Code of Love

by Sharon Cummin

  “You know that big job you got outbid on a bit ago?” Cody asked, with a smile on his face.

  “Still can't figure that shit out,” Ethan said. “We were careful with that one, and you still got us.”

  “Wasn't me,” Cody said, as he pointed toward Julie. “It was this one.”

  “What?” Ethan snapped out. “Not possible. She's teaching. Not to mention, if she's bidding for anyone, it's for her father.”

  “Not true,” Cody said. “It was her, and she's kicking ass too.”

  “Is it true, Julie?” Ethan asked, looking over at Julie with sad eyes.

  “It is,” she said, with a smile. “There's a new sheriff in town, and I plan on taking over. So all you boys better watch your backs.”

  “Seriously!” Ethan snapped. “You going to let this happen?”

  “Oh, don't think I won't be trying to kick her ass just like I do yours,” Cody said sternly, “but I'm so damn proud of her.”

  “So am I,” Julie's dad said, with a smile on his face. “We've taught her well, Ethan, but she's taught herself too. Better watch out. Our girl is no joke.”

  “Shit!” Kyle snapped. “Not another one, and his ass likes her, so you know he'll be helping her out.”

  “That's where you're wrong,” Julie said, as she narrowed her eyes at Kyle. “I don't need his help. I'll take you all down on my own.”

  “Fuck!” Kyle blurted out, and they burst into laughter, everyone but Kyle.

  Just as their laughter began to fade, another voice boomed through the house.

  “Whose cool ass ride is out there?” Jason yelled out. “Where's my girl?”

  Julie didn't miss the rumble that came from deep within Cody's chest, and she turned to him.

  “Not his fucking girl,” Cody hissed through clenched teeth.

  “We're in the living room,” Julie shouted.

  “Don't meet me at the door anymore?” Jason joked, as he came around the corner.

  The second his eyes landed on Cody, the humor left his features and his tone.

  “Your car?” Jason asked.

  “It is,” Cody replied sternly. “Julie wanted to bring it.”

  “I drove it all the way here,” she said, as she wrapped her arms around Cody and pulled him close.

  “No fucking way,” Jason laughed. “That shit wouldn't happen if it were mine. I've seen you drive.”

  “Shut up!” Julie said, as she shook her head. “I drove just fine, didn't I, babe?”

  “Sure did,” Cody answered. “Besides, it's just a car.”

  “Just a car,” Jason said, as he shook his head. “What the fuck ever.”

  “Jason,” Heath snapped. “Watch your damn mouth.”

  “Heath,” Tara snapped.

  “Fine,” both guys said at the same time.

  “Dinner is ready,” Josh said, as he walked out of the kitchen. “What happened to my girl?”

  “Jessie had a baby,” Gracie said, as she looked toward her dad. “Her name is Jackie. She named her after Jack.”

  “So I was traded in for a baby,” he said, with a laugh. “Congratulations, Jessie. Love her name, and she is adorable. I guess I'll let it go this time.”

  Gracie handed the baby back to Gavin. Then she took off to help her dad.

  Dinner was quiet and uneventful, and Julie soaked up every second of it. Her family was together, and the only tension left was between Cody and Jason, but that wouldn't last long. Julie wouldn't let it.

  Time for dessert came, and Julie noticed a change in her brother. He jumped up to help Gracie carry each thing out. Then he hurried to help her serve it. There was cheesecake and toppings to go with it, and Julie couldn't wait to have a piece. Once everyone was served, Gavin handed Gracie her plate and they walked over and sat down.

  “Guess it's still your favorite,” Gracie said, with a laugh.

  “It's the best,” Ethan Jr. said. “Now this punk always gets the biggest piece. It's so unfair.”

  Gavin burst into laughter, and Julie looked over at him. There was something going on. He seemed nervous, and she didn't like it. Her brother had been through so much. All she wanted for him was happiness. He seemed very happy with Gracie, so what was going on?

