the one that got away// a jack harlow story

Chapter 3

*at the hospital*

As Jack and I walk in, we're immediately embraced by my mom, as my dad lays in the bed, waking up. "What happened?" I said, as my voice shook. "He had a heart attack, and still not speaking." My mom said, as she took a deep breath. "Jack, it's been so long!" She said, trying to sound excited through the current stressor at hand, as I walked over hugging my dad. "It has, Mrs. Hardin, let's hope that doesn't happen again." Jack replied. What did he mean? "let's hope that doesn't happen again?" Did he want to be together? Or maybe just friends? "Courtney? Court? Hello?" I heard my mom through my thoughts. "What? Oh, sorry. Yeah, it was good. It's a feeling I can't even describe." I said trailing off. "Well I want you kids to go to the house and make yourselves comfortable." My mom said suddenly. Would Jack stay with me? We hadn't even talked about it yet, again with the overthinking. "You sure Mom? I'm here for moral support for you as well." I say, trying to sound as supportive as possible. "Yes, honey. Head home and settle in" She said, as she stood up and hugged Jack and I. "We'll see you later, Mrs. H." Jack said, putting his arm around me as we walked out of the hospital room, and out to the car.

*In the car*

Jack: "So am I.. staying?"
Me: "I'd appreciate it and the support, but I understand if you can't."
Jack: "Let me tell my manager that I wont be back for a while, and we'll be all set."
Me: "Shit, I've been so caught up with all of this, that I haven't told my manager what's going on."
Jack: "Breathe. I will call your manager when I call mine."
Me: "Thank you."

We arrive at my parent's house, and head up to my room, setting our bags down, and sitting on the bed. It's so surreal being back here like this, and with Jack. I haven't slept in this bed, since him and I were together. This past 24 hours has been a whirlwind, and I don't even know what Jack and I are.

Jack: "Hey."
Me: "huh? oh" I say laughing shyly
Jack: "You've had this look about you since the airport, what's going on?"
Me: "It's nothing."
Jack: "No, tell me, let's talk about it."
Me: "Well I don't want to bring it up with everything going on, but it's also been eating me up inside and since you asked I feel like, now is the time. Since we've seen each other, we've been inseperable, and although that may be due to recent events, I also need to know, what we are or what you want, so I'm not led on, or you're not, and so we can both be at ease and take our time, however fast or slow that might be." I say as the word vomit spews out."
Jack: "Woahh Court, relax. I'm not going to lead you on and that is not my intentions. I love you, I have since we were 14 and only best friends, but you've also got alot going on, so I think it's best to take our time for now. But you're mine, girl. You always have been." He said, as he got up, kissed my foread and exited the room.

At least now I know.