ғᴏᴏᴛsᴛᴇᴘs | ᴋᴍ ✔︎

Squirrel Incarnate

"When it comes to art, it's important not to hide the madness."
- ATTICUS

The two best friends napped for almost two hours the blonde got ready for dinner with Kelley while Cody would spend the evening with Christen. The youngest Morgan wasn't always fond of the forward, but there was tension between said woman and her blonde best friend and if Cody was anything it was respectful of her best friend's love life and privacy.

Kidding.

"Ready to go?" The squirrel incarnate asks as she grabs her car keys, urging Jack along. The two leave and Cody is alone with Christen.

Cody's brow furrows as she studies the profile of Christen, sure she can see what Jack sees, but her question is –why now? Granted, It's not her only question, she had a literal list of queries for the older woman, mainly ones that Jack herself has refused to answer. And if her aunt Jeri has taught her anything, it's to pester someone until she gets her answer.

Also the ninja skills that fool no one, but Cody didn't have the heart to tell her childish relative that. She wanted to prolong the playfulness of her aunt for as long as possible, since everyone else she knows can be pretty serious and honestly - where's the fun in that?

"Ask what you want to ask, Cody. I can feel you staring at me." Christen turns to face Cody, holding out the bowl of popcorn for her to take some.

Raising a brow, Cody tentatively takes a small handful from the bowl, "What happened between you and Jack?"

"When?"

Cody's jaw drops, "What do you mean when?! How many times has something happened?"

"Nothing ever happened," Christen chuckles but the light-heartedness and happiness of the action doesn't reach her eyes as she places the bowl on the coffee table, turning in her place, facing her body in Cody's direction, giving the younger girl her full attention. "Before she moved to Texas, she lived with me. Things with Kelley and her got pretty bad, it started to strain their entire relationship, so I offered her a place."

"And?"

"And," Christen sighs, "I was there for her. I was a shoulder for her to cry on when she would wake in the middle of the night and needed someone–"

"But I was–"

"It was the middle of the night, Cody." Christen cuts the younger Morgan off. "She didn't wanna wake you. I don't know why she never told you even after I told her to tell you, so that's something you have to ask her about."

Cody tried to shrug it off, but it hurt that her best friend didn't confide in her when she was going through a rough time. "So that's all it was? Just a shoulder for her to cry on?"

Christen shuffles uncomfortably in her spot, "This stays between us?"

"Yep."

"It started as comfort, but as time went on feelings got involved. Honestly between the stuff with Kelley and...whatever was happening between us, I think she moved to Texas just to escape."

"Sounds like my best friend." Cody muttered, placing a hand on Christen's knee. "So you like Jack?"

Christen looks at the grin on Cody's face, "Shut up."

"What? I didn't say anything."

"No, but that smile speaks a million words."

———

Kelley and Jack settled into a peaceful conversation as they finished dinner, taking their time to finish their drinks, non-alcoholic of course.

"I'm glad we're okay again," Kelley announces almost out of nowhere.

"Same," Jack mumbles. She was truly happy again with Kelley, she didn't need the crazy lady to sign on as her guardian to think of her as family. Still, that doesn't mean that the entire situation didn't hurt.

Kelley doesn't miss the grimace on the young woman's face, the face of someone she considers her child, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Jack waves off, "Can we just talk about something else? Anything else?"

Carter regrets asking as she sees the mischievous smirk on O'Hara's face, knowing she's walked into a shitshow.

"Sure, lets talk about Christen."

"No."

"Rachel?"

"I'd rather not," Jack mumbles.

"Why not?" Kelley asks as she sip on her water. She of course already knew the answer.

"I know you know," Jack starts, earning a small nod from Kelley, "But...I feel like if I talk about it then...I'll make it real."

Kelley took Jack's hand, refusing to give her a look of pity, instead using a tone of determination, "It's real, Jack. Ignoring it won't change that."

"I'm just tired."

"Of what?"

Jack sighed, "Getting hurt. I miss being that wild kid before everything went to shit. Before being committed. Then it was Ellie, Cody, now Rachel. I just want something stable, or nothing at all."

"I know it's difficult, but that doesn't mean you give up." Kelley rubs her thumb across Jack's knuckles. "I don't know about Ellie, but Cody is still a huge part of your life, and Rachel wants to try, that has to count for something. You have to figure out if you're really wanting to try with her, or if you're just pretending so it's not real."

"I don't want to hurt her." Jack frowns, taking her hand from Kelley and placing it on her lap.

"Do you love her?" Kelley asks.

She shouldn't have to but Jack thinks about it. She cared deeply for the Englishwoman, she couldn't deny that. But when she thought of love it was someone else that came to mind.

"I-I don't know."

Kelley couldn't suppress the sympathetic look on her face this time, already knowing the answer was no, "Well, you should figure everything out before you see her. Be kind, Jack. I don't care who you love, what you do, I just want you to be kind."

"What about you?" Jack asked. Noticing the confusion on Kelley's face, Jack continued, "Anyone new catching your eye? Cause I know you've not been in contact with my mom, which to be honest is weird."

"Talking about this with you is weird."

"So that's a yes." Jack smirked. "Anyone I know?"

Kelley glared at the smirk on her daughter's face, "Just a Canadian."

The two stood from the table, Kelley paying for dinner, before heading back to O'Hara's. There they found Cody and Christen in the kitchen getting drinks - Christen a glass of red wine while Cody, ever the teetotaler, had Sprite.

"Hey good-looking," Kelley announces to no one in particular, but receives greetings from both Chris and Cody. "Wow, conceited much? I was clearly talking to my reflection."

"Wow, conceited much?" Cody mocks, smiling at the playful glare Kelley throws at her as the four walk to the living room where Netflix it pulled up on the screen.

"Thanks for letting us stay here though."

"Anytime," Kelley pats Cody on the head, before scrolling through the selections. "Besides, my best friend would kill me if I made her daughter stay in a hotel. What time tomorrow are you guys leaving?"

Cody looks at Jack, who is sneaking glances at Christen and Christen who is solely focused on the TV. Cody chuckles, "Before noon."

"That's too early," Christen mumbles and the other three look at her questioningly. Press's eyes widen when she notices the others heard her, "I just mean--"

"That it's too early?" Cody asks, trying to help the flustered woman out.

"Mhmm," Chris hums, mouthing a 'thank-you' to Cody, who nods in return.

It was one of the weirdest visit's Cody has had at Kelley's, which is saying a lot, but she was happy with the result. Kelley and Jack seemed on good terms, and the fact that Cody got to see it, well, that just helped her believe it. She also got to know Christen better. As for her best friend, well Cody knew Jack had a big few days ahead of her, but she would be there every step of the way.

Although she had a feeling that Jack wasn't excited about heading back to Texas so soon, Cody was. Christen helped her plan out some ideas for dates with Kristie, and it was definitely reassuring, considering Jack was busy and if she asked her mom then Jeri would know, and probably beat her to Texas just to intimidate Mewis.