DIRTY LAUNDRY

19

You keep me alive, on the edge of tonight, chasing tomorrow •

Couple of days passed by fine, me and Jack focused more on studying for exams and turning in our assignments. We haven't heard from Andie but we did have lunch with Lisa. Talking about what Andie did, she was disgusted just as much as we were. Other than that, we went to play some football with the guys and Jack had dinner with his father. I was shaking, hoping he wouldn't make a fuss about us.

"So? What did he say?" I asked Jack as I was sitting on his bed, drinking hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.

"Nothing much." Jack munched on marshmallows. "He apologized for Andie and said if there's anything he can do from a legal standpoint, I should just let him know."

"Did he mention anything about you and me?" I was curious. Of course I wanted to know everything.

"He said he still doesn't agree with what I'm doing. I don't know what to think anymore, he was avoiding the subject so I didn't want to push it. Maybe some other time." He explained.

"Yeah, that's up to you, no need to rush." I grinned and slid under the covers. He stepped closer to the bed and just stood there with the goofiest face ever. I signaled him to jump in the bed.

"God, all this drama is draining the life out of me, I'm so tired all the time." I yawned. He cuddled up to me, putting his hand over me.

"You know, I can't wait until you meet my sister. I think you two are gonna hit it off instantly." He said, pressing a small kiss on my cheek.

"You think so?" I asked and he just nodded. "Well, I'm definitely less nervous than I was when we were meeting your mom for lunch. Jeez, that was intense." I chuckled.

"Yeah, but she called you my boyfriend, it was cute." He replied. "Did you think about that little suggestion, you know... being my plus one?"

"Oh. Well, if your sister likes me and your father won't flip out, I'd love to." I said. "I've never been at a wedding before."

"In that case, May will love you, I know it. And about my dad, forget him. He won't make a scene, it would ruin May. It's her special day and he spent way too much money to play with fire when he really doesn't need to." He tried to convince me. The fact was, I didn't care about his father not liking me all that much; his mom likes me and that's more important to me. I just don't want for Jack to have any more additional problems with his dad. I know how important a father and son relationship is and since my mom was playing the role of both my parents, I didn't want to jeopardize anything for Jack.
My dad left us when I was little. I do remember him but mostly it's a blur. I never cared to meet him, I rarely even wondered what he's like and where he is now. But with Jack it's different. Yes his dad is strict and traditional and yes he might not accept him with open arms right away, but I know he cares for him and I'm not planning on taking it away.

"I just don't want to cause problems, you..." I said.

"No, Alex, please. I know my father better than you think, just trust me on this one. And relax..." He cut me off. "It's not like we're gonna be all lovey dovey in front of him. It's my sister's wedding and since my date, I didn't want to bring in the first place, wanted to ruin my life, I'm bringing you. You're my plus one, always."

"But they don't need to know that just yet." I added.

"Yes princess, it's not our wedding yet." He joked.

"Yet, huh? So since your mom thinks of me as your boyfriend, is it really happening?" I tried to break into it.

"Would you really think I'd sleep with you otherwise?" He smiled and looked into my eyes. "Alex, would you be my boyfriend?" He asked, half serious look on his face.

My eyes probably lit up like fireworks. I've never been asked that question before and Jack being as special as he is, made me the happiest so far.
I nodded proudly. "Yes."

Of course I called mom later and told her all about it. She was almost as excited as I was, squeaking into the mic, but I didn't mind it at all. I was glad to have her, someone to share my happiness with.

🌹

"There they are." Jack spotted his mom and sister, already seated at a table for four, waiting for us. We were escorted there by the waiter.

"Hello ladies." Jack smiled as both of them got up to hug him.

"Look at you, holy shit, you're so grown up!" May said when she hugged him. Then she looked at me and smiled widely. "And this must be Alex."

"Yes, hi!" I sincerely smiled as all my fears and nervousness went away. May looked lovely, immediately walking up to me, offering me a hand. I shook it.

"I'm May, it's so nice to meet you." She said.

"Nice to meet you too, you look very nice." I complimented her and turned to their mother when she pulled away from a hug she gave me. "As do you, as always."

She giggled and put her arm over my shoulders. "See this, he's like the third son I never had." She chuckled. So did Jack and May. I must admit I've had a much different first impression when I met their mother; she seemed so strict and stuck up, now I see it's not even close to what I thought.

I only smiled and then we took a seat and ordered.

"I can't believe dad pulled that shit on you, I'm gonna talk to him." May said after taking a sip of champagne. "He sooo went overboard. I understand that such situations may not be easy for a parent, but it's really not that big of a deal anymore, it's 2017, hello?"

Jack was right, me and May clicked in a second. She was sassy yet classy and her personality is just rare; one in a million.
"Please do. I don't care about what he has to say, there's nothing he can do about it anyway." Jack added, looking at me. "I'm set." He smiled.

"Aww, you guys are so cute! Thank god you dumped that trash bag you used to date." She meant Andie. Me, Jack and his mom all got a disgusted look on our faces, then he explained what happened and how she tried to blackmail him into staying with her.

"What? Jesus christ, why hasn't anybody told me all this earlier? I could've whooped her stupid ass." She said. "I can't say I'm surprised though, I always had a bad feeling about her."

"Yeah, me too." I added. "Thankfully your mom completely bossed her out and now it's over."

"Way to go mom." May cheered.

"Yeah, you have no idea how happy I was to have her there." Jack replied. "She saved me."

The dinner went great and I was honored that Jack introduced me to his sister. I felt accepted and a part of something real. It's all I wanted; to study something I'm passionate about, to love someone that loves me back and to get along with their family. And likewise. My family adored Jack the moment they met him, it's just what he's like - easy to adore.