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I Have to Let You Down

THREE

Jack

For once in my life I was actually dreading today being Friday. I knew when I got home Alex was going to be there shortly after. I just got off work and I had to go pick up Alexa from my parent’s house. My mom, and sometimes Alex’s mom, watched her while I went to work at my job as a waiter. It was the best I could do after graduating high school, but the restaurant I worked at was very fancy, so we always had businessmen coming in on their lunch breaks. The tips were also nice even though I only worked morning shifts.

I sighed before walking in the house without taking off my coat. I would usually stay over and spend time with my mom, and dad if he was off, after work but today I needed to get home before Alex got there so I could let him in. Cass wasn’t off of work yet to do it.

“Dada!” Alexa exclaimed when she saw me. I smiled and bent down to pick her up.

“Hi Bunny.” I greeted her and kissed her on the cheek.

“Are you in a hurry to leave?” My mom asked when she saw my coat was still on.

“Yeah kinda. Alex is off of tour and is supposed to be coming by to see Alexa. So I didn’t want to keep him waiting on me.” I did not want to tell her about Alex staying over. I would never hear the end of her nagging.

“Oh that’s nice. He hasn’t seen her in months, so he needs to spend lots of time with her.” She said, and I nodded in agreement.

“Yeah so we’ll get out of your hair for now.” I said and picked up Alexa’s bag and unicorn. “I’ll try to stop by on Sunday and spend some time with you and Dad. But Alex will be able to watch her for the next two weeks so you can take a break.”

“I never need a break from my little Love-bug.” She said, and I let Alexa down so she could go hug her grandma goodbye.

“Bye Nana!” She exclaimed and hugged her leg, making me chuckle.

“Bye Sweetie, I’ll see you later.” She told her.

I hugged my mom too and picked Alexa back up so we could go out to my car. I placed Alexa in her car seat and got in. I called Alex as I began driving home to see how far away they were from being back here. It was three O’clock now and he said he would be here in the afternoon.

“Hello?” He answered.

“Hey are you guys close to being here?” I asked.

“We already made it. I’m at my parents’ house now. I figured you wouldn’t get off to a little later.” He told me.

“Oh okay. Well I just picked up Alexa and I’m heading home now so you can come over whenever you’re ready.”

“Actually, can you come pick me up?” He asked.

“What’s wrong with your car?” I asked, annoyed that I had already passed the street I needed to take to get to his parents’ house.

“My mom is using it cause her car broke down and I don’t necessarily need a car all the time.” He explained.

“Okay, okay, I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?? Are you walking here?” He sarcastically asked, and I bit my cheek.

“I’m driving and it takes ten minutes to get from my parent’s house to your parent’s house.” I rolled my eyes.

“It would have taken me half of that time.”

“Okay well now I might take the back way so it’ll be about fifteen minutes.” I said and hung up on him. He was so annoying.

“Dada.” Alexa said trying to get my attention.

“Yes Bunny?”

“Um um today with Nana I colored.” She told me.

“Really baby? What did you color?” I asked.

“I colored a pony.”

“I bet it looks pretty. We’ll have to put it on the fridge when we get home.” I said and stopped at a red light. We weren’t far from Alex’s parents’ house but all these lights were slowing us down.

“Okay! And Nana and I eated apple sauce. She buyed it for me at the store.” She continued. She loved to tell me about her day with her grandma and I liked hearing about it. Her doctor said encouraging her to have conversation was good with helping her build her vocabulary and learn grammar rules.

“That sounds delicious. Did you two eat anything else?”

“Umm we ate, we ate macaroni.” She said and I sighed. I was hoping that my mom would try to feed her something different, but she caved in too. When my older brother and I was younger she and my dad wouldn’t let us eat the same thing every day. Now that they’ve gotten older they’ve gotten softer, and maybe also because Alexa is a girl and their only granddaughter.

My phone began to ring and I sighed thinking it was Alex rushing me to come get him. I looked down to see Nano’s name flashing on my screen. I didn’t want to talk to him about Alex and I didn’t rush him off of the phone, so I just didn’t answer. I made a mental note to call him back later.

