The Good Life

*Alex*

I woke up feeling like someone was repeatedly stabbing in the head with a knife. That’s what happens when you finish a whole bottle of Jack Daniels by yourself. I turned to lay on my left side because the sun was blinding me through my window and I saw a puddle of light brown hair on my pillow. There was a naked girl lying next to me. I felt my stomach drop as I looked under my cover and saw that I to was naked. I tried to get up slowly without waking whoever that lady was so I could go to the bathroom, but when I lifted the cover to leave she stirred out of her sleep.

“Where do you think you’re going?” She said in a seductively yet sleepy voice. I closed my eyes not saying a word because I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t know that voice. I didn’t. Please god tell me I didn’t sleep with her. I slowly turned around and came face to face with Lisa.

“I was thinking we could start round two.” she said laughing to herself.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” I ran to the bathroom and throw up into my toilet. I felt cold because I had no clothes on but at the same time I felt hot because I could fell Lisa staring at my clothes-less body. She walked over to me when I finished and helped me back to my bed. She pulled my head so it could lay on her chest. If I didn’t feel so sick and weak I would have pulled away from her.

“How about we lay in bed and cuddle instead?” She said as she rubbed my face.

“No we can’t.” I said speaking in small sentences because I felt like I would throw up again if I spoke any faster.

“What do you mean, sweetie?” She said still rubbing my head.

“What are…you doing here.” I said slowly.

“Last night like at one am you called and said you missed me and you were sorry about everything you put me through. You said that you needed me right now. You told me your new address and I came over as quickly as possible. You were drunk out of your mind mumbling something about Jack. I tried to get him off your mind so I took you back to your room and we made love.” She said smirking at me. I didn’t remember anything she was saying and I know I was nowhere near capable of having sex with anyone last night.

“Last night.” I breathed. “It was a mistake.”

“Shhh! You don’t know what you’re saying. Just get some rest.” She said and I let her soothe me back to sleep.

***

I woke up around an hour later wrapped in my blanket and alone in bed. I was still naked so I got up and put on some boxers and a T-shirt. I walked towards the kitchen cause I was starving after throwing up everything in my stomach. When I walked in I saw Lisa sitting at the kitchen table with Rian and a very angry looking Cassadee. They were eating sandwiches that I assume Rian made.
“Hey sexy! It took you long enough to wake up.” Lisa said and I closed my eyes trying to think of what made me call her.

“Alex, why is she here?” Cass said and Rian told her to stop being rude.

“Apparently I called her last night.” I said to Cass and then I turned to Lisa. “Lisa, I don’t remember calling you. I remember drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels and theeeeen I…I- I can’t remember.” I was drawing a blank.

“You wanted me. You said it yourself.” She said.

“Alex was drunk out of his mind last night. He told me he wanted me to strip for him, but that didn’t happen.” Rian said and I looked at him in disbelief.

“I said that?” I asked and Rian nodded his head trying his best not to laugh.

“Me and Cass were about to go to bed and you said ‘Rian how about a strip tease.’” He quoted drunk me and I burst into laughter with him. Cass and Lisa just shook their heads at us and waited for us to calm down.

“I tried to take the bottle away from you, but you promised me you were about to go to bed too.” Cass added.

“None of this is ringing a bell for me.” I said holding my head in my hands trying to remember, then it hit me. “Wait wait I think I remember. I remember… looking at the Jack Daniels bottle… and…and I thought about calling Jack. I guess when I tried to call him I was so drunk I wasn’t looking and I called you, Lisa, instead. That explains why when you came over I was mumbling about Jack.”

“That doesn’t make sense. You thought I was a guy?” She said anger laced in her voice.

“No. I don’t know. I can’t remember. But I do know I could barely stand so I don’t know how I was able to actually have sex with you last night.” I said.

“Well that’s because I did all of the work of course.” She said and we all stared at her waiting on her to explain. “You told me you were horny and so I pulled you back to your room and I fucked your brains out.” She said smiling to herself while Rian and Cass grimaced.

“If a guy did that to a girl it would have been considered rape.” Cass said and Lisa huffed.
“If he didn’t want to he would have said no.” Lisa said and Cass stood up about to tear her head off before I spoke.

