𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞, gilinsky

Eleven

Casey

"Alright, I'm going to be sitting right there. If you want to leave, just text me." Jeffrey said as I nodded, walking over to an empty booth a bit further, waiting for Jack to arrive.

As soon as I noticed Jack walking in, my heart started beating faster. I hadn't seen him since that day I walked out and it was like I was kind of scared of him right now. It was as if he was a different person. A stranger.

"Hey," Jack sat down across from me, his voice sounded quite tired. Almost as if he had just woken up. "How are you?" He asked, hoping I'd respond, but instead I shrugged and took a sip from my smoothie.

"I don't expect you to talk, but please, hear me out. I never wanted to hurt you, okay. I don't know what had gotten into me and there's no excuse that'll make up for what I did, but I can't lose you." Jack spoke desperately, trying to get some eye-contact, but I did everything to avoid his eyes.

"What kind of explanation is that? Why don't you start with explaining why you stay out all day & night and then come home only to take out your anger on me?" I started speaking, yet I tried to stay calm. Jack sighed as he looked down for a moment.

"I'm afraid I'm going to lose you if I tell you what I got myself into." Jack admitted, his face softening. I was expecting the worst right now, but yet I tried to keep my cool.

"It's not like you're not going to lose me if you lie to me." I responded, Jack letting out a sigh. "You're right. I'll tell you, but I hope you think twice before leaving me." Jack warned me. "Spit it out, Jack." I grew impatient with each second ticking by.

"I'm in a gang."

I let the words sink in, since they were the last words I had expected to come out of his mouth.

"I bumped into Shane at a party, he presented me an offer, a couple of days later I lost my job and the first thing I thought of was Shane's offer." Jack explained in details.

"It's an easy and fast way to make money, we need the money, especially with the baby on the way..." He tried to make it all sound positive, but I didn't see a single advantage.

"Are you out of your mind? Do you even realise how dangerous this is. Jack, you could die or land yourself in jail. I don't need illegal money." I started raising my voice, the people around us furrowing their brows at me.

"Casey, I'm doing this for you. For you and the baby. For us-"

"Jack, I don't want to be the reason of your death or a lifetime in jail, alright. Stop blaming me for your stupid decisions." I was about to stand up, but Jack's hand reached for mine, telling me to calm down.

"Listen, Jack, you either quit your gang job or I'm never returning home." I gave him an offer, which I knew he was going to take. He wouldn't just let me walk away, would he?

After a couple seconds of silence and Jack thinking of making the right decision, his mouth finally opened,

"Okay, I'll quit."

Jack looked down, pulling his hand away from mine, "Are you coming home now?" He asked, his eyes still not making contact with my eyes.

"I have to talk to my dad first, but I guess this will give you time to quit your job... If I can even call it a job." I told Jack, standing up and saying goodbye before walking back to Jeffrey, who had just finished a waffle and a banana smoothie.

"Let's go," I spoke up, paying for Jeffrey's food and leaving the small restaurant.

"So?" Jeffrey started speaking, when we left the parking lot. "He promised to change, I believe him." I told Jeffrey, leaving out the part where Jack told me he joined a gang.

"Does this mean you're going back?" He sounded more upset than happy. I thought he wanted Jack and I to make up? "Yeah, why?" I tried to make eye contact with Jeffrey, but he denied.

"I guess this also means I won't see you for another thousand years." Jeffrey mumbled, yet I was able to hear him. I kind of felt bad, since I never really visited them after the wedding. It's just weird since I had no family to visit before.

"I know we haven't known each other since birth, like most siblings, but we're still family... Maybe half." Jeffrey explained, making a point. "I'm sorry, I promise, as soon as things run smoothly again between Jack and I, I'll take you and Ben out for dinner." I promised, watching how a smile appeared on Jeffrey's face.

"Deal."

« okay, this chapter wasn't very interesting & exciting, but if you read the "important note" you should know why. i think i've gained a bit of inspiration, thanks to @brendunwithjohnson & @gabbyxnicole! the rest of the story will be based on their ideas mixed together (which they commented on the important note i posted). »