Chapter Four
NeverMind © 2004
Jocelyn woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee. Hannah was in her room with a huge mug full of it.
“I wasn’t sure what you took in your coffee so I woke Elijah up. He said lots of everything, so I pretty much turned this into a latte.”
Jocelyn smiled up at her friend. “Sounds perfect. What time is it?”
“Quarter past ten. Mom and Zach are anxious to see you.”
“I should make myself presentable then.”
“Pfff, whatever! I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who looked better first thing in the morning!”
Jocelyn laughed and pointed at her forehead. “What, even with all these spikers?” she asked about the little hairs she knew were protruding chaotically from her hairline. She took the coffee from Hannah and eased off the bed. “Oh brother, I fell asleep in your clothes,” she said, looking down at her attire.
“Don’t worry about it. I got your stuff out of the dryer for you. I hope nothing shrank,” Hannah said.
“I doubt it. I’m a wash-and-wear kinda girl. Come to think of it, I don’t remember the last time I went clothes shopping.”
“Well then, we’ll have to go!”
“You’re really excited that I’m here, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am! I’ve had to live with two brothers my whole life – I think I deserve a sister for once!”
“Sounds fair to me,” Jocelyn said, getting up and heading to the bathroom. “Give me ten minutes. I’ll be right down.”
“Sure thing,” Hannah said as she took her leave.
Jocelyn washed her face, let out her hair and used a little water to tame her ‘spikers’. Then she peeled out of Hannah’s clothes and pulled on her favorite pair of jeans. She was standing in her bra trying to decide which shirt to wear when she heard a soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” she said absently.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean…” she heard Elijah say.
“What? Oh, brother. Like you haven’t seen a girl in her bra before,” she said as she pulled a T-shirt over her head.
“No, I know…” Good god, he thought, has she always made me this crazy? “Just wanted to see if you were ready.”
“Yup. Can you grab my coffee? I have to bring down a pile of stuff my mom sent with me.”
“Sure,” Elijah said, grabbing her mug and following her down the stairs.
“Ah, the wandering gypsy has finally darkened our humble doors,” Elijah’s brother Zach declared upon seeing Jocelyn.
“Hi Zach,” she said, putting her armload down and hugging him.
“Come here, sweetie. Let me have a look at you,” Elijah’s mom said.
She turned to Deborah for inspection. “My lord, you’ve become a beautiful young woman,” Deborah said.
“Thanks, Aunt Deb,” Jocelyn answered with a hug. She had called Elijah’s mom ‘aunt’ for as long as she could remember. “My mom sent presents,” she said, indicating the pile of stuff on the kitchen island.
“All my Mary Kay stuff!” Deborah exclaimed. “Thank you sweetheart. I’ll call your mom today.”
“Yes!” Zach exclaimed, opening the card with his name on it. “Lowe’s gift certificates!”
“Oh no, you’re not gonna do more renovations, are you Zach?” Hannah asked.
“Why not? I’m becoming pretty good at it, I think.”
“Aside from the disaster in the bathroom last year, I’d agree with you,” Elijah said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and making his way to the porch to light up.
“That’s a disgusting habit, Lij,” Hannah scolded him.
“So’s picking your nose, sis.”
Jocelyn chuckled. “I’m so glad nothing has changed about you guys. Here,” she said to Hannah, handing her a beautiful stuffed bear. “My mom still thinks of you as a 12-year-old.”
“Oh, I don’t care. It’s beautiful! Thank you.” Hannah placed the bear near the phone. “Did you want some breakfast? I made waffles.”
“Sure, sounds good. Thanks.” She watched Elijah on the porch take a drag from his cigarette, then realized she hadn’t given him his gift yet. “Excuse me a minute,” she told the Woods and went outside to bring it to him.
“How has he been?” Deborah asked her daughter.
“Awkward. Doesn’t know what to do with himself.”
“I give them a week before they’re dating,” Zach predicted.
