Latched.

chapter 17

This is it. Jack is about to meet my mom. I feel like I need to go outside in the fresh air, because the air in here feels thick and tight. I jumped when the doorbell rang. I rushed down the stairs, but not fast enough to beat my mom, who answered it. Oh shit. She was moving her hands, and Jack looked like he was concentrating on them. She was moving way to fast because he looked panicked and when he saw me behind her, his face softened. I tapped my mother on the shoulder.

"Mom. This is Jack. My boyfriend." I signed to her.

She smiled at me and then nodded. She turned to Jack, and brushed her hand motioning for him to come in. He smiled, and walked in. My mom turned away, and walked to the kitchen. When she was out of sight, I turned to Jack with a worried look.

"What's wrong?" He asked holding my hands in his. God he looks good. The way his dark grey shirt hugged his body. God his body, I've touched his skin. I reminisced about the first time we kissed. It was so intense, and I loved every minute of it.

"Nothing, she's just too fast. I told her to slow down with new people, but..." I trailed off.

"No. It's fine. I understood, it just took me a while to figure it out."

"What did she say then?" I gave him a look.

"Something about how I must be Jack and I think she said something about cats." He sounded so confident, so I let him have it. I laughed a little, and pecked him on the lips. He hugged me tight, and I automatically felt safer. Like his arms will protect me from monsters under my bed. I don't know how to explain the way he makes me feel. He scares me, but at the same time, makes me feel so confident, and brave.

"Alright. Well, I hope you like Coddle. It's Irish, don't ask." I said not even giving him enough time to ask what it was.

"Okay... Ha-ha." He followed me to the table. My mom served us, and we all sat down at the table. Me next to Jack, who was across from my mom. No one sat at the end of the table, that was my dads seat. It looked so empty. I was so used to him coming home everyday, and him sitting down, while my mother sat food in front of him. He devoured it. Every. Single. Time. God I miss him. When I'm with Jack, I never really think about him. My mind focuses on him, and what sentence I'm going to say next, so I don't sound like a re-tarted seal. I was brought out of my thoughts when Jack nudged me.

"What?" I snapped out of it.

"Help me." He whispered.

"What did you say mom? I told you to take it slow with new people. He didn't understand." I signed to her.

"Do you have a job?" She signed back.

I looked at Jack, "She wants to know if you have a job." I said.

He turned back to her, and nodded. I stopped his nod, and showed him the sign for yes. He smiled at me, thanking me.

This was going to be a long night.

Dinner was alright. Jack understood some things, but every once in a while, asked me what my mom had said, or how to sign what to her.

At least the food was good.

My mom cleaned up the kitchen, after refusing Jack to help, being that he was the "guest." Which I find weird, being that she doesn't let me help either. She says that it's her job, and not mine. So I just gave up trying to help her after a while. Sometimes her being independent makes her stubborn as well.

Jack and I sat down on the couch, and watched TV. It wasn't awkward. It was a comfortable silence. The kind you want to hold on to. Forever. My mom walked into the living room and looked at me. I looked back at her, and she smiled at Jack, then turned back to me.

"I'm going to bed, make sure you turn off everything when you're done." She signed.

"Okay. Love you." I replied.

 She smiled slightly, and walked off. Did she like Jack?

He turned to me, "Think she likes me?"

"I don't know to be quite honest. She's never acted so weird around my friends. It was like she knew something I didn't." I was confused. It seemed like my mother liked him, but at the same time had some suspicions about him.

Jack shrugged, turning back to the TV. He was so oblivious sometimes, it made me want to slap him. But it's so cute at the same time. I roll my eyes at the thought at how cheesy I have become. It's only been a couple of weeks. Sam seemed iffy about him too, but Samantha loves him. My thoughts kept trailing until Jacked touched my thigh. I got goosebumps on my arms, and then turned to him.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Are you okay?" He asked, looking concerned.

"Yeah. Just a lot going on up here." I said pointing to my head.

"Anything you want to share?" He asked me. Serious Jack is hotter than regular Jack in all honesty, like I get so breathless when he turns serious. But that's just me being a girl. I don't know how he sees himself. I want to get to know him better. Maybe I rushed things. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe- no Blake. I interrupted my thoughts, and went back to the first time we kissed. He was so gentle, yet so rough. Like he was afraid to touch me, but he wasn't afraid at the same time because he knows he won't brake me. It's confusing. And I love every minute of it.

"No. Just thinking." I said to him.

He smiled and nodded. He leaned in and kissed me. Oh God. His lips. His hands. His chest. His everything... and it was all mine.