Me Without You

“We have to tell the others.” I groaned, my voice heavy with sleep as I stared at the string of unanswered texts on my phone. Jack giggled and hid himself further under the covers, telling me to go do it myself. “They’re your friends as well!” I laughed, hitting him with a pillow. “That makes them you’re problem too!” Jack’s head popped up from his cocoon and he beamed at me.
“Yes, but they’re not all in love with me now are they!?” I whacked him again and he caught my hand, heading to kiss my finger but stopped and frowned. “Where’s my ring?” I rolled my eyes and pulled Jack into a cuddle.
“I was not going to sleep with a candy around my finger. It would have gotten sticky.” I trailed my fingertips up and down Jack’s back and listened to the soft moans. “I also got a little bit hungry as I was driving back from your parents.” I laughed and Jack crawled up my body, tickling every inch of skin he could reach.
“I’ll teach you to eat the jewellery I give you!” I squealed as he attacked me. For a moment, everything stood still, Jack hovered over me, staring into my eyes, a small smile on his lips. “I love you.” I smiled and stretched my neck so I could reach his lips.
“I love you, too.”
“So,” Jack began, mumbling between kisses. “What do you say we do a little shopping?” I raised an eyebrow at him and he looked pointedly at my empty finger. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of shopping for engagement rings with Jack. I nodded and Jack whipped me off the bed, tossing my clothes at my face. “Right. Wake up then. We leave in ten minutes.” He was practically radiating happiness as he pulled on fresh clothes. I jumped up from the bed and quickly ran a brush through my hair before pulling it back into a quick ponytail. I shimmied into my clothes and poked my tongue out at Jack when I was ready before he was. “How do you get ready so quickly?” He groaned as he laced up his shoes.
“Practice, baby.” I giggled as I kissed the top of his head.

“Jack!” We both looked at each other and sighed as we were stopped once again by fans who had managed to find us. I laughed and stepped aside as Jack was attacked by three teenage girls. He politely smiled and chatted with them, taking photos and discussing the tour. “What’s it like dating Alex!?” One of the girls turned and squealed at me.
“Uh, excuse me?” I noticed Jack’s jaw tighten and gave him a soft smile.
“Aren’t you dating Alex?” Her bright smile dropped a little and I could sense her fangirl disappointment radiating off her as she contemplated the fact that she would never date her idol.
“No!” I laughed as I grabbed Jack’s hand. It might as well be now than never. Shit was going to go down if they saw us in Nelson Coleman anyway. “I’ve never been with Alex. He’s one of my best friends.” Jack wrapped his arm around my waist and placed a kiss on my forehead.
“Yeah, she’s mine, actually.” The three girls squealed and I couldn’t help but laugh. “And we need to go, got stuff to do! Have a nice day girls.” Jack laughed and he quickly steered me away and around the corner towards the jewellery store.
“My god that was the fourth group.” Jack groaned. “We should have driven.” I giggled as we pushed open the doors to store. We headed over to the rings and I nearly gagged at the prices. “Don’t say a word about the price.” Jack scolded, reading my mind.
“But..” He held a hand up, cutting me off and ordered me to start looking. I ran my fingers over the glass, smiling at the thought of having one of the beautiful stones on my finger. Jack was doing the same, occasionally looking between the ring and myself, beaming as he pictured me in it.
“Go to the mall.” Jack ordered, staring at the glass. “You are no longer allowed in this store.” I gaped at him and he laughed. “You didn’t actually think I’d let you pick, did you?” I glared at him as he grabbed my shoulders and steered me back to the door. “You’d find the cheapest one and insist you loved it. Get your ass to the mall and I’ll meet you there.” I sighed and gave him a kiss before heading across the road, my eyes set on the town centre. I ran between the traffic and wound my way through the shops. I hadn’t been here in a very long time and had no idea where anything was.

I was sitting in one of the many cafes, slowly sipping on my macchiato as I scrolled through my Instagram.

From: JackJack x

Where are you baby?

To: JackJack x

Nordstrom. Did you get it?

From: JackJack x

You will never know.

To: JackJack x

You suck, I've changed my mind. I don't pick you.

“I hope not.” I voice came from behind me causing me to jump and nearly spilling my coffee. I turned to see Alex laughing hysterically at my actions. He pulled out the chair beside me and snuggled down in the seat. “So, you’re with Jack now?” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. The pain on Alex’s face was visible and I sighed.
“Lexi,” He grabbed my coffee and took a sip. “I don’t want to hurt anybody, but it’s always been Jack.”
“I know, it was quite obvious you were going to pick him.” Alex mumbled, staring at his hands. “Ever since you told us about you and Jack in high school Zack and I figured we didn’t stand a chance.”
“I tried, Alex.” I cringed, tears threatening. I didn’t want out relationship to go to shit because of this. “I really did. I though it was you that I wanted, I was convinced, but…”
“It was always going to be Jack. I know.” Alex was smiling softly, holding my hand in his. I pulled away to flick a quick warning text to Jack, so he didn’t do anything stupid. One blow at a time.

To: JackJack x

Warning: We have company.

“So that’s where you’ve been hiding since we got to Baltimore?” I nodded and Alex let out a small laugh. “Cass and Jess have been acting weird the last couple of days, too. I take it that was it?” I nodded and took a swig of my coffee as I saw Jack walk round the corner, stopping when he registered who out third wheel was. ‘What?’ He mouthed when he got close enough and I shrugged once Alex had turned to see who I was staring at. They bro hugged and Jack skilfully hid the bag from the jewellers behind his back before he slid it under the table to me. I leaned down and shoved it into my handbag while Jack kept Alex busy, resisting the temptation to peek.
“So, I guess I owe you ten bucks.” Alex laughed, referring to the bet they had in high school. Jack chuckled uncomfortably before sitting down in the spare chair and cringing at me. “Dude, calm down. Everyone had figured it out anyway.” He waved bye before twisting on his heels and heading out of the café.
“He just came out of nowhere!” I panicked. “He must have read my text over my shoulder.” Jack grabbed my hand and shushed me, calming me down, telling me it didn’t matter.
“They were going to find out anyway. Now Alex will tell them all, save us the trouble.” I smiled at Jack and then pulled my bag out from under the table. “No peeking.” He ordered, picking up on my hint. “No. May will be here in five minutes to take you far away while I do clever things.” I groaned at his announcement. I hated surprises. Well, actually, I loved them. It was the not being able to know anything that put me off. How were you supposed to know what to wear? “No arguments.”

Notes

SO! Here we are...dun dun dun. Alex.
I hope you like it! x