Same Night

Jackie left her office with Beth and Lucy. She hadn't told them that Hyde would be meeting them out front. She couldn't wait to see Beth's reaction to Hyde wearing the expensive suit he was wearing earlier. She'd probably try to hook up with him herself, not that Jackie would let that happen.

Jackie walked down the foyer towards the front door and saw Hyde standing out front, his hands stuffed in his pockets, looking uncomfortable. Jackie smiled as he watched the door for her exit. When she finally did he smiled at her.

"Hey doll," he greeted when she walked closer.

"Hi."

They kissed quickly before both looking at Beth for her reaction. Her eyes were sliding over Hyde, taking in the suit and tie, both of which screamed money. She finally looked at his face again, obviously trying to place him.

"You're the guy from the bar," she told him.

Hyde nodded then turned back to Jackie. "So where are we going?"

"Um it's this bar down the street. It's called Homer's. It's kind of dive-y but it's okay."

Hyde took her hand then let her guide him away with Lucy and Beth following behind them. Hyde pulled her closer then wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"The look on her face was priceless," Hyde whispered into Jackie's ear.

"I know," she giggled in response. "But you do look awfully sexy in that suit. It'd be hard for anyone to resist."

"You resisted pretty well earlier," he reminded her before nibbling on her earlobe.

"Stop that. I have to at least go for one drink, at least a half hour baby."

"Mm but I don't want to stop."

If Jackie was being honest she didn't want him to stop either but they went out for drinks every Tuesday after work so she couldn't back out now. Jackie tilted her head away as Hyde kissed down her neck.

"Twenty minutes and we can leave."

Jackie felt bad that she'd be ducking out so quickly but she wanted him badly. Hyde must have heard the hesitation in the offer. He pulled his mouth away from her neck.

"We can stay as long as you want doll."

"Thank you."

Jackie leaned farther into him as they walked into the bar. She guided him inside to their normal table. The bar wasn't busy so the table was open. Hyde held back her chair until she sat down.

"What do you want doll?"

"Can you get me a Long Island Iced Tea?"

"Sure thing. Would either of you like anything?" Hyde asked Lucy and Beth.

Jackie was impressed at how gentlemanly he was being. He was opening doors and pulling out chairs.

Lucy and Beth asked for drinks then Hyde left to get them.

"Jackie, he's such a catch," Lucy said.

"He really is great," Jackie gushed.

"So you never told us how you knew him," Lucy said.

"Oh, he's an old friend from home. He was a best friend of an ex and we hung out with the same group when I was fourteen and fifteen. He moved here when he was sixteen for some punk rocker girl and no one had seen or heard from him until I saw him Friday."

"So you spent the weekend screwing your ex's best friend that you hadn't seen in five years?" Beth scoffed.

"Yeah I guess technically but I really like him."

"He seems like a decent guy. Plus did you see his suit?" Lucy added, looking at Beth.

"Here you go," Hyde said as he set down the drinks.

He dropped into a seat next to Jackie then draped his arm over the back of the chair. Jackie could feel Hyde playing with her hair. She scooted closer to him so she could lean against him. He helped her move.

"So Jackie was just telling us how you two knew each other. She didn't give too many details though so dish," Lucy demanded.

Jackie blushed as Hyde smirked down at her.

"She was dating my best friend and tagged along with us everywhere we went. She kind of grew on everyone so she stuck around."

"So she mentioned that you moved to New York for a girl. What happened to her?" Beth asked.

"I realized she wasn't what I wanted."

"How long did you two last anyways?" Jackie questioned.

"Well I mean I guess I lived with her and her friends for like a month but we stopped fooling around after like two weeks."

"Are you kidding me?" Jackie demanded, shifting to look at him. "You left everything behind for two weeks of sex?"

She had assumed that they had lasted at least a few months.

"Kinda," he admitted looking sheepish.

"And you didn't come home? What is wrong with you?"

"I couldn't come home Jacks. I needed to prove to myself that I could do it. Plus I didn't want to look stupid coming home after a week just so everyone could burn me."

"Burn you?" Lucy asked, looking concerned.

Jackie and Hyde ignored her and continued their personal conversation.

"You know no one would have given you crap about that. They'd just be glad you were back."

"That's total bullshit. They never would have let me live that down. 'Hey Hyde, remember that time you ran to New York but came running home after two weeks?' or 'Hey Hyde, it was too bad you couldn't even last a month in New York.'"

Hyde was obviously worked up about the whole thing as he pushed to his feet.

"And don't tell me that wasn't what would've happened cause that's exactly how it would've gone down."

"Okay Steven, maybe it would've been like that at first but after a while they'd've dropped it and forgotten about it."

"Whatever. I don't feel like talking about this anymore," he insisted before walking to the door.

Jackie felt her stomach drop, nervous about what he'd do as he stormed outside. She wanted to follow him but didn't. She couldn't skip out on drinks with the girls. Plus Hyde probably wouldn't want to talk to her.