Surrender (3 page)

Ava

Hearing my Grandma up and walking around the house I roll on top of Brody. Kissing him on the lips I whisper “We should get up, it’s my last day before I have to leave.”

“I know but I love waking up next to you every morning, it makes me never want to leave.”

“Mmm me too, Aunty Wendy is coming around for lunch today to say goodbye. I’m so torn. I’m sad to go but happy as well. I love it here but I kind of miss LA.”

“We will come back soon.”

“I know.” Rolling off of him I stand and head to the bathroom for a shower. Our affection has slowed down while staying at my Grandmas so I can’t wait to get home, to just be with him.

The last couple of days have been so much fun, Grandma absolutely loves Brody she thinks he is just the “bee’s knees”. We have gone on a lot of drives so Brody can see the country side. We have done the touristy things in Canberra and have gone out to dinner a few times. A couple of days in between have been spent sitting around with Grandma talking about LA and stories of the tour. She has been telling Brody about my childhood and some embarrassing moments that he didn’t need to hear, not yet anyway considering we just got together.

The next morning, I wake with a feeling of dread, knowing that I will be leaving my Grandma and Brody. I will be heading back to L.A today and Brody will be on a flight tomorrow. It would be nice if we were on the same plane back to L.A, but he was unable to get a ticket. The drive to the airport is a quiet one. I really hate the thought of leaving him behind, even though he won’t be far behind me. Brody and I will get the same plane to Sydney but from there I will head over to the international airport while Brody goes to his hotel. Grandma stops the car and we all pile out. Brody gets our bags out of the car while I hug Grandma.

“Bye sweetie, call me when you get there ok. I’ll miss you.”

“Will do, I’ll miss you too. Bye.” Pulling out of our hug I walk over to my bag. Watching Brody go and give Grandma a hug I turn away, I hate goodbyes.

“Thank you for letting me stay.”

“That’s ok Brody it was my pleasure, look after her for me.”

“I will don’t you worry about that.”

Brody grabs my hand and I look back over my shoulder and smile at my Grandma. Pulling my hand from Brody’s I wave goodbye to my Grandma, wiping a tear from my eye as I watch her disappear from my view.

***

Standing in the airport about to get onto my transfer to the international airport, I lean up to Brody and give him a kiss.

“Are you okay Ava you didn’t talk much on the flight?”

“I just miss her already.”

“I know Baby but she can always come and visit you. Everything will be okay.”

“I know but now I have to let you go as well.”

“Ava I’ll be leaving tomorrow. Hunter is going to pick me up from the Airport and I’ll come straight to you.”

“Okay. When I get home I have to go into work and see Jennifer, so that will keep me busy until you get back, I suppose. But I’ll miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too, but you’re going to miss your flight, so go. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

“I love you too Brody.” I make my way to the door before turning back and waving one last time.

Jeremy

I hang up the phone, ending my conversation with Hunter. He was very hesitant, but in the end I talked him into giving me Tori’s address. I can’t get my head around this whole business with Ava and Brody. I need to clarify a few details and I think Tori is the best person to help me do that.

Starting my car I head in the direction of Tori’s house, my mind trying to recall the last conversation I had with her. It was the night of the party just after I had found Brody with his hands all over Ava in the corridor. When I had walked back into the room, Tori had called me a ‘pathetic douchebag’ and she had warned that if I didn’t wise up, Ava would end up with Brody. I guess she was right.

An hour later I am pulling up at the airport. I had turned up at Tori’s apartment just as she was walking out the door. It took a little bit of groveling but I got some information out of her and found out that Ava is actually returning to L.A today. I begged Tori for the flight information and suggested she let me pick her up so we could discuss what has been happening. Tori caved, eventually, and now here I am, waiting at the gate for Ava’s arrival. The doors open and a line of people start moving in my direction. A few minutes later I spot a familiar face. She doesn’t notice me straight away as she is looking for Tori, but when her golden eyes meet mine, she stops and stares at me with a sad look in her eyes. For someone that’s been sitting on a plane for fifteen hours she still looks beautiful. She eventually walks toward me and I give her an encouraging smile. Wheeling her purple suitcase behind her she stops three feet in front of me.

“Hey, Dundee.”

“Jeremy…what are you doing here? Where’s Tori?”

“I asked her to let me pick you up. I just thought it would be a good opportunity for us to have a chat about what happened.”

