The Good Life

*Jack*

I was happy Thanksgiving Day was finally over so we could stop cooking and entertaining guest. I was in the living room with May and her boyfriend, Adam. I didn’t really like Adam, maybe it was because he was dating my sister or because he was an asshole. May didn’t know I didn’t like him, but my mother did.

“What am I going to do with both of my kids so far from home?” My mom asked walking out of the kitchen and sitting with us in the living room. Adam got offered a job at this Sandal store’s headquarters in San Diego. They decided to wait to after the holidays before they moved.

“You could always come live with us, mom” May offered.

“Or she can stay with Jack” Adam muttered. Even hearing him say my voice made me angry.

“No I can’t leave Baltimore. I’ve been here my whole life, it’s all I know.” She said.

“Well you can always come visit us and we’ll make sure to visit you a lot too.” I insisted.

“Of course! I can’t wait to meet that boyfriend of yours, Jack” my mom smiled over at me.

“You’re just going to embarrass me!” I whined.

“No I won’t! May will do that for me.” Her and May laughed.

“May I swear on my life if you do anything to embarrass me in front of Alex I will cut all of your hair off.” I threatened.

“I’ll try my best, but I won’t make any promises.” May joked while I glared at her.

“Mooom tell May not to!” I whined.

“May tell him you were just joking.” My mom demanded.

“Ugh fine. I was just kidding.” May groaned. As soon as my mom turned away from her she mouthed that she was dead serious. I tried to tell my mom, but she stopped. My mom told us to act our age so we stopped and I started to text Alex. I decided to stay until Saturday instead of Friday and every time I tried to call and tell him that his phone would ring a few times and go to voice mail.

To Alex:

Hey! I’m staying an extra day so I’ll be back on Saturday. Why aren’t you answering your phone?

To Jack:

Now I have to go another day without you :(

It was a little suspicious that he didn’t answer my question about why he wasn’t answering his phone, so I decided to ask again.

To Alex:

Yeah sorry. But you didn’t say why you can’t answer your phone.

To Jack:[I/]

My phone won’t let me take or make calls. I can only send text messages.

To Alex:

I use that lie when I don’t want to talk to certain people. What’s going on, Alex? And you better tell me the truth this time.

To Jack:

Okay I’ll tell you, but you have to promise you won’t freak out.

To Alex:

Nooo, but you’re going to tell me anyways.

To Jack:

Well at least try to understand why I didn’t tell you right away, please.

To Alex:

Did you cheat on me?

To Jack:

Don’t start with that, you know I would never.

To Alex:

Then tell me what the hell happened.

To Jack:

Fine. I was in a car accident and now I’m in the hospital, but DON’T PANIC!! I’m fine. I just have some cuts and bruises.

To Alex:

THEY DON’T TAKE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL FOR CUTS AND BRUISES ALEX!!!

To Jack:

Okay I said don’t panic, and it looks like you’re doing the complete opposite. I hit my head on the steering wheel and the doctor just wanted to make sure I didn’t have a concussion and they ran some other test. I don’t have one, my head just hurts really bad. I’m leaving the hospital today.

To Alex:

I’m coming back today to check on you.

I opened my laptop starting to look for flights going back to San Diego.

To Jack:

Jack. NO. I’M FINE! I promise! I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to enjoy your time with you family and not be worried about me over Thanksgiving.

To Alex:

Wait…this happened before Thanksgiving? This happened two days ago and you’re just now telling me?

To Jack:

I just told you I didn’t want you to be worried about me.

To Alex:

I’m your boyfriend, it’s my job to worry about you. How would you feel if I was in a car accident and I didn’t tell you about it?

To Jack:

But I did tell you about it…

To Alex:

Yeah two days later. What if something seriously bad would have happened to you?

To Jack:

Its. Just. Cuts. And. Bruises. I’m. Not. Dying.

To Alex:

Oh whatever Alex, you are so stubborn.

To Jack:

I’m stubborn? This is coming from the guy who is probably looking up flights back home after I just told him I am okay.