“I don’t know, Zach,” Hannah said. “She’s pretty oblivious to it all. She might take some convincing.”
“Wanna make a bet?” her brother asked.
“Oh, you guys, leave them alone!” Deborah scolded.
“Come on, I say a week. What’s your guess?” Zach asked.
“Three weeks,” Hannah decided. “Mom?”
“No, I’m not –“ she started, then noticed Jocelyn and her son leaning on the porch railing together. “Fine. A month – four weeks.”
“Bets are on. Winner gets dinner at his or her restaurant of choice,” Zach concluded.
“Hey,” Jocelyn nudged Elijah, whose back was turned to her. “You didn’t stick around to get your present.” She put a card and a small package in his hand.
“‘Take care of my daughter,’” he read the card, “‘Love Aunt Juanita.’” He opened the package to find a sports car magazine.
“She, uh, still thinks you’re 14,” Jocelyn apologized.
Elijah laughed. “No, this is great. I was actually gonna pick this up today anyway.”
“Come off it, you were not. You don’t have to pretend you like it – I’m not 12 anymore.” She used her shoulder to push him a little.
“I’m not pretending. I do like it,” he protested.
“Whatever.” He offered her his cigarette. She took it and took a shallow drag.
“Don’t tell me you started smoking.”
“Nah, just socially,” she answered, letting the smoke escape her mouth. “That your place?” she asked with a nod to the guesthouse.
“Yeah. I’ll take you to see it after. If I’d known you were coming, I’d have cleaned up first.”
“Like I care. I’ve seen worse.”
Elijah finished off his cigarette and put the butt in the garbage on their way back into the house.
“So,” Deborah said, “What are your plans now that you’re here?”
“Well,” Jocelyn said, sitting down as Hannah placed a plate of waffles in front of her, “First thing’s first – I need to find a job. I’m gonna try Starbucks first, get some day shifts so I can try to set up some evening performances. I guess we’ll see what happens from there.”
“Oh, speaking of performances, I talked with a buddy of mine who owns a pub near the university. He wants to book you for some time this month. I’ll give you his number so you can call him,” Zach said.
“Wow, thanks, Zach. That’s awesome,” Jocelyn said.
“Did you want me to help you find an agent?” Elijah asked.
“Do you think I need one?” Jocelyn wanted to know.
“Everyone needs an agent,” Hannah emphasized dramatically.
“Shut it, Hannah. It’s a good idea to have one. They can get you places you can’t get on your own.”
“I can’t really afford an agent right now.”
“You let me worry about that,” Elijah said.
“Lij,” Jocelyn’s voice held warning.
“Good god, woman, let me do something for you!” he said, exasperated.
“Fine, fine. But as soon as I can afford it…”
“I know. Just consider it an investment, okay?”
“Okay.”
Just then, they heard the door open. “Something smells delicious,” a bright English accent declared.
“Amazing how he behaves like he owns the place,” Zach marveled.
“Hello, Dominic. Care for some breakfast?” Deborah asked.
He went over to kiss her cheek. “I would love some breakfast. Good morning, Hannah, my beautiful ray of sunshine,” he continued, turning to kiss her cheek as well.
“Keep your slobber to yourself, Monaghan,” she warned, rubbing the spot on her cheek where he’d kissed it.
“Jocelyn, you look absolutely radiant this morning,” he went on, taking her hand and kissing it.
“You are quite the charmer, aren’t you?” Jocelyn grinned at him.
“Charmer? You think that was charming? I haven’t even got started yet!”
“God, Dom, it’s too early in the morning,” Elijah complained.
“Oh, hello, mate! I didn’t even see you there in this room full of beautiful women. And Zach! How are you doing?”
“You’re awfully chipper this morning,” Zach said.
“How can I help it? Just looking at these girls makes me giddy.” Dom plopped down on a chair next to Jocelyn. “So, what’d I miss?”
“We were just discussing whether Jocelyn needed an agent or not,” Deborah explained, putting a plate full of waffles in front of the Englishman.