“I don’t want to think about this anymore. Lisa last night wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m sorry I got your hopes up, but you need to leave.” I said and she narrowed her eyes at me.

“You are the biggest asshole I have ever met.” She said with angry tears running down her face and ran towards the door. “I swear I’ll get you back for this.” I heard her mumble before the door opened and then slammed closed.

“Don’t worry about her.” Rian said after a few moments of silence and I sat down at the table with them.

“It’s my fault I shouldn’t have gotten so drunk last night.” I said mostly to myself. I thought about Jack and how angry he would be if he found out what happened between Lisa and I. Well maybe he wouldn’t care, I broke his heart he probably hates me now or maybe he’s dating somebody else now. Someone who was going to help him raise the baby he was adopting since I was terrified to do it.

I woke up from my thoughts to hear Cass ranting about how much she hated Lisa and telling me if I ever brought her over here again she was going to kick Lisa’s ass and then kick my ass. I nodded to tell her I heard what she said to me. Rian put his hand on mine and I looked up at him.

“I can give you that strip tease now if it’ll make you feel better.” He said with a serious face.

“Fuck off, Rian!!” I tried to hold back my smile as he laughed.

“I’m starving.” I stated and Cass sat an extra sandwich in front of me. “Thank you.” I said.

“You’re welcome.” She said. She was probably being so nice because she felt bad about what Lisa did to me. I didn’t really care, it was my fault anyways. “Wait what’s today?” Cassadee gasped.

I looked down at my phone and read the date off to her. “It’s Sunday umm the eighteenth.” I said and realized what day it actually is. “Shit. It’s Jack’s birthday.” I said. Feeling worse this happened on his birthday.

“No. Well yes. But I wanted to know the date because True Blood comes on today!!!” She said and Rian and I rolled our eyes. She was fucking obsessed with that show.

“Should I text him?” I asked, ignoring Cass jumping around excitedly.

“It wouldn’t hurt right?” Rian shrugged. I guess he was right. I pulled out my phone and typed out a text to Jack.

To Jack:

Happy Birthday! Hope you’re having a great day.

He texted me back fairly quickly.

To Alex:

Thanks.

I felt we shouldn’t leave off there so I continued to text him.

To Jack:

Are you doing anything special today?

To Alex:

Nope

To Jack:

Nothing at all? You’re spending today by yourself?

To Alex:

Yep

To Jack:

That’s no fun.

He shouldn’t have to spend his birthday alone. My phone said he read the message, but he didn’t reply. I waited ten minutes but he didn’t text back so I texted him again.

To Jack:

How about I take you out for dinner tonight?

To Alex:

I don’t think that’s a good idea Alex

To Jack:

No it’ll be just as friends nothing more. I promise.

To Jack:

Please…

To Alex:

Sure why not. It’s not like I have anything better to do.

That hurt, but I hurt him worse than that so I ignored his comment. I was just happy and shocked he said yes.

To Jack:

Olive Garden at 8?

To Alex:

Okay

I must’ve been smiling at my phone because Rian started to tease me.

“Alex and Jack sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-“ He sang but I tuned him out and went to find something to wear for Jack and I’s friendly dinner. I had six hours before I had to meet him.

***

I went to the mall around seven pm so I could go to a store called Things Remembered. They sell all kinds of items that you can have engraved to say whatever you want. I picked out a Wine glass set and asked the women who worked there to engrave Jack’s first and last name on to the glasses. I brought a nice birthday bag to put his gift in and left with only fifteen minutes til I had to meet him.

When I pulled up to Olive Garden it was seven- fifty-five. I hoped Jack wasn’t there because I didn’t want him to wait on me, I rather wait on him. Fortunately he wasn’t there, I texted him to let him know I made it, but I didn’t get a text back. The waiter took me to our table since I already had a reservation. After waiting for ten minutes I ordered a glass a wine so I could loosen up a bit and calm my nerves. With all this free time to think I started to get nervous about seeing Jack for the first time in months. Of course that was my fault, but I wanted to make sure he was doing okay. My waiter walked over two more times asking if I was ready to order and each time I had to tell her I was still waiting for my friend. I texted Jack asking if everything was alright, but I didn’t get a response.