“Are we going home?” Alexa asked, sending the car ride was taking longer than usual.

“We’re going to pick up your Daddy first and then we’re going to go home.” I told her and she cheered happily.

I turned on to Alex’s parent’s street and pulled into their driveway. I picked up my phone to call Alex and let him know I was outside.

“Hey, are you here?” He asked.

“Yeah I’m outside.”

“Okay, I’m coming out now.” He said and hung up.

We waited two minutes and Alex was finally coming out with his two suitcases and his mom right behind him. I put on a smile for her and rolled down my window.

“Hi Mrs. Gaskarth.” I said politely.

“Hi Jack! I haven’t seen you both in so long.” She said gesturing to Alexa.

I popped the truck open for Alex and unlocked the door so Alex’s Mom could open it and talk to Alexa.

“Oh there’s Grandma’s baby!” She exclaimed and unbuckled her so she could pick her up and hug her.

“Grandma!” Alexa exclaimed and hugged her back.

Alex closed the trunk and walked over to his mom holding Alexa.

“Daddy!!!” She opened up her arms for Alex to pick her up. He took her from his mom and kissed her on the cheek before hugging her to his chest.

“I missed you so much, Mamas.” He told her and she snuggled into his chest. The last time she saw Alex was a month and a half ago before he went on the tour that just ended. Now Alex had a two week break before their tour started up again.

“How are your parents, Jack?” Mrs. Gaskarth asked me.

“They’re great, thanks. How have you and Mr. Gaskarth been?” I asked. It’s only been a week since we’ve seen each other cause I brought Alexa over to spend some time with them last weekend when Cass and I went out. We were just making small talk.

“We’ve been fine too. Peter should be home later, so I told Alex he’s going to have to stop by later on to see him.” She told me.

“Yeah he should.” I agreed.

I looked back to see Alex putting Alexa back in her car seat. He buckled her in and closed her door. Then he came over to the driver side and looked down at me expectantly.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re not happy to see me?” He asked, and I rolled my eyes.

“You’ve been rude to me on the phone for the past two days, you haven’t given me a reason to be happy to see you.” I joked, but not really.

“Both of you be nice to each other. Alexa doesn’t need to see you two arguing the entire time.” Mrs. Gaskarth scolded us.

“Jack started.” Alex shrugged, and I scoffed.

“Just give me a hug and go so Jack won’t have to wait any longer for you.” She rolled her eyes and opened her arms so they could hug. She kissed him and then let him go. “I’ll see you later, Jack.” She told me and I waved. We watched as she went back inside her house but Alex was still standing by my window.

“Why aren’t you getting in the car??” I asked.

“Oh, cause I’m driving.” He said as if it were obvious.

“Excuse me? No you’re not.” I told him.

“Yeah I am so we can get there quickly instead of taking three hours.”

“No, you’re not going to speed in my car and have us get pulled over.” I nagged.

“We’re not going to get pulled over. Now come oooonnnnn, we could have been there already.” He pouted.

I huffed but got out anyways and let him take the driver’s seat while I went to the passenger seat. I don’t know why I was such a pushover when it came to him. I watched as Alex re-adjusted my seat and mirrors before shifting into reverse.

“Do you have to mess with everything?” I asked, and he glanced over to me.

“Are you going to nag the entire way cause I’ll pull over.” He playfully threatened.

“And what exactly is going to happen when you pull over? Are you going to try to throw me outta my own car?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t have to ‘try’ at all.” He chuckled, and I threw my head back against my headrest.

“Alex, just let me take you back to your parents’ house, I’m not sure how much of this I can take.” I sighed.

“No way! You’re stuck with me for the next two weeks. Doesn’t that sound like fun?!” He tapped my hand and I groaned.

“Breaking my wrist sounds like fun, staying with you for the next two weeks sounds like torture.” I mumbled, and he chuckled.

Alex drove us to my apartments parking garage and we got out. I offered to help Alex get his bags, but he told me he had it and I held Alexa’s hand and we walked to my apartment. I told Alex to put his bags in my room so the living room wouldn’t look cluttered with his things. He sat his suitcases down and then jumped into my bed and laid out.