“Absolutely she needs an agent. In fact, I’ll offer my services.”
“Oh really? You play a musician on TV and that qualifies you?” Jocelyn mocked.
“Yes. And if you acquire a drug addiction, I can help you with that too.”
“By doing what? Stranding me on a deserted island?” Jocelyn asked.
“Hmm, now that wouldn’t be a bad idea at all,” Dom answered with a sly grin.
Jocelyn stabbed a piece of waffle and held it in front of his mouth. “You sure don’t waste any time, do you?” she asked with a sly grin of her own as he bit the waffle off the fork.
Elijah watched the interaction with growing discomfort. This felt worse than the time Dom hit on his sister. He caught his mom’s eye and she raised an eyebrow at him. He pushed himself back from the table. “I should, uh, go pick up Kyla. I told her I’d take her for lunch before bringing her over.”
“Would anyone be willing to chauffeur me around for a few hours so I can run some errands?” Jocelyn asked.
“I will,” Hannah and Dom said simultaneously.
“Hey, she was my friend first,” Hannah protested.
“Maybe so, but you’re a terrifying driver,” Dom countered. “Why don’t I drive and you just tag along?”
“I am not a terrifying driver!” Hannah exclaimed.
“Yes, you are,” her mother and brothers chimed in.
Hannah harrumphed. “Ganged up on by my own family! Unbelievable!”
Jocelyn laughed. “When do you figure you’ll be home?” she asked Elijah.
He glanced down at his watch to avoid making eye contact. “Uh, I don’t know. Three-ish?”
“Kay. We’ll be home by then. I can’t wait to meet Kyla. Can I give her the best friend speech?” she asked.
“The best friend speech?” he asked.
“Yeah, you know, hurt him and die?”
“Oh, right.”
“Nah, I don’t think she’ll need it,” Dom came to the rescue. “She’s a sweet, mousy little thing. Ought to be intimidated just by the look of you.”
“What are you saying? That I’m scary looking?” Jocelyn asked in mock offense.
“Only because you’re so beautiful.”
“You know, I don’t remember you being this smooth over the phone,” Jocelyn said.
“That’s because I didn’t know what I was working with at the time,” Dom explained.
Elijah’s discomfort increased. He knew he had to get out of there. “I should go.”
“Bye,” everyone in the kitchen waved him off.
He got into his car and let his head fall against the steering wheel. “What the fuck is wrong with me?” he wondered aloud. “I shouldn’t feel like this. Dom flirts with everyone like that. Besides, I have no claim over her. And I have a girlfriend, remember?” He put the car into gear and drove out of the driveway. He slid a Radiohead CD into his stereo, but all he could hear was Jocelyn’s voice singing the songs. He ejected it again and flipped the radio to the pop station. John Mayer was playing, another of Jocelyn’s favorites. He switched to the rock station only to hear U2’s “Where the streets have no name” so he settled on the punk station. Jocelyn wasn’t into punk.
Jocelyn spent the day with Dom and Hannah, delivering resumes and checking out the local pubs and coffeehouses. She stopped by the bar Zach’s friend owned to introduce herself and set up a performance date – a short two weeks away. The Starbucks down the street from the Wood house called her on Hannah’s cell phone while they were out and asked her to come in for an interview, so they swung by there on their way back. Jocelyn had the job a half-hour later and was scheduled for training on Monday.
“I know where I’ll be going for coffee from now on,” Dom said.
“I’ll make someone else serve you,” Jocelyn answered.
“You’re so cruel to me, love,” he sighed.
Elijah’s car was already in the driveway when the threesome pulled in.
“Wait, tell me about this Kyla girl,” Jocelyn insisted.
“Oh, she’s all right. A little tame for Elwood, in my opinion, but she’s sweet,” Dom said. “Got quite the set of knockers on her, though.”
“She’s my age,” Hannah piped up.
“Is that bad?” Jocelyn asked.
