The Choice

Chapter 26

My eyes are heavy, and I try my best to get up. After minutes of debating with myself, I throw on my robe, making my way into the kitchen.

When I get there, I see that the coffee pot is on, and my eyes lust as the black liquid fills up. I grab a mug, filling it to the brim. 

"This isn't fair," I say, setting the mug in front of Jesse as he takes a seat at the bar. 

I grab the cream and sugar, and he adds it into his mug. 

"I'm sorry. I'll go buy you some decaf?" Jesse asks, a hopeful smile on his face. 

"Thanks, but it's not the same," I frown. "I guess it would do though."

"I'll be sure to add it to the list," Jesse says, typing away on his phone. "Have you talked to Ezra yet?" 

"No," I sigh, taking a bottle of water from the fridge. "I'm scared." 

"What are you scared of?" Jesse asks, taking a long sip of his coffee. "His jail stuff?" 

"Yeah, that. Also, I don't want to tell him about Clay," I frown. "I technically slept with Clay while we were still together."

"I don't condone what you did, and I'm not fond of it, but I'm sure Ezra will understand. He's a great guy."

I take a seat on our couch, and Jesse turns around in the stool to face me. I let out a long sigh, playing with the silver bracelet on my wrist.

"If this were the opposite, would you be mad at Ezra?" Jesse asks. 

"I'd like to say no, but picturing Ezra with another man, especially if it were someone I know, I don't feel like I'd be too happy."

"Well, I see two options here. You can either tell him, and he may be mad, but he also may forgive you, and you can be happy together. Or, you can sit here and be alone and miserable."

I roll my eyes, knowing Jesse's right. 

"You could be alone and miserable with me," I tease.

"I can't actually," Jesse looks at his phone. "I'm meeting a girl for lunch today."

"Wearing that?" I laugh. "How did you meet her?" 

"Tinder," Jesse smirks. "Enough about me. You should go have lunch with Ezra. Talk to him."

I stare at the floor, avoiding Jesse's gaze.

"I can even drop you off if you'd like. If anything goes sour, I can be there in a heartbeat."

"You're amazing for that, but I think I can handle it," I smile. "I don't want to ruin your lunch date with Tinder girl."

"Shelly."

"Whatever. Have fun."

I give Jesse a hug, and I watch as he pulls out of our driveway. 

-----

After parking my car in a not so obvious place, I walk into the familiar building, and I take the familiar route to the third floor. Instead of taking the stairs, I give myself the excuse of pregnancy to take the elevator. 

I hold the bag of Chinese takeout against me tightly, and when the elevator finally opens, I take my time stepping off. I find the familiar room, running my name over Ezra's plaque on the outside of his door. I lightly knock on the partially open door, and I step inside. 

"Jo?" Ezra stands up. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I thought we could have lunch? I brought Chinese." 

Ezra takes the bag from my hands. "Yeah, that sounds great."

I take a seat across from him, and we divide the takeout. I immediately dive in, and my baby is delighted once I do so. 

"How are you?" Ezra asks. He glances at my stomach. "And the baby?"

"We're good. This baby definitely has an appetite," I smile. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing alright," Ezra takes a bite of food. "I've wanted to stop by, but.." 

Ezra lingers, and I assume he's looking for the right words to say.

"It's alright," I cut him off. "I understand."

We continue to eat our food quietly, and I search for the right words, but I don't know how to approach the subject. 

I reach for a napkin, as Ezra reaches for one also. Our hands touch, and we both linger for a moment, before pulling back in realization. 

"Sorry," I mumble, the same time he mumbles something I didn't fully hear.

What the hell are we doing?

I set my fork down, finally looking at Ezra. 

"I need to tell you some-"

I'm interuppted by the door opening, and if looks could kill, Ricky would be dead. 

"Jo, it's Leon."

My killing look is quickly replaced with worry, and I scramble to clean my mess up. Ezra puts his hands on top of mine, and he looks into my eyes.

"Go, take care of Leon. I'll clean this up."

I give him a quick smile, and I follow Ricky quickly out the door. 

"What's going on?" I ask once we're in the hallway. 

"Nothing's wrong with Leon," he says.

I slap him in the arm.

"What's wrong with you? Scaring me like that!" 

"I had to get you out of that classroom," Ricky says, pulling me down the hall towards his classroom. 

"What's going on?" I ask.

 "Lucy's here," he says, the same time we hear a pair of heels walking up the stairs. 

Ricky pulls me into an empty classroom, and we peek out the window, watching as Lucy walks by. Ricky locks the door, and he sits down on the desk. 

"Wait, how did you know I was here?" 

"Jesse sent me a text, and he asked me to keep an eye on things," Ricky says. 

Oh, Jesse. What would I do without him?

 "Why is she here?" I ask. "Does she know I'm here?"

"I'm not sure," Ricky frowns. "I wouldn't put it past her."

"I was about to tell him. Maybe she does have someone watching me," I frown. 

"Let's just go to my classroom," Ricky says.

He pulls me out into the hallway, and we hurry down to his classroom. Once we get there, I start to feel lightheaded, and I stumble over a little. 

"Jo, are you alright?" Ricky asks. 

"I don't feel so hot," I tell him. 

"Here, sit down."

I take a seat at Ricky's desk, and Ricky places a hand on my forehead. 

"You feel a tad hot," he frowns. "Should I call Jesse?" Ricky asks.

"No, I don't want to ruin his date. Can you call Andy?" I ask. 

I lay my head down on Ricky's desk, not bothering to move the stacks of papers scattered around. I hear Ricky talking on his phone, but I can't make out what he's saying.

"Can you get me a drink?" I mumble, but I'm not sure if Ricky hears me. 

I feel a hand placed on my forehead, but I don't bother to look and see who it is.

"Jo?" A voice asks, and I think it's Ricky, but I'm not sure. 

I try to respond, but the words come out a little disoriented. 

"Come now," I hear, and then I don't hear anything else.