“Oh…okay.”

“Do you want to go and sit in the bar and have a drink before we go? Have a chat?”

She nods her head and turns in the direction of the bar and I walk quietly behind her. We find a seat and put an order in for our drinks. I watch her pretty face as she looks around the bar before her eyes settle back on my face. Here goes nothing.

“So, I want to start by apologizing for what happened the night of the party. I drank way too much and I don’t remember a lot of what happened, but I do remember that I acted like a jerk and said some things that I regret. And then the whole thing with the groupies; I don’t really remember what happened, but the guys filled me in and I’m really sorry that I put you through that.”

She stares at me for a few seconds before nodding her head “It was hard to witness that, Jeremy. Especially after the things you said to me and the accusations you made. I won’t lie to you, it hurt.”

Blinking, I make a promise to myself that I am going to make it up to her. “I’m so sorry, Ava. I know I acted like a total pig and I’ve heard from Hunter that my actions that night actually pushed you into Brody’s arms, but, I think we can get through this and still make it work. I miss you, Ava.”

She looks sad as she shakes her head at me. “Jeremy, it would never work between us. We are too different and I think we were fooling ourselves to think that it was going somewhere. I’m sorry.”

Looking down at the table I process her words. “So that’s it? It’s over? You don’t even want to try and work things out?”

She rests her hand over the top of mine. “Jeremy, I’m really sorry and I know you won’t want to hear this. But, I’m with Brody now. I realized when I went back to Australia that you were right. There was something more to our friendship. Nothing ever happened between us when I was with you, but I eventually realized that I’m in love with him.”

“Huh…” So I was right all along. “Ava, I don’t know what to say. Come on, let’s go. I’ll take you home.” I rise and grab hold of the handle of her suitcase wheeling it behind me as I lead her out to my car.

We arrive at her apartment block and I remove her suitcase from the trunk and place it on the sidewalk beside her. Giving her a tight smile I turn to get back in my car, but her hand on my arm stops me.

“Jeremy. Thank you for the ride. Please remember that we didn’t want to hurt you. And I hope this doesn’t affect your friendship with Brody, I would never forgive myself.”

“I have to go.” Climbing into my car I don’t even look back at her as I move my car out into the flow of traffic.

Later that afternoon I’m sitting on my couch, beer in hand, wondering what went wrong. We got along so well and it felt like there was so much chemistry between us. I guess it just wasn’t enough. My phone vibrates in my jacket pocket and I pull it out and smile when I see Jo’s name.

“Hey, Jo. What’s up?”

“Hey, Stone. Just calling to see if I can line you up to pick me up from the airport in a couple of days?”

Sighing, I reply “Yeah, sure thing, Jo.”

“What’s with the dramatic sigh, Jeremy?”

“I spoke to Ava today. It’s definitely over between us. I mean, I expected as much when Hunter told me that Brody had chased her back to Australia. But I guess in a way I had been hoping he was going to her as a friend.”

“I’m really sorry, Jeremy. I know how much you liked her. Sometimes the people we like don’t like us back. I know all about that.” She chuckles at the end of that statement, but I know deep down she must be feeling similar to the way I am.

“I’m sorry, Jo. I shouldn’t even be talking to you about this stuff.”

“Jeremy, it’s fine. You can talk to me about anything.”

“Thanks, Jo. You’ve been a great friend. Just text me the info about your flight and arrival time and I’ll see you when you land in a couple of days.”

She really has been a great friend to me, not like my other so called best friend. I feel like he betrayed me. As soon as there was any kind of problem with me and Ava he was swooping in to save the day. As far as I’m concerned that friendship has expired.

Brody

Throwing my bag onto the backseat of Hunter’s Jeep, I climb in beside it. Hunter and Tori climb in the front and we join the flow of cars and buses leaving the airport. I give Hunter the directions to Ava’s apartment and lean back into the seat. I spent the last fifteen hours on the plane beside a nice lady with a very noisy toddler, so sleep was impossible.

Just as I begin to relax and close my eyes, Tori’s voice pipes up from the front seat.

“Brody, I got a visit from Jeremy yesterday and he kind of…he talked me into letting him pick Ava up from the airport.”

“What do you mean he talked you into letting him pick her up? Why would you do that, Tori?”

