw open the door I see Jo unsuccessfully trying to sort through her keys to find the one belonging to my door.
She looks up at me with a sheepish grin.
“Brody, I’m so sorry. We were trying not to wake you, but someone has had a little too much of the happy juice.”
She glances behind her and it’s then I see Ava sitting on the floor up against the wall opposite my door. She looks like she is asleep, but as soon as Jo tries to lift her off of the floor; she lifts her head and smiles up at me. I can’t help but grin at her, she looks so happy. It’s because of the alcohol, but still, she looks cute when she’s happy.
“Ava, are you okay?”
She stumbles in her heels as Jo tries to guide her through the door and over to the couch.
“Yep…I’m totally fine. Tonight was so much fun!”
Jo releases her hold on Ava and she collapses onto the couch, lying back on the cushions I had been using a couple minutes ago.
She turns her head to the side and seems to inhale deeply.
“This cushion smells like you, Brody. It smells so good.” She sighs as she nestles into the cushion.
My brows rise in surprise as I glance over at Jo who is just standing beside the couch looking down at Ava with a bemused expression.
“How much did she drink, Jo?”
Jo shrugs. “I swear she had the same amount of drinks as the rest of us, she’s just a cheap drunk.”
Ava giggles and tries to stand up. She wobbles on her heels and falls back on the couch before kicking her shoes off. She is dressed in a pair of black shorts that sit halfway down her thighs and I can’t help but admire her slender, golden legs. She stands up again and heads toward the kitchen.
“I’m hungry, got any food?”
I look at Jo again to see her trying to cover her giggle.
“She’s so much fun when she’s drunk, Brody.”
“How could you let her get so drunk?” I hiss at her.
Jo shrugs her shoulders. “She needed to let her hair down tonight. She is going through a really hard time and tonight she just needed to let loose and forget about everything for a couple of hours.”
I look toward the kitchen and see Ava walking out with a tub of ice cream and a spoon. She plonks back down on the couch and shoves a spoonful of choc chip ice cream into her mouth and lefts out a soft moan.
“Mmm, yummy.” She licks the remaining ice cream off the spoon and suddenly looks up at me.
“You want some?”
Jo coughs. “Well, that’s my cue. Goodnight all.”
>
“Where are you going?”
Jo looks back at me.
“To bed. Ava is too drunk to go home on her own so I told her she could stay the night. That’s okay with you, right?”
“Uh…sure, she can sleep in my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Ava pauses with the spoon halfway to her mouth.
“No, Brody. I can sleep on the couch. You just got out of hospital. You deserve a comfortable bed. I insist.”
Jo waves as she heads toward her bedroom. Sitting down beside Ava, I watch her licking ice cream off of the spoon and I feel a strange flutter in my stomach. She suddenly turns to me and her smile is contagious.
“Did you have fun tonight?”
She nods her head and continues to lick the spoon.
“It was so much fun. We danced all night. And we had shots. I think that’s what made me a little tipsy.”
I chuckle as she places the ice cream tub on the table and turns to me.
“Do you remember when we danced?” She shakes her head. “No, of course you don’t.” She looks up at me again. “You were trying to distract me. Jeremy and I had just started…you know…dating, and these skanks were all over him at this bar and you tried to distract me by dancing with me. You were always so sweet to me.” She looks down at the floor and then back at me.
“I just wish I hadn’t wasted so much time. I wish I could go back and do things differently, you know. You were constantly pushing me toward Jeremy, and I didn’t realize it at the time, but…we were just meant to be together. The time I spent with you in Australia was the happiest time of my life.” I see a lone tear trickle down her cheek and I look away trying to resist the strong urge to take her into my arms to comfort her.
I look back at Ava and see her staring at me with a strange expression on her face.
“Ava? Are you okay?”
She jumps up off the couch and runs in the direction of my room. I hear a door slam as I stand up and follow her. As I reach my bathroom I hear a retching sound and then the sound of the toilet flush. I head out to the kitchen and grab a glass of water before walking back to my room. Sitting down on the bed I watch the door for a minute before calling out.