“So which side do you want?” He asked, and I chuckled.

“Um all sides.” I went over and pulled his shoes of his feet so they wouldn’t be touching my bed.

“You’re sleeping on the couch.” I reminded him.

“Yeah Yeah I know. Just let me lay here for a minute and...just-“ He cut his self off with his own snoring. That was the one thing I envied about Alex, he could fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. I looked down at him and decided to let him take a nap in my bed just this once. He was probably exhausted from touring and sleeping in his bunk, but that’s the life he wanted.

I watched as Alexa struggled to get into the bed to lay next to him. She laid down right beside him, so she could take a nap too. It was like I was killing two birds with one stone. I grabbed her unicorn blanket and placed it over her while she cuddled next to Alex. Then I walked out to the living room to watch TV in there.

I sat down on the couch and took a deep breath before turning on the TV. Today was a long day and it was only four pm now. I turned to Spider-Man and kicked my feet up on the couch. I think I needed a nap too. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to slowly drift off to sleep.

“Please do not tell me you are letting him take your bed while you take the couch.” I heard Cass say when I awoke later.

“Huh? Oh no I um just let him take a nap in there. I didn’t mean to fall asleep here.” I said and yawned.

“Oh okay. I’m gonna go change and shower.” She said going to her room to change out of her uniform.

I picked up my phone to check the time and I saw that I slept two hours. I got up and went to my room to see if Alex and Alexa were still sleeping. Alex was, but Alexa was awake still cuddled into his side.

“Come on baby, let’s go find something to eat.” I told her, and she got out of bed and walked over to me. She held my hand as we walked to the kitchen together to go through the refrigerator and the pantry.

“What sounds good?” I asked myself.

“Macaroni.” I heard Alexa say quietly and laughed in disbelief.

“Babe, you had that earlier with Nana. Don’t you want to eat something else?” I asked and she shook her head. “Okay, well I’m sorry but we don’t have any more. So no macaroni tonight.” I told her. There were three boxes in the pantry, but I refused to let her eat it again today.

“We ‘half to go to the store.” She told me.

“I don’t have any money, do you?” I asked, and she tried to check her non-existence pockets.

“No.” She said, showing me her inside out pockets.

“Well we can’t buy macaroni without money so we’re gonna have to eat something else.” I exaggerated.

“But I want Macaroni.” She whined.

“We can’t get any so what do you want instead?” I asked.

“I want it!” She yelled and I sighed.

“Alexa we’re not eating macaroni tonight. Pick something else.” I told her, trying not to let her attitude get to me.

“Macaroni!” She demanded and stomped her foot.

“How about you go to time out for three minutes and we’ll try again afterwards.” I read an article that says you’re supposed to use a child’s age to determine how many minutes they should spend in time out. So far it worked well.

“Noooooo!” She cried.

“I mean it, Alexa.” I pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and faced it towards the wall. I picked her up and placed her in the chair as she cried and protest.

“But Dada!” She sobbed.

“Time out means no talking.” I said and turned her to face the wall. I set the time on my phone for three minutes and it counted down as she continued to cry. I used to feel bad about putting her in timeout but now I didn’t as much because she needed to learn good behavior from bad behavior and this seemed like the healthiest form of punishment to teach her. She was just starting to calm down with only two minutes left to go but Alex walked in.

“Why is she crying?” Alex asked. As soon as Alexa heard him, she went back to putting on a show, crying, to get sympathy from him. He went over to try and pick her up and I stopped him.

“No don’t, she’s in timeout.” I told him.

“Timeout? Jack she’s only three.”

“Yeah and she’ll be in timeout for three minutes. Well one and a half now.”

“You’re ridiculous.” He shook his head at me and picked her up. She whimpered and laid her head on his should. There weren’t even tears falling from eyes this time. She had Alex like putty in her hands.

“She needs discipline, Alex.” I told him.

“She’s three, would could she possibly have done to go to timeout?” He didn’t understand since he wasn’t around her every single day. To him, Alexa was the most innocent little girl.