“He said he wanted to talk about what happened between them and I think he was right. They need to sort it out and be honest and open with each other. Get some closure, you know?”

Damn, I know she’s right but the thought of them alone together worries me. Jeremy’s so smooth and such a sweet talker.

“I guess you’re right. He just doesn’t deserve any of her time after the way he treated her.”

Hunter and Tori glance at each other with strange expressions, but I don’t care. He hurt Ava and I’m not going to let him do it again.

Hunter’s eyes meet mine in the rear-view mirror “Um…Brody. How is this going to affect the band, dude?”

Staring out the window I mutter “I don’t know, Hunter. I really don’t know. But I’m not giving her up for anyone.”

Hunter drops me off at Ava’s apartment and I’m nervous as I walk to her front door. Did her talk with Jeremy change anything between us? I guess I’ll find out.

As I lift my hand to knock, the door is thrown open and she jumps into my arms causing me to stagger backwards a little.

Chuckling, I drop my bag and wrap my arms around her. Lifting her head up she places gentle little kisses all over my face, in between telling me how much she missed me.

I capture her sweet mouth with mine while bending down to pick up my bag. I carry her through to her room and lay her down on the bed then I take my time showing her just how much I missed her… twice.

Three nights later, me and Ava are curled up on my couch watching TV with a big bowl of popcorn between us. My phone vibrates on the coffee table and as I lean forward, my brow furrows when I see Jo’s name.

“Hello. Jo?”

“Yeah, hey, Coops. How are things?”

“Good. Can’t complain. What’s up?

“Well, I’m in L.A and I have a massive favor to ask of you.”

“Shoot.”

“I’ve looked at so many apartments over the last two days, but not one has been right. They’re too small, too expensive or just plain ugly. Jeremy mentioned that you happen to have a spare room at your place. So…any chance you’re after a roommate?”

“Oh…uh…sure. When will you be moving in?” I glance over at Ava and she is staring at the TV trying to look like she’s not paying attention to my conversation. But the slight frown on her pretty face is a dead giveaway.

“I’m hoping to move all my things over next week.” Then she says in a softer voice “Jeremy offered me a room at his place, but I just think it would be too awkward after my declarations of love and all that jazz.”

“Yeah, I completely understand. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need, Jo.”

Ava’s wide eyes snap to mine and I cringe. I think it may be just as awkward for her here.

“Thanks, Brody. You’re a real gem.” Whispering again, she says “Tell Ava I said ‘Hi’.”

I chuckle nervously “Yeah, sure. Will do, Jo.”

Disconnecting the call I place my phone back on the coffee table and lean back into the couch. I wait a minute before I glance over at Ava and when I do, she is sitting there with her arms folded across her chest, glaring at me.

“So…what would you like for dinner tonight?”

“Nice try, Buddy. What was that phone call all about?”

“Oh, nothing. Jo seems to be having the same kind of trouble that you were having and can’t find a place of her own. So she asked if she could stay here.”

“Why isn’t she staying with Jeremy? From what I hear, there is more than enough room for her at his place.”

“I guess after what happened between them, she thinks it will be a little awkward.”

“And her staying here won’t be? I’m not sure if you noticed, Brody, but Jo and I didn’t exactly get along too well.”

Turning my body toward her, I place my hand on her thigh and start tracing circles up and down her bare leg. “I guess that means I will just have to spend more time at your place then.” My finger traces higher up her leg to the hem of her little shorts. She glances down at my hand on her leg and then back at my eyes.

“Brody, are you trying to distract me so that I forget I’m angry with you?”

Giving her my cheekiest grin I ask “Is it working.”

Her tongue flicks out and licks her bottom lip.

“You betcha.” She stands up and grabs hold of my hand and with her other hand she picks up the remote control and switches the TV off. Then she leads me into my bedroom and we make love until we both fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

***

By the following Friday Jo has moved into my spare room. Glancing around at the new additions to the living room I already regret it. The walls are now covered in girly prints, there are fluffy pink cushions on the couch and the worst part is the makeup, hair care products and feminine hygiene items that have taken over the main bathroom. Thank Christ for my private bathroom.

On the Saturday night I invite Ava, the guys from the band and Tori and Emma around for dinner and drinks. It was actually Ava’s idea, even though she was a little bit skeptical of Jo living with me, she still wants to show her there are no hard feelings. Hopefully her little plan doesn’t backfire.