36 Matt Sanders

I knocked on Matts door.

Melly: hey Zacky.

He looked me up and down. His mouth twisted unhappily to the side.

Zacky: hi.

Melly: is Matt home?

Zacky: he's here.

This was really awkward. Matt came into view and he shoved Zacky out of the way.

Matt: Melly. Hi.

Melly: hello.

He hugged me and let me in. Zacky still looked me up and down.

Matt: ignore him. He's retarded.

I leaned towards Matt.

Melly: he didn't like the news did he? You don't have to lie.

Matt: he's fine.

I flinched as Jimmy came running into the hallway flailing his arms all over the place. Yelling something. Matt chuckled.

Matt: you're scaring her!

Jimmy: sorry Melly. I'm just so happy for you and Matt. I knew something was going down. I baked over six dozen cookies. And muffins. Let's not even go there. Come on.

He grabbed my hand and led me into the kitchen.

Melly: fuck man. You weren't kidding.

Matt's kitchen looked like a bakery.

Jimmy: eat! Eat! Taste!

He shoved various cookies and different shaped muffins at me.

Matt: she can only handle one at a time.

He rested a friendly hand on Jimmy's shoulder.

Jimmy: its so exciting. I can't wait to teach baby how to play drums!

I smiled and ate a cookie. It was nice to see him so happy.

Jimmy: I know you might feel weird because well the situation but I think its wonderful you and Matt having a baby.

Melly: thanks Jimmy that means a lot.

He grinned and hugged me.

Zacky: its weird.

Matt: Zack.

Zacky: Brian agrees.

Matt rolled his eyes.

Jimmy: out! Get out!

He threw a muffin at him. It hit Zacky in the gut which made me laugh.

Jimmy: there can be no negative energy around baby!

Another muffin flew across the room.

Melly: Jimmy its ok.

Jimmy: no its not.

Melly: it is. I get it. Random girl gets pregnant. Sketchy.

I shrugged.

Jimmy: we know you.

Matt: and they were fine until-

Zacky: you said you're pregnant.

Matt: she is.

Jimmy: get out!

He went after him and chased him out.

Matt: don't listen to him.

Melly: he's just looking out for you.

Matt: in an inappropriate way.

I shrugged.

Melly: you don't know how bad I wanted one of his damn cookies.

He watched me with a smile.

Matt: how was work today?

Melly: ugh...tiring.

Matt: you eat?

Melly: yes sir.

Matt: what?

Melly: a burger and let me tell you it was fucking amazing. I eat ok. Jenn the Nazi makes sure I'm being healthy. Which is stupid because I'm always hungry.

Matt: now you are.

Melly: I was busy before ok. Being an owner of a budding business is not easy.

I stuffed another cookie in my mouth.

Melly: Jimmy is going to make me fatter with all these baked goods. Is that a cranberry orange muffin?

Matt: yes.

Melly: give me it.

Jimmy: he left. You have to talk to him Matt.

Matt: I will.

Melly: Jimmy I'm going to gain to much weight with all this.

I bit into the muffin.

Jimmy: I've got it! Bran muffins!

Melly: those are good.

Jimmy: and so fun to make! What kind of muffins does Jenn like?

Melly: blueberry.

Jimmy: oh I knew it! I made some of those too.

Melly: you look so cute with your little apron and flour all over your face and hair.

Jimmy: thank you. I'm going to make thumb print cookies now.

Melly: what are you going to do with all this stuff?

Matt: not sure. Give it to the guys?

Melly: Jimmy should open a bakery.

Jimmy: I've thought about it. Maybe when I'm no longer drumming.

He shrugged. Matt came and sat next to me.

Jimmy: you two make me smile.

Melly: it doesn't bother you at all?

Jimmy: what?

Melly: us barely knowing each other and me being pregnant.

He thought for a moment.

Jimmy: no. Does it bother you?

Did it bother me?

Melly: its not. I'm.

How did I feel? Scared. Unsure. Jimmy just smiled and continued with his mixing. Matt grabbed one of my hands.

Matt: when is Jenn coming?

Melly: not sure she said she had todo something.

Jimmy: strawberry jelly? Or apricot?

Melly: both?

