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Chapter 15 - my little brother doesn't get it

Jess

"I thought the plan was a night in?" Jack asked as the guys and Candice were getting themselves sorted to leave.

"Change of plan. Are you coming?" Jamie looked over at Jack, whose eyes went straight to Jess.

Jess' first arrival into this room full of strangers when Sophie had gone off with Aaron, had felt extremely awkward at first. But, Jack had very quickly made her feel welcome. It felt strange hanging out with him and his friends without Sophie being by her side but it wasn't as awful as she did first imagine.

However, the comfort of conversation and laughter had very quickly changed when the alcohol had been passed around and everyone had decided that staying in no longer felt like a good plan. Part of Jess knew she should have expected it but at the same time, she had been slightly hoping it could have continued the way it was previously going.

"I'd rather stay here unless you want to go?" Jack directed a question at Jess that she had not been expecting.

She had been waiting for him to turn around and suggest that they tag along too due to his party boy reputation. However, he had done the exact opposite and instead shown that he was more than happy to remain here with her.

"No, I'm good here." Jess replied as she was trying to force back the beaming smile that wanted to stretch across her face.

"Count us out then." Jack turned back to Jamie who didn't look too enthusiastic about their decision however, Aaron walking into the kitchen captured his attention.

"Dude what about you? Are you and Soph coming out?"

Pausing by the fridge, he glimpsed over before immediately shaking his head.

"Nah, we're staying in." He replied as he grabbed them both drinks and began to leave once again.

"Are you all fucking kidding me? Lawrence come on, you've gotta come. Don't stay in"

"Not going to happen, dude. Have fun." Jack laughed as the others were hovering by the door ready to leave and Jack sprawled back on the sofa looking beyond pleased with his decision.

Jamie had clearly been hoping they would all make the most of the night but it was clear his friends were not as enthusiastic about it as he was. Instead, they had picked the alternative option of staying in with a girl, which Jamie was seeing as more of a mistake than a sweet gesture.

...

Once everyone had left, the intensity of the situation suddenly hit Jess as she realised with Sophie and Aaron upstairs, it was literally just herself and Jack. It felt weird because even though they had met for coffee earlier that day, it had been so busy that they didn't feel alone. However, now they were and she wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Thank fuck for that." Jack broke the silence, sending a wave of relief through her. "We get some peace from those clowns."

Suddenly Jess felt uncomfortable again as she wasn't quite sure what he meant by that. It could have been totally innocent but with his reputation, it wasn't always easy to tell. She was sure Jack had noticed but her whole body turned ridged as she sat in the most awkward position while trying to figure out what to do with herself.

"Do you want to go outside?"

"Outside?" Jess gasped at the offer and it was clear that his question had just broken all discomfort. "But it's freezing."

Chuckling, Jack stood to his feet before holding his hand out towards her.

"Maybe but we have a fucking amazing garden."