Listen to Your Heart

“Annie get your ass out of bed! You’ve got 10 minutes to get ready!” Kennedy yelled from across the hall.

Groaning I repositioned myself on the bed, snuggling deeper into the pillow.

My bedroom door swung open and in came Kennedy ready to tear me out of the bed. “Annie fucking Brock, get your lazy pregnant ass out of bed this instant” He demanded.

Not giving a shit I raised my hand in the air and flipped in off. He scoffed and slapped my hand, earning him a pillow to the face.

“Annie, get out of bed! Or else we’re going to be late!” He urged again, this time lifting the blankets off my body.

That’s when I snapped. “What the hell do you want!?!”I shouted into his face, guaranteeing the neighbors could have heard me.

He backed away raising his arms up in the air, “Whoa now no need for the yelling!”

I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breathe, “If you don’t me to yell, than let me fucking sleep!” I said lowering my voice as a collapsed back down onto the bed.

“You can sleep some other time, we need to get to the rehearsal dinner!” He said shaking my body.
I shook my head and groaned. “No! I don’t wanna go.” I started to whine.

“But you have to, John and Raquel want you there!”

Hearing his name made my stomach tie into knots, causing every hair on my body stand up, and send shivers down my spine.

“Don’t—just don’t say his name.” I said sternly sitting up right.

“Annie—you’re going to have to tell him someday. It isn’t fair for him that everyone else knows but he doesn’t.” God dammit Kennedy, why do you have to be right?

“Leave without me, it’s not like I want to go anyways!” I groaned loudly.

Kennedy rolled his eye, beginning to loose patients. “Annie it’s going to be even more obvious since no one has seen you in nearly 3 weeks! Get your lazy ass out of bed—now.”

I gave up fighting with him and lazily dragged my feet across the room to my bathroom. Looking into the mirror I gave myself a long look. I had huge bags under my eyes, my hair was like a rats nest, and it didn’t help that I was starting to show. I’m going to dread this day more than I’d expect.

&

I dug my heels into the gravel trying to resist Kennedy’s push. We were at the restaurant and by no means did I want to go in. In my luck Kennedy was much stronger, managed to drag me all the way to the front door.

“Kennedy—I don’t wanna go in.” I whined, pulling down my dress.

He patted my shoulder and gave me a sympathetic look. “Sorry boo, we’re here and going in. So suck it up and take it like a man.”

Linking our arms together we walked into the crowed restaurant searching for familiar faces. From the corner of the room I spotted Pat waving at us cheerfully with Kelsey scolded him from beside to sit down.

“Kenny, I-I can’t do it” I stuttered walked towards the group.

He leaned down and whispered to me. “Yes you can.”

Before I could respond Rachel pulled my away towards the corner of the room. “How are you holding up?” She asked resting a hand on my shoulder.

I bit my lip nervously. “I don’t know I really wish I were at home right now in the comfort of my own bed.”

“Yeah, I get you. I’d rather be home too than here with these damn heels on.” She sighed motioning to her feet.

I let out a soft chuckle. “You know it’s bad for you to be wearing heel while pregnant right?”
She narrowed her eyes at me playfully. “I wouldn’t be talking sweet cheeks.” She pointed to my feet.

I rolled my eyes realizing I was no different from Rachel beside the fact that my baby daddy doesn’t know he’s one.

A pared of muscular arms wrapped around my shoulders causing me to jump a tad bit. “Ah, the bird has come out of its cage.”

I turned to face Austin and offered a fake smile. “It’s nice to see you too Gibbs. How’s your lady doing?”

He took a swig of bear before replying. “Eh you know the usual. Been pretty cranky lately, time of the month in my opinion.” I slapped him across the chest causing him to flinch.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“Don’t always assume a girl’s on their monthly just because they’re cranky!” I scolded. “And that was for Lisa, I don’t know how the hell she ended up with a guy like you.”

He scoffed rubbing his chest. “We wouldn’t have this problem if you were to go out with me than would there?” He asked seductively wiggling his bushy eyebrows.

All it did was earn him another slap on the chest. “Damn you must be on your monthly too!” She stated a little too loudly.

I raised my hand ready to slap him again when John and Raquel came up to us. Dropping my hand I smiled at the couple.

“Hey guys!” Raquel cheered happily, holding onto John arm tightly.

“Hey you two,” Rachel greeted. I smiled at them trying to avoid John’s gaze.

Annie it’s great to see you again! I haven’t seen you in forever!” She said giggly, hugging me.

“Yeah sorry, I’ve been busy lately.” She nodded. “Oh I almost forgot, congratulations may I wish you two love birds the best.”

