Love Hits Hard

Chapter 4-Approval

I stared at the phone. Date? Friday? Me?

I hadn't been on a date for over a year, months before I gave birth to Jackson.

Would Adam be okay with it? I mean we weren't dating but he is the father of my child.

Wait, he doesn't ask me with all of his side chicks, I'm done prioritizing him.

Athena: I would love to-12:51

Brendan: Great, I'll pick you up at 7?-12:52

Athena: Sounds great, should I text you my address or?-12:52

Brendan: It's fine, I've been to your house with Ethan before.-12:53

Athena: Oh yeah, of course. Are you close with Ethan?-12:53

Brendan: Yeah, really close. Why?-12:55

Athena: Are you sure that he wouldn't mind us going on a date?-12:56

Brendan: I didn't ask, why?-12:56

Athena: He can be a little over-protective.-12:56

Brendan: It's fine, I'll ask him if you want.-12:57

Athena: Could you?-12:57

Brendan: Sure, anything for you, babe.-12:57

I laugh at the sight of the word babe but for some reason, I like it. It just makes me feel loved.

Athena: Tell me what he says, okay babe?-12:58

Brendan: Babe? That's new.-12:58

Athena: What? Am I not allowed?-12:59

Brendan: If anything, don't stop. I would rather you say it to my face though, I want to hear your voice, see the exact way that your lips would move.-1:00

I heard the lunch bell ring and rush over to the principals.

Athena: Lunch is over, I'll talk to you move after school.-1:01

Brendan: Okay, bye love.-1:01

I enter Mr. Howards office to see Jackson sitting on the floor and playing with a paperclip.

"Maybe that's not the best idea," I say taking the paperclip gently from Jackson's hands.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Athena, I didn't even see that he had taken that, I guess it was laying on the floor," he says in a flustered manner.

"It's fine," I say laughing and picking Jackson up from the floor. "Here's the bottle," I say taking it from my bag. "I actually have a study hall this period, would it be alright if I took a bit of senior privilege as a junior and take him to the park or something like that? I'm sure he isn't exactly happy being kept in this office and you look like you need a break, no offense."

"None taken and that's alright just don't brag about it to the others because then I will be accused of favoritism and you know how that goes," he laughs and takes the bottle from my hands.

"Of course, I understand. I'll be back before 1:50," I say and walk out of the office.

I exit the main office and begin to walk towards the exit when I see Brendan standing by the exit.

"Shouldn't you be in class, babe?" He asks with a smirk on his lips. Hearing him call me babe was strangely amazing.

I smile saying, "looks like I have a study hall, I'm taking Jackson to the park down the street."

"Little problem," he says walking closer to me. "You're not a senior."

"Well, looks like you are and I'm assuming you have a study hall or you're just skipping in general so come with us," I say smiling and walking towards him as well.

"Come with you?"

"Yeah, if you're going to date me, the most important man in my life has to approve," I say gesturing to Jackson who was happily gurgling about whatever.

"I'm going to have to try pretty hard, aren't I?" He says teasingly.

"He only approves of the best after all," I say joking. "So, are you coming?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he says with a genuine smile which was oddly sweet. "Here, let me hold your bag."

I hand him the bag and he swings it over his shoulder.

"Are you going for extra brownie points here?" I ask teasingly.

"You know me so well," he said and walked into the parking lot. "So, Athena, how old is little Jackson?"

"Five months, six next week."

"Wow, he's getting pretty big."

"Yeah," I say looking proudly at Jackson. "He is."

"Who's the dad?"

"Adam," I say softly.

"Adam who?" He questions.

"Adam James," I say with a crack in my voice. Brendan stops dead in his tracks.

"You've got to be kidding me, him? He's like four years older than you. Good looking guy, don't get me wrong but damn."

"I was almost 16 and drunk at a party. He was one of the only guys who had shown interest in me and I just sort of fell for him. We dated for a few months, had sex a shit ton of times and I was on the pill...

...He convinced me that we didn't need to use condoms because I was on the pill but he knew better and so did I but I was in love, at least, I thought I was. I forgot all about my responsibilities when I was with him...

...But you know what, forget it, forget him, don't talk about him if you're going to make me feel like shit about it."

"Athena, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, I was just saying-"

"Dada," Jackson interrupted reaching out to Brendan.

"I'm so sorry, I don't know why he said that," I said as I turned and walked towards my car. "Baby," I said to Jackson. "That's not Dada, Dada's at home."

"Dada," he said again and reached out for Brendan again.

"Honey, stop that." I tried to say in a soothing voice as I got to the car.

"Wait, Athena." Brendan said as he put the bags down near the car. "Could I possibly hold him?"

"Are you sure?" I ask him carefully.

"Yeah, I want to," he said reaching out and I carefully placed Jackson into his arms.

Jackson immediately clung onto him and placed his head onto Brendan's shoulders. I leaned against the car and took out my phone.

"Say cheese," I laughed as I took a picture of the two of them. Brendan laughed gently and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet.

"Let's just walk to the park," he said gently.

"Are you sure?" I asked with a confused tone. "I could easily drive us."

"I'm sure," he said. "Let's go."

And with a smile on his face, we walked hand in hand to the park. We may have even looked like a couple to the unknowing eye.

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