Around eight- twenty I saw Jack walk in and go over to one of the hostess in the front. She point back to me and he thanked he and walked over to the table.

“Hey sorry I’m late. I convinced myself I could watch one more episode of The Walking Dead and my phone died.” He said with no remorse. I had to force myself not to roll my eyes, he was almost half an hour late because he was watching TV and he didn’t feel bad about it.

“Well the important thing is you came.” I said trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

“Mhmm” he hummed and picked up his menu. There was an awkward silence for a few moments until our waiter came by to take our order. Jack ordered his usual Seafood Alfredo and I got spaghetti and meatballs.

“So how have you been since…everything?” I trailed off hoping he knew what I was going for.

“Oh you mean since you broke up with me? Great. I haven’t been depressed or lonely or wondering what’s wrong with me. I mean am I ugly or crazy or stupid or selfish or clingy or bitchy or weak? What is it because I can’t figure it out Alex?” He looked broken.

“Jack…I’m sorry…I-I didn’t…I-I never meant…I…I’m sorry.” I put my head down in defeat. This was all my fault if I would have just got over my fears then Jack wouldn’t be this way. I would gladly give my life to make him content with his life. I thought that leaving him and giving him the chance to find someone better would make things better, but that didn’t work. I broke him.

He sighed before he began to speak. “No I’m sorry. I shouldn’t blame you for how I feel. I’m just angry with myself and I’m taking it out on you.”

“If I would have put your feelings and needs before I put my own then you wouldn’t have to feel that way. You’d be happy. You wouldn’t feel worthless.” I tried to explain but he shook his head no.

“It was wrong of me to try to force you to do something you weren’t ready for. I was rushing our relationship and setting us up for failure.” He said.

“I guess we were both wrong.” I sighed. “How about we stop thinking about the past and focus on the future?” I asked.

“That sounds good.” Jack covered his mouth and said because his mouth was filled with bread sticks.
“So how are your adoption plans going so far?” It felt weird to ask this question, but if we were ever going to move on and become friends I was going to have to get used to it.

“Great! I found out that I’m having a girl. My own baby girl like I always dreamed of.” He beamed. I swear I’ve never seen him so happy.

“Wow really? I’m happy for you Jack. I really am.” I said.

“That means a lot coming from you Alex!” He said and I smiled at him.

We were finally making progress.

***
“I’m happy you came. I was sure you were going to stand me up.” I laughed. We were walking slowly towards the parking lot cause neither one of us wanted to leave yet.

“I’m not that much of an asshole. And thank you for my present I love it.” He grinned and held his present to his chest.

“You’re welcome. I didn’t know what to get a man who has everything so I just winged it.” I told him and he giggled.

“I do not have everything, jerk.” He lightly bumped into me.

“You might as well.” We were standing in front of his car stalling for time.

“So this was fun.” Jack leaned against his car and shyly looked up at me.

“Yeah I missed spending time with you. I mean in general not like in a dating way…not that I don’t miss that way too.” I rambled rubbing the back of my neck.

“Stop worrying, you’re doing fine…we’re doing fine.” He said and I chuckled nervously not knowing what else to say. “We should do this again sometime.” He said.

“Of course!” I assured and he unlocked his car.

“Well I should get going. Not everyone is as lucky as you and not have to work all summer long.” He teased.

“Yeah I’m just so lucky.” I joked. “I’ll see you soon?” I asked hopefully.

“Yeah” He came towards me and hugged me. “Goodnight Alex” He said as we let go of each other.

“Night Jack.” I moved out of the way as he opened his car door and got inside. I waved at him as he started to drive away.

I walked to my car thinking about how great this night was. A blind man could see I still have feelings for Jack, but this whole adoption situation was holding me back from him. I want to make us work but I’m still afraid.

Notes

I like this chapter a lot. They're not Jalex, but at least they're friends!
Thank you for commenting, subscribing, and reading I feel loved.

Title Credit: All Time Low- Backseat Serenade