"Hey." Zeke's voice broke through her swinging.

"Hey."

"I brought you some pie. I had to kick Rex in the nuts to get it so he's a little pissed at me, but it was worth it. He fell on the floor in front of your grandpa just as he dropped his drawers."

Talia smiled but kept swinging.

"What's wrong?"

Talia grabbed her phone she'd sat on the ground. Zeke handed her the pie then sat in the swing next to her. Setting the pie on her lap she scrolled to the email she received.

From: [email protected]

To:   talia.walker

Subject: Read this sitting down

You need to see this.

Tubby Talia Traps her a Baby Daddy

An anonymous source tells us at The Tab that Zee Jaxon and his unusual choice of a girlfriend have escaped to a love nest in Georgia. People from a nearby town have confirmed a visible baby bump. It appears there is a reason Zee is with the notorious gossip queen after all. A little Zee junior explains everything. Unfortunately, we don't have photographic evidence yet. The local source did point out it may be difficult to discern the weight gain to a pregnancy or just being someone who is fat. Tubby Talia may have snagged her a rich baby daddy!

"Jesus Christ!"

"Uhm Hmm" Talia shoved the rest of the pie in her mouth. Who cared if it would be going to her thighs? She apparently looked pregnant.

"Who the hell would say that about you?"

"I know exactly who."

"Who?" Zeke ate his pie.

"Shannon."

"Shannon Shine? My high school ex-girlfriend?"

"The one and only."

"Why would she do such a thing? She can't get anything out of doing it."

"First, that was her nickname for me in high school. Tubby Talia. Second, she thinks, in her wackadoodle brain, that I stole you from her. She actually told me yesterday, that she'd be waiting when you wanted a real woman." Talia started twisting on the swing.

"That fucking bitch."

Zeke stood from the swing. He paced in front of the spinning Talia. She knew he felt he needed to fix this. Nothing could fix this. She was a laughing stock now. Tubby Talia would never leave her.

"You Son of a Bitch!" Rex's booming voice echoed over the backyard.

"What?" Zeke was confused.

Rex marched over to his best friend landing a solid right hook. Zeke collapsed like a ton of bricks. "You knocked up my sister?" Raising his hand to land another punch, Talia jumped up to grab his fist.

"Let go, Tally!" Rex yelled.

"Stop it, Dumbass." He shook off her hold, focusing back to Zeke.

Talia thought of one thing that would stop her brother. He was so focused on Zeke he didn't see the kick to his groin coming. Rex dropped next to Zeke coughing and moaning.

"Why....did....you...do...that?" Rex wheezed out.

"Because you are an asshat that wouldn't listen. You will listen now. I am not pregnant. It was lies spread by a gossip rag. In fact, I'm pretty sure I know who did it. Shannon Shine. She used her little nickname for me as her calling card."

"Bitch." He rasped out.

"Not sure who you are calling a bitch but Yep covers it all."

Talia kneeled next to an awakening Zeke. "You ok?"

He nodded. "Guess I don't have a best friend any more huh?"

"He's an asshat. I kicked him in the nuts." She grinned.

"Shit. Twice in one day. That sucks." He reached up cupping her face. "Can we go? You may need to drive." Talia nodded then reached down to help him up.

They stepped over the moaning Rex. "See ya, Rex. I expect an apology soon." She called back to him.

***

CRASH

BOOM

Talia sat up in her bed. Lightning flashed with each boom of thunder. Rain pounded against the wind. Trees scraped the sides of the house with every gust of wind. Fear spiked through her. She was not a fan of storms. Ever since she had watched Twister she's been afraid of storms. It was yet another reason why she loved L.A so much. Not many storms. She could deal with earthquakes.

Talia crept out of her room. She needed to get off of the second floor. As she walked to the stairs the power went out. Her heart pounded. She thought it might fly out of her chest. Whistling of wind, pounding of the rain, cracking of the lightning and booming of the thunder had her running down the stairs to the open living room. Diving onto the couch she took the blanket and threw it over her head.

"It's ok. It's just a storm. You will be fine." Talia muttered to herself. Another boom crack combo had her shaking.

While she continued to mutter to herself the blanket flew off. She screamed. A dark silhouette stood over her.

"Shh." Zeke's deep voice eased her frantic heart.

Without another word, Zeke pulled her to him. They lay holding each other. His hand caressed her hair. She felt her body begin to relax despite the storm raging. Her head rested on his bare chest. The beating of his heart drowned out the storm. When a clap of thunder broke through she held tight to him as he cuddled with her.

The storm raged on through the night. Talia fell asleep laying on a warm Zeke. Seeking comfort with the one person she never thought she could. Adrenaline crashed letting her forget all of her worries. She took the comfort he provided in her moment of need.