“She was yelling about wanting macaroni after I told her she wasn’t eating it again tonight. She had it earlier with my mom. She needs food with actual nutrition.”

“What harm is it if she eats it one more time today?”

“It’s not healthy enough for her to eat twice a day. So pick something else because she’s not eating macaroni.” I said and Alexa went back to ‘crying’ I’m Alex's shoulder.

“It’s okay Mama, let’s look and see what else we can eat.” He went to the refrigerator to look around.

“Did I hear her crying?” Cass asked as she walked out of her room with her hair still went from her shower.

“Yeah about wanting macaroni as usual. And she was in timeout, but her ‘sympathetic dad’ ended her punishment early.”

“Aw poor baby.” She walked over to give her a kiss on the cheek. I rolled my eyes at both of them feeling the need to baby her.

“Hi Alex.” Cass said and he hugged her.

“Hey, how’s life been?” He asked as he went back through the fridge.

“Eh not too bad. How’s yours been?”

“Pretty good, we’ve been playing shows everywhere. I’ve never needed a break more in my life.” He grabbed the jelly and then went to the pantry to get the peanut butter.

“Yeah I can only imagine how exhausting all that traveling is.”

“You kinda get used to it.” He said as he began making two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Alex brought Alexa over to the kitchen table and sat her down. Then he placed the sandwich in front of her. She looked down at it and then back up at him. This wasn’t going to work. I tried plenty of time to sit her down and try to eat something else.

“I wanted macaroni too, Babe, but there isn’t any so we have to eat peanut butter and jelly.” He made a sad face and took a bite out of his sandwich as if he really wanted macaroni instead.

“Mmmm this is really good.” He said taking another bite. He looked over to Alexa and she wiped her eyes and picked up her sandwich. Alex had taken the crust off of hers, so she bit straight I stopped the sandwich. I watched in disbelief and jealously that Alex got her to eat something different when I couldn’t.

“Mmmm.” She hummed imitating Alex and taking another bite. I let it go and went to get her a cup of juice. I sat the cup down in front of her and she picked it up without so much as a thanks to me.

“I’ll take a beer if you have one.” Alex requested, and I rolled my eyes at him as I went to the fridge to get him the last beer. I grabbed it and sat it down in front of him and he didn’t thank me either. He and Alexa were too much alike.

“He made it look so easy.” Cass said, watching Alexa eat something new for dinner.

“It kinda was. I don’t know what you two have been doing.” He shrugged, sounding arrogant. I flipped him off when Alexa wasn’t looking. I sat down at the table and took a bite out of his sandwich.

“Are we doing anything tonight?” Alex asked.

“Like what?” I asked.

“Like going out or inviting people over? I have two bottles of Jim Bean Apple in my bag that I’ve been trying to get rid of.”

“What about Alexa?” I asked, I didn’t feel like going out, but I was curious as to what he was planning on us do with Alex.

“We can take her to my parents. They would love to keep her for the night.”

“I’m not in a party mood.” Cass groaned.

“Oh come on, I was gonna invite Rian over so you guys could hang out and reconnect.”

“Go fuc-. . . you better be glad Alexa is here to protect you from what I was about to tell you to do.” She said and Alex laughed.

“It’s cool, I can use my imagination. What about you, you in the mood to party?” He asked looking over at me.

“Nah not really. You shouldn’t be either. Aren’t you sick of drinking yourself to death every night?”
“I’m used to it now.” He said and stuffed the last of his sandwich in his mouth. He got up, leaving his trash, to go out to smoke.

“Daddy!” Alexa called out to stop him from leaving.

“I’m not leaving, ‘Lexa, I’m just going outside for two minutes.” He told her and went out.

“Do you have any other plans for tonight?” I asked Cass and she smiled.

“Well Blake asked me to come over so I’m thinking about going to spend time with him.” She told me. Blake was this new guy she had been hanging out with.

“That sounds fun, you should go.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone with him though. I feel like you’re gonna need me here to pry your hands off of his neck sometime soon.” She joked and I laughed.

