The Good Life

*Alex*

We were taking our family trip to the grocery store now. Jack was pushing the basket while Izzy and I were throwing random snacks that we really didn’t need in there. I picked up a package of Oreos and threw them into the basket making Jack stop and nag us like always.

“Guys we need healthy food too, like vegetables.” He said taking us to the produce isle.

“Can we get fruit instead?” I complained.

“Yeah and we can cake instead of bread.” Jack said sarcastically making Izzy giggle.

Jack left the basket to go get stupid broccoli, carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes. He was making his way back to us when some random guy stopped him for help.

“Excuse me?” He said tapping Jack on the shoulder. He looked older than Jack and I, maybe fifty with hints of grey in his hair. He had like a George Clooney complexion.

“Yes” Jack answered.

“I was wondering if you could help me pick out some ripe tomatoes. I’m kind of new to shopping on my own.” He told Jack.

“Oh yeah of course!” Jack walked over to where the tomatoes were and began helping the stranger. I couldn’t really hear them from where I was standing, but I could certainly see the guy stick his hand out for Jack to shake. I also didn’t miss him checking Jack out as he leaned over to reach a tomato that was far back.

“He’s defiantly checking Papa out.” Izzy confirmed.

“Yeah and you father being the oblivious mess he is doesn’t even notice.” We both watched Jack laugh and talk with the guy for a few more moments until I decided I had enough. I walked over and caught them mid-conversation.

“And I’m still trying to get use to this divorcee stuff.” The guy had just finished saying.

“Hey babe what’s the hold up?” I asked completely ignoring the guy which I guess was a little rude.

“I was just talking to a friend.” Jack said and I rolled my eyes at him calling some guy he just met a friend.

“Well me and your daughter” I put emphasis on ‘your daughter’. “Are waiting for you.”

The guy looked back and forth between me and Jack understanding that we were together and said, “Oh I guess I should get out of your hair. I hope I’ll run into you again, Jack.” He gave Jack a smirk and stared me down before walking away.

“What the hell was his problem?” I asked and Jack glared at me.

“No what the hell is your problem?” He poked me in the chest and furrowed his eyebrows.

“My problem? My problem is that I just watched some random asshole flirt with my husband and then watched my husband do nothing about it.” I said.

“He was not flirting with me!”

“Oh my God Jack! Yes he was!” I dragged my hand down my face.

“There’s a difference between being nice and being flirty, Alex.”

“I totally agree, but what he was doing was obviously flirting.” I sighed. We walked back over to the basket and Izzy. “Izzy tell him that that guy was checking him out!”

“Yeah Papa he was totally making heart eyes at you the entire time.” She said.

“You two don’t know what you’re talking about. Now I’m done with this subject. Let’s go get milk.”

He pushed the basket to the milk and we followed. We were silently laughing because Jack hated to be wrong so this was probably killing him, which meant we were going to keep bringing it up for the next few hours.

“What do you two want for dinner?” Jack asked.

“We know who you want.” Izzy whispered and Jack scoffed. Before I could add anything childish he shushed us.

“You know what? I don’t want to hear another word out of you two until we get home.”

***

We had just made it back from the grocery store but I was about to leave again. Austin texted Oli, Rian, and I telling us that he go off early today and wanted us all to go out for drinks. I know we three were hesitant at first since today was Thursday and we all had work tomorrow, but we haven’t hung out with Austin in a long time.

“Jack I’ll be back, I’m going to go get drinks with the guys.” I kissed him and tried to pull away but he wrapped his arms around me and wouldn’t let go.

“Are you asking me or telling me?” He asked smugly.

“I’m telling you.” I laughed.

“Is that right?” He asked giggling.

“Yeah cause I’m the man of the house and I make the rules.”

“Okay ‘man of the house’ you go drink with your friends on a Thursday night. Don’t complain to me when you have a hangover and can’t get up to go to work in the morning.” He laughed.

“I’m not going to get drunk.” I kissed him on the cheek. “I be home before midnight.” I said as I walked towards the front door. I yelled to tell Izzy bye from down stairs but she most likely didn’t hear me.

When I got to the bar, Rian and Oli were already there we were all just waiting on Austin now. I didn’t even know what to talk about with Austin. I know he didn’t want to talk about work and he hasn’t had time to watch any sports games. I was going to just sit back and let Rian start the conversation since he was good at doing that.

“Here comes Austin.” Oli said. He could see him before Rian and since he was sitting on the side facing the door.

“Hey guys.” Austin said as he took his seat next to Oli.

We all said hello back and it immediately got quiet, no one knowing what to say.

“I know this is going to be a little weird since we haven’t hung out in forever.” Austin said and we all agreed.

“You didn’t want to spend time with Alan and the kids? I mean this is the first time and a long time that you got off of work early.” Rian said.

