ALL MY LIFE
PART FOURTEEN
"Jody?" Scott asked softly.
Jody lifted her head and saw Scott. She stood up and threw herself at Scott. Scott hugged her tightly and stroked her hair. He glared one last time at Charlie before walking Jody back off to the hotel, whispering in her ear.
Charlie watched them walk off and collapsed onto the bench. He never wanted to make Jody cry, he hated it when she cried. He sighed painfully and forced himself to get up. He dragged himself back to the hotel, blocks behind Jody and Scott.
When he got back to his hotel room he collapsed on to the bed and sighed. Kathy came out from the bathroom and looked at him. She sat down next to him and made him look at her.
"Are you okay?" Kathy asked.
Charlie shrugged. "I'll be fine."
"Does this have anything to do with Jody?" Kathy asked cautiously.
Charlie sighed again and shook his head. "Look, me and Jody… we went through a lot so don't… don't mess with our relationship, ok? She feels bad enough as it is."
"Why? What happened?"
Charlie shook his head. "Never mind. I don't really wanna remember what just happened."
"No… I meant before. What did you go through?"
"Oh, that." Charlie sighed again. "It's a long story."
Kathy lay down on the bed and turned to Charlie. "I've got time."
Charlie gave in and stared up at the ceiling. "Ok, ok. Um, I went to ABA for a year, and that's where I met Jody… and Erik and Eva and all them. Um, the last day, there was a party and we went together. So then we started dating and all for 3 years."
Kathy nodded. "Did you love her?"
"Why does it matter?"
"Charlie, did you love her?"
"Yeah… but then Jonathan said I should go to Russia before I come back as a principal for the company. And I really didn't wanna leave her, but she made me go because it was great opportunity and all. So we spent our last week together… and then I left." Charlie sighed and closed his eyes. "That enough for you?"
"Is that why you didn't wanna go out with me at first?"
"Yeah, basically. I just still loved her so much even though we hadn't seen each other in 3 years."
Kathy nodded. "Do… do you still love her?"
"What? We're getting married! I love you!"
"I know… but do you still love her?"
Charlie sighed and closed his eyes again. "No, of course not." He lied. He didn't wanna wreak the wedding. He loved Kathy. "I love you." Kathy smiled and kissed Charlie. He pushed her off and rolled over. "Please…" He mumbled something and stood up. "I'll see you later." He said, and then left again.
Kathy frowned and rested on the bed. Something was wrong and it was all Jody's fault. Kathy knew it.
Meanwhile… Scott sat on the hotel bed and kissed Jody softly.
"Shhh… it's ok. Don't cry." Scott whispered in Jody's ear.
Jody eventually calmed down and wiped her eyes. She sighed and smiled weakly at Scott.
"What did he do?" Scott asked.
Jody shook her head. "Nothing. I'm fine." She sighed again and looked into Scott's eyes.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Shut up and kiss me." Jody said playfully and kissed Scott.
Scott smiled and kissed her back happily. Though, he still hated Charlie. He figured everything would be fine when they left the next week, except then they'd have to deal with Matt some more. He didn't care. He loved Jody. And Jody loved him. So he kissed her and forgot about everything else.
There was a knock on their door and Jody groaned. She went to go answer it, but Scott pulled her back. "Don't worry about it." Jody smiled and kissed him again.
The knocking became more urgent as time went on and Jody eventually gave in and let go of Scott. "Sorry Scott, it's bugging the crap out of me." Jody explained as she got off the bed. She fixed her hair quickly in the mirror and opened the door.
"What- oh Charlie." Jody stepped outside the room and shut the door. "What is it?"
"I just… wanted to see if you were ok."
Jody bit her lip. "I'm fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to freak out back there. I've just been really stressed lately. And I just sorta exploded all at once."
Charlie nodded and pressed Jody against the door. He kissed her passionately for a moment before pulling back. "Sorry… I just had to do that… bye." Charlie turned away and started off down the hallway.
Jody stood there, speechless and in shock. She lifted her hand and felt her soft lips. Charlie kissed me! She sighed happily and leaned against the door. Scott opened the door and Jody fell back. He caught her in his arms and set her upright.
"Whoa. You okay?"
Jody nodded and snapped out of her trance. "Uh, fine, I'm great. I couldn't be better."
"What did Charlie want?"
"Nothing… just to see if I was okay. Man my feet hurt." Jody sat back down on the bed and took off her shoes.
"Anything I can do?" Scott sat down on the bed, lifted Jody's feet and put them in his lap.
"No!" Jody pulled her feet back and crossed her legs. "I hate my feet."
"Why?" Scott asked.
"They're bad and they're ugly and they hurt!" Jody pouted.
"Lemme see." Scott pulled Jody's feet out from under her and kissed them. "Really? Ugly? These? No way! They are beautiful, just like you." Scott put Jody feet down and rubbed them gently.
Jody smiled, her heart melted. "You are too sweet." Jody pulled her feet back and kissed Scott. He kissed her back but she jumped away. "Ha! Come and get it!" She called as Scott chased her around the room.
He tackled her onto the bed and they collapsed in giggles. Jody panted and inched to the head of the bed. She smiled sweetly at Scott and he leaned forward to kiss her.