when jack harlow left louisville, kentucky after high school, he knew he was on to bigger and better things. he only regretted leaving behind one thing - beth, his life-long next door neighbor, his first everything, the girl he could never make his...
After that, Jack and Beth's lives were once again intertwined. They talked on the phone at least once a week. He had her class and work schedule memorized and would call when he knew she was walking home from class or out running errands. It felt right to be able to talk and laugh together like they had their entire lives. The two would see each other again much sooner that they could've imagined. Jack went on tour once again that fall and was coming to New York City. Beth promised she'd be there and that, like she told him at Applebee's, she wouldn't bring Christian. Christian wasn't thrilled with the idea, though Beth continuously assured him that the relationship between her and Jack was years ago, and was brief and insignificant. This is the same thing she told her friend Sarah, who insisted on attending the concert with Beth. Sarah had been playing Jack's new album Confetti on repeat and was eager to meet him that Thursday night.
"So you're sure there's nothing between you guys?" Sarah questioned on their drive to the city.
"No, we dated briefly when we were like 16. Besides, you know I've been with Christian for over a year now," Beth responded.
"So you wouldn't be mad if I tried to hook up with him?"
"Sarah!," Beth laughed.
"Is that a no?"
Beth didn't know how to respond. She didn't want to sleep with Jack, but she wasn't sure she wanted Sarah to sleep with him either. She knew Jack slept with plenty of women, but picturing the two together made her uneasy.
"No, it's not a no. Go for it."
Sarah reapplied her lipstick as they entered the venue. Jack's crew were setting up his things on the stage, while he sat at the front with his feet dangling off the end. When he saw the two girls, he jumped up eagerly and approached them. He wrapped his arms around Beth in a tight hug and lifted her slightly off the ground.
"Beth, I'm so glad you're here!"
"So am I, this venue is huge."
She looked around admirably, picturing the seats filled with Jack's fans.
"Yeah I know, and the show's sold out. I'm super excited."
Jack's tunnel vision on Beth suddenly faded, and he noticed Sarah standing beside her awkwardly.
"Who'd you bring with you?"
Beth became aware of the fact that she had been so excited to see Jack, she had failed to introduce her friend.
"This is Sarah, my best friend at school."
Sarah smiled, outreaching a manicured hand.
"Hi."
The two shook hands, but Sarah held on for slightly too long.
"Hi Sarah, I'm Jack, Beth's best friend growing up."
"Oh I know who you are; Beth talks about you all the time."
Beth's cheeks grew red; she didn't think she talked about Jack that much and she sure didn't want him to think that. A man a few older than them who was preoccupied setting up the mic stand on stage looked in their direction.
"Trust me, Jack talks about her all the time too. Nice to finally meet the famous Beth. I'm Urban."
"Boy if you don't shut up and go backstage," Jack said, shaking his head. "Nice to meet you Sarah."
"You too, how long are you in town for?" Sarah asked.
"Just for the night."
"Well you should stay with me and Beth!"
The interaction was making Beth uncomfortable, but she couldn't quite explain why. She loved Sarah and she loved Jack. It shouldn't matter if they hooked up, but she wouldn't know what to do if Jack hurt Sarah or worse, if he actually liked her.
"Oh he won't want to do that Sarah, we have to drive all the way home."
"That's true, I gotta be up and out early in the morning anyways. I'm playing in Philly tomorrow night."
"Damn okay, well you'll have to come to New Haven soon," Sarah told him with a smile.
"For sure. I gotta go get ready for sound check but you guys get situated in the front row and enjoy the show."
Jack hugged Beth again and squeezed her arm tightly. He brought his lips close to her ear.
"I have no interest in sleeping with any of your friends," he whispered. "I would NEVER do that to you."
His lips grazed her ear lightly as he pulled away. He walked off, but turned back around.
"Actually Beth, you wanna take a walk around the block real quick? Sound check can wait 10 minutes. I just wanna make the most of the time I have with you tonight."
Beth turned to Sarah, who looked disappointed in Jack's lack of interest in her.
"Will you be okay here by yourself for a few minutes?"
"Yeah, you go," Sarah told her with a half-hearted smile.
Jack held open the front door and Beth walked out onto the New York streets.
"How you been Beth?"
"Good, what about you?"
"I'm good. The album, the tour, it's all been crazy."
"I'm sure. I'm so proud of you Jack. You always told me you could be something big."
"And you always believed me. I actually have something for you."
Beth stopped walking and furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"
"Yeah I gotchu a little something. I always said I would be successful for us. There's no us anymore, but you were my day one fan and you still deserve to be part of my success."
He dug in his pocket and pulled out a large black jewelry box.
"Jack no, I can't accept gifts from you."
"Of course you can, open it."
Beth opened the box to reveal a gold chain link necklace decorated with diamonds that shone in the early-evening sun.
"Oh my god Jack. This is beautiful. I can't let you give me this."
She closed the box and tried to push it back into his hands, but he refused, putting his hands up.
"Nope, consider it a thank you for all that you've done for me over the years."
"Jack..."
"No, I don't wanna hear it. I saw it and knew you had to have it."
"Well thank you."
"You're welcome. When I told you I wanted to be a part of your life, I meant it. I'm so glad we've reconnected. I love you Beth, as a friend of course."
"I love you too, as a friend of course."
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bethradford: jack reppin' our home in the big apple🍎❤️
