AN: I know, I'm bad. How long has it been sense I updated? Let's not count the days. Anyway, I feel proud of myself for posting. This chapter sat in my folder for a long time. I started it and then got stuck and left it for like a month or two. But the main thing is I finished! Hopefully it's good! (Oh and a little hint. Pay attention to some of the detail!)

Chapter 16

Double Surprises

Exactly twenty minutes later, Jess was all clean and ready to go. Her hair was no longer flat from lack of a shower, but light and bouncy. It hung loosely around her shoulders and two clips kept hair away from her face. Gone were any signs of black oil on Jess' face. Her youthfulness shinned, because she wore no make-up. She had had no energy to go out to dinner, but now she felt refreshed and reenergized. It was amazing what a simple shower could do. Wash away all the dirt and all of your weariness.

"You look great," Eben complemented as she made her entrance into the kitchen. She now wore (at his request) a light yellow sundress. There were little white flowers embroidered on the bottom and at the top of the dress. It was a strapless dress and the bottom of the dress slanted so on one side the bottom was above her mid-thigh, but the other side reached just below her knee. Jess couldn't remember the last time she'd worn a dress. She refused to parade around in high heels all night; instead she found a nice pair of flip-flops to wear.

"Stop, you're making me blush," she joked as her voice held sarcasm. For some reason she couldn't shake her sour mood. Even a shower couldn't work merciless.

All Eben could do was smile and shake his head.

"You are never one to take a compliment."

"Oh, so you really think I look nice? That's sweet," again she continued to be sarcastic. Eben ignored her remark and continued talking.

"Let's go J before one of us gets hurt," he put an evil grin on his face and lead her to the door.

"Is that a threat?" Jess raised an eyebrow. She was challenging him, and she couldn't help it. Her sense of being wanted to fight and she'd pick a fight with any body at this time.

"It'll be a promise if we don't get going!" Eben showed no indication that he was serious, and it made Jess pout.

"All right, all right, just let me grab my purse," Jess huffed. Outside the night air was humid and hot. The sky was over cast, but the full moon was still visible through the gray clouds. "Where's your car?" Jess asked looking up and down the block.

"I took a cab," Eben shrugged. "Is it ok if we take your car?"

"I guess, but let me know next time, jeesh," her bad mood still showing through. She dug her keys out of her purse, and made her way to her small garage. Tossing her keys to Eben, she got in the passenger side of her car. "Be gentle," she said all too seriously as Eben got in and started the car.

"I'll take care of your baby," he mocked patting the dashboard.

"Hey, who's taking care of Jack?" Jess pondered.

"Don't worry, one of my buddies is looking after him."
"That's assuring. I know your friends," Jess growled.

"Get the stick out of your ass. It's your birthday, and you're supposed to be happy," Eben demanded.

"I can't help it. I haven't been myself lately," Jess apologized. She truly didn't know what was wrong with her. Maybe it was Brian, but she didn't know for sure. Did she love him? Was that why she was still depressed and grouchy? She remembered the phone call she just received and wondered if he was thinking about her.

The ride to the restaurant went by silently. Lately, Jess' lack of words was disturbing him and it didn't help that she always seemed to be sick. Eben just hopped that the surprise tonight would cheer her up. If he was lucky, it might even get her out of this slump she was in. Or if the big man above had it against him, then it was more than likely that Jess would be pissed and refused to speak to him, but he had to try.

The car stopped and Jess realized they were now at the restaurant. She sat up straighter in the seat and waited for Eben to run around the car to open the door for her. As she got out, she gave the valet boy the same warning she'd given Eben. No one hurt her car. The boy looked intimidated and she decided she had nothing to worry about.

The restaurant was high class and everybody who was any body went there. Sounds of chatter filled the grand room pleasantly and the smell of several different foods met her nose at once. Glancing over at Eben, she saw a permanent smirk planted on his face. He always got that look when he was up to something. Too busy studying his smugness; she totally tuned out her surrounds.

It wasn't till she noticed they stopped walking when she noticed they were now in a separate room away from the main restaurant. The room was dark and eerily silent. Her heart gave a jolt, and she jumped slightly as the lights turned on and the room erupted into one great, "Surprise!" Blue eyes widened as she scanned the room. A true smile brightened her face as she realized what was going on.

The medium sized room held one big, round table and sitting at the table were all her friends. The guys were there, Dom, Rome, Tyler, Sean, and Nate. Her brother Brandon and a few of his friends that she knew had showed up. Then a few girls she knew from the racing world as well. For a second, her smile flattered when she never saw Brian.

It hurt her that he wasn't there. Had he given up on her? Had she been too much of a coward and he decided to move on? Then why did he called her just a while ago? There were too many questions and not enough answers. She desperately wanted to call him, but even then she was scared. Why did Brian do this to her?

"Happy Birthday Jess," Eben smiled, snapping Jess from her thoughts. He looked down at her with a warm smile and she returned it. She was going to make the most of this night and have fun. She pulled him into a thankful hug, but it didn't last for long. Soon she felt his hands slide down her back to land on her ass.

"Ugh!" she protested. "You're such a pervert," she declared pulling away from him and slapping his hand before it could do anything else. He just stood there with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Just when I think you're an ok guy, you go and pull that stuff."

"Someone has to keep you on your toes," Eben laughed and the whole room was laughing with him. Finally Jess threw her hands up in defeat and went to take a seat next to Rome with Eben sitting on her other side.

