Pain and Love Comes in Many Forms

Chapter Twenty Two

That unsettling feeling didn't go away.

It creeped up my spine and plagued my thoughts.

But I trusted Jack.

He'd tell me when he's ready.

He would.

God, I hope he does.

Well, it was about three months of filming before he voiced his complaints.

"Winter is... she's not pressuring you into anything, is she?"

"No, why do you ask?"

"It's just that..," he sighed, "I talked to her about what happened, my regrets, my fears, my depression, everything. She was really supportive."

"Then wh-"

"When I confessed we started going out, she was ecstatic, but when things happened out of our control, she blamed me, and she started threatening me and so I cut ties."

I raised a brow, "really?"

"I wish it wasn't true."

"Jeez." I muttered.

He sighed a bit, "Yeah. My family ties aren't as strong as they used to be. My family, besides me sister isn't really keen on me dating a guy."

"They seem like the last group of people to be homophobic."

"I thought so too," he admitted, "but when I went to them, having met you again, and I confessed that I planned to go out with you, they dumped their drinks on me, spat on me, and asked me to leave."

I frowned, "I never realized."

"It's my fault. Karma had to bite me in the ass somehow."

"I already told you, what happened wasn't your fault."

"I know! I just get angry sometimes. Angry at my past self, all the shitty things I did."

"Hey," I whisper softly, "we all make mistakes."

He huffed, "I made the worst mistake in my life back then. I wish I held you close, loved you back then."

"Well, were stronger now." I say lovingly, kissing his lips, briefly. "Did they catch the guy yet?" I ask, changing the subject.

"No," he said, shaking his head, "he's still on the loose. No one knows who he is or where he is."

I grunt, "that guy deserves all the karma coming to him."

"Agreed."

I lean into Jack, "how's work going?"

"It's going good. We're almost finished and I'll be free for a bit. When do you guys finish filming?"

"Well, not for awhile, but after tomorrow, we have a two month break."

"Shall we go somewhere then? Together? We've been stuck in the same area since we got together, only leaving for work."

"I'm down!" I exclaimed, "where would we go?"

He thought for a moment, "well, I'm not too sure. Though, we have to go to the high school reunion next month first."

"Ugh, That will not be fun. It's been ten years since I was there last."

"Well, i'll protect you."

"And I'll protect you," I laughed out softly.

"We're idiots. That reminds me-"

"Hmmm?"