𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞 (Broken Red Crest Trilogy#1)

Jack

Jack

I sit on floor, leaning against the bed, absentmindedly playing with a string on my jacket. Sam sits on the couch with his arms crossed. "She said yes! I knew she liked you."

"And I really like her." I sigh and lean my head back against the bed, almost smiling, and I know he's going to tease me.

"You're whipped...already. You haven't even gone on an actual date with her and you're already smiling like a goof."

"I'm not even smiling." I say, when in fact I'm fighting one right now. I'm going to smack that smirk off his face.

"I bet you wanna give her a big kiss, don't you?" He says and I'm going to strangle him I swear. I kick his leg and he jumps back.

"How dare you?!" He crosses his arms and looks away like I just did the worse thing in the world to him.

"Oh get over it you big baby." I say slightly amused at him. He's an idiot but the funniest guy I know.

"You just broke my heart." He sniffles dramatically and drops his head in the couch cushions.

"You'll survive, people do it every day." I kick his leg again and he lunges at me, putting me in a head lock.

"Fine truce." I hold my hands up but flip him on his back. He groans.

"You win," He says and I help him back up. I nod my head. "Yeah that's what I thought.

                                 ♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

"Please dad. Don't hit me, again. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drop your cup. Please dad. Please."

"You're so stupid Jack. It's not that hard! I wish I had a better son than you!"

He raises his hand.

I wake up in a cold sweat, it's 3 a.m, and now I'm wide awake. Who would've know life would be this hard? I sure didn't.

My dad would slap, punch, and kick me. He was an oil field worker so he wore work boots. It hurt the most when he kicked me with those on. I used to get made fun of because I always wore black, baggy clothes. I only wore those to keep the bruises hidden.

Today's the day. I've never been so excited for something in my life. It's two in the afternoon at the moment, and I have to head to the garden and set up.

Sam wanted to help but I told him no because I wanted to make this special for her, and I wanted to be the one to do it. Does that sound selfish? There's a garden I go to a lot. It's where I go to think about everything.

It's a warm afternoon, perfect for our date. I can think of the numerous things I want to ask her.

What's your favorite romance trope?
Wait I can't ask her that because she doesn't know I read romance books.
Do you like The Flash?
Just for James.
What happened between you and Brad?
I'm tentative about that one.
What's your favorite animal?
Simple but you can be surprised.

I walk inside the gate. Moonflowers everywhere.  The sycamore tree is my spot. I set a blanket down, candles sitting at each corner. I hang lights all around the tree branches. It was a struggle, but I did it. I pick some of the moonflowers and tie them in the lights.
                         
I have a text from Cara.

Cara: Hey, Jack. For clothing would I need to wear a dress or pants?

Jack: It's really your choice. I wouldn't want to tell you what to wear. But maybe pants where we're going, we'll have to sit down.

Cara: Okay! Sounds good.

I walk into my room stressing. This is my first date and with Cara, so I'm freaking out.

"Hey, son. Need some help finding something for your date?" My grandpa says walking in, James following after him.

"Please. I want to look good for her." I say as A widen grin is plastered on his face.

"Do you think she'll look real pretty, Jack?" James asks me.

"When does she not look pretty?" I say causing him to giggle.

"You really like this girl, kid?" My grandpa looks at me.

"You don't remember her? It's Cara."

"Oh, Cara. Sweet girl," He remembers. "Where you taking her?"

"I set up a picnic in the garden."

"Your special spot? That's nice, Jack." He says fondly.

"What about this?" I pull out a black button up long sleeve, with some jeans.

"Perfect."

                                ♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

It's six fifty when I arrive to Cara's house. I'm starting to freak out, my hands are clammy and my heart is racing. I take a deep breath, grab the moonflower bouquet I made, and make my way to the door.

When Cara opens the door I'm completely and absolutely dumbfounded.

She has her hair cut to her shoulders, her glasses showcasing her baby brown eyes perfectly, her smile more beautiful than ever.

She's wearing blue jeans that flare out at the bottom, Mary Jane's, and a red button up blouse.

"Come on in, Jack."

"You...look beautiful by the way." I say and she blushes looking down.

"Thank you. You clean up nicely as well, Jack."

I shake both her parents hands before introducing myself, "Good evening, my name is Jack Harris. It's very nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well, Jack." Her mother says.

Two little kids run in, laughing like crazy. "Jack, this is Laney and Cam. They're twins."

"She calls us her twin cupcakes." The little girl Laney giggles. Cam looks at me seriously.

"Hi, you must be Cam." I smile reaching down to shake his small hand.

"Who are you?" He asks, a cute stern look on his face. A protective baby brother.

"I'm Jack, nice to meet you."

"What do you think of sharks?" He asks me.

Their father cuts in, "All three of our kids love sharks. Cara loving them the most." That makes me smile.

One question of the list.

"They're pretty amazing. I like the whale shark."

"I love whale sharks!" He exclaims, grinning ear to ear.

"Me too!" Laney jumps up and down.

"Actually you're all wrong. The great white is the best." Cara laughs loudly and utterly captivatingly.

I melt into the ground. I love that she's good with kids.

"Nope!" Laney and Cam say in unison.

"You little brats. But I think it's time Jack and I leave." She teasingly smiles. They both pout.

"Can we go on your date, too?" Laney asks with a mischievously innocent expression.

"No." Cara says with a huffed laugh and drags me out the door.

Authors note:
NOT EDITED KEEP RUDE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF, please."