You're the Best Man
Ten.
Jack tightened his jacket around his body and then raised his arm to the sky. Jerry shivered nearby, his sprained foot still secured in a boot. Despite the harsh weather, Jack smiled. His throat was scratchy and rough, but he was beyond elated. He never thought he'd see Kong Fu Lightning again. The concert reawakened the fan in him. His heart hammered in his chest from the rush of the concert. He remembered Izzy's vocals clearly in his head. He couldn't stop smiling.
"I can't believe he remembered us."
Jack looked to Jerry and chuckled. "We were his bodyguards at one point."
Jerry nodded, arms tightened around himself as the wind brushed past. In the distance, a taxi approached. They pushed into the cab, pleased by the heater that greeted them. Jack removed his gloves and blew at his hands, fingers still cold from the outdoors. He gave the taxi the address of the hotel and they continued their conversation as they made the long trek back.
Jerry rocked back and forth, eyes wide. "I can't believe we almost missed that, Jack. Do you realize we almost didn't come? Like we actually thought about not coming up here."
Jack nodded. Adrenaline rushed through his very veins. On their way up to the room, his excitement failed to fade. He took one look at his guitar in the corner of the room and a smile grew on his face. Jerry noticed his look and gave him a nod. Jack whipped out his guitar and plucked at the strings, the fire from the concert still in his heart. Jerry broke out into butchered vocals of Surfing the Lightning as they jammed. One knock from an angered guest, helped lower their voices.
"How about room service?" Jack asked.
Jerry nodded, shuffling to the sound of the nonexistent music. Jack called up for burgers and fries. He laughed as Jerry wobbled around the hotel room, trying his best to dance with a sprain. They ate burgers, fries, and drank sodas as a familiar karate film appeared on screen. Jack glanced at Jerry who smirked. Both rushed for the remote, but Jerry was victorious.
Jerry shook the remote in his hand. "Why are you so freaked out now? I thought you were proud of your movie?"
Jack was proud of his movie, but like any sane person he was worried about his performance. As the movie progressed, he was brought from his silent judgement by Jerry's poor reenactment of Jack's scenes. He crossed his arms and continued to watch Jerry speak his lines with a familiarity known to only a true fan.
"I may not be like the other guys, but that doesn't matter. I have the heart and the will. I'm going to survive this competition, but I can only do that with you by my side," Jerry recited.
Jack raised his brows at Jerry.
"I may have watched the movie twice," Jerry commented.
Jack tilted his head, a smile on his lips.
"Okay, sue me, four times. I couldn't help it. The movie was so good. I can't believe I almost ruined my movie experience by being mad at you while watching it."
Jack snorted. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was fun."
"So you really aren't going back to the big screen?"
Jack watched as his character rushed from a horde of wild beasts. "No, left that life behind a while back. I like this part of my life much better."
"Right, of course. Hey, do you still have your co-star's digits?" Jerry questioned. "The cute one who played your troubled and indecisive love interest?"
"Lydia Campbell?" Jack questioned. "Jerry, I'm not going to give you her number."
Jerry frowned but then nodded. "Understandable."
"Let's get some sleep," he stated, eyes on the credits of the movie. "We have to be at the bus station early. We then have a long drive to Seaford."
Jerry nodded, arms resting behind his head. "Right, back to our regular lives. You go back to the life of a business man and I'll return to the dance studio."
Jack pondered the statement, a sadness in his heart. It was odd to think about. They had just finally gotten somewhere and soon there would be distance between them again. He headed toward the bathroom to get ready for bed. After his trip to the bathroom, he began to talk.
"Hey, Jer. Are you still thinking of staying out of state? I mean I guess you have that studio job and –"
Jack paused at the sound of snoring and took a look at his sleeping friend. He pushed the comforters of his own bed up and slid into bed.
A smile graced his lips as he slept. "Night, Jerry."
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When the morning came, they were packed and ready for the journey back to Seaford. At the desk, Jack pretended not to have a heart attack when he saw the bill. Maybe room service wasn't such a wise idea, but he paid without concern. He ignored Jerry's looks. He may struggle with his business, but from the recent numbers, it was clear his store's business was finally taking off for good.
"It is nice that the breakfast is free."
"It would be nice if you chewed with your mouth closed, Jerry."
Jerry smirked and then opened his mouth wider. Clumps of chewed food rested in his mouth. Jack narrowed his eyes at the shorter man and then returned to the view out the bus window. They carried their breakfast to go. Jack planned to return to work on a Tuesday, so it was important they got into California on a Monday.
"How is the Kim song going?"
Jack snapped from his thoughts and glanced at the other. The bus rejoined the other cars on the highway. New York would be far behind them in a couple of hours. He looked to his backpack and groaned. He hadn't looked at the notebook in a while. He ran his hand over his face, stressed.
"Hey man don't worry. We have a long drive. I can help, if you want," Jerry said.
Jack nodded, retrieving the red notebook from his bag. They both turned their attention to the notebook as New York faded in the distance.
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"So you mean to tell me you could have killed each other, but you didn't?" Rudy asked.
Jack snorted at the question directed at them. He glanced at Kim and noticed a bright smile on her face. He threw his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. One week was too long for them to be apart. For a second, he remembered the time she was away in Japan. In both situations, he had longed to see her again.
