You know the drill. R&R, enjoy!

Chapter 23

Shannon's POV

"Thanks for watching him Shannon." Wendy and dad smile as Wendy takes Eric from me. "Your dad and I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome Ms. Wendy. I had fun with the little guy." I rub Eric's chubby little cheek and he smiles.

"I'm glad you've taken a liking to your little brother unlike someone else." She states, taking an obvious shot at Julia.

"She'll come around."

"She doesn't have a choice. Our family is growing!" She pats her stomach.

I raise my eyebrow and look at her and dad. "Are you...?"

Wendy smiles at dad and they look at me. "Yes, we're expecting again." Dad tells me.

"I'm three months along." Wendy adds.

"Congratulations!" I tell them as I hug them at the same time.

"Thank you." They say in unison.

"So you're not upset?" Wendy asks.

I shake my head. "Not at all. I'm happy for you guys. So I'm guessing Julia doesn't know?"

She shakes her head. "You didn't hear her scream, did you?"

I laugh. "That's true."

"We'll tell her when the time is right."

I nod. "Fair enough." I'm excited for my new sibling. At least Eric Theo will have a sibling to grow up with so that's a plus. I honestly can't wait to see Julia's reaction to it though.

The next day at school, I notice Kobe eating lunch alone. "Hey Kobe." I greet him.

"Hi Shannon."

"Do you mind if I join you?"

He shrugs. "Sure." I sit down. "Julia isn't coming, is she?"

I shake my head. "I doubt it. I think she's having lunch with Dustin."

Kobe rolls his eyes. "He's going to be her downfall."

I sigh. "I agree. Once she lost her virginity, she's been all over him."

Kobe's eyes widen. "She had sex with Dustin."

Oops, me and my big mouth! "Oh…I thought you knew that…"

"I had no idea. I can't believe she…God, Dustin is a pig!"

"They care about each other. Well she may care a little more than he does, but he cares to some extent."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore!" Kobe snaps.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

He sighs. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just annoyed with Julia because I never imagined she would be so naïve. But enough about her. How are you adjusting to your new family?"

"I love it. I'm getting another new brother or sister!"

"That's nice. Congratulations!"

"Thanks. I swear I've never seen my dad so happy! He deserves this. I know the way they got together wasn't right, but they're definitely made for each other."

"That's good that you have such a mature attitude about all of this."

I smile at that. "I'm just happy that my dad is happy. He's a good guy and deserves a good woman."

"How does your mom feel about it?"

"She could care less about my dad." I laugh.

"Well at least there's no drama there."

"That's true." That's followed by a few moments of awkward silence.

"We should hang out sometime…" Kobe says randomly.

"Really?" I wasn't expecting that at all.

"Yeah, like catch a movie or something. We usually hang out with a crew, but never alone. What do you say?"

I can feel myself blushing. "Well I would have to check with my parents. I don't know if they'll allow me to go out on a date." Now I know my face is bright red. "It is a date, right?"

He smiles and nods. "Sure, if you want it to be. Honestly, I doubt my parents will let me date either. But they know you so they should be ok with it."

"Well let's talk it over with our parents and we'll plan something!"

"Sounds good!" That was a little awkward. This is the first time I've been asked out on a date, I didn't even know how to respond. I hope my parents say it's ok to go. My only concern is, am I a rebound girl because Julia is no longer available? Or maybe it's just a friendly date. Maybe I'm reading too much into this…

Julia's POV

"I'm glad you decided to spend the rest of the day with me." Dustin smiles at me.

"I'd rather be with you, than those losers at school!" I tell him as he parks down the street from my grandparent's house. "Why are we here?"

"You said your dad is at work and your grandparents are out and about during the day, right?"

I nod. "Yeah, so?"

"So, we're going to hang out here. For privacy and so we don't have to travel so far. That's becoming too much wear and tear on my car."

I smile. "I love the way you think!" I take his hand and we head inside my grandparent's house. I double check to make sure no one is home before we head to my dad's room…

Stan's POV

I decided to take a half day at work and go to the bar. I got my paycheck today and that's what caused my stress. Not only did the $537 for child support come out of check, but an additional $250 came out for back child support. This, in addition to the other taxes that come out, have left my check with less than $200. I'm glad I'm living with my parents right now, because there's no way I would survive on this for the next two weeks. I know the last thing I should be doing, is at a bar spending money, but I need to drink for my troubles.

"Can I buy you a drink?" I look and see a pretty red head standing up next to me. She's really beautiful and I can't help, but stare. "Are you going to sit there drooling or are you going to offer me a seat so I can get you that drink?"

I clear my throat. "Sorry, please have a seat!"

"Thank you. Liz!" She extends her hand.

"Hi Liz…" I shake her hand.

She looks at me like she's waiting for something. "Do you have a name?"

"Oh yeah. I'm Stan."

"Nice to meet you Stan. So what brings you here at this time of day?"

"Stress…"

"Aww, work?"

I shake my head. "Life."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Let me get you that drink so you can tell me all about it. What's your poison?"

"Whiskey." She nods and orders me a shot of whiskey. I pretty much tell her my story about my marriage and my divorce and how my life has gone to shit since. We ordered more drinks in the meantime.

"It's your ex's loss. You seem like a really sweet guy…you're hot too!" She smiles and winks at me.

"Thanks. You're pretty hot yourself. Tell me about yourself."

"Well I'm single, 30, no kids, and in between jobs right now. Like you, I'm living with my parents since I can't afford my own place. I love sports, especially football."

"You love football?" I'm kind of shocked by that. She didn't strike me as the type.

"I'm a Broncos fan!"

"Me too! God, I miss Peyton!"

She laughs. "I do too, but Eli is way hotter! Such eye candy!"

I shrug. "I don't know, I don't look at them like that obviously."

Liz laughs. "You're so funny Stan!"

"Umm, thanks. I've never heard that before."

"Probably because you were with a woman who didn't take the time to get to know or appreciate the real you." She rubs my back.

I begin to tense up a bit. "I better pay the bill and head home." I stand up and immediately trip over probably my own big ass feet.

"Are you ok?" Liz asks as she helps me up.

"I'm fine, I'm just a little clumsy."

"No, you're just a little drunk. How about I call you a cab? You shouldn't drive like this."

"I'm fine."

"Let me see your keys!" She demands.

"Why?"

"I'm going to drive you home myself."

"You've had as much to drink as me."

"Not true. You were already drunk when I got here. Now hand them over!"

I take my keys out of pocket. Once she reaches for my keys, she ends up kissing me. This is the first time I've kissed a woman besides Wendy. I'm enjoying it, I have to admit she's a better kisser than Wendy! "Let's go back to my place…" I whisper as she nods.

As promised, Liz drove me home. Before we went inside, we had sex in the car. I was a little uncomfortable with that because I was worried someone could come home and see us in the car. I suggested we go inside. However, to my surprise, once we made it to my room…

"JULIA!" I scream as I see her in bed with Dustin.

She looks at me and her face is bright red. "Daddy?"