She’d told her dad if he wanted to see her, she wanted to spend the night at Tracy’s on New Year’s Eve, not go to some dumb party at one of their friend’s houses. He agreed, without too much thought. She guessed he figured it was an easy compromise. After they left, Jack was going to pick her up, they would go to a party with his friends, and then she would spend the night with him.
It had been a long week. She and Jack had only talked a few times, and hadn’t seen each other at all because she was with her mother. She’d been happy during the week at Mom’s, and she faced so many of Dad’s lies straight on, but God, she missed Jack. The day after tomorrow would come soon enough, and everything would be better, for a little while at least.
Dad and Marie were out to dinner. He said they had some things to discuss that they didn’t think Laura needed to hear. Things had definitely gone south with them since Mom’s miscarriage. Marie was probably questioning Dad about why she wasn’t getting pregnant, and Dad was still probably pissed at the way Marie handled everything.
She had one fucked up family. Dad was busy all the time trying to resurrect his latest research project and Marie was trying to write a book. Apparently she was struggling with the first two pages because they had to be “just right” before she moved forward. Mom had gotten on a roll one day with her writing and came out of her office with fifty new pages written. She said it needed some work, but she couldn’t fix a blank page. She was amazingly disciplined, and Marie was an amazing mess.
Laura liked books and would read pretty much anything she could get her hands on. She didn’t pay attention to labels, because she knew what she liked. According to her father, Marie’s books were art; but after sitting down one day and attempting to read one, she knew they were crap. Laura had read really good literary fiction, and Marie’s book wasn’t even close. When she picked up one of her mother’s novels the other night, Laura was up until three in the morning reading—it was awesome.
The sound of a car door closing brought her back, and she looked outside to see Jack coming up the driveway. Her heart flipped over when she saw him. She raced down the stairs, flung the door open, and jumped into his arms as he stepped on the porch.
Laura clung to him, her arms wrapped around his neck. He grabbed her around the waist, lifted her, and kicked the door shut with his foot as he carried her into the house. He didn’t put her down, but kissed her thoroughly before tilting his head back and looking into her eyes.
Jack smiled. “I guess you’re happy to see me.”
Laura held him close, it was all she wanted right then. Their whole relationship was based on lies, but the only time she felt safe was when she was with him. But he must have sensed something, because he pulled back and set her down. She held on, not wanting to let go, loving how he felt against her.
“What’s wrong?” Taking her hands, he led her into the living room and held her when she snuggled next to him.
“Nothing. I missed you.”
“Are you sure? Worried about staying with me?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s the only thing I’m not worried about.”
“Where are your folks?”
“Out. Probably discussing whether or not they’re going to stay together.”
“I think you should ditch your crazy family and live with me.” He rubbed her arm and kissed the top of her head.
Laura felt a weight crush down on her chest. He wanted her, he really did, and pretty soon he would hate her. A tear ran down her cheek and she wished she had someone to talk to about this, but there was no one.
Jack hugged her when he saw her tears. He must have thought she was the crazy one, always so emotional. She tried to be happier, but she was so worried about what was going to happen when everyone found out.
“I didn’t mean to upset you.” He kissed her forehead and kept hold of her. “You know,” he said, glancing at the piano, “you promised to play for me.”
Laura nodded. “I did.”
“Will you now?”
At least it would distract her. She wiped her eyes and went to the piano. Jack moved and sat on the end of the couch closest to her and waited. Laura decided on Canon in D, her favorite piece. She was preparing a variation for a recital, so it was something she’d want him to hear, something she was proud of.
The first notes filled the room and her mind went blank. She played her heart out for him and for herself, losing herself in the music. The arrangement she played was exhausting and when she was done nearly five minutes after first touching the keys, she was perspiring. Looking to her right, Jack sat stunned.
“Christ almighty,” he whispered. “That was amazing.”
“Thank you. I’ve been working on that piece for a while.”
Jack fell into silence. He looked at her, then at his hands, then back at her. Something in his movements told her he had something to say.
“I don’t understand.” He shook his head and walked to the fireplace. He was truly confused and Laura didn’t know why.
“What don’t you understand?” She stood and took a step toward him, afraid to go any closer.
“I had no idea. I—” Jack came to her, his long stride covering the space between them effortlessly. He took her hands and his eyes examined them like they were precious objects. “Why the hell do you want to be with a farm boy like me?”
The warmth spread through her, something sure and steady, something real. Even standing on her tiptoes, she could barely touch her lips to his. Jack dipped his head and received her soft kiss. This was it, she could tell him, so at least when it all fell apart he’d know what she felt. Time to jump, as her mother would say.
“I want to be with you because,” Laura swallowed and looked into his eyes, “Because I love you.”
There was no response at first. Jack stood there, still holding her hands, still examining her eyes, her face. Slowly, he exhaled. She hadn’t realized he was holding his breath, but then she saw a smile and relief.
His hands came to her face, he cupped her cheeks in his hands, and touched his forehead to hers. “I love you, too. The last two weeks have been hell without you.”
Laura felt her eyes fill with tears, which spilled over onto her cheeks. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Gently, his fingers wiped her tears. “I know, you weren’t supposed to happen to me now, either.” He kissed her cheek. “Please don’t cry, Laura.”
That didn’t help, she just cried harder. He held her close and tried to calm her down, not understanding why she was so sad. “Jack, promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“Promise me you will always remember that I love you, no matter what happens.”
“I promise,” he whispered. “I promise.”
Chapter 25
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Kate walked into David’s bedroom and dropped her purse on the chair. He brought her small bag into the room and put it next to her purse, then hung her dress in the closet. The room was the same as the last time she was in it, but so much had happened since. He came up behind her, slipped his arms around her, kissed her neck, and she wished she could make love with him.
Unfortunately, the doctor wanted her to wait one more week, and then she said everything should be just about back to normal. Unfortunately, waiting was killing her; she could only imagine what it was doing to him.
“You need to stop torturing yourself.”
“I know.” He groaned and turned her in his arms. “When you’re ready.”
Her arms instinctively looped around his neck and dragged him into a messy kiss. “So what are the plans for tonight?”