Chapter 14

The awkward tension could be cut with a knife even after April had invited Jackson in. It didn't help that Jackson kept staring at Max like he wanted to punch him straight in the mouth.

"Max, this is Jackson…my um." She stopped talking because she realized even more now than ever that she didn't really know what the heck to call Jackson. "My baby's father." She said finally because she knew that sounded better than 'my ex-husband and now baby daddy'.

Max nodded, gulping, feeling extra nervous because they had already met and April knew this but it seemed like she was trying to ease some of the tension away.

Jackson nodded back at him. "I thought I would come over and talk, in private." He said, emphasizing the last bit so that Max knew he wanted him gone. He narrowed his eyes at April as if to help him which made April turn to Max.

"Max, is it—"

"Oh gosh, yeah, I'm so sorry. I should get out of your way." He said quickly, walking over to the couch and grabbing his coat, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment because of the fact that he had kissed April just minutes prior and he felt like Jackson knew that. He wasn't even sure why he had kissed her, I mean he was attracted to April, but he knew her life was way too complicated to even think about a relationship let alone when she is pregnant. He wanted to apologize to April, to explain himself and to tell her that he would never do that again…unless she wanted him to of course, but he didn't really have time.

"Thanks." She said, walking over with him to the door. She opened the door and watched as he left, but grabbed his arm before he could leave any further "Hey, its okay by the way, what you did before, I forgive you because I know you didn't mean it." She gave him a quick smile, which he returned shyly. "Also, I feel terrible, because I haven't discussed this with you…."

"You want me to go stay with my friends?" He said, answering what she was going to tell him.

She raised her eyebrows but he waved her off "I get it, I figured that would happen sooner rather than later and I understand. I'll come back tomorrow to pick up the rest of my stuff."

"Max…"

"No, April, really, you've been incredibly kind and I…well I ruined that, and I've overstayed my welcome. Go, talk to him." He smiled and turned to leave before she could say that he hadn't ruined their friendship.

She closed the door to see Jackson sitting on the stool where the counter isle had been, staring in her direction, his chin resting on his hand and he looked a mix of annoyed and confused.

"So, I'm guessing he is still staying with you?"

April gulped; she knew she couldn't lie to him. In the midst of everything she had forgot to tell Max to leave, she could tell that Jackson was waiting for answer but her heart started racing, she wasn't ready for a fight and she was hoping that this conversation wouldn't lead to one.

"Well, he's leaving tomorrow." Okay, so technically she wasn't lying, more like bending the truth.

He nodded "You two just looked cozy is all."

April crossed her arms, unsure what to do with them. "We're just friends, what did you want to talk about?" Hoping to change the subject and move on from Max.

"I'm not even sure anymore." Jackson chuckled, which made April chuckle along.

"Did you try the cake?" He asked, looking down at the tinfoil but his smile was replaced when he saw the pizza tray. He definitely had interrupted them, and he wasn't sure why he was so jealous, he knew that April wouldn't be interested in another guy, she had told him she wanted to focus on the baby but it still bothered him and that Max guy really got under his skin.

April could see that he shifted his gaze and looked annoyed again. "No, I was going to but I kind of lost track of time." She instantly regretted those words because she could see Jackson's eyes look away as if he was automatically associating what she said with Max and herself.

"Anyway, do you want something to drink?"

He shook his head, looking away from her. Silence followed quickly after and it really bothered April, she wanted him to talk to her and tell her whatever it was that he wanted to say to her but now he seemed put off.

"You know what I want?" He asked, finally looking over at her and raising his brow.

She shook her head "What?"

"I want to kiss you, that's what I want." He shrugged as if it was nothing that he had just admitted that to her.

She felt her cheeks flush, she had not expected that from him but she licked her lips out of habit.

"Jackson…"

"I don't like this, I don't like that this feels awkward and the fact that I want to be there for you but feel like I'm 10 steps behind everything." He said cutting her off before she could say whatever it was she wanted to say.

April uncrossed her arms and moved a few steps forward. "I don't like it either, but I don't want you to feel 10 steps behind. You are as much a part of this baby's life as I am and I don't want you to feel awkward."

"What about Max?"

April sighed "Jackson, Max and I are just friends. I don't know how else to explain that to you, I am not interested in anyone else…" He opened his eyes a little wider "What I mean…" She corrected herself and continued "I don't need to be seeing anyone especially at my current condition. This baby has my attention and I feel like with everything going on between you and I, I don't think I need to add more stress to that, do you?" She crossed her arms again out of frustration this time and walked forward, making Jackson look nervous.

"I expect you to respect that and stop questioning me every single time I have a friend who happens to be male, is that clear?"

Jackson couldn't help but smile, she had been so strict, yet it came off so cute given that her belly was taking up half of April.

He nodded "Crystal clear. I'm sorry; I guess my insecurities got the best of me. You are beautiful April, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone else was interested. I guess this baby has me on edge lately."

April wanted to run up to him and kiss him, and doing a little bit more than that, his words meant everything to her but instead she nodded and laughed, walking over and taking the tinfoil off of the bread "Shall we dig in?"

He put his hands up "Yuck, no."

April raised her eyebrow "Excuse me? Are you saying yuck and you wanted me to try it?"

He laughed "No! I mean you will probably like it, I've never actually tried it but it's meant for pregnant women, something in there, like an ingredient and I don't think I am in any position to try it."

April gave him a smile and shrugged, walking over and grabbing a knife. "You cut it then."

He smiled back at her and grabbed the knife out of her hands, accidentally brushing his fingers across her hand, making her tense up from the feel of electricity pass through her.

They stayed quiet as he began to cut, ignoring what just happened.

April took a small bite and made a face as if it was disgusting but then made Jackson laugh when she threw him a piece in his face.

"It's actually really good." She said through chuckles.

Silence fell again but Jackson cleared his throat "My mom wants to meet with us."

April looked up to see that he had been dead serious when he said this, which meant he wasn't kidding.

"Well, what is it about this time? I really don't want to feel ambushed again."

He nodded "I get that, but I have no idea, she refuses to tell me, but it's my mom."

"Okay, well I'll be there." She said, giving him a warm smile that meant she was going to be there for him.

"It's getting late, I should probably go." Jackson said as he watched her, he mainly was saying this because his every being wanted to walk over and place a passionate kiss on her lips.

April looked disappointed which made it even worse.

"You couldn't think of what you wanted to talk to me about, huh?"

Jackson chuckled and shrugged "Guess not." He was lying, he did want to talk to her about a few things, but he knew they could wait. He didn't want to ruin a good moment, especially since that was what kept happening every single time they spoke.

She smiled back at him and walked him over to the door.

"Talk to you later?" She said reassuring him that she did in fact want to keep talking to him.

He nodded, grabbing the door handle and turning to leave. He closed his eyes, turned once more back to stare at her and leaned in giving her a small peck on her lips, it was so soft that if he didn't have his eyes opened, he would think he didn't touch her lips.

She had her eyes closed as he did this and allowed him to kiss her softly, even feeling her lips kiss him back.

He parted and gave her a grin, sighing and turning around to leave.

April stared at the door that was closed, shocked that it felt almost natural again. She knew he hadn't done it out of passion or anything like that but just out of love. Her heart skipped a few beats.

TBC….

A/N: Okay, so I first off want to start by saying thank you again to everyone who keeps reviewing, favorite-ing, and just overall taking the time to even read my story. I can never thank you enough. I also want to say to those that mentioned about Max still staying with her, I hope you understand now hehe. Sorry for making it a little confusing, I tend to do that sometimes. Sometimes it's by accident other times I mean to do it. Thanks again for reading!