"Honestly, I never imagined you two would hold such a long grudge," Rudy remarked, between sips of his beverage. "All I could think was, make up already. It was really ridiculous."
"I'm sorry we inconvenienced you," Jack shared, eyes narrowed.
"Apology accepted."
Jerry choked from laughter. He slammed a fist to the table, nearly sending his drink to the ground. Milton shook his head, but smiled all the same. Jack surveyed the jovial scene before him and smiled. He watched the familiar back and forth. He could almost imagine themselves back in the dojo. Times hadn't really changed so much amongst them. The others smiled just as bright as they did in their high school years.
"So Kim, have you unlocked your inner bridezilla yet?" Jerry questioned. "I don't know why, but I feel like you would be terrible."
Jack laughed.
"What? I'm nothing but pleasant. I've been calm and level headed during the entire experience."
Jerry looked to him, brows raised in questioned. Jack shook his head in disagreement. Kim threw a punch at his right shoulder.
"Sorry, Kim, at the food tasting you were upset that I only could remember the mashed potatoes. And you nearly leveled me when I said I thought Phil was catering."
Kim shook her head. "No I didn't. I knew you were joking when you said Phil's."
"I hear you almost made Taylor cry when she suggested you wear a Gi at the reception," Milton pointed out.
"I love karate as much as the next girl, but Taylor should know that I wanted my wedding to be –well, a wedding. No one will wear a Gi."
Jerry nodded, brows furrowed. "No way! I was going to bring my Gi and everything. At least let me wear my black belt."
Kim glared. "You are child, Jerry Martinez."
Jerry reclined, hands behind his head. "Guilty as charged."
Kim's hand covered his own as he shared a laugh with Jerry. A sparkle settled within her eyes as she looked to him. He made eye contact with her, a smile on his lips. He noticed the stillness of their companions and rolled his eyes at the looks on his friends' faces.
"Don't mind us," Jerry gestured at himself. "Just basking in the cheesiness of you two."
"Hey, tease all you want. I'm about to get married and you are –forever alone?" Jack asked.
Jerry frowned at the statement, but smiled seconds later. Milton remained displeased not as appreciative of the comment. Jack laughed at his friends expressions. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he enjoyed teasing his friends.
Rudy snorted and shoved Milton. "Lighten up, Milton. There is a nerdy girl out there for you somewhere. Just have to keep searching."
"How dare you? I can date whomever I please. Nerd or not."
The others broke out into uncontrolled laughter. Milton shook his head, but joined the joyous moment.
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Jack said farewell to the others. He watched Jerry get into Milton's car and Rudy disappear in his own car. He walked across the parking lot with Kim, shoulders relaxed and a carefree grin on. He opened the passenger's side of his car and waited for Kim to enter. The drive back was quiet as the scenery passed by.
"Jack, I'm really happy for you, you know?" Kim stated.
"Happy about what?"
She shook her head, amused. "That you and Jerry are friends again."
"We are?"
"Don't joke. I'm being serious. I was worried. I mean – really worried. We are getting married. I know I keep saying that but it wouldn't have settled well in my stomach if Jerry didn't come."
Jack shook his head and then eyed her. "It isn't like you would have kept him away. You two were still friends no matter how much I wished you hadn't been. I pretended you weren't talking with him on the phone so many times that I began to believe it."
"Jack," Kim called out.
Jack turned to her at the stoplight, intrigued by the serious tone in her voice. Her features hardened, and she rested her hand upon his.
"I wouldn't have wanted to put you in an uncomfortable situation. If both you and Jerry were still on bad terms, then I wouldn't have invited him. I doubt he would have come even to appease my feelings."
"I doubt it. Jerry would have come. He would have."
Kim rested her head against the headrest, eyes focused on the road ahead. "The light is green."
Jack turned his attention back to the front, no longer distracted by Kim's stunning smiling. Kim was tired, so he continued on the road to her place. On the path to her complex, he rested his hand upon her shoulder. Once they arrived at her place, he ran his right hand through her hair and settled on her neck. Bright eyes stared into his soul as she tilted her head up. He met her halfway, her lips soft against his. He pulled away, a grin on his lips.
"I love you."
"I love you too," Kim stated, breathless. "I need to get inside. I am covering someone's early morning shift so I'll need to get some rest, but we'll talk later?"
"I'll call from work."
A bright smile stretched across Kim's lips before she exited the car. Jack opened his own door and walked over to where Kim stood. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as they strolled beneath the dark, night sky. He wanted to walk her to her apartment door, but she insisted she was fine. He pulled her into a hug and they broke apart minutes later. He watched her disappear into the main entrance of the apartment. After she disappeared, he turned on his heel and headed to his car.
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Hey Everyone! Here is another chapter! Hope you enjoyed it.
Special thanks to reviewer:
Maddyliza1234, thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Yes, I didn't write out the reunion with the band, but you can imagine it was funny. You love my stories? Wow, thanks. I'm glad you find them fun to read. I do the best I can. You are too kind. Thanks for the support.
Well, we are coming in on the very final chapter. Get excited for the last chapter. Many of you were probably wondering about somethings. Let's just say you may find it in the final chapter.
The next chapter is 10% (estimated) of the way day. I'm happy to say the update shouldn't take too long.
I want to thank everyone for their continued support of this story. It means the world to me. Thanks to those reading, reviewing, following and leaving favorites. You all are truly gems! Thanks.
Until Next Chapter,
Bye.