He Who Conquers Others Is Strong, He Who Conquers Himself Is Mighty

The Dog's Body

About a week later....

JULIAN'S POV

I looked at Gronk with a raised brow and a shrug. "guys?!" Dola called up to us from my kitchen. Rob gave me the same shrug and I smirked. "sure thing Danny boy. Go nuts!" I called back down to him. Gronk chuckled and I shook my head, opting to resume play on the Xbox. "Bro, what is with him lately?" Rob whispered across to me. I snorted and shook my head again. "dude, just let him get on with it" I shrugged it off. "if he's not losing himself in baby shower shit, then he'd be moping around in pain" I said, "plus, whilst I'm kickin' your butt up here, he's preparing some tasty little treats for us to try. What's not to love?" 

"I don't know how you're putting up with it though" Rob stated under his breath a little. I frowned and looked over at him. "I mean, he's round your place more than you are. Gettin' all crazy about the baby and the pregnancy." he said eyes wide and throwing his hands all around the place. "I get if it was Jamie...." He sassed. 

"honestly," I started, looking back at him. "I get what you're sayin'. Like, it was too much for Penny after a while. And for me. It was all a little full on. But, he eased off a little when Pen talked to him." I said quietly. I didn't want Dola hearing it, I didn't want him being paranoid like he was after Pen did speak to him. Lately he was anxious about everything. Not that a blame him. The shit we had all been through these past couple of years had taken its toll on all of us some way or another. But I'd never forgive myself for letting Danny bear the brunt of it physically if not emotionally. Pen, and Jamie both tried to convince me that it wasn't my fault his ribs got rebroke. But I couldn't shift it from my mind. Guess I was still dealing with some baggage I thought I'd gotten rid of.

"the sooner he gets back onto that field the better" Rob huffed, shaking his head. I gave him a knowing look. I think it was better for all of us truth be told. "I just want everything back to how it was" I sighed, "Jamie and Dola loved up, me and Pen gettin excited for the baby." I said, giving a sly glance Rob's way as he fought some bad guy on the game. "and you and Melia pretending that you guys aren't sweet on each other..." I said attempting to hold back a smirk. Rob glanced, and did a double take and I let out a snort. "it ain't like that" Rob replied, shaking his head. "uh-huh" I replied sitting back on the couch. I watched him closely and never missed the tiny smile that was ghosting his face. He paused the game again and moved to face me in his chair. "what has she said about me?" and on that question I lost it.

......

"come on bro" Rob huffed at me as I continued to chuckle. "Sorry Gronk, I didn't realise we'd gone back to high school...." I snorted. "fuck you" he said with a smirk. I wiped my eyes and tried to calm my laughter. "what do ya wanna know? The stuff she told me at our slumber party?!" I snorted childishly. He gave me a shitty look and I dropped my controller on the floor. "okay okay, I'm sorry man" I sighed. "she's not said anything to me" I confessed. "Pen?" Rob asked and I could see the hope in his eyes. I shrugged, "dude, there's no need for either of ya to say anything. You can see it. Plain as day" I told him as he rubbed his face in embarrassment. "man, I-I'm not used to this kinda thing. The distance is one thing. But she's...she's..."

"Innocent?" I suggested and Gronk looked exasperated as he nodded at me. "dude she's not a fucking nun" I scoffed. "you're used to a certain 'type'  of woman..." I prayed I didn't piss him off with that, "I get that, but gettin a chance with Melia, well, that's just a totally different ball game" I told him, "I fucking know that Jules, that's what's freaking me out" he said nervously. "a-and she told me she's moving over here..." 
"you guys talk?" I asked, actually surprised. But he shrugged, "now and again. Not a whole lot actually. Just asking how she is, that kinda thing. She mentioned she was coming over to take over Pens work" he told me, "but when she went home, I figured things would be better off as friends. I mean, I don't wanna do long distance. Hell, being in a regular relationship is hard for me. As much as I think she's cool..."

"how about now she's moving here?" I asked and he swallowed hard. "I'm proper fucked" 

...............

"Dola, you're seriously doin' all this just for a baby shower?!" Gronk looked over the plates of food in awe. "Hey!" I whined, "it ain't just a baby shower!" I frowned at him. "sorry bro, but look at all this stuff!" his eyes were as wide as saucers right now. "and it's sooo fucking good" he drooled as he piled up his own plate. "well, I gotta make sure there's enough for Pen- she's got such a sweet tooth right now" Danny said and I had to agree. "but I can't just have carbs and sugar. Especially with our diet plans." he explained, hands on his hips as his dark eyes scoured the food. I'd already spotted the pulled pork which I was planning on putting aside for later. "and there's all that over there" Gronk nodded over to the stove. "no, that's some stuff I've cooked for Pen for this week" he said like it was nothing. Rob looked between me and Danny with his mouth open. I smirked and held my hands up. "hey if it keeps my girl in food and off my back then he can cook all he wants. As long as he takes the tupperware boxes back home with him" I smirked. Danny rolled his eyes but grinned. 
 

"but, right now, as much as I wanna help sample all this stuff; I've gotta head out." I said, checking my phone. "now?" Danny asked, looking confused. "yeah. I got a meeting in a few hours, but I wanna go check on the store."

"don't you have that sweet little old lady running stuff?" 

"fucking hell Gronk, she's 50" I snorted at him as he shrugged. "and yeah I do. But every once in a while I like to go check on stuff. Besides, I wanna get some candy together for the baby shower gifts." I said, "Penny will love it" I beamed a smile. I grabbed my keys and pushed my wallet into my pants. "so I will catch you two girls later" 

"well we won't hang around then" 

"what?" Gronk looked up at Dola with a clueless expression. "well, I have a list of stuff I want to go and pick up from the store for the shower. I can't drive, and I sure as hell can't carry it all. So that is what you're gonna do" he said whilst stabbing his finger toward Rob. I just stood and watched with a grin on my face. 

Dola hobbled over to his jacket hung on the back of the chair and attempted to put it on. "C'mon man, give me a hand" he huffed a little at Gronk. Who was still stood there in some sort of daze. He put his taco on the counter, huffed and chewed up the rest of the bite in his mouth as he stomped over to Danny to help him. Part of me wished I was coming along to witness this for myself, but it was funnier letting Rob deal with Danny all on his own. 

"right! Let's get this shit DONE!" Danny yelled over enthusiastically as he shuffled out of the door. Rob grabbed his taco- and a third for later- and shot me a look. "have fun bitch" 

"I'll get ya back one day Edelman. One day" he frowned before reluctantly following Danny out of my house.