“No I could never do that to Alexa’s father. I might punch him in the stomach before the night is over, but I won’t kill him.” I teased.

“Okay, I guess I’ll go hang out with him for a few hours. I’m not spending the night.” She assured me.

“Oh sure.” I said sarcastically, and she playfully rolled her eyes at me. I chuckled and picked up my phone to get on Instagram. I hope Alex was going out with his friends so we won’t have to be alone together for long. Alexa was going to be going to bed soon and that was going to leave Alex and I alone until Cass comes back.

“Alright hit me up if you guys end up going.” Alex said on his phone when he walked in. He hung up and walked back over to the table to sit down in his spot. The familiar smell of smoke mixed with his cologne following behind him.

“The guys are thinking of heading over to Rockwell tonight for drinks.” He told me.

“Oh okay.” I said, and he looked at me expectantly.

“What?” He asked.

“Nothing.” I shrugged.

“Come on I know when something’s up with you. What is it?”

“I just think that you should spend tonight with Alexa. This is your first night here with her and you’re already planning on leaving to hand out with your friends.” I told him.

“It’s not like I was gonna leave now. I was going to wait to later on when she’s sleeping.” He said.

“Okay Alex.” I was sort of bothered by his eagerness to go out, but I couldn’t stop him or tell him what to do.

“I asked to stay here with you so I wouldn’t have to be nagged about going out late by my mom so don’t you start too.” He groaned.

“I’m not nagging. Literally do what you want. Just don’t make a lot of noise when you come back in.” I warned. “Come on Alexa, it’s bath time.” I picked her up from her chair to carry her to my bathroom.

“Daddy coming too?” She asked.

“If he wants to, Bunny.” I told her.

“I’ll be in later.” Alex mumbled and went back out to the balcony. I rolled my eyes and took Alexa to my bathroom and started her bath water. I let her pick out the toys she wanted while I tested to make sure it wasn’t too hot.

“Okay I’m leaving, I should be back by ten.” Cass said as she walked into the bathroom.

“Where are you going?” Alexa asked her.

“You’re not her mom, she doesn’t have to tell you where she’s going.” I said and tickled her stomach as she laughed and tried to get me to stop.

“No it’s okay, I’m going to see a friend.” Cass told her.

“Is he going to make you dinner?” I asked and she giggled.

“I told him I already ate so he said I can come over for dessert.” She blushed.

“Ooo so you’ll really be back tomorrow then?” I asked and she rolled her eyes.

“Ten O’clock exactly.” She emphasized.

“Okay we’ll see you then I guess.”

Cass left after we told her bye. I turned Alexa’s water off and got her in the tub. Minutes later, Alex walked in. He came and sat down on the floor next to tub. I was letting Alex play with her toys for a few minutes before I cleaned her.

“Daddy look!” Alexa exclaimed and showed Alex her toys.

“Oooo let me see the boat.” He said getting on his knees. He rolled up his sleeves and began playing with the toys in the water with her. I smiled hearing her laugh hard at the way Alex played with the toys with her.

My phone began ringing next to the tub where I left it. Alex looked over at the screen for me to tell me who was calling.

“It says Nano.” He said and I flashed red. I had already ignored one of his calls and I didn’t want him to think I was ignoring him. It was kind of weird to talk to him while Alex was here though. I just didn’t want Alex to know that I had a friend-person like Nano yet. I didn’t know how he would take it.

“Can you bathe her while I take this?” I asked and Alex nodded.

I picked up my phone and answered it as I went to the balcony. “Hello?” I answered.

“Hey, I called you earlier.” Nano told me.

“Oh sorry I saw, but I was sort of busy so I was planning on calling you later and I forgot.” I explained.

“It’s okay I was just worried about you.” He said sweetly. “So what has you occupied? Work?”

“No not exactly. Uh Alexa’s dad, Alex, is in town and I was with him and Alexa.”

“Oh that’s nice. Now you can take a break from being in dad mode and relax for a few nights. Maybe we can do something. Wanna go catch a movie?” He asked. I could go with him, but I couldn’t leave Alexa if Alex was planning on going out tonight.

