Justin's eyes widened and I could see the gears turning in his head. He studied my face, trying to figure out what his reaction should be.
"Are... are you serious?" He stutters, stepping closer to me. To my surprise, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer. Tears well in my eyes, but I don't let them fall. I pull away, looking up at him.
"Do you want to talk?"
He nods, opening the door and stepping back in. He notices my hesitation and sighs.
"I'm sorry, I forgot. Danny isn't here though. We can still sit out here though if it'll make you feel better."
I glance inside the door to the porch, shaking my head. "No, it's okay. I'm sorry, it's just going to take a while to get use to this is all." I follow him inside, glancing around warily. Nothing has changed since the last time I was here, except the circumstances of course. He pulls out a chair for me at the table and goes to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and setting it in front of me. I thank him as he sits next to me.
He's staring off into space, thinking about something. "So, I'm going to be a dad?"
I nod, giving a half assed smile.
"Wow..." He pauses, looking up at me intently. "I hate to be the dick to ask this, but are you sure it's mine? That sounds terrible, but I know Danny... you know..."
I close my eyes, fighting back tears again. "I don't know. Danny didn't, you know, finish in me or anything." I let out a sharp laugh, "Wow, I sound like a 16 year old again, talking like this."
He chuckles too, lightening the mood a little. "Good point, I guess that'll be something to worry about later. But listen, I want you to know that I'm going to step up and help you, okay? This is a lot to take on right now, all at once. I didn't think I'd ever see you again honestly."
"Justin, I don't expect you to be here. I just thought you should know in case you wanted to be in their life at some point. I don't want my baby growing up without a father, but I also don't want them to grow up with a father that doesn't care. That would hurt them worse."
He sighs, nodding. "Do you think we could make it work?"
I shrug, looking at the table. "It's going to be a little different at first. What if we don't work out as a couple or whatever. What happens when they ask how mommy and daddy met? I don't think kidnapping makes for a good love story." I laugh again, hoping that didn't hurt him. I see him look away, and immediately regret saying anything.
He looks back to me, locking deep blue eyes with mine. "Be at the Colony tonight at 7, okay?"
I look at him quizically as I stand up. "The bar? Why?"
He grabs my hand, leading me to the door and outside. "Just trust me."
With that, he kisses my cheek and goes back inside.
-
It was about 6 and I was almost done getting ready. That makes it sound like I really dressed up, but in all reality I was just in a nicer shirt and my good jeans. It'd gotten cold out, being fall already, so I would throw my coat over it anyways. Besides, it was a bar.
I got there early, taking a seat in the booth at the back and ordering a water. I didn't know if he planned on eating. Actually, I had no idea what he planned at all. The bar was relatively empty for a Friday night, but there was also a football game going on at the highschool, so I'm sure it'll be flooded in here later.
I was happy I just wore a loose shirt. I was at that stage where, when naked, I definitely looked pregnant. However, with my short, curvy build, with a shirt on I could pass as just fat. In this case, I'd rather look fat. I didn't have much of a reputation to lose here, but I'm sure Justin did. Shit spreads fast in a small town like this.
It was about ten after 7 when he walked in. He looked damn good, more cleaned up than I'd seen him yet. Nice dark Wrangles hugged his ass nicely, topped with a simple plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up mid-arm. His beard had been trimmed really short, almost looking like stubble. It suited him really well.
He didn't even look for me, just took a seat at the bar and ordered a beer. I adverted my eyes, trying not to stare at him. After a few minutes of talking with the bartender, he swings around in his stool, looking across the room. His eyes lock with mine and he nods cordially. I give him a small smile and turn back to my phone, looking at the same stuff I have been for the last half an hour.
He turns to talk with the bartender a little more and grabs another beer, bringing it over to me. He stops at the edge of the table and smiles down at me, nodding to the table.
"Hey there, I'm Justin. You waitin' on someone or can I have a seat?"
I laugh, watching his eyes light up playfully. I pat the other side of the table. "Nice to meet you Justin, I'm Cassie. Take a seat, it's all yours."
