The Aftermath (Book IV) [NaNoWriMo13] (On Hold)

Chapter Eleven - Explosions

                                                                 Chapter Eleven 

                                                                    Explosions

Jack stood in the foyer for several seconds, clearly startled to see Zach sitting in our living room. I should have guessed that Jack was going to come home early. He never follows a schedule, after all. I just wish I had come up with a reason why Zach was here without getting the chance to explain to Jack about the situation. I could feel the tension thick in the air as Zach and Jack stared at each other, surprised to see the other. My palms were slick with sweat as I nervously glanced between the two. I probably should have said something to make things less tense, but nothing came to mind.

“Hello, Jack,” Zach greeted, to my relief. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could stand the awkwardness.

“Zach,” Jack responded in a bit of a daze.

More silence followed as Jack came further into the room and stood behind the couch. Zach stared down at his tea, which was actually kind of funny because his expression showed how uncomfortable he was.

“How was work?” I suddenly blurted out of desperation.

Jack looked down at me with a strange expression plastered on his face. It was mostly confusion with a mixture of something else. “Fine. I managed to hurry and finish early…”

I licked my lips nervously and tried to keep the mood light. “I’m glad you did. I can cook dinner for us.” I pulled myself up high to give Jack a peck on the lips.

“Sounds good.”

Zach suddenly stood and sat his mug on the coffee table. “Penny probably wants to start dinner soon.” He tore his eyes from Jack and looked at me. “I will see you all at the memorial service.”

I cringed slightly at the reminder. “Tell Penny I said hello.”

“I will. Bye, Cassie!” he called and received a small reply back from the other room.

When he left I couldn’t bring myself to look at Jack. I knew he was staring at me. I also knew that I had to tell everything soon. As in now. “What would you like for dinner?” I rose from the couch and began to make my way towards the kitchen.

Jack’s steps fell into synch with mine. “Preferably an explanation.”

I tried not to show my frustration with him. Did he always have to get so touchy when Zach is around? “Nothing happened. I know that’s what you’re wondering,” I told him flatly.

He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “I was more curious as to why you’re so nervous.”

I began pulling pots out and placing them on the stove. I randomly decided to make spaghetti, so I started filling one of the pots with water. “I had to speak with Zach about something important.”

“Oh?” His tone was sharper. “What’re you hiding?”

I placed the pot onto the stove and began heating it. It wouldn’t be long before I had to add the pasta. “I was hoping we could talk later about this… You know, with some coffee and a warm setting.”

He tilted his head to the side and peered down at me with this suspicious look. I would have been angry that he was acting this way, but I probably would have been the same if he was being so vague. “Enlighten me.”