“I can’t leave tonight. I have Alexa with me now.”

“Why doesn’t Alex have her? Wait never mind too personal. How about you bring her with us?” He asked and I sighed. I didn’t want Nano to think I didn’t want to hang out with him, but right now just wasn’t the time.

“It’s kinda late to have her out.”

“Well how about I come over and bring a movie. I’ll let you pick the movie.” He bribed, and I chuckled.

“Um I don’t know.” I mumbled. Alex was supposed to be leaving soon so I guess I could have Nano over while he was gone to avoid all the awkwardness of them meeting.

“It’ll be fuuunnn.”

“Alright alright fine, and we’re watching A Quiet Place cause I heard it was really good.”

“Done, I’ll pick it up, along with some snacks, at Walmart.”

“Ooo bring Coronas please!”

“Anything for you. I’ll see you in a bit.” He said and hung up. I smiled to myself and looked down at the call ended screen. I just had a really good feeling about this movie date with Nano. I’m glad Cass talked me into to giving him a chance. After spending today with Alex I realized I could only deal with one person with his personality and that was him.

I went back inside and found Alex letting the water out of the tub. He was holding Alexa with a towel wrapped around her.

“Hey so I was thinking you’re right, I’ve spent enough time with the guys while on tour. I need to stay in and focus on her.” He said and kissed Alexa on the cheek. My throat immediately fell into my stomach. I needed Alex out of here before Nano came over.

“No no, don’t listen to me, I was just nagging you like you said. It’ll be fine if you go out with your friends tonight. and it’s almost Alexa’s bedtime so she’ll be sleep soon.” I rambled.

“No you weren’t nagging me, you were just trying to help.” He just had to pick right now to actually listen to me.

“Okay, how about you dry her off and get her in her pajamas. I’ll be back.” I told him. I raced off to the kitchen to call Nano back and ask him to postpone our movie night.

“Pick-up, pick-up, pick-up...” I mumbled as the phone ringed.

“Hi you’ve reached Nana Tissera, sorry I missed your call but if you leave your name and number I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a nice day.” His voicemail picked up. I sighed and waited for the beep, so I could record my message.

“Hey Nano, do you um think that we could uh save movie night for another night. Um something came up and I don’t think tonight will be the best night. Just please call me back as soon as you get this.” I tried not to make it sound like an emergency because I didn’t want him to panic and come over anyways. I sat my phone down and ran my fingers through my hair.

“Dada, look!” Alexa giggled as she ran into the kitchen. She was wearing one of Alex’s shirts that were way too big for her. It looked like a dress on her.

“Why do you have his shirt on, silly?” I chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.

“He let me.” She said as I sat her down.

Alex walked in and went to the fridge. He looked around for a minute and grabbed my Coke and shut it. “You guys don’t have any more beer?” He complained.

“No and that’s my Coke.” I pouted, and he continued to open and take a sip out of it. He burped loudly causing Alexa to laugh and me to glare at him.

“I’ll buy you another one tomorrow. Besides, you don’t need the sugar.” He said causally, and I gasped.

“I haven’t gained a single pound since the last time you’ve seen me.” I was sort of lying, the stupid scale might have said I went up a pound or two.

“You sure? Cause your ass looks fatter.” He shrugged and looked behind me. I turned my body, so he would stop looking at me.

“You are a flipping pig.” I was trying my best not to drop the f-bomb in front of Alexa but Alex was making it so easy for me to want to.

“It doesn’t hurt as bad when you use rated pg words.” He taunted, and I huffed.

“Stop looking at my butt you pervert or I will make you sleep on the balcony.” I threatened. It was a tiny bit flattering, but I didn’t want him getting any ideas.

“Fine, I can get just as much pleasure look at your front.” He smiled, and I groaned.

“I can watch Paw Patrol?” Alexa asked and yawned.

“Yeah because you’re going to be sleep in the next ten minutes.” I told her.

Alex picked her up and carried her to the couch. I turned to an episode I recorded for her because Paw Patrol wasn’t on TV right now. Then I took a seat next to Alex. Alexa was cuddled into his arms trying to keep her eyes open and stay interested in the show. It was nine pm and usually she was in bed by eight, so this was way pass her bed time.