"Were you surprised?" Rome asked.

"Yeah! I had no idea," Jess stated truthfully. She truly thought this was just going to be a quiet birthday dinner. The only thing that could have given this away was Eben's mischievous smile earlier. "How did you pull this together?" Jess wondered out loud.

"I couldn't have done it without the crew," Eben motioned to the guys of the house.

"Well thanks to everyone," Jess expressed. The waiters came out and took drink orders as everyone talked in small groups. Jess turned to Rome.

"How has Rome been?" she asked.

"I've been all right," he shrugged. "Busy I'll tell you that. Eben's having us race left and right lately."

"Bastard," Jess muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Eben leaned over to her. He must have been paying attention to their conversation.

"Oh nothing," Jess smiled sweetly. He had them racing now that she was gone and that was what got her upset. He probably didn't mean it purposefully, but she still wanted to be mad at someone and who better then Eben? The waiter set down some kind of drink that Eben had ordered for her. She tilted her head at the drink.

"Well how does it feel to be twenty-two?" Dom asked from across the table. Jess looked up at him and rolled her eyes.

"It feels like nineteen," she shrugged innocently. Again the room was filled with chuckles.

"When are you going to turn your true age?" Brandon asked.

"I think I'll save that for a few more years," Jess nodded with a smile. "When it's convenient."

Everyone went off into their own conversations again, and Jess wanted to ask Rome about Brian. She turned to him but didn't know the right words to say. Her pride wouldn't allow her to just come out and ask. Rome must have seen her feelings play back in her eyes.

"Brian was busy tonight. He told me to wish you a happy birthday though," Rome said, saving Jess from asking the awkward question. Jess nodded making it look like she was just passing the information with out a second thought. Rome continued to talk about different things before silence set in, and Jess was grateful for it.

She reached out for the glass in front of her as she listened. Putting the glass up to her lips, she smelt the alcohol before she drank. It made her stomach turn like she was back at the party. The bile rose in her throat immediately, she sent the glass down.

"Where's the bathroom?" she asked quickly as she stood. Eben had worry written in his face. He pointed in the direction of the washroom. Jess ran in that direction without looking back. Luckily, the feeling passed after sitting by the edge of the toilet for a while. She stood and paced the room just to make sure. When she was positive she wasn't going to be sick, she went back to the party.

"Are you all right?" Rome asked concerned when Jess sat back down at the table.

"I'll be fine. I haven't had any alcohol sense that party a while ago and the smell made me sick," Jess hypothesized for her sudden uneasiness.

"I take it you drank a lot after I left?" Eben asked almost fatherly.

"Ha! I made the mistake of stealing Brian's drink. I don't know what he put in it, but it made me sicker than a dog. I better not get sick all the time now!" Jess huffed. The party continued and everyone had their fair fill of good food.

"Present time!" one of Jess' friends cried out.

"No! I don't need presents," Jess protested, but she had no say because one of the waiters wheeled in a cart full of presents that had been hidden.

"You guys!" Jess shook her head as she looked over the mound of gifts. "And you!" she pointed a finger at Eben. "I better not get anything from you. You've given me enough!" she said meaning the house and the garage and anything else he did for her.

"Not to fear. Your gift didn't cost me a penny," Eben defended.

"Then I want to open yours first!" Jess said excitedly.

"Nope," Eben shook a finger at her. "You open mine last." Jess lower lip pouted out, but Eben held firm. Jess was like a kid again as she ripped through all the paper of the presents. Soon the table was full of gifts and goodies in front of her. She was so happy and caught up in the moment that she forgot about Eben's gift.

"Now you can get my gift, but it's not here," Eben informed. Jess looked at him skeptically. "Don't worry. Everyone is going to come too," Eben laughed. They all stood up and walked from the restaurant. Eben handed the waiter a large roll of bills and told him he'd be back for the change and Jess' presents. Jess bounced out in a now very good mood.

"What is it? What is it?" she asked as they waited for the car.

"You'll get to see soon enough, but first I have to blind fold you," he pulled out a handkerchief he'd brought.

"Come on!"

"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if you can see!" Eben tried to convince Jess.

"Trust me if you don't trust him," Dom's voice carried to her. She looked back to see Dom getting in his car.

"I guess!" she sighed overly dramatic. The world became dark as Eben put on the blindfold. He led her to the car and put her in the passenger seat. She bounced her foot as she felt the car pull away. It seemed like forever and a day to get to wherever they were going. She could hear heavy bass as the car pulled to a stop. She could also hear a mass of people standing around and talking out side.

"You can take it off," Eben informed. Jess removed it slowly. She was at a race and her car was at the starting line. It was a track she'd used in her earlier years. It was a part of town the cops didn't patrol and would take a while to get to if they got a tip off of about any race. She looked around at the many people waiting outside.

"This is my surprise?" Jess asked confused. Then she heard another car pull up along the driver's side. She looked past Eben to see the face of Brian. He looked back into her eyes with as much shock that she felt.

"Surprise," Eben whispered as he got out of the car.

AN: Haha! I'm gonna leave it there because I'm mean! But the next chapter is the last! Wipes away tear this will be my first finished story on Fan fiction! Thanks to all who reviewed and stuck with my story from the beginning! Don't forget to review this time!

: ) The next chapter is going to be appropriately named, 'Who's the Fastest?' Till then, Peace out!