Jimmy: good call. Johnny doesn't like apricot and Matt does.

Melly: Brian sides with Zacky?

Matt: both of them are idiots.

Melly: no they're not.

Matt: they are. Even without the baby. Idiots.

He smiled and squeezed my hand.

Melly: this feels so high school.

Matt: what?

Melly: the whole situation. Me and you together for the baby. Its like high school kids getting pregnant and then married cause its the right thing.

Jimmy pointed a dough covered spoon at me.

Jimmy: you didn't do this by yourself. Dr. Hottie helped with the tango Melly.

It was amusing to hear someone other than me or Jenn call him that.

Matt: you aren't forcing me to do this.

Melly: no. You're forcing yourself.

Jimmy: his responsibility.

Melly: that's just it. I don't want Matt and everyone else to feel as though they have to partake. Like you have to because its the responsible thing todo.

I sighed and grabbed another cookie.

Matt: I don't feel that way.

Jimmy: he doesn't. I know. He likes you...

He whispered and used the spoon to cover. As if it prevented Matt from hearing.

Jimmy: a lot. He thinks you're hot.

He nodded reassuringly. I srunched my face and smiled. Jimmy is so crazy.

Jimmy: that's why he always goes to visit you at work.

Matt looked at Jimmy with a slight smile. He didn't look embarrassed. Instead he just sat there with a smile. Listening.

Jimmy: likes you. Now that's high school shit.

Melly: yes it is.

Matt: I don't feel obligated Melly. As much as you can't believe it. I don't. So you shouldn't.

Melly: I don't.

Matt: then we're at an agreement no one feels obligated in this room.

Jimmy: agreed.

Matt: Melly?

Melly: agreed.

Matt: Matt? Agreed.

Melly: dork.

He smiled and kissed my hand.

Matt: have you thought of names?

Melly: what?

Matt: I have. Matt Jr.

Jimmy: that's a good name.

Matt: or Charles?

Jimmy: could you add the Jr to that?

Matt: I'm sure but would I have to? Its my middle name. Ok for a girl Rose.

Melly: that's my middle name.

Matt: really? That's cute.

Melly: I guess.

I was in a bit of shock. This manly man. With his muscles and his tattoos. And his rock band was discussing baby names. For our baby. I'm still trying to get over the fact I'm pregnant. I'm still trying to get over the fact that he isn't running away. Or that I'm not breaking down. He is in this. For us. For the baby.

Matt: what do you think?

Melly: I think I'm not ready for that.

Jimmy: you should name it Jimmy.

Matt chuckled.

Melly: I've got an Uncle Jimmy.

Jimmy: see it was just meant to be.

Matt: maybe. Do you work tomorrow?

Melly: I always work.

Matt: you shouldn't over work yourself anymore. Its not good for the baby.

Jimmy: he's right. I've been glancing at those books myself and there's a lot of do nots in them.

Melly: books? What books?

Matt: I bought some baby...pregnant...parenting books.

I was a bit taken back.

Jimmy: they thought we were a gay couple.

Melly: you bought books...

Matt: well yeah. I don't know what I'm doing and I just thought books would help.

I nodded.

Melly: a gay couple?

Jimmy: yes. Clearly I'm the pants.

Matt: why?

Jimmy: you bought the books. I've got a question for both of you.

We looked at Jimmy.

Jimmy: have either of you told the parental units?

Matt: fuck I've been so caught up, I keep forgetting.

Jimmy looked at me with a raised brow.

Melly: no.

Jimmy: why not?

Melly: my parents live in Seattle remember and I don't want to tell them over the phone. Plus they're going to want to meet my "boyfriend".

I used air quotes.

Matt: I am your boyfriend. Kind of...getting there slowly...hopefully.

I smiled.

Matt: I'm not just yo baby daddy...shawty.

Melly: oh my.

I covered my mouth to prevent from laughing loudly. Jimmy giggled. Matt has a way of making me laugh.

Matt: I'm not.

He said with mock attitude.

Jimmy: you are a dumbass.

I laughed a little more.

Melly: dork. Cutie and a dork.

Matt: see I'm a cutie.

He kissed my hand again. I could get used to this man.