  Julie watched as her brother's eyes moved to Josh's and then over to their dad's. Then he looked back at his woman, and he smiled nervously. Gracie took a bite of the cheesecake, and her nose scrunched up. Then she looked around the room. When her eyes landed on Julie's, she smiled and took a bite of her own. Something was different. It had been a long time since Julie had tasted one of Gracie's desserts, but it wasn't the same.

  “Do you like it?” Gracie asked, and everyone nodded, including Julie. “Tell me the truth, Gavin. Is something off about it?”

  “It tastes perfect to me,” Gavin answered, as he pulled his eyes away from Gracie's and looked down at his dish.

  He was lying. Julie could see it.

  “Take another bite,” he said, as he took another bite of his own. “Maybe there was something in that bite.”

  Gracie shook her head and scooped up another bite of her dessert. It wasn't in her mouth for two seconds before she stopped chewing and looked at Gavin with a look of shock on her face.

  “What?” he asked.

  She reached up toward her mouth. Then she pulled something out of it. The second her eyes landed on what she was holding, tears instantly filled them.

  “Gavin,” she whispered.

  Julie watched Gavin reach forward, take the ring, clean it off in something he had next to him, and then drop to his knee in front of Gracie.

  “There was a time when I was hurting worse than I'd ever thought a man could hurt. I was fighting as hard as I could, but I wasn't sure I could make it. You were there, and you were fighting too. We found each other and shared something that nobody else even knew existed. I know you say that I saved you, but it was you that saved me. That wasn't the first time either. When you wrote to me while I was gone, you saved me then too. It was your cocky letters and boxes filled with crazy shit that kept me going. I loved you then, Gracie Rose. I loved you when I came home too, even when I thought you hated me. Shit! I hated myself. Chasing after you and trying to keep you safe, I loved you then too. I tried to fight. I tried to push you away. There was no way I wanted you to see the broken man I was. I thought you were better off without me. You saw it though. You saw me at my worst. I thought you would run. I wanted you to run, but you didn't. Instead, you came closer. You sat with me. You held me. You stayed, and you fought with me. We fought together. I want to be the one next to you, fighting anything that comes our way, for the rest of our lives. I want to open my eyes to you each morning and close my eyes to you each night. I love you more than I ever thought I could love. You own my heart, Gracie Rose. Will you keep it forever? Will you marry me?”

  By the time Gavin was done, Julie had tears flowing steadily down her cheeks.

  “Yes,” Gracie said, as Gavin slipped the ring on her finger. “Of course I'll marry you. I knew there was something different about that cheesecake.”

  “I made it,” Gavin said, as he laughed. “Your dad helped me.”

  Julie watched Gracie wrap her arms around Gavin's neck, and she couldn't help the warm feeling that filled her. Her brother and Gracie had found love, and until Cody, she'd had no idea just how much that meant.

  Julie turned, and that was when she noticed that Cody was no longer beside her.

  Chapter 29

  Cody

  Just as Gavin had gotten down on one knee, Cody noticed tears in Jessie's eyes. Before Gavin had even gotten through one sentence, Jessie had quietly gotten up and headed for the stairs. Cody waited, unsure of what to do. She was upset, and nobody else had noticed. Was she okay, he wondered? He looked over to see Julie sucked into what her brother was saying, so instead of taking her away from the moment, he got up and headed up the stairs.

  When he hit the top step, he turned the corner and began walking do
wn the hall. Just as he was approaching one of the doors to his right, Jessie stepped out of the room.

  “Cody,” she gasped, the moment she saw him.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I was just coming up to use the bathroom,” she said, as she turned away from him.

  “In there?” Cody asked, as he pointed toward the room she'd come out of.

  “Oh, I walked in there to look for something,” Jessie said, as she took a step away from him.

  Cody reached out and quickly caught her arm, pulling her back toward him.

  “Julie's here for you,” he said, “and so am I.”

  “I know,” she said, as she pulled her arm away and reached up to wipe the tears from her face. “I don't like all that mushy stuff.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I just want you to know we're here for whatever you need. Your sister loves you, Jessie.”