I set my laptop to the side and decided to stop looking for flights.

To Alex:

I stopped... but I’ll be back first thing Saturday morning.

To Jack:

And we can cuddle while you rub my head for me.

To Alex:

Yeah that’s if I don’t kill you when I see you.

To Jack:

You could never!

To Alex:

Don’t push me!

To Jack:

Ok Ok. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.

To Alex:

Un Huh

To Jack:

I love you <3

To Alex:

I love you too

I sat my phone down on the table and sighed. I didn’t want to be one of those boyfriends that overreacted to everything, but I couldn’t help it. If something happened to Alex, well something worse, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.

May had went to the store to grab some extra stuff my mom needed for dinner. My mom was in the kitchen starting on dinner, which left Adam and I in the living room alone. I decided to be civilized and try to give him another chance, after all May did really like him.

“So Adam, are you ready to move to San Diego?” I asked him.

“I guess so.” He was staring at the TV when he finally answered me. I decided to try one more time before I just gave up.

“It’s going to be a lot harder working at the headquarters won’t it?” I tried.

“I guess so. Probably harder than working for that piece of junk you call a business.” He laughed and faced me to see my reaction. Usually I just ignore him when he says small remarks, but this time he insulted my business; my pride and joy.

“With my piece of junk business I can buy that Sandal Company you work for more times than you can count and shut it down without it making a dent in my bank account.” I fumed. He was pissed off, he just sat there glaring at me, not saying a word.

“Hey I’m back!” May said as she walked through the door with bags in her hands.

“And I’m going for a walk.” I said getting up to grab my coat and going out the door, ignoring May’s questions about where I was going. I wasn’t mad at her, I just didn’t want to say anything bad about Adam to her. She was head over hills for him so I knew it was going to be harder for her to believe me, when I tell her he’s a dick, without some kind of proof.

I walked to a coffee shop about three blocks away from my mom’s house. I walked inside and ordered my coffee when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see Alex’s friend from the party in front of me with a girl.

“Hey… Oli right?” I asked just to be sure I remembered his name right.

“Yeah, and this is my girlfriend, Hannah.” Oli said and Hannah and I shook hands.

“Are you here visiting family too?” I asked.

“Yeah and we came so we can move the rest of our things. We finally found a house in San Diego not too far from Hopeless Records. They finally hired me after twelve applications.” He laughed.

“I have a friend that works there, Matt Flyzik. He’s a music producer for Hopeless.” I said.

“Oh I met him on my first day there. He’s nice, I can tell I’m going to like working there. But how are things with you and Gaskarth going?” As soon as the words left Oli’s mouth, Hannah looked up at me and widen her eyes. I ignored her look and answered Oli’s question.

“We’re doing great, Thanks! I miss him already?” I smiled at him.

“You and Alex are dating?” Hannah guessed while staring at me in shock.

“Yes” I said bluntly.

She turned to Oli and asked. “You knew this whole time.” He nodded his head confused as to why she was making it a big deal. “And you didn’t even tell Lisa?” She asked Oli.

“Why does it matter if Lisa knows or not?” I asked, feeling myself angry that she was making this a big deal.

“If you must know. Lisa has been trying to get back with Alex since she found out he lived in San Diego. So you dating him is a problem.” She said matter-of-factly.

“…Oh…Well?” I didn’t see what she wanted me to do about this ‘problem’ I had caused.

“Oh well? Lisa can’t be with the guy she loves because of you, and all you can say is ‘Oh well’” She scowled me. Oli just stood there trying to get a word in.

“Pretty much.” She looked so angry that I wasn’t giving in to her.

“Hannah, if Alex wanted to be with Lisa then he would be with her right now. He obviously doesn’t like her like that okay?” Oli finally butt in. Hannah just crossed arms huffing. “Well Jack it was nice to see you again. I’ll see you when we get back.”

“Bye Oli” I waved as they walked out the door, got in his car, and drove away.

I threw away my coffee and started the walk back to my mom’s house, hoping this day would get a little bit better.

Notes