“No, but he usually goes for older women.”
“True enough. What’s she like, though? Ulterior motives?”
“What, you mean after his fame and all that?” Dom asked.
“Yeah.”
“No. She’s afraid to go anywhere public with him,” Hannah said. “She mostly comes over here or he goes to her place and they watch TV. They’re boring.”
“It’s funny that as energetic as he is, he’s still a recluse at heart,” Jocelyn commented. “Where did they meet?”
“At a Sum 41 concert. She had backstage passes. Won them over the radio,” Hannah explained.
“Oh, that’s cute. They must’ve just hooked up – he hasn’t mentioned her to me before.”
“Yeah, it was only a few weeks ago,” Dom said.
“Okay,” Jocelyn said, adjusting her hair. “Do I look intimidating enough?”
Dom laughed. “Terrifying.”
As Jocelyn strode confidently into the house, Hannah held Dom back for a chat. “So?” she asked.
“So what?”
“So when are you gonna ask her out?”
“Who?”
“You bloody well know who, you bastard.”
“Jocelyn? Oh, god, I’d love to, but –“
“But what?”
“But I have to get your brother’s permission first,” Dom said.
“Why? He has a girlfriend.”
“Maybe so, but it’s only fair.”
“Look, my family and I had a little bet going as to when Lij and Joce were gonna hook up, but seeing you two together today I think you’d make a great couple.”
“Thanks, love, but I really need to talk to Lij first. It’s the guy’s code – always get permission before asking sisters, ex-girlfriends or best female friends out.”
“Guys are so weird.”
“Like women aren’t.”
Dom and Hannah found Jocelyn in the kitchen with Deborah, talking on the phone.
“No, Mom, everything’s fine. I just got a job at Starbucks and my first gig is in two weeks. See? It’s great. Things are already getting going…Yeah, and Lij said he’d help me find an agent…No, he’s insisting on paying for it…I know, that’s what I said, but you know how stubborn he can be…Yeah, I will. I have to go. Here’s Aunt Deb again…Love you too, bye.” She handed the pone back to Deborah and looked at her friends. “They’re not here.”
“They’re probably next door,” Hannah said. “Come on, let’s go crash their party. Hopefully they’re not getting it on or anything.” She shuddered. “That’s something I never want to see!”
The trio trekked across the yard to Elijah’s front door and knocked.
Elijah opened it and Jocelyn couldn’t help but think that he looked really good in a polo shirt and jeans. “You look snazzy,” she grinned at him and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
“Thanks,” he said weakly. She was making his head spin. “Come in.”
“Hey mate! Bloody fantastic best friend you have – got herself a job and a gig in the space of two hours!” Dom told him.
“Really? That’s great,” Elijah said with less enthusiasm than he’d hoped for. “Kyla’s just out back. Let me give you the ‘grand tour.’” Just act normal, he told himself. You’re being ridiculous.
“It doesn’t look that messy to me,” Jocelyn told him as he showed them through the house.
“Kyla’s been cleaning for the last hour. She was furious that I would even think of showing you this place in the condition it was in,” Lij explained. God, I sound whipped, he thought to himself.
Kyla was outside on the patio, pretending to look as though she had been relaxing there for quite some time already.
“Kyla, this is my friend Jocelyn. Jocelyn – Kyla,” Elijah introduced them.
Jocelyn smiled at the girl. “Pleasure to meet you,” she said, extending a hand.
Kyla reached out to take it, all the while thinking, oh god, I had not expected this! She’s so exotic looking. She could be a model! “Nice to meet you,” she said instead. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Oh no. That’s never good,” Jocelyn quipped.
“Oh, it’s only good things,” Kyla quickly said in defense. “I hear you’re a singer.”
Jocelyn shrugged. “Something like that. I mostly steal Hannah’s poems and put them to music.”
“As if I don’t love it!” Hannah said with a laugh.
“So,” Dom said after some more ‘getting to know you’ banter. “What do you guys want to do today?”