  “I know,” she said. “I'm good. I really am. Thank you though.”

  Cody nodded, knowing it would do no good to push her. If Jessie wanted to talk, she would. She walked into the bathroom and closed the door. He shook his head, but he didn't move. Instead, he turned to see what room she'd come out of. It was Jacks. He'd been gone for seven months, and Cody could tell that nothing had been changed in it yet. What could she have been looking for in there, he wondered? Before he even had the chance to think about it, he heard footsteps behind him.

  “Looking for something?” he heard Jason's voice and quickly turned around.

  “No,” Cody answered. “I was actually on my way to the bathroom.”

  “You're one lucky fucker, you know that?” Jason asked, in a rough tone.

  “Excuse me,” Cody said, totally confused by Jason's words.

  “It used to be me she wanted,” Jason growled out.

  “Oh yeah?” Cody asked, feeling anger instantly fill him.

  Was it true? Had she wanted Jason? They were best friends, always had been. At least that was what Julie had told him.

  “Yep,” Jason answered. “You better count your lucky stars. I fucked up.”

  “How's that?” Cody asked, ready to lash out and kick the fucker's ass.

  “I waited,” Jason said. “I thought she was too wrapped up in her work to worry about a damn man, but I was wrong. You came along. I came back and told her I loved her, but she turned me away. She's stuck on your ass.”

  “You told her you loved her,” Cody said roughly, just an inch away from losing his shit.

  “I did,” Jason said. “Let me tell you something, Cody. If you do one thing to hurt my girl.”

  “My girl,” Cody growled out, cutting Jason off.

  “One little thing,” Jason said, as he pointed his finger in Cody's chest, “and I will be right there for her. I fucked up once. I won't make that mistake a second time. Do you hear me?”

  “You don't have to worry,” Cody said, as he grabbed Jason's finger and shoved it away from him. “There's no fucking way you'll ever have that chance. She's mine, and I will do everything I can to keep her happy, forever. Do you hear me?”

  “Let's hope you're right,” Jason said, as he turned and walked away.

  Cody stood still for a moment. When he heard the bathroom door open behind him, he turned quickly.

  “Cody,” Jessie whispered.

  “Did you know?” Cody snapped out.

  “That he told her he loved her? No,” she said, standing there, looking just as shocked as he felt. “I had no idea.”

  “Did she have feelings for him?” Cody asked.

  Jessie didn't answer.

  “Jessie,” he said, with warning in his tone.

  “Cody,” Jessie said. “It's you she loves. She's never felt about anyone the way she feels about you.”

  Cody took a deep breath and wondered if his relationship with Julie even had a chance. Would someone always be against them? Without another word, he turned around and headed for the stairs.

  “Cody,” Jessie yelled after him, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. He had to get out of there.

  Chapter 30

  Julie

  Julie walked toward the stairs to see Jason coming down them.

  “Did you see Cody up there?” she asked.

  “I did,” Jason answered. “I think he was with Jessie.”

  With Jessie, Julie thought. What was he doing with her?

  Just as Julie took the first step, she looked up to see Cody coming down them fast.

  “There you are,” she said. “Jason said you were up there with Jessie.”

  “With Jessie,” he said. “Yeah. Listen.”

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I'm not,” he answered. “I've got to get out of here. I'll meet you at your parents' in the morning.”

  “In the morning?” she asked. “Why's that?”

  “I just can't right now, Julie,” he answered, as he looked into her eyes and thought about Jason's words. “I'm going to the hotel. It's not like your parents were going to let us sleep in the same room anyway, and it's getting late. I'll go there, and then I'll be at your parents' house in the morning.”

  “Cody,” Julie said, reaching out to grab his hands in hers. “What's going on?”

  “I need some air,” he said. “That's all.”

  “Cody,” she said, as tears formed in her eyes.

  “I'll see you in the morning,” he said, as he pulled his hands from hers and turned toward everyone else. “It was nice meeting all of you. Congratulations Gavin and Gracie.”