“Why the hell is there a chicken on here? Chickens don’t have paws.” Alex complained in the middle of the show, and I laughed.

“It’s just a show with animals not necessarily just dogs.” I explained.

“I guess.” He shrugged.

I looked down to see Alexa’s eyes finally closed. I pointed it out to Alex and he nodded. He stood up with Alexa in his arms and took her to my room and put her in my bed. He came back out to grab his phone.

“I’m gonna go shower real quick.” He told me and I nodded. He left me alone and I grabbed the remote to see what else was on TV. I settled for Modern Family and I laid out on the couch. I heard Alex start the shower. I felt like I could finally relax again after a long day. I was able to close my eyes and bask peaceful environment of the apartment for ten minutes.

All the feelings of peace and relax-fulness went out the window the second I heard my door bell ring. I forgot all about Nano and the fact that he hadn’t called me back yet. What if he never received my message?

“Please let it be Cass, please let it be Cass.” I begged out loud as I walked to the door. I looked out the peephole to see Nano standing there holding Walmart bags.

“Oh God.” I whispered and opened the door.

“Hey! Sorry I couldn’t call to let you know I was nearby. I left my phone at home.” He told me as soon as I let him in.

“Oh that makes sense. I um tried calling you to ask if we could reschedule.” I tried talking quickly so I could get him out the door before Alex came out.

“What? Why?”

“I just...today isn’t a good day for this.”

“Is something wrong? Are you sick? Is Alexa sick?” He asked, worriedly.

“No no we’re both fine. It’s just... um-“

“-Hey did I hear the..doorbell?” Alex asked as he walked into the kitchen in a towel. I could have died on the spot. I didn’t even know where to begin with this.

“Where are your clothes??” I growled at him. I was mostly angry because he came in with his chest all distracting and dripping wet.

“I like to air dry, you know that.” He winked at me and I glared at him trying to kill him with my eyes.

“Um should I go?” Nano asked.

“No no this is Alex, Alexa’s dad. He’s um going to be staying with Cass and I until tour starts back up for him again.

“Ooh okay, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jack’s friend Nano.” Nano introduced himself. He stuck his hand out and Alex shook it with his wet hand. “Jack didn’t tell me we were having company.” Alex said and looked at me.

“That’s because ‘we’ aren’t having anything. I am.” I said and he laughed.

“Yeah we were just going to drink a few beers and watch a movie.” Nano told him.

“Ooo Coronas! My favorite!” Alex helped himself to one of the beers in the bag and I hit his arm.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind sharing.” Nano chuckled.

“I usually do. But what’re we watching?” Alex asked, while cracking open his beer.

“Um A Quiet Pl-“

“-We’re not watching anything, Alex. Nano was just leaving.” I cut him off.

“Well that’s not nice. Nano drove all this way to see us so we shouldn’t make him go back home. Here let me go put my pajamas on and it’ll be like a sleepover.” He smiled at me and went to my room to change.

“I am so so so so so sorry I didn’t tell you he was staying here I just-“

“-Whoa Jack it’s cool! It doesn’t bother me at all.” He assured me.

“It doesn’t?”

“No, I trust you completely. Plus, I can see just how much he annoys you.” He joked, and I smiled.

“Thank you, so can we reschedule?” I asked.

“Well actually I was thinking that I should stay. I mean I’m already here and how bad can it be?” He asked.

“It’s Alex so pretty bad.” I answered, and he chuckled thinking I was joking.

“Come on, this will be great.” He grabbed the movie, beers, and snacks and followed me to the living room.

Nano sat on the couch while I put the movie in. I grabbed a beer and sat on the couch next to Nano. I was about the press play but Alex walked out telling me to wait. He grabbed his beer and sat down on the other side of me. Now I was in the middle of both of them.

“Okay now you can play it.” He smiled at me and I bit my tongue not wanting to cuss him out in front of Nano. I just pressed play and we turned to the movie. It wasn’t long before ten so I was hoping Cass would come in and help this be less awkward.