“Doesn’t matter to us,” Elijah answered for himself and Kyla. She and Jocelyn seemed to be getting along – he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m getting hungry,” Jocelyn said.
“Okay, food – check. What else?” Dom prompted.
“Dancing. We need to go dancing,” Hannah insisted.
“Like at a bar? I don’t know, sweetheart, I’ve kinda outgrown the bar,” Jocelyn said.
“Oh, come on! Just for tonight. Besides, you’ve never been to a Californian bar – they’re not converted barns,” Hannah said.
“No two-stepping? No square dances? What kind of bars could these be?” Jocelyn mocked her friend.
“You know, I’m reminded why you and my brother are best friends – you both mock me equally well,” Hannah said.
“Dinner and dancing – sounds smashing,” Dom concluded.
“But I get to invite someone,” Hannah said.
“Why?” Dom asked. “Aren’t we good enough for you?”
“No. I just already feel like a fifth wheel. You guys decide where you want to eat and I’ll call Billy.” She scampered back into the house to find the phone.
“How about the Clear Water?” Elijah asked Dom.
“Sounds good to me.”
“Wow, that was easy,” Jocelyn said.
“We always eat there,” Kyla explained. “Lij knows the owner.” Jocelyn watched as Kyla put her arm around Elijah’s waist. It was a little strange to see another woman showing possession of her friend.
“You know,” Dom said, “I still haven’t heard you play live yet. Will you play us something while we wait to go to dinner?”
“Sure. You still have your guitar lying around somewhere, Lij?” Jocelyn asked.
“Yeah, hold on.” Elijah retreated to his bedroom to pull his guitar out from under his bed. He passed it over to Jocelyn who rested it gingerly on her knee.
She stroked the strings to test their tuning. “You still play this thing?” she asked him.
“Yeah. Once in a while.”
“Well, you must’ve recently played it because it’s perfectly tuned.”
What he didn’t tell her was that he had tuned it the night before, anticipating that she would eventually play it.
She started strumming a slow, rhythmic tune. The song started as a low hum and became this intense, passionate, powerful, gentle, sweet rhythm that climaxed and crashed gently on their ears like a wave on the shore.
Dom exhaled heavily after she’d finished. “That was amazing,” he said earnestly. “I have never wanted to be a guitar so bad in my life.”
“Thank you,” she said with a grin.
“You’re so talented,” Kyla said. And smart and beautiful and funny – good god, what have I got myself into? She thought to herself.
Jocelyn just shrugged and started playing another song. Dom closed his eyes and slouched back on the couch, just absorbing the music. Elijah just stared. He hadn’t actually seen her play in so long. She’d gotten really good. She had this easy confidence about her that let her really get into the music. And her voice – it was raw and riveting. It made the hairs stand up on the back of his neck.
He just barely heard the door opening from down the hall. Hannah must’ve gone out – but no, he caught a glance of a long tall body with a full head of dark hair. He nudged Dom who reluctantly opened his eyes. “Orli’s here,” Lij whispered.
Jocelyn finished her song and absently plucked at the strings.
“You know who needs to hear you?” Dom said.
“No, who?” Jocelyn wanted to know.
“Orlando.”
“As in Bloom?” she asked with a chuckle. “Now why would he need to hear me?”
“Because you’re amazing, that’s why,” Elijah said. And your mouth makes me want to… No, don’t go there, he thought to himself.
“I’m telling you, I can’t compete with Miss Baywatch.”
“Blue Crush,” Elijah corrected her.
“Whatever. I’m still no blue-eyed blonde.”
“Maybe not, but you’re incredibly striking nonetheless,” a smooth British voice answered from behind her.
Jocelyn stopped plucking and looked up at Elijah and Dom. “He’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?”
They both nodded.
“Mm-hmm. I hate you both.” She stood up to introduce herself. “Jocelyn Jordan,” she said, holding out her hand.
