affair II ; jack gilinsky

eight

earlier, kendall texted me saying that she was holding a small get-together at her place.

even though i debated that i'd rather just stay in with jack, she insisted and said that i should bring him along too.

"so, who else is coming to this?" jack asked, as we stepped out of the car and he pressed the car key button to lock it.

"theo, ryan, nova (promo to natemaloley's book 'roommates') and two other people that you haven't met".

"what about max?".

"uh, i don't know, kendall never mentioned him" i quickly brushed off, pressing the doorbell and waiting for an answer.

the door eventually opened and kendall greeted us with a smile, "hey! you both made it" she said, stepping aside to let us in.

"only because you're a very persuasive person" i corrected with a laugh.

i handed her the bottle of wine that we brought and she gestured for us both to go into the living room, where everyone was having various conversations and drinking.

"so, where's theo?" i sat down on the couch and asked kendall before she walked away.

"i'm pretty sure that he's on his way" she told me and as if on cue, the doorbell rang.

"hey guys" i heard kendall say at the door, and she didn't even have to go any further for me to already guess who theo bought along with him.

"...i thought you weren't coming?" she questioned.

"i wasn't but then again, i wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun" max's voice echoed in my ears.

great.

theo came into the living room saying a quick hi to everyone, then max walked out from behind him, doing the same but leaving me until last.

"hey" he said with a small wave.

i vaguely smiled up at him, then turned back to talk jack and my friends.

i didn't mean to be harsh, but i haven't spoken to max since last night.

he's tried to text me a few times, but i just feel so uncomfortable since then that i barely even remember how to act around him.

throughout the rest of the night, i could every now and then feel max's eyes piercing at me from across the room.

we were all trying to listen to the crazy story that theo was partially telling and reenacting for us, but max's staring was completely throwing me off.

jack suddenly squeezed my thigh lightly, "hey, are you okay? you seem really tense?" he whispered and i briefly glanced at max.

"no, i'm good" i nodded.

"are you sure?".

"yeah, why wouldn't i be?" i told and flashed jack a quick grin, before pecking his lips.

+

as everyone continued to drink, eat and enjoy themselves, i was doing the same except for times when mine and max's eyes would diverted to one another.