“Awe thank you, how ‘about you tell that boyfriend of yours to come down here for the wedding?” She suggested. From the corner of my eyes I saw John’s body tense up, he shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

“For sure, I’ll make sure to do so.” I faked smiled.

“Clink, clink, clink,” We all turned our attentions over to the sound of someone tapping on glass.

“Attention everyone” The person turned out to be Kennedy. “I would like to make a toast to the couple we are all stand here to stand celebrate these two beautiful couple’s engagement. I’m not going to go on making a speech, in the end making myself look like a fool so it’s gonna be short. I’ve none John since I we were kids, I doubted he would ever find a girl whom he’d one day take home to his family and as of today be engaged to. I just wanted to say that I’m happy for him and Raquel, wishing them the best of luck and may all be in your favor.—Cheers to the couple standing before us, to John and Raquel—Raquel and John!” Everyone began to clap and sip their Champaign, while I stood there clutching onto my stomach trying not to break down.

John noticing me not drinking or having any sort of emotion since I stepped in to say the least, he gave me a puzzling look.

Locking eyes with him for a brief moment, I tugged on Rachel’s arm gaining her attention.

“Hey Rach? I think I’m gonna go. I’m not feeling too good.” I whispered. “Tell Kennedy for me? And tell John and Raquel I’m sorry for also.”

She nodded giving me a worried look. Forming a small smile on my face, I grabbed my clutch and walked out.

Reaching the outside, I took a deep breath in trying to regain myself. I just couldn’t handle being in there, maybe I wasn’t over John? Maybe it took for me to get pregnant to realize so.

Throwing off my heels, I sat down on the side walk and leaned against the brick wall. My breathing began to become steady, I rubbed the palms of my hands nervously.

Hearing the sound of footsteps beginning to come closer, I turned and faced the direction of the steps.

Seeing John in front of me caught me off guard.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned.

He took a seat next to me. “I could ask you the same.”

I looked out into the packed parking lot. “I didn’t feel so well, I was thinking about heading home.
He nodded I could tell her was questioning whether I was telling the truth or not. “Sure ‘bout that? Are you sure you aren’t just trying to avoid me?”

I looked over at him as he stared straight ahead. “And why might you think I’m doing so?”
“Because of what happened between us.” He said.

“Well—let’s just say you’re wrong.” I said, messing with the ends of my dress.

“Then what is it, you don’t just stop hanging out with us for 3 weeks for no apparent reason. What is it you’re not telling me?”

“Nothing, there’s nothing I’m not telling you.” I lied.

He turned to me, shaking his head. “I’m not dumb Annie, I know when something’s wrong. I advise you to tell me now.”

I scoffed and turned away. “And why do I have to huh? You’re not the boss of me, and you’re sure as hell not my dad so I don’t have to tell you shit.” I spat.

“Can you stop playing this dumb game that you’re so determined to win?” I said getting annoyed.

“I’m not playing any games John, just leave it at that.” He angrily got up from the ground and stared down at me.

“If you’re jealous than just say it! You don’t have to be all fucking mysterious and shit bringing everyone’s mood down!”

I looked at him wide eyed. “You think I’m jealous of you? Why the hell would you think that?”

He scoffed shaking his head once more. “Think about it, we fucked and afterwards I didn’t want anything to do with you that is why. You thought getting me drunk and getting me to sleep with you would magically make me dump Raquel and go for you.” I stared at him trying to hold in the anger. “Well I’ve got news for you sweetie that will never happen because I love Raquel and nothing and no one especially you will get in the way of us—you got that?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, this asshole thought I was jealous of them; this dysfunctional couple? He has to be insane to think such thing.

“What are you laughing at?” He asked confused as ever.

"Are you done?"

"What?"

"Are you done assuming shit?" I asked bluntly. He narrowed his eyes at me trying to figure out what I was talking about.“Y-You think I’m jealous. Wow, you must be going crazy to think such thing. Do you ever think maybe I was avoiding you and everyone else for a reason? Not everything revolves around you John, me being distant does not mean I’m jealous of you two—get real.” I scoffed one last time before walking away to my car, I turned back to him and smiled. “Oh yeah have a great wedding, don’t be expecting Declan to show up—hell, don’t expect me to show up.”

I got into the car and drove away, I couldn’t help but feel the weights being lifted off my shoulders. You might ask way, I never told him I was pregnant. So what if I didn’t, that right there showed me how much John didn’t deserve to be in this baby’ life. He can kiss my ass for all I cared, he can go start a family with Raquel. I know one thing for sure, he was going nowhere near my baby and I.