rumours // jack maynard

three

It's been two days since I've talked to Jack. He still hasn't told me his side of the story, but I'm not too worried about it. Scarlet and Joe still don't know I've crossed paths with him yet and I don't really plan on telling them either. Deciding to walk to work today because it was such a nice day out. Walking into the cafe I see Joe and Scarlet standing behind the counter with smiles on their faces. "Wow Scarlet smiling. That's a new one" I say making her roll her eyes. Laughing I walk into the back and punch in thinking about how for once I will need to keep a secret from Scarlet, one of the two people who have made my life in London good so far. Sighing I hang up my purse and walk back out to join the two.

"How's my lil Kasey doing today?" Joe asks giving me a hug. I hug him back loving how he knows somethings up without me even having to tell him.

"I've been better" I say once we let go. He looks at me silently telling me we need to talk later.

"Homesick again?" Scarlet asks and I peel my eyes away from Joe to look at her. Scarlet and I have had our days where we butt heads and would love to just slap one another in the face, but lying to her still kills me.

"Uh yeah. Woke up this morning and just missed home" I lie hoping she takes it. She nods before going back to work not really caring since it's became a weekly thing for me. Joe sets his hand on my arm making me look at him.

"Just look up at the stars" Joe chuckles making me laugh.

"I'll try." As the day goes on I continue thinking about how I lied to Scarlet. Even though we aren't that close of friends I hate lying to people. Joe on the other hand I don't know how he will react once I tell him how I've talked to Jack. Flipping the sign at the end of the night I sigh in relief knowing I can go home now.

"So my house or yours?" Joe asks walking up next to me as we look out the window.

"Mine, but you'll have to drive me because I walked today" I say watching the cars whiz by once again.

"Is this a nightly thing whenever we work now? Just watch the cars go by?"

"Must be" I chuckle looking over at Joe. "Let's go." We both punch out and say goodbye to Scarlet before getting into Joe's car and driving over to my house. Unlocking the door I walk in go into the kitchen to find something to eat.

"Now tell me. What's wrong? We both know it's not homesickness" Joe says sitting down at the island. I pull out some chicken and broccoli then make my way to the stove taking out two pans as well.

"You remember when Scarlet and you told me about Jack Maynard" I pause placing the two things in the pans and turn the heat up. Leaning against the counter I look at Joe and he gives me a look telling me to continue. "Well the next morning coming back from your's and Caspar's I walked in and saw Jack sitting outside on my porch." Stopping I look at Joe.

"You're joking right?" He asks surprised.

"No. I started talking to him and asked if I could hear his side of the story. He told me he'll tell me some other time then we continued talking late into the night. Jack is really nice and he doesn't seem like someone that would do that and I know it's wrong because Scarlet is my friend and I shouldn't have lied and -"

"Okay, stop. You're rambling."

"Sorry, but I needed to say that."

"Kasey, I know you've talked to him and have learned he's really nice, but as your best friend I don't want you getting hurt" Joe responds in a calming tone.

"What are you trying to say? You don't want me to talk to him because of what he was convicted of?" I ask getting angry.

"I'm not saying you can't speak with him because that's your choice. I'm just telling you don't trust every stranger you meet."

"I trust you and you were a stranger. Why is he any different?" I ask raising my voice more. Joe doesn't say anything and just sits there staring at the ground. "It's because he was convicted of a crime, isn't it?" Hearing a knock on the door I walk over to get it leaving Joe in the kitchen by himself. Opening the door I see Jack standing there with a smile on his face. "It's a bad time" I say quietly not looking him in the eye.

"No I was just leaving" Joe says behind me. I turn around to see him staring down Jack. He begins walking towards the door when I lay my hand on his chest.

"I'll leave you two to talk. Bye" Jack says walking away. I close the door and Joe softens a little looking me in the eyes. I let go dropping my hand to my side not breaking eye contact.

"What the hell was that about?"

"Sorry. I just can't stand being around him anymore. It wasn't your fault. You had a right to get angry at me" Joe answers making me confused.

"Anymore?"

"Yeah uh we used to be friends. After the news went around I started looking at him like everyone else and stopped talking to him." I bring Joe into a hug and he wraps his arms around my waist squeezing lightly. "Thank you." Letting go we walk back into the kitchen and I grab two plates placing some food on both then handing one to Joe.

"Would you ever consider talking to him again? Hearing his side of the story?" I ask once sat down next to Joe. He takes a bite of chicken and looks straight ahead thinking about his answer.

"I mean I'm not sure if I would 100 percent believe him if he told me his side. Also, where the hell would I start? It not like I can just knock on his door and be like oh sorry for not talking to you for over a year." I nod understanding where he's coming from.

"Can I ask you what happened yesterday morning? Why were you so down?"

"My mother reached out to me" Joe answer playing with his food.

"What'd she say?"

"She wanted to tell me she finally came to terms with me being gay and wanted to talk to me since it's been a while" Joe says looking me in the eyes.

"Are you going to?"

"I think so. She told me to bring Caspar also."

"Well that's good. I'm happy for you" I say giving him another hug.