Nothing Like Us

chapter 23

"Man there's never any fucking thing on..." I sigh, tossing the remote aside.

"Watch your mouth Justin Drew." Mom scolds from the doorway.

"Mom!" I jump up and stride across the room and pull her into a hug before planting a kiss on the top of her head "you guys are early...I didn't realize you were here."

"Obviously." She shakes her head, hugging me back. "Mikey let me in."

"Where's Gramma and Grampa?" I ask searching over her shoulder.

"We drove separately...I had..." she stumbles around for a minute "A couple things to do." She's looking around now too "Where's Bobbi?"

I nod my head towards the ceiling and take her hand to lead her over to the couch "Still upstairs getting ready. Like I said, you guys are early."

She looks strangely relieved "That's good. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh no..." I joke somberly "Am I grounded? I promise I'll clean my room tomorrow ma.."

"Oh shut up..." she laughs, but it dies down quickly "I talked to your dad last night."

She stares me down, waiting for my response. "Yeah? And?"

"Justin." is her only reply but that's all I need. Fuck, here we go.

"What?" I play it off a little longer, stalling for time. I really don't want to have this conversation with her.

"He says Bobbi's pregnant." Her hand searches mine out "Is that true?"

"No, what he should have said is that he thinks she's pregnant. And then I would have said he's on one because she's not."

"He told me about her symptoms..." she sighs "I agree with him Justin. It sounds like she's pregnant. Aren't you being safe?"

I scrunch my face up uncomfortably "Awww c'mon ma..."

"Stop it." she orders firmly "I asked you a question. Answer it."

I drop my head forward in defeat, wishing I were anywhere but here having this conversation with her "Yeah mom...we're safe, alright."

She waits silently because she knows there's more to the story, and of course, as always with her, I can't help but add the truth "I mean, most of the time. She messed up her pills or whatever because of everything that went down back in LA but..."

"See?" She gasps as if she's made some shocking discovery "Right there...that's all it takes. Didn't you have any condoms?"

"God mom!" I groan "Stop...I don't want to discuss this sh..." I stop myself just in time "stuff with you."

"Oh knock it off." She snaps softly "Has she taken a test yet? Be honest."

"Ma! She's not pregnant! We've already discussed it and..."

"Oh!" she rolls her eyes "You've 'discussed it'. We'll I didn't realize...case closed I guess then right?"

"Guess so." I agree.

"What are you going to do if she is? What about your career? And you're much too young." she rattles on worriedly "You know where I stand, and I know you agree. But what about Bobbi? Would she want to keep it? I know how she feels about you and I know how much you love her of course but..."

"Hey..." I stop her with the sweet smile she never could resist "She's not, but even if she were everything would be fine. Okay? I promise."

"Even so..." she begins again but I can hear B heading down the stairs and nudge her to be quiet.