“All we do when I’m home is argue so what’s the point?” Austin said. “He keeps accusing me of cheating.”

“But you’re not right?” I asked just to be sure.

“No Alex, I’m not. My job just hired me at the same time that they started the bug project for Microsoft so I’ve had to work lots of overtime to help. We should be done in two weeks and I should go to a regular schedule.” He told us.

“Does Alan know that?” Oli asked him.

“Yeah I told him, but he didn’t seem phased by it.” Austin said.

“Yeah Cass told me he’s been putting some emotional stuff on Facebook.” Rian said.

“Jack told me the same thing.” I added.

“I think he’s hiding something from me.” Austin sighed.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He’s like super secretive when he’s talking on the phone. Plus Ian told me that he and Taylor are home alone sometimes for hours after school because Alan leaves after picking them up from school. I don’t know what he could be doing.” Austin ranted.

“Maybe he’s meeting with a divorce lawyer.” Oli said and Rian and I glared at him, even though that was most likely what was happening.

“I actually like that theory.” Austin said.

“Hey come on don’t be like that. You guys should try to at least make this work before giving up.” Rian told him.

“Yeah at least try for your kids.” I pleaded.

“It might be better if we at least split up because they won’t be around us arguing all the time. I’m going to try to talk to Alan about that tonight.” Austin said.

“I’m really sorry about that, man.” Rian apologized.

“No it’s for the best. But enough about me, what’s going on with you guys?” Austin said.

“Um Hannah and I are going to spend Christmas in Hawaii. We just bought our tickets last night.” Oli said excitedly.

“But you guys will miss all the snow and cold weather.” Rian laughed.

“That’s the point” Oli laughed with him.

“I think we’re going to Baltimore for Christmas to spend it with Jack’s mother.” I said. Jack and May were saying it would be a fun so I’m sure they’ve been planning the trip already.

“I guess Cass and I will spend Christmas with my parents this year since everybody is going out our town.” Rian pouted.

We stayed at the bar talking and joking with each other until eleven when it was time to call it a night. I could tell Austin was reluctant to go home which was totally understandable. Ending a marriage was probably one of the hardest things in the world to do.

When I got home Jack was in bed but he wasn’t asleep. He said he was waiting on me to get home first.

“Did you have fun with you friends?” He asked.

“Yeah it was fun, but Austin told us he’s going to talk to Alan tonight about them getting separated sometime soon so that kind of ruined the mood.” I said and he gasped.

“Oh no that’s horrible!” He cried.

“I know. Alan hasn’t said anything to you about him seeing someone else has he?” I asked.
“Nooo why? Is he cheating on Austin?”

“Not that I know of he’s just been acting weirder around Austin lately. I thought maybe he would have told you, if anybody, if he was having an affair.”

“He hasn’t told me anything, but that’s not something you go around telling everyone about.” Jack said and I laughed. “But I’d rather he not tell me anything about that. I don’t want to be in the middle of other people’s relationship drama anymore.”

“Yeah that’s true.” I agreed.

"Anyways I'm glad you're back home cause I kind of have to tell you something." He started. "So I've been kind of putting off telling you this, but we're opening a JaGK office in London and I might have to go over there to help them get everything in order for a little while."

"Wait what? Why didn't you tell me sooner? When do you have to go? How long will you be gone?" I couldn't stop firing out questions.

"Relax babe it won't be until sometime after Christmas maybe even after New Year’s. And I'm not sure how long I'll be gone." He said biting his lip.

"You want to leave me here alone to take care of our daughter by myself for God knows how long." I asked.

"Alex she's not three. It shouldn't be hard to take care of her by yourself for a little bit." He chuckled.

"You say that now!" I said and he rolled his eyes at me. "You're going to come back to ashes instead of a house and Izzy's going to have like six broken ribs and I'm going to be laying in a ditch somewhere."

"Alex stop! You're being so dramatic." He laughed. "You and Izzy will be fine. I'm sure I won't be gone longer than a month and maybe not even that long."

"That's forever without you." I whined.

"Yeah I'm probably going to be so lonely without you two bugging me." He joked.

"Not just that but who's going to take care of all my sexual needs?"

"You can take care of your own sexual needs." He hit my chest playfully.

"But Jaaaaaack." I cried.

"Okay fine, we can talk on the phone and FaceTime or whatever." He said.

"Those still won't compare to the real thing." I complained.

"Well nothing will compare to the real thing when it comes to me." He said sexually.

"I've never heard truer words spoken."

Notes

Thank you JacksWife678 for being my number one fan!! I look forward to your comments every time I upload a new chapter and I wanted to Thank You for that!!
Next chapter is better and I wrote it while listening to Pierce the Veil's new song "The Divine Zero" so it might be a little somber.