Dark affairs

Cass lets herself fall back into the big leather loveseat and smiles happily while she looks at the boys. "So good to see you guys!"

"Yeah, hi Cass, good to see you, too." Jack replies with little enthusiasm and Alex mumbles something as well.

"And you," she turns to me with a playful glare, "so you are that mystery girl Jack wanted to have this open relationship with, why didn't you tell me?" I open my mouth but Jack cuts in with an embarrassed voice.

"Yeah but we've moved passed this, we are committed now." He clarifies.

Alex looks at me as if that is some piece of new information and I smile embarrassed.

"And..." Cass draws out and turns to Alex with raised brows, "the same girl Alex had an affair with?"

She leans back with crossed arms and a satisfied grin.
I silently curse Rian, he obviously told her everything he knows or assumes and I already dread the next questions.

I open my mouth again but this time Alex seems to have come out of his paralysis and cuts me off.
"Yeah but this was before I got married and we stayed good friends, but I'm now faithful to my wife." He lies almost too smoothly.

And Cass just snorts, "I believe that when I see it, darling" she pats Alex thigh condescendingly.
He just seems to gasp for air but stays quiet.

Oh god, this is beyond awkward! I look over to Rian and notice he looks as uncomfortable as I feel and I smile at him and he smiles back gratefully.

"So what was the reason for your meltdown yesterday, then?" She continues and looks at all of us to gauge our reaction.

I again try to say something because Alex looks like he can't think of a lie but this time Rian interrupts me by standing up and calling his girlfriend. "Cass I really think we should get going and leave the guys to their breakfast."

The couple seems to have a silent staring battle until Cass finally rolls her eyes and gets up as well, huffing.

"Okay, see y'all later." She greets unhappily and walks off.

"Yeah, see you guys, and Alex," Rian adds while turning back one last time, "you look like shit maybe you should get some rest before we have to go on stage tonight."

Once they have left the shop I release the breath I was holding in and fall back into my chair.
"My god, this girl is like the Spanish Inquisition, she's not afraid of invading privacy, at all, hey?"

Jack shakes his head, "definitely not!" Then he giggles, "I wonder what theory she makes up in her head."

I have to smile, too and Alex chuckles and shakes his head in exhaustion.

Once we're done with eating, I get an idea because we all had kind of a short and unrestful night.
"Hey, I still need to get my stuff from the hotel, how about I make a late checkout and we lay down and rest for like two more hours? I mean it's a king sized bed and it's still wider and calmer as the bus bunks"

Jack moans and stretches his arms over his head letting his joints crack, "fuck, yeah. I could do with a couple more hours of sleep."

I look at Alex for a reaction and he stares back with sad eyes. "Do you really want me to go with you? I mean I can go back to the bus, that's not a problem, I've been on your backs for too long I guess."

"Oh, shut up," I slap his shoulder, "of course you're coming with, we are not gonna let you be devoured by a gossip-hungry
Cass."
He looks relieved and gets up and hugs Jack who is already standing. "You okay with that, too, Jay?" He wants to confirm.

"Sure, Alex." Jack smiles and pulls him closer.

We leave the shop and I google the way to my hotel to find out it's a half hour walk from here.
We set out quietly only occasionally exchanging a few words but it's a comfortable silence of mutual understanding and it feels good.

Once we reach the hotel I arrange for a late checkout at the reception and try to ignore the stares of the employees as I retreat to my room with two guys in tow. I'm glad I probably never gonna stay here again.

We are finally in my room and I don't hesitate to strip down to my underwear and crawl into the middle of my bed. I sigh and snuggle into the soft pillows. The short night on the bus' couch didn't leave me well rested at all and I smile as the two boys follow my lead and just come into bed with me each on one side.

Jack immediately pulls me close into a spooning position and throws his long arms around me hooking his chin over my shoulders putting his cheek on top of mine.

Alex turns so he's facing us and just looks at us with a hint of melancholy, he holds out his hand and I grab it and hold it as he simply says, "thank you" and closes his eyes.

I just watch him as he quickly falls asleep, never letting go of my hand.

"Jack," I whisper to find out if he's sleeping because he hasn't moved for a while, he hums to let me know he's still awake, "Alex seems so fragile and broken, that's not the Alex I know, what's going on and how are we gonna be able to tell him the deal is off, he'll not gonna take that well?"

Jack hums and takes a deep breath then answers in a low voice. "Alex is a pretty complicated person, he doesn't lie if he claims he needs someone to keep him sane. A breakdown like yesterday leaves him vulnerable for a while until he is able to build himself up to the cocky sarcastic joker that you know. It's a facade but it works for him and keeps him safe. And yeah maybe it's better to tell him that we want to take it slow and not do anything for a while than to straight up cut all ties."

I think about it. "Yeah, I think you're right, we tell him we want to wait til after tour and who knows maybe if we spend more time together then we can find a way that works for us. You know despite all the shitty things he did I still like him." I turn my head to look at Jack.

He nods and kisses my nose. "I know, I do, too."

I snuggle back into his arms and finally close my eyes. He sighs and lets his head drop beside me.
I'm almost asleep when I hear him whisper.

"But I love you more."

Notes

Aww, Jacky!