We watched the movie for an hour and I looked at the time to see it was a little after ten and Cass still wasn’t home. I pulled out my phone to text her to hurry home.

Jack B.

You said 10pm you liar!! Please hurry home, Nano is here and Alex won’t leave us alone.

Delivered 10:18pm

I wait twenty more minutes and didn’t receive a reply from Cass. She wasn’t coming back tonight.
I sighed and sat my phone down. I leaned back against the couch and felt Nano put his arm behind me. I smiled and leaned into him until I felt Alex’s arm also fall behind me over Nano’s. I sighed and reached over to pinch his side.

“Oww owww.” He cried and pain and removed his arm. I felt Nano chuckle and I leaned back into him as I released Alex’s skin.

The movie finally ended an hour later, and it was really good and suspenseful...well the parts I could pay attention to. It was eleven pm and Cass still wasn’t home. I knew this meant she was spending the night with Blake.

“Thanks for bringing the movie over and everything. This was great.” I told Nano, ignoring the fact that Alex was with us the entire time.

“No problem. I’m always happy to spend time with you.” He said. “I should go, it’s kinda late.”

“Okay I’ll walk you down.” I said, and he nodded.

“It was nice meeting you Alex.” Nano told him.

“You too, man. We’ll have to do this again soon.” He said, and I rolled my eyes at him. As soon as Nano and I were out the door I was apologizing for Alex again.

“Again, I’m sorry about Alex. He can just be sooo...Alex. That’s the best way to explain him.” I chuckled.

“Hey I promise it’s okay. He’s probably just jealous.”

“Jealous? Jealous of what?” I asked.

“You know, that you’ve been spending time with someone else.” He shrugged.

“Alex and I have been broken up for two years and he’s probably been spending time with every guy or girl that’s come his way for most of that time so I highly doubt he’s jealous. Alex is just a jerk that likes to see me suffer at his own hands.”

“Yeah that could be it too.” He said, and we stopped in front of his car. “But I should get going so you can go to bed.”

“Okay, thanks again for tonight.” I reached up and kissed him on the cheek. He nodded and pulled me in for a hug.

“I’ll call you later to check on you.” He said, and I giggled.

“Okay, good night.”

“Good night.” He said and got into his car. He waited until I got in our building before driving off.

I walked into my apartment and found Alex finishing off the rest of his second beer. I glared at him trying to figure out the quietest way to kill him with waking Alexa.

“So what is that your new boyfriend?” He asked.

“No, he’s just a friend.” I answered. I don’t know why I did, I didn’t have too.

“Does he know that?” He joked and I rolled my eyes.

“Fuck off, Alex.”

“He’s like in love with you, but he’s definitely not your type.”

“And what makes you say that?” I questioned.

“He’s too soft. If I were him and someone like me invited themselves to join our movie night I would have forced them to leave but he practically begged me to stay with you both.” He exaggerated.

“He did not beg you and he’s nice which is more than I can say about you.”

“I can be nice. I just wanted to see what kind of guy you’ve been bringing around our daughter.” He shrugged.

“He’s a great guy, I wouldn’t bring him around Alexa if I thought any different.” I said slightly offended at him judging my judgment skills.

“Yeah I realized I have nothing to worry about. The guy’s a pussy.”

“Fuck you, Alex. You just met him today so what makes you think you know him at all?” I didn’t get why he was being so rude.

“It’s the vibe he gives off.”

“Well maybe Alexa and I need a guy like him, because you haven’t been much help for us.” I spat at him.

“And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” He asked, angrily.

“You know exactly what it means.” I stormed off and shut my door a little too loudly. Alexa stirred in her sleep.

“I’m sorry, Baby.” I went over and rubbed her back to put her back to sleep. Once I was she began to lightly snore again, I went to the bathroom to pull out my contacts. I was so annoyed with Alex that I skipped the rest of my nightly routine and went to switch to my pajamas. I just needed to go to sleep and have a fresh start in the morning.

Notes

It's only their first day together and they're already fighting lol

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