The Perfect Love Story

Chapter 16

          I bounced Kingsley at the table while Melody made dinner. It was family dinner tonight at the Watt house. I insisted on helping Melody with dinner, but she wanted me to rest my ankle. She did have me peel the apples for the pie though so at least she let me help a little. Kingsley was chewing on her fingers and watching Milo and Toro chase each other around the kitchen.

"Babe, we're home." I heard JJ's voice coming from the garage door. Kingsley bounced a little on the table. She was such a daddy's girl. She would always get so excited to hear his voice. I loved their relationship. JJ came into the kitchen and kissed my cheek. I could tell he had showered right after practice because he smelled clean.

"Where's your brother?" I asked as he instantly took Kingsley from me. I knew exactly why TJ didn't come into the kitchen. He had started to distance himself from Melody after Matthew had shown up here a few weeks ago.

"He went up to his room. He said he has something to tell us at dinner." JJ was so focused on Kingsley, he wasn't even looking at me as he spoke. "How was the rest of your day?" He asked, finally sitting down next to me. Kingsley went back to watching the dogs once she was settled in her daddy's arms.

"Good. Melody won't let me help cook, but I was able to peel the apples for the pie at least while sitting here at the table." I was watching Kingsley touch his chin with the hand she just had in her mouth moments before. His face was a little scruffier than usual and she wasn't used to it. I think she liked it though because she didn't look upset.

"Good for Melody." He smiled at me and I just rolled my eyes. "There you are. I thought you were going to hide in your room forever, like a mole man." I turned around and TJ was coming into the kitchen. Melody started bringing some of the dishes to the table, careful not to look at him.

"It's family dinner night, of course, I wouldn't miss it." He took his usual spot at the table and Kingsley stared at him. He offered her his finger and she took it, happy to have something to hold and shake.

"So what's your big news?" JJ asked once Melody was seated and we were all eating. Kingsley had pitched a fit when JJ put her in her bouncer in between the two of us but calmed down once she was given her favorite pacifier.

"I finally signed a lease on an apartment. I'll be out of your guys' hair by the end of this week." TJ smiled slightly and still didn't look at Melody. JJ looked like he was about to drop his fork. He was enjoying having his brother here with him.

"That's awesome, TJ." I put my hand over JJ's to comfort him. "You have to have a housewarming party, too. Melody can plan it, can't you Melody?" I turned to her and she stopped eating, her fork already halfway to her mouth.

"Sure, if that's what TJ wants." She looked down and I could tell that there was a slight blush on her cheeks. Even she knew that TJ was avoiding her.

"Yeah, that could be fun." I could tell that TJ's cheeks also had a soft pink tone to them as well. JJ was still focused on the fact that his brother was moving out soon.

Melody's POV

I walked around TJ's new apartment, offering people pigs in a blanket and hot apple cider. It was already chilly for early October, so I went with a fall theme. There weren't a lot of people, just some teammates and TJ's family. He was sitting on the couch, talking to Derek and JJ. Kingsley was asleep in TJ's arms, her head on his shoulder. Leanna was in the kitchen, talking to Becca.

"Hi there, sweetheart." Mrs. Watt came up and touched my shoulder, causing me to jump a little bit. I smiled and gestured the tray toward her so that she could grab something if she wanted. She took a pig in a blanket and smiled back at me. "I know we talked about doing the cake a little later, but I was thinking we could do it now or soon at least. Trent has had several drinks tonight already and I want him to remember." She told me and I nodded my head. TJ's birthday was coming up next week so Mrs. Watt asked me if she could bring a cake so that we could double this as a birthday party for him as well.

"Absolutely. I'll go get it ready right now." I responded quietly, going back into his kitchen. I put the tray down on the counter and pulled the cake out of the fridge. The container was wrapped in brown paper so that TJ wouldn't see it.

"Do you need help, Melody?" Leanna asked me softly and I shook my head. I put the "2" and the "8" candles on top of the cake. I lit them and Mrs. Watt took her cue to turn off the lights. Heads turned towards me as I walked into the living room area with the cake. I swallowed the lump in my throat, not sure if I wanted the attention on me or not. I already knew TJ wasn't very happy with me. I didn't want Matthew to come tonight and make things worse. This technique worked for me anyway. TJ blew out the candles once everyone was done singing and the clapping had woken up Kingsley with a jump. She started to cry and JJ took her, going over to a quieter area to calm her down. Leanna instantly followed him and I took the cake back to the counter so that I could cut the cake. I felt someone's eyes on me and when I looked up, I locked eyes with TJ, my stomach doing somersaults the whole time.

Leanna and JJ had left the party a little early to take Kingsley home because she stayed fussy after being woken up. Everyone else had left and I was cleaning up when I noticed TJ passed out on the couch. I sighed and tried to go around him quietly but his voice ended up startling me.

"Hey, can you help me get to bed?" It took me a couple of moments to make out what he had said because his words were so slurred. He was wasted.

"Sure." I sighed softly and put the garbage bag down on the floor. I put his arm around my shoulder and tried not to fall under his weight because of the way he was leaning against me. I was only 5' 3" and TJ was 6' 4". He was over a foot taller than me. "Come on, dude. You've gotta help me. I can't carry you up the stairs." I tried to catch my breath. He tried to make the effort but it took a second. I got him up into the loft bedroom and he plopped down on the bed as soon as I let go of him a little.

"Get my jeans off." His eyes were closed and he lifted his legs like an inch off the ground. I think he thought it was more. I sighed and unbuttoned his jeans. "Melody." TJ grabbed my wrists. His voice was quiet and I was caught off guard when he pulled me close so I fell into him, our foreheads touching. "I love you. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you in those Care Bear pajamas." He wasn't slurring anymore but he was mumbling. I took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to respond and TJ fell to the side, passing out again. I ran my hand through my hair and finished getting his jeans off, leaving them on the floor. I went into his bathroom and found the Tylenol and put it on his nightstand with a glass of water. I put his trash can next to his bed and looked at him all sprawled out. It's not his fault, but I left his apartment in tears.