The Perfect Love Story

Chapter 9

I was sitting on my porch swing, eating a bowl of cereal, and watching the puppies play when TJ came out of the house.

"Hey, Melody." His voice sounded apprehensive, and I raised an eyebrow at him. We honestly did not talk to each other on our own that often. "So, I saw Jacob leaving the guest house this morning." His hands were in his pockets, and he rocked back and forth on his feet.

"Oh, yeah." I played with my cereal, taking a deep breath. "We've kind of been seeing each other since I moved here." I bit my lip, and I could tell that TJ was a little uncomfortable.

"He's married." He said it fast as if he was trying to get it out as quickly as possible. "JJ went to his wedding. He has two kids." TJ continued to rock back and forth on his feet. I jumped up, trying not to spill my cereal everywhere.

"I don't believe you. Leanna only brought you here because she wants me to date, and you have been staring at me since you got here. You're lying." I went into the house, slamming the door behind me. TJ had to be lying.

Leanna was so excited, she looked like a puppy. I thought she might actually pee herself because she was both pregnant and so excited.

"Are you ready, babe?" JJ asked her when they called their number. We went into the small room in the courthouse, and I stood next to Leanna while TJ stood next to JJ. Even though I yelled at him, TJ still looked at me with concern in his eyes. I refused to make eye contact with him. I was not going to let him ruin Leanna's wedding day, even if it was just in the courthouse.

"Melody, can you sign this?" Leanna's voice was soft. I needed to sign as a witness to their wedding. I signed the form and looked down at my feet.

"We were thinking of going out to brunch. Would you two like to come?" JJ asked and I opened my mouth to say that I was not feeling good, but TJ beat me to it.

"Yeah, I'd love to come." If TJ went and I didn't, it would look like something was wrong. I gave Leanna a small smile and nodded my head when she looked at me. The boys started walking ahead of us and Leanna linked her arm with mine.

"Is everything okay, Melody? You look upset." Leanna kept her voice low so that the boys could not hear us. I nodded my head and walked with them out to the car. Jacob and Luis were standing near their dark SUV, smoking cigarettes. Luis threw a handful of rice out of his pocket and Leanna smiled happily. She let go of my arm to hold JJ's hand and kiss him before he could open her door for her. Before TJ could, Jacob opened the back door for me, and I climbed into the Range Rover. TJ gave Jacob a dirty look before walking around to the other side to get in. Leanna must have noticed something because she was staring at me through the rearview mirror.

"Who's ready to go to brunch?" JJ got into the driver's seat. You could tell that he had no idea what was going on.

"I am not feeling very good. Can you please take me home?" I was starting to get uncomfortable and squirmy. Being around TJ and Jacob's tension was making me anxious.

"Yeah, I can ask Jacob or Luis to stay with you." JJ offered and I could see Leanna tense up. She did not like Jacob.

"I will stay with her. You can go enjoy your first brunch as a married couple." TJ offered and JJ looked at me through the rearview mirror as if he was checking to make sure that it was okay.

"Whoever is fine." My voice came out quieter than I was expecting. I heard JJ talk to Leanna quietly in the front seat but I spaced out as I looked out the window.

"Jacob is going to stay with you. We have had one too many fangirls trying to hop the wall lately." I could not tell if JJ was kidding or not based on his smile.