He sets the beer in front of me and grins. "Thought you might want a drink."
I look at him questioningly, tilting my head to the side. "Sorry... I don't drink."
He chuckles, "Well damn, more for me then. Can I buy you something to eat instead?"
"Well, since you asked, a hamburger has been sounding pretty damn good tonight."
He sighs happily, "A girl after my own heart."
He signals the waitress back over and gives her our orders, thanking her and having her tell the cook he said hi. See? Definitely has an image to keep up here.
"So Cassie, what brings to you this little town? We're not use to many new people."
I nod, "I'm sure I'm causing quit the stir with the old people now. I'm actually here for work, or I was. She's a crazy bitch though, so I'm starting a new job at the store soon. I planned on just being here for the summer and going back to the city for college, but I'm not sure how that'll all play out now. I'm too late for this year anyways, it's already November." I drop my head a little. It's really weird telling him a lot of stuff that he knows already, but I'm trying to play along.
His face changes when I talk about school, almost a little hurt. "Wait, were you almost done with school? You shouldn't drop out if you're so close, we can make it work." He drops character for a second, genuine worry spread across his face.
Oh no, he doesn't' know. "Justin... I'm only a freshman. I'm 19."
His eyes widen and he burys his head in his hands, muttering. "Oh god. I'm so sorry. Fuck."
My heart starts beating faster, afraid that this just changed everything. He looks up at me, eyes locking with mine. He surprises me, hands sliding across the table to grab mine. "Damn, Cass. Do you want to go back?"
I chew on my bottom lip, shaking my head. "No. Not really. I didn't like it at all, and this..." My hand rubs across my stomach under the table, "...just makes it even harder."
Our food arrives and we eat mostly in silence. I hog down a lot more than I'd like to in front of a cute guy on what feels like a first date, but I can't help it. After we're done eating, he grabs my hand again.
"Come home with me." His eyes are piercing blue.
He catches me by surprise, completely serious about it. "W-why?"
He kinda chuckles, "No, not like that. I promise. I just meant that we could talk more and.. I dont know, maybe see how it would be if you lived with me?"
I scoff a little, mulling it over. "Justin, we barely know each other. Are you sure you really want to be a part of this?"
He nods quickly. "Give it a chance, just for one night at least."
Pausing, I sigh. "Okay. I need to stop and get clothes. I'm going to warn you now that it wont be pretty though."
He smiles, his face lighting up. "I'm ready."
-
After letting me stop at my apartment and picking up some clothes and food, we head back to his house. His and Danny's house. I have to admit that I'm nervous as hell to see Danny again. Justin reaches across the center console and grabs my hand sweetly, lacing his fingers between mine and calming my nerves a little.
Once we get back, I grab my bag and follow him inside. The lights are on in the living room and kitchen, so I know he's home. I hesitate in the porch after taking my shoes off. Justin notices and reaches for my hand again, pulling me behind him.
He's sitting on the couch, zoned out in his video game on the TV. He glances up and then back at the TV, then his head snaps back to us. A gunshot rings out and his player falls, "defeated" in big red letters run across the screen.
"What. The. Fuck?"
"Danny, this is a lot to explain. Um. I'll just get to it ... Cassie's pregnant. She doesn't want any trouble. Please don't start shit..."
He stares at us, glancing at my belly. I blush, looking away. After a moment more, he picks up his controller and turns back to the TV. "Okay."
Justin throws a quick glance my way, a skeptical look in his eyes. He shrugs, pulling me to his room. Its the same as before, almost exactly as I remember. He pulls the covers down and sits on the edge of the bed. I plop down next to him, laying my bag on the bed.
In the living room the TV turns off and the light goes out. I hear the front door slam moments later, a loud familiar truck starts in the driveway, roaring away. Justins head drops into his hands, groaning. Being the hormonal mess I am, tears well in my eyes again.
"Maybe I should go..."
He looks up as I sniffle, wraping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his chest.
"Dont think this is all about you, Danny and I have been having some problems lately. I... I don't think tonight was probably easy on him. If you want the truth, he's been beating himself up pretty badly over the whole situation lately."