“This isn’t working out,” Holly murmured, running a hand through her hair. She began changing out of her Peepshow costume. Angel and Laura, who were seated on the couch, jerked their heads toward the couple. Angel was holding Roman in her arms, trying to figure out whether she and Laura should leave and give the couple their privacy or stay and watch what happens.

Jack froze, the words he was about to say stuck in his throat. He swallowed and stared at the bleach blonde in front of him, very aware of the company. “What?”

“It’s not working out. This long distance thing just isn’t working for me. We hardly see each other,” Holly shrugged. She fiddled with the hem of her stocking on her right leg before stripping it off completely. Jack should’ve known something was up; she didn’t even greet him like she normally did. But still, he was dumbfounded. Where was this coming from?

Holly had been busy all day with appearances and signings, forcing Jack to spend St. Patrick’s Day alone, walking the streets of Las Vegas. You’d think he’d be the one that was talking about how this relationship wasn’t working.

“We don’t see each other enough? Well duh, Holly. I have tour and you have work. We both decided we’d make and effort, which is why I flew out here on one of my few days off to see you and spend time with you. Problem is, you’re too busy to spend time with me,” Jack said trying to keep his calm. He would not lose his cool in front of Holly’s friends. It wasn’t worth being seen as the bad guy.

“Jack, you know I have things to do. I can’t just ignore my responsibilities. I told you I would be busy today when you called me last week.” Holly dropped her corset, not worried in the slightest of who was watching.

“And I told you I’d be visiting three weeks ago,” Jack countered, attempting to keep his eyes on her face instead of her boobs. “You had more than enough time to figure something out.”

Holly sighed, pulling on one of her Peepshow shirts and booty shorts. The amazing wonders of not needing a bra sped up the changing process. She folding her clothes and put them on the dresser. She looked over at Laura and Angel for back up. Both girls ignored her looks, Laura pretending to text furiously and Angel fussing over Roman. The two year old was completely oblivious to the fight he and his mom were witnessing. Jack looked away from them, turning his attention back to Holly.

“Look Jack, I have a real job that I am dedicated to. I have to make sure I keep up with everything otherwise I lose my opportunity. You don’t seem to understand this.”

“Holly, you know I support you. I have been supporting you as much as I can. I’ve been on your show; I talk to you every chance I get. Hell, I don’t even care that other guys get to watch you strut around naked every night. I understand that you’re busy, but I’ve put in so much effort into this and you don’t seem to put the same amount,” Jack said, finally getting upset and deciding that he didn’t care what Laura and Angel thought about it.

“I put enough effort,” Holly defended herself, ignoring Jack’s jab at her show. “I make sure that we talk all the time and you know we’re each just a phone call away.”

Jack stood watching Holly bustle around the dressing room. Was she seriously saying that he should be happy she was at least allowing that much? He was completely appalled.

“Who do you think you are?” Jack sputtered. “Just because you’re Holly Madison, you think you can toy around with people’s emotions?”

Holly whipped around to face him. “Excuse me? I have never ‘toyed’ with your emotions.” She used her fingers to air quote. “I’ve been nothing but good to you and you know it.”

“Define ‘good’,” Jack shot back. “You never want to spend time with me unless it’s in front of the cameras for your stupid show. No one cares if Jade’s skinnier than you!”

Holly’s face dropped and a frown settled in. He was telling her she really was fat. She tried to hold back her tears. It was one thing to hear it from other, but quite another to hear it from someone you’d always thought loved you just the way you are. Laura and Angel’s eyes widened and Jack realized, a little too late, what he’d said and the way she’d taken it.

“I don’t mean it like that, Holly. You’re beautiful, everyone loves the way you look, including me,” Jack tried to repair the damage he’d done.

Holly nodded, showing that appreciated his compliment, but she walked to her dresser and sat there, pulling bobby pins out. Jack looked to the girls on the couch for help, only receiving shrugs. Lot of help they were. He gave them a dirty look and nodded to the door, silently giving them the signal to let themselves out. Angel gripped Roman in one arm, grabbing her bag with the other.

“Uh, I forgot I had to go and do… something. Bye,” Angel chirped, getting out of the room and waiting for Laura.

“I have to help her with… that thing. I’ll see you Holly,” Laura stated as she slipped out the blue door, meeting Angel outside. “Holy shit that is awkward.”

“No kidding,” Angel agreed as they left.

After the door clicked, Jack stepped forward, coming up behind the busty blonde. “Why are you suddenly doubtful of us?”

Holly slowly brushed out her extensions, making sure they weren’t tangled as she watched Jack through the mirror. “I just don’t think that it’s working out. I like hanging out with you and we have fun, but let’s face it, you’re not ready to settle down and I think I am.”

Settle down. Those were two words Jack Barakat had learned to dislike since he was young. Hearing those two words now made him shudder. They’d developed a more serious connotation now that he was older and was dating.

“You want to get married and have kids.” Jack stated. “I thought you said that came later on.”

“I’m thirty-two Jack,” Holly swiveled around in her chair. “I’m not getting any younger and I want to start a family before I get any older.”

Jack mulled it over. Was he willing to give up his future to please this woman or would he just let her go? Sure, he liked Holly just fine; she was beautiful, funny, and smart. But he’s only twenty-two, with a dream and so many other things he wants to do in life without having to worry about mini-me’s running around. That’s not saying he never wanted kids, because he did. The idea of having someone call him dad and depend on him was endearing, but at the moment, Jack was still a kid himself.

“I’m not ready for that just yet, Holly. But in a few years, maybe I would be,” Jack compromised.

Holly sighed and stood up with a determined look on her face. “Either you commit to me now, and start a family with me within the next year, or we’re through.”

Jack stared at her, biting his lip to keep from laughing. “Really, you’re giving me an ultimatum?”

Holly’s face flashed with doubt for a second, maybe contemplating how serious she wanted to be about this. But then she set her jaw and gave Jack a curt nod. “Yeah, I am.”

Jack nodded, finally sure of his decision. He grabbed his jacket and keys, stepping forward to press his lips against Holly’s one last time.

He’d be damned if gave up everything just for the ex-playmate, who wasn’t even thinking about what he wanted.

“I hope you find someone willing to do that for you then,” Jack whispered, pulling away from her and walking to the door, stopping just before closing it behind him. He poked his head back in.

“Don’t call me; you have no reason to anymore.”

And with that, Jack Barakat was a free agent once again.

Notes

Like I said, this was complete fiction. I hope it was written okay and that you guys liked it.

Like I also said, this was written for Neda. She gave me the idea and so here it is. I love that girl.

Also please comment! I can't improve if I don't know how!