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...
Beth woke up with Jack's arms holding her in a stronger grip than they were when he fell asleep, as if he was afraid she might escape and that if she did, he may never get to hold her like this again. The clock on the wall showed that it was a quarter to 11:00. She grabbed Jack's arm and shook him lightly.
"Christian will be home in two hours," she whispered. "Get up and I'll make us breakfast."
Jack shook his head, his eyes still closed.
"I'll get up soon. I just want to lay here a little longer."
Beth didn't protest. She looked at the face she had memorized after seeing it her entire life. Despite the life changing news that was shared with him yesterday, Jack looked peaceful.
"Do you want french toast for breakfast?" Beth asked, knowing it was Jack's favorite.
"Yeah, french toast works."
"Okay, what time is your flight?"
"I booked the flight here so last minute that I could only get one way," Jack explained. "I was thinking I might actually stay in New Haven a while."
Beth moved out of his grip slightly, just enough that she could see his face well enough to read his expression.
"Stay in New Haven? Why?"
"To see if there's anything between us."
"There will always be something between us, you know that, but I can't let you wait around for me."
"Beth, I'm gonna spend my whole life waiting around for you."
"Part of me will always be waiting for you too, for us, but there can't be an us anymore. We're not the same people as we once were."
Jack was propped up on his elbow, staring at Beth.
"You're right, we're not. We've changed, but one thing is the same. I still want you just as much as I did back then."
"I told you I'm about to get engaged do Christian."
Jack was sitting up in bed now, running a hand through his hair out of stress.
"But you don't have to. You don't have to marry him."
"I've been with him for three years. That's longer than you and I were ever together. I can't throw that all away in hopes that things between us might work out someday."
"We both know if we were together now, we would make it work. Two people can't love each other for as long as we have and not end up together."
Beth believed that it could work, but they lived completely different and hectic lives. She didn't know if Jack could love her the way he needed her too, but she also didn't know if she could love Christian the way he needed her to.
"Jack we can both fantasize that maybe somehow, in some way, we can make it work but in reality, it just won't happen."
"Is that why you aborted the baby? Because you didn't want to end up with me?"
Beth was now also sitting up.
"What?! No. I did it for you, for us."
"Clearly not, because you dumped me right after."
"It's what I had to do. I was so upset and you just didn't understand."
"Because you wouldn't let me! You never told me!"
"I know and that was wrong, I'm sorry, but I can promise you that 18-year-old me wanted nothing more than to end up with you. Actually, there was one thing I wanted more than that. I wanted you to be successful, and I gave up the baby and our relationship in order for that to happen."
"No, don't justify it."
"I truly am sorry Jack, but it was so long in the past."
"Yeah it was so long in the past and somehow, I'm still caught up on you."
"I know...and I'll always want to be a part of your life. I need to get up and make breakfast."
Jack nodded.
"I'll be out in a minute."
Beth went to stand up, but Jack wrapped his arms around her again.
"Sorry," he said blushing. "I just wanted another hug."
She got up and smiled at him, though the smile was somewhat of pity. She loved Jack; she would always love Jack, but their lives didn't align anymore and never could, because she would be marrying Christian. When Beth had finished with the french toast and set two places at the table complete with cups of coffee, Jack still wasn't in the kitchen. She went back to the guest room to check on him, thinking he may have fallen back asleep, but when she opened the door, the bed was empty. In the place where Jack had laid was a folded up piece of paper. Beth sat on the bed and opened it. Out fell a plane ticket to Louisville for noon tomorrow. Jack's distinctive handwriting was displayed on the paper.
Beth,
I'm going home. I guess it's not right for me to intrude in New Haven, but I hope you will join me in Louisville. If you take this plane home, it doesn't mean you automatically have to break up with Christian, but it means you will at least give us a chance. A real chance. If you don't come, it's over between us, forever. We will still be friends of course, but I'll understand that you don't want to be anything else. No matter what you choose, there will be no hard feelings. I love you Beth, always.
-Jack
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bethradford: a selfie taken while stuck inside away from the snow
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christianhunt: can't wait to get home to u❤️
gigiwalters: pretty girl
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