  Then he turned, walked toward the front door, and was gone.

  “What was that about?” Julie asked, as she looked up the steps at her sister. “Is there something going on between you and Cody?”

  Jessie took the last few steps, as she looked at Julie.

  “What? No!” Jessie snapped, as she pointed across the room. “Jason told you he loves you.”

  “What?” Julie gasped out, as she turned toward Jason. “You told her that?”

  “Not me,” Jessie said.

  “What the fuck did you just say?” Julie's dad barked out, as he crossed the room in just a few steps.

  “Jason,” Heath snapped.

  “I told him not to fuck up with you too,” Jason said, as he began walking toward her.

  “Him? No,” she said, as she held her hand out to stop him from coming even closer. “Did you tell him that you told me you loved me?”

  When Jason didn't answer, Julie shook her head.

  “How could you?” she snapped out, as she pulled that same hand back and then smacked him across the face with it. “You were the one that left. Then you went on to move from one woman to the next like some celebrity player. What gives you the right to try to fuck up the only relationship I've ever cared about?”

  “The only relationship you've ever cared about?” Jason asked, with shock in his tone, as his hand moved up to rub the spot on his cheek that she'd just slapped.

  “You heard me,” Julie snapped out. “You're supposed to be my best friend, but a best friend would never do what you just did. Did you honestly think I'd be okay with you telling him that?”

  “He doesn't deserve you,” Jason said.

  “And what, you do?” she yelled.

  “No,” he yelled back. “I don't, but he doesn't either.”

  “That's not for you to decide, Jason. I just don't know about you anymore,” Julie growled out, as she looked away from him and over at her dad. “Can you give me a ride?”

  “Like he's going to take you to that fucker,” Jason snapped out.

  “Jason,” Heath yelled. “If you say one more damn word, I'm going to come over there and smack you upside your head. I can't believe you.”

  “I am,” Julie's dad said, as he put his arm around his daughter.

  “Seriously!” Jason snapped.

  “Yes,” her dad answered. “I might not like the guy when it comes to business, but my daughter loves him, and he was there for my girls when none of us wer
e. So, yes, I am going to take her to him.”

  Then he turned toward Julie.

  “Let's go.”

  Chapter 31

  Julie

  Julie had her door open and was halfway out of the car before her father had even come to a complete stop.

  “You can go,” she said.

  “Julie,” he said roughly.

  “I mean it, dad,” she said. “I'm not coming back there tonight. I'll see you when you bring Jessie and the baby home. Take care of her. Don't let them give her shit.”

  “I won't,” her dad said. “Those two are my girls too. Nobody will fuck with them. I don't like the idea of leaving you here.”

  “He's here, dad,” Julie said, as she pointed over toward Cody's car. “I won't let him turn me away.”

  “I believe you,” her dad replied. “That man cares about you, Julie. Don't let what Jason told him tear you two apart. I can see how much you like him too. I don't think I've ever seen you as happy as you have been since he showed up and poured his heart out earlier. Maybe he's not as bad as I thought he was.”

  “Thank you, dad,” Julie said. “Thank you for giving him a chance, and thank you for bringing me here.”

  “I love you, baby girl,” her dad said, with a smile. “Let me know that everything is okay. I have an ass to go and kick. Jason better hope that crew of yours stands behind him today.”

  “I love you too,” Julie said, ready to close her door. “Don't be too hard on him. He's not used to women turning him down. I think he thought I'd be there, waiting around for him, forever.”

  “You really like this guy,” her dad said.

  “No, I love him,” she said, as she closed the door and headed for entry to the hotel.

  Julie took a chance, walking to the elevator and pushing the button for the floor she'd stayed on with Cody the last time they were in town together. When the doors opened again, she walked to the same door that had been theirs, took a deep breath, and knocked.

  When the door in front of Julie opened, she wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew that no matter what it was, she was going to fight for her relationship with Cody. There was no way she'd walk away, not ever again.