Serendipitous [Joe Burrow]

Chapter 10

Joe opened the door. "You don't need to bang on it that loudly."

"So are you going to tell me why she was here?" Olivia asked, "Or who she even is."

"Look Chandler and I met in June, right after we broke up," Joe explained.

"Are you kidding me?" Olivia asked, "You were going on dates while we were broken up?!"

"No, I wasn't going on dates. I was at the bar one night after our breakup and I met Chandler," Joe said, "And might I remind you that you broke up with me."

"That's not the point. I can't believe you were dating other people!"

"I wasn't dating other people!" Joe said, "I just happened to meet her one night."

"So why was she here?" Olivia said crossing her arms.

"Well the night we met we both got pretty drunk," Joe said, "One thing led to another and she ended up coming back here."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Olivia yelled, "You slept with her!"

"We weren't together. You told me that you didn't want to see me ever again," Joe said, "How was I supposed to know that you'd show back up months later?"

"So what she came here tonight to sleep with you again?" Olivia said, "You know we've been trying to work it out for a month now. Are you still talking to her?"

"No, I wasn't still talking to her. I didn't even have her number."

"So then why was she here?" Olivia said crossing her arms. This is exactly where Joe didn't want this conversation to go. He didn't want to tell Olivia that Chandler was pregnant.

"It doesn't matter," Joe said.

"It does matter to me," Olivia said.

"What we talk about is between Chandler and I."

"I'm your girlfriend!!" Olivia yelled.

"You were my girlfriend," Joe said, "Now you're not."

"We were working on things," Olivia said, "I told you I made a mistake. You said you wanted to work on things."

"Things have changed now," Joe said, "I have other things that I need to focus on."

"So what you're just going to drop me because some girl you had a one-night stand with came back into your life?!"

"No. This doesn't have anything to do with Chandler," Joe said, "Well it does but not in the way you think."

"If you're not going be with her then what is it?!" Olivia yelled, "I can't understand why you'd drop our relationship for some girl unless..." Realization washed over Olivia's face. "No...she's pregnant isn't she?!"

Even though he and Olivia weren't together doesn't mean he wanted to hurt her. They were together for three years, she'd always been there for him. But during the most important time in his life, she wasn't there...that's exactly why they aren't together. "Yeah."

"She's lying!" Olivia said.

"No she's not," Joe said.

"How do you know?! Did you ask for a paternity test?" Olivia asked.

"No I didn't because I know she isn't lying," Joe said, "She's having my baby and that's that."

"I won't deal with this," Olivia said.

"Well good thing you don't have to deal with it," Joe said, "It's my responsibility."

"You can't possibly be considering raising the child," Olivia said, "I mean do you ever know this girl?!"

"It doesn't matter how well I know her. This is my child," Joe said, "I'm not going to abandon my child."

"Unbelievable," Olivia said.

"Olivia I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen," Joe said, "But now that it has I need to step up. I have a baby to raise." Olivia opened her mouth to say something but shut it again. Without another word, she walked out of the house.

Joe let out a frustrated groan as he ran his hands through his hair. That could have gone worse but it definitely could have gone better. He didn't know what to do now. In less than 9 months he was going to be a father. When he was planning his future he never thought he'd be a father by the age of 24.

Joe quickly grabbed his phone going straight to his recent calls. There was only one person he wanted to talk to right now. "Hey, Dad. What are you doing right now?"

"Just sitting at home," Jim said, "What's up?"

"I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a minute," Joe said, "Is mom around?"

"No. You know your mother," Jim said, "She's always out at one of her many clubs."

"She is always busy," Joe laughed.

"So what's up?" Jim asked.

"I just wanted to call and see how you are," Joe said, "I feel like we haven't talked in a while."

"I'm fine," Jim laughed, "We just talked a few days ago."

"Yeah. I guess we did," Joe said.

"What's on your mind, son?" Jim asked.

"Today has been the worst and best day of my life," Joe said.

"What happened?" Jim asked.

"I think Olivia and I officially called it quits," Joe said.

"I thought you two were trying to work it out?" Jim asked.

"We were but some stuff came up," Joe said.

"So why was today the best day?" Jim asked.

"Well it's actually the reason why Olivia and I aren't together anymore," Joe said, "I just found out today that I'm going to be a dad." Silence was all that came from Joe's father on the other end of the line. "Dad, are you there?"

"Yeah. Yes, sorry," Jim said, "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly," Joe said, "I'm really excited."

"I'm happy for you then, son," Jim said, "You're going to be a great father."

"Thanks. I was scared at first but now I'm excited at the thought of it," Joe smiled.

"So who's the girl?" Jim asked, "Have you known her for a while?"

"I actually haven't known her very long," Joe said, "I met her right after Olivia and I broke up."

"You've only known her for three months?" Jim asked.

"I know," Joe said, "But honestly she seems like a very sweet girl. I think you and Mom are going to like her."

"What's her name?" Jim asked.

"Chandler," Joe said.

"And last name?" Jim asked.

"Uhh," Joe said searching his contacts, "Black. Chandler Black."

"I really am happy for you," Jim said, "I can't wait to meet her."