Chapter 25
Not to long later, AJ walked in and leaned against the counter.
''How are you doing?'' AJ asked.
''Fine considering.'' Jessica answered.
''Okay.'' akj said.
''Why do you want me?'' Jessica asked.
''I'll start from the beginning. The day you walked in with Terry. I took notice. When you and I worked together, I got to know you better and then I was gonna ask you out but Joe beat me to you. I mean really beat me.'' AJ answered.
''Still didn't answer my question.'' Jessica said.
''Why do I want you. It's easy, I fell in love with my best friend. Once I realized that I started acting like a jerk cause I didn't want anyone to know until I figured everything out.'' AJ replied.
''And have you?'' Jessica asked.
''Yes. And I want to prove it to you.'' AJ answered.
''You figure out how to do that while I finishe up.'' Jessica said.
''AJ stayed in his spot while Jessica took out the cake. She set it on the counter to cool. The she finished up the potatoes.
"Could you tell Terry he needs to start the steaks.'' Jessica asked.
''Sure.'' AJ answered.
AJ left the kitchen. He soon returned with Terry. Terry pulled out the steaks, he then headed out to the backyard and started the grill. Both AJ and Jessica just watched him. AJ once again leaned against the counter. Jessica put the finishing touched on the potatoes before she started the gravey.
''Would you get the plate, cups and silverware out for me?'' Jessica asked.
''Sure.'' AJ answered.
AJ got everything out and the gravey was finished. Terry walked in with the steaks.
''Yours is on the top.'' Terry said.
''Why?'' AJ asked.
''Because it's completely cooked through. She doesn't like it medium rare like most of us.'' Terry answered.
''Besides eating something like that doesn't sit well with me.'' Jessica said.
''I'll remember that.'' AJ replied.
The table was set. The food was cooked and Jeff and his girls were waiting. Terry carried in the steaks while AJ helped Jessica bring in the potatoes and gravey. Once everyone was seated, Terry gave Jessica her steak before everyone else. The potatoes and gravey were passed around. Once every had their share, they began eating. The guys talked mostly about wrestling.
Once Jessica finished eating, she got up and headed into the kitchen. Jeff soon walked in. He helped Jessica with the cake. They headed back into the dining room and handed out the cake. Both sat down. Jessica just watched everyone as they ate. She looked at her piece and knew she wouldn't eat it.
''You okay?'' Terry asked.
''Yeah.'' Jessica answered.
''Are you gonna eat that?'' Terry asked.
''Maybe later.'' Jessica answered.
Jessica got up and headed into the kitchen. She went over to the sink and started doing the dishes. AJ walked in.
''What are you doing?'' AJ asked.
''Dishes.'' jessic answered.
''I can see that but let someone else do that.'' AJ said.
''I could but they wouldn't get done right.'' Jessica replied.
''Let someone else do them.'' AJ said.
''Why?'' Jessica asked.
''Because I want to go for a walk and I would like if you came with.'' AJ answered.
''What do you really want?'' Jessica asked.
''Walk with me and I'll tell you.'' AJ answered.
She stopped and dried her hands. She followed AJ out the back door. They walked around the backyard.
''So tell me.'' Jessica said.
''What I really want is to be a good boyfriend. Then work up to something more.'' AJ replied.
''What about this baby.'' Jessica asked.
''I want to raise this baby as my own.'' AJ answered.
''You do know who the babies real dad is, don't you.'' Jessica asked.
''Yes and I don't care. Joe can try all he wants but he won't hurt either of you.'' AJ answered.
''I know. I have most of the roster willing to kick his ass.'' Jessica said.
''But I really want to raise this baby right. I also want us to be happy.'' AJ replied.
''But first, we need a first date and the rest.'' Jessica said.
''And you'll have that.'' AJ replied.
''If you say so.'' Jessica said.
''Tomorrow night, it will just be you and me. So dress nice.'' AJ replied.
"A date.'' Jessica asked.
''Yes and if you want a first kiss from me.'' AJ answered.
''I wouldn't want anything less than that.'' Jessica said.
''But I do want time to expain to my mom.'' AJ replied.
''I just hope it ends better than how james' mom took it.'' Jessica said.
''Don't worry, I'll sit down and explain everything to her. But it shouldn't matter what she wants. Because I want this.'' AJ replied.
''So when are you gonna do this?'' Jessica asked.
''The sooner the better.'' AJ answered.
''Okay.'' Jessica said.
''I want to do this before you come home with me.'' AJ replied.
''I understand fully.'' Jessica said.
''So you'll either be at home or where ever until them.'' AJ replied.
''I can't go home. Joe is there and I know Jeff has family close bu, so I guess here.'' Jessica said.
''Okay. But we could get you a hotel room close by me.'' AJ replied.
''And no one would have to know.'' Jessica said.
''Just Terry and that would be all.'' AJ replied.
''AJ.'' Jessica said.
''Yeah.'' AJ replied.
''I know what I'm gonna ask will sound strange.'' Jessica said.
''I'll be the judge of that.'' AJ replied.
''Do you really like me ot is this a plan to get me to sleep with you.'' Jessica asked.
''No plan. I really like you. Hell, I was gonna ask you out before but Joe beat me to it.'' AJ answered.
''Did he threaten you.'' Jessica asked.
''Yes. He told me if I even thought about asking, he would beat me bloody.'' AJ answered.
''I wouldn't have been happy about it.'' Jessica said.
''And that's why I didn't ask.'' AJ replied.
AJ and Jessica headed back inside the house. AJ kissed her cheek and told her he'd call later.
Jessica finished up the dishes. Jeff walked in and helped.
''So where's AJ.'' Jeff asked.
''AJ went home so he could tell his mom.'' Jessica answered.
''Are you okay with that?'' Jeff asked.
''Of course I am. We talked about it.'' Jessica answered.
''Good at least you've talked.'' Jeff said.
''Yeah and we made plans. He even asked me out.'' Jessica replied.
''That's a start. Just take it slow.'' Jeff said.
''We will.'' Jessica replied.
They finally had the last dish washed. They then left the kitchen and headed towards the den. Once there, they sat down and got comfortable.