Old Songs- Sammy x Jack

Allison Pendle

Sammy's POV

Sammy watched Jack hustle out of the office with his head bowed, and his heart sank a little. Yesterday and last night, his head had been filled with nothing but worry. He had no idea what Jack saw, but worse than that, he had no idea how to help him or protect him. Handling a workday on his own made him realize just how much he'd grown to lean on Jack over the past few years, and he felt a sudden panic at the thought of losing him.

Focus, God damn it, he thought to himself, shaking his attention off the retreating Jack. Why does every thought I have about him end up being so distracting?

"Well then, I suppose that means I can continue?" Joey plowed on, maintaining his showman attitude. Sammy restrained an indignant sneer at the thought of listening to Joey blab about some new project, but he kept his face under control.

"Certainly, Mr. Drew. What can I help you with?"

"In one month, I'll be hosting a gala to celebrate the successful run my studio has had thus far," he said, puffing his chest. "All the biggest names in entertainment and investment are going to be there to see the unveiling of my latest project."

"Project?" Sammy inquired. Normally he wouldn't be so interested in whatever scheme Joey was cooking up, but with the strange occurrence of two nights ago, he thought perhaps this was a way he could help Jack: by using his in with the head of the studio.

"I'm afraid you'll have to wait and see on that one my friend," he said much to Sammy's disappointment. "No, I'm here because I want you to make a quick speech as a part of my toast. All the department heads are doing so."

"A-a speech?" Sammy stuttered, his stomach dropping. He hated public speaking. Crowds were bad enough, but the feelings of hundreds of eyes on him, of blinding spotlights, and of his every word being scrutinized were enough for him to break out into a cold sweat.

Joey continued, either not noticing Sammy's outright fear or not caring. "It'll just be a few words, maybe a paragraph or so, about the advancements at the studio and the love of our craft, things like that. Think you can handle it?"

Sammy just stood there, unable to think of a proper response, or any response at all. He shoved down his fear and kept his face calm and even, a trick he'd gotten very good at over the years. His head nodded seemingly against his will, but his throat was still too tight to manage words. Joey grinned and clapped Sammy on the shoulder in a way he assumed was supposed to be friendly.

"I knew I could count on you Lawrence! Mark my words, this is going to change everything for us, just you wait!" Joey continued to rant as he strode out the door. Sammy at once collapsed into Jack's desk chair, pinching the bridge of his nose to avoid the oncoming headache.

How on earth am I going to do this stupid speech? he thought, mind swirling with "what if's". He fought the urge to bolt up and chase after Jack, who always seemed to know what to do in situations like this. Whenever Sammy's panic had spiked in the past, Jack was always right there with a reassuring word and his stupid smile that made everything better. But Sammy didn't know if that would even work anymore. Nowadays, Jack just made everything more complicated, made Sammy feel more complicated. Something was happening within their friendship, something that Sammy was too afraid to face. What if things never go back to normal?

The sounds of shouting and hurried footsteps abruptly interrupted those worries as Sammy watched Lola dash past the doorway towards the commotion. Great, what now? he thought as he shot up after her. As he caught up with her at the front of the music department, he was met with the sight of her and a few other musicians desperately trying to separate a strange woman from Susie, who was flinging every insult imaginable at her through a barrage of angry tears.