Orlando bowed deeply as he kissed her hand. “A pleasure,” he murmured, looking up at her.
“Hold on a minute,” she said softly, staring into his eyes. She inhaled deeply then let go of his hand.
“What was that all about?” Dom asked.
Jocelyn turned to him, a smile playing on her lips. “Oh, nothing.”
“Orli!” Hannah squealed, coming back into the room and throwing her arms around his neck.
“Hello, Hannah-bear,” he said, hugging her back.
“What brings you to our neck of the woods?” she asked.
“Oh, I was in the area and thought I’d swing by. Didn’t expect to find a party, yeah?”
“Well, we’re all going out for supper. You should call Kate and come with,” Hannah said.
“I might just do that.”
“Oh, I called for reservations,” Hannah went on, “I figured you’d pick the Clear Water. And Billy said he’d meet us there.”
“Excellent. I haven’t seen Billy in an age!” Dom said.
“Where are we going? I’ll give Kate a ring right now,” Orlando said.
“Clear Water – 7:00.”
Jocelyn gave Kyla a perplexed look. Kyla just nodded. “It gets kinda crazy when they’re all together,” she said.
“Who?”
“The Fellowship.”
“Oh – so Billy is…”
“Billy Boyd, yeah.”
“Frightening.” She saw Elijah slipping out the back door out of the corner of her eye. “Can I talk to your boyfriend a minute?” she asked Kyla.
“Yeah, sure. You don’t need to ask my permission,” she said.
Jocelyn grinned. “Yes, I do,” she said and followed her friend to the back porch. She found him pacing and smoking.
“Hey, you all right?” she asked.
He looked up at her. She was leaning against the doorframe, looking ridiculously attractive.
“Um – yeah. Just had a nic fit.”
“Liar,” she said. “I’ll let you get away with it for now.” She wondered why he was having a hard time making eye contact with her. “Listen, I was, uh, I was thinking – if it’s okay with Kyla – that you and I could spend the day together tomorrow. You know, just hang out. I wanna catch up.”
I will dump Kyla right now if you ask me to and we can spend the rest of forever together if you want, he thought to himself. “Yeah. That would be great. I’ll run it past Kyla.”
Just then Hannah came bursting through the doors. “There you two are! Let’s go! Joce and I have to change but Billy will get there before us if we don’t get ready now.” She grabbed both their hands and dragged them through the house.
“I have to change?” Jocelyn asked.
“Obviously. You can’t wear jeans to the bar!”
“I can’t? Maybe I do prefer Iowa bars,” she said. “It was nice meeting you, Orlando,” she called out as she passed him.
“I’ll see you in a bit. I want to hear more of your music!” he called after her.
Hannah gabbed incessantly as she and Jocelyn crossed the yard towards the other house.
“That’s your best friend?” Orlando asked Elijah.
“I know. That’s what I said too,” Dom said.
“She’s gorgeous! I can’t believe you’ve been hiding her all these years!”
Dom could see both Elijah and Kyla were uncomfortable with the current topic. “Don’t you need to pick up your girlfriend, elf-boy?” he asked Orlando.
“Right – Kate! I’m off. I’ll see you all in a shake.”
“So, Kyla,” Dom said. “What did you think of her?”
“I think she’s amazing. I mean, Orli’s right – she’s stunning and she’s talented and smart and funny. I really like her,” Kyla said, even as jealousy twisted in her chest.
“Yeah, she is pretty fantastic,” Dom said wistfully. “Remind me I have to ask you something later, Elwood.”
“Okay. Maybe you should see if the girls are ready yet,” Elijah suggested.
“Sure thing. We’ll meet you out front. Who’s DD today?” he asked.
“I will. It’s all good,” Elijah answered.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Dom skipped out, leaving Elijah and Kyla alone.
“You really like her?” Elijah asked.
“Yeah,” Kyla said. “What’s not to like?” she stifled back a tear. She had a funny feeling the days of their relationship were, as of that day, numbered.