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After listening to Ali and Rori talk for a few minutes, Justin returned to the backroom to have a talk with JC. Lance, Joey, and Chris had already started.
"I think you two need to talk." Joey commented.
"Well no shit." JC muttered.
"Give her sometime to cool off. I’m sure things will be ok by tonight.
"Who are you to give relationship advice Joey?" Chris asked.
"Hey!" Joey tried to act as if he were hurt. "I know a lot about relationships!"
"We’re not talking about one night stands here Joey." Lance said.
"I don’t know. I was just thinking about everything I’m gonna have to sacrifice and then she said July and….I don’t know. It just came out."
"Sacrifice JC? I’m 19 years old and I’m going to be a father in two months. You think being married to the person you love is a sacrifice?" Justin laughed ironically. "That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard."
JC looked at his younger friend and realized how right he was.
"How mad is she?" He asked cautiously.
"Mad enough to cry. What were you thinking?"
JC leaned his head back with a groan. What had he been thinking? He didn’t even know.
"I guess I should go apologize to her."
"You guess? God JC.."
"Justin stop. Just stop it. I know messed up. Ok. Lay off."
Justin didn’t reply as JC left the room. Ali and Rori were still sitting at the table talking.
"Ali?" He asked quietly.
"What?" She didn’t turn round to look at him.
"Please look at me."
"What do you want?"
"I wanna talk to you. Please turn around."
"I…I…I’m sorry."
"Is that the best you can do?"
"Can we talk alone? I can explain everything."
"I didn’t mean what I said. I wasn’t thinking."
"Then you should have said that. She’s more than mad at you. She is hurt. I’m going to go watch Ali play. Are you coming?"
"I guess." He sighed helping Rori up.
When they walked in, Ali was sitting between Chris’ legs. His hands were over hers since he was helping her with the game.
"Damn it." Joey yelled as Ali and Chris scored yet another touchdown.
As the next play started, Chris let his chin rest on Ali’s shoulder so he could see the TV screen better.
"Your goatee tickles." Ali giggled.
Chris smiled and rubbed it up against her cheek again.
"Does it?" He asked.
JC wanted to punch him. How could he sit there and flirt with HIS fiancée right in front of him? Did Chris think that because of one little argument he could move in on Ali? The thought made his blood boil but JC sighed and turned to watch passing cars. If he said anything it would only make Ali madder. That was the last thing he wanted.
Rori had been watching JC as he watched Ali and Chris. She saw the jealousy and anger in his eyes when Chris rubbed his face against Ali’s. And she saw him sigh and try to ignore what was going on by looking out the window.
"Yeah it--Oh!" Rori moved her hands to her stomach.
"What, what’s wrong?" Justin’s hands moved over hers.
"Nothing." Rori moved her hand so Justin moved over hers.
"The baby’s kicking!" He grinned. "Hey guys! Come feel this. My baby's kicking!"
Once everyone had their turn feeling the baby kick, JC left to be by himself in the front and everyone else returned to playing and or watching the video game going on. Ali’s following gaze as JC left didn’t escape Rori or Justin?
"I know we do. We will when one of them asks." He kissed her.
"I love you."
"Oh go fuck off Joe!"
"Hey, hey, hey. Keep the peace people."
"Right. What Chris said. And watch your language Rori." Ali glanced over at Rori. "That little one inside of you can hear everything that’s going on."
"It’s probably all muffled and jumbled."
"But he knows when I’m talking or singing to him." Justin ran his hands up and down Rori’s stomach.
"He? Who said it’s a he, Justin?"
"I did. I just know it is."
"What if it’s not?"
"It is. Don’t worry."
Rori shook her head with a smile.
"You and your arrogance Justin Randall."