Here another one, thanks for sticking around, hope you're not on Holidays yet, enjoy...
Chapter 37
Weeks kept going by. Brooke had been very busy planning Ilana's wedding. She was enjoying the duty a lot. Both her place and Jack's apartment were full of wedding magazines, fabric and flower samples, business cards and so on. With all the fuss, she had no time to remember asking Jack about his late wife and all the things she wanted to know.
Since her dad's birthday, Jack had been buying her airplane tickets. That way, he made sure she'd come to L.A. every Friday. Brooke, on the other hand, thought that was a very gentile gesture of him. To have him paying for her flights was not an issue for her.
It was Sunday, two weekends before the event. Brooke was sitting on the bed, working with some lists and other stuff for the wedding. She was at the phone with Ilana, who was close to a nervous breakdown and was going through what Brooke called "bride's insanity".
– Ilana, please, I beg of you. How can you tell me now you hate the napkins? Uh-huh, yeah! I told you they were tacky, but you still picked them! Just do something? God! The wedding's within 2 weeks! What do you want me to do?
While she was talking, Jack was beside her, lying on the bed, listening amused to what Brooke was saying. She glanced at him and smiled. – Uh-huh, of course he's with me. –Jack sensed they were talking about him and threw a questioning look. – You're out of your mind! No! Ha-ha! Okay, okay, fine! –Then she covered the phone with the palm of her hand and announced: – Ilana wants to talk to you. She's threatening to kill herself if you don't pick up. –she said playfully. Jack raised an eyebrow and took the phone, giving her a "Then I have no choice" look. – Hello?
– Jack dear! What a pleasure to hear you! It's been forever since we last met.
– How you're doing Ilana? It's nice to hear you too.
– I'm falling apart, but who cares? Anyway, I'm sure you know by now, but I'm getting married, here, in New York, and I just want to make sure you're going to be here…
– Of course I will.
– Cool, awesome. I know you won't be at the rehearsal, Brooke told me, it's okay. I don't even know why there has to be a rehearsal in the first place. Do you know we're almost the only country in the world that has wedding rehearsals? Are we stupid so we need to rehearse or what? I just don't get it.
Jack burst out laughing. – That's why I don't rehearse.
– Can I join you?
– I don't think your friend here will let you skip it. –he affirmed looking at Brooke.
– I know, I know, it's all about perfection with her. Anyway, I'll see you in two weeks, okay?
– Absolutely.
– Swell! Oh, and one other thing, you tell Brooke I need new napkins.
– Don't you want me to put her on the phone again so you can…
– Napkins Jack, napkins. Bye-bye! –and she hung up.
Brooke was smiling widely with disbelief in her eyes. – What did she tell you?
– Okay, that thing about the bride's insanity, I believe it.
Brooke laughed. – I told you!
– She wants new napkins.
– Jesus Christ! Where the hell I'm going to get her new napkins in just 2 weeks? She's out of her mind! –Brooke affirmed laughing.
– What's the big deal with napkins? I never pay attention to them.
– That's because you're a man, baby. Jeez! Now I have to get the stupid napkins. –she said as she stood up and picked one of the magazines from the dressing table.
– You'll get them, don't worry. They're just napkins. –he said smiling at her.
– You tell that to the bride. Well, apart from napkins, everything's ready, I hope. –she said with a nervous look.
– I'm sure everything will be perfect, just like you.
She smiled at that statement. Then it hit her. – Baby, have you booked your flight already?
– Yeah.
Brooke threw him a suspicious look. – Are you sure?
Jack rolled his eyes. – Of course. Actually, Patrick's secretary did it for me. We're taking the same flight.
Brooke felt relieved when she heard that. – Good.
– So, finally which maid dress you picked? I hope the one I liked the most.
– That one indeed. Ilana's cousin hated it, but the other girls liked it, so it was a democratic decision, sort of.
– You should've just picked the one you looked hotter with, period. Who cares about the other girls? –he said as he held her from behind and kissed her neck.
– Don't be rude baby. We all have to look hot.
– No, they all have to look hot. You're hot already. You look exquisite with anything you wear. I'd rather to stick with anything, though. –he said impishly.
Brooke laughed. – Okay baby, airport time. –she announced.
Another week went by. It was Thursday already. Jack was at his office, reading some medical reports, when Marion stepped in.
– Jack, may I come in? –she asked.
Jack frowned when he saw her in the door frame. Marion was everything but the type of girl who asked permission for anything. He noticed something was wrong, she looked really crushed. – Sure…
Marion came in and sat on his desk in front of him, as she always did. Jack kept reading the reports, waiting for her to speak. She bit her lip and finally said. – I'm not going to Brooke's friend wedding.
Jack stopped reading and looked at her, raising an eyebrow. – And why's that?
Marion looked down, defeated. – I broke up with Patrick. –she announced.
Jack shook slowly his head. – Marion I'm very sorry, I didn't know. What happened? –he asked concerned, in a paternal tone.
Marion thought for a minute. Then she cast a short wry smile. – Uh… to explain it in simple words, what happened is that he doesn't love me. –she assured. Jack kept silent to let her talk. – It was a long time coming of course. We were doomed since the beginning. Uh…I wasn't the one for him and I always wanted him to be someone he's not, so, a match made in hell, huh?
– I'm sorry Marion. I really don't know what to say. I'm terrible at these things. All I can tell you is that this might be for the best, though you can't see it that way right now.
– Yeah, of course it is for the best, I know. I'm cool. –she assured, like trying to convince herself. She stared at Jack, and he knew she wanted to say something else.
– Jack, I… I need to tell you something.
– I'm listening.
– Uh… I don't mean to sound bitchy or anything… You know I respect you and I always look up to you, I always think of you as an elder brother…
– Yeah, thanks. You know I care about you too…
– Yeah. So, I just want to ask you a favor.
Jack started to feel uneasy as Marion spoke. She looked really sad and her conversation was becoming awkward. – Just tell me, anything you need.
– Listen, um… I think Brooke is a great girl. I barely know her, but I've seen the change she's made in you. That's enough for me to see she's worth it.
– What does Brooke have to do with this? –he asked with a questioning look, puzzled.
– All I'm saying, Jack, is… if you don't love her, you should leave her alone.
Jack was shocked. – What the hell are you talking about? Why you're saying this to me?
– Because you lie to her. And you keep her out. That's what Patrick did to me.
He couldn't believe his ears and made his best to keep it cool and not lose his temper. – Marion, I know you're upset and that's why you're being a little too emotional, but this has nothing to do with me or Brooke, I don't know why you're…
But Marion cut him off. – I know about her dad's birthday party.
– You know what? –he snapped.
– You told her you were not going because of the Sedwick surgery.
– Yeah, so what?
Marion threw an accusing look. – On the very same day. You told me to schedule that surgery since the Monday before and you just waited for the last minute to tell her, as if all had been unexpected. You used it as an excuse.
That statement got on his nerves. He gave her an upset look. – Listen Marion, I don't know where did you get…
Marion interrupted once more. – Patrick told me. He knows, Jack. And he totally freaked out. That was the beginning of the end…
– What you mean? –he asked sternly.
Marion took a deep breath. She knew Jack would be blown away by what she was about to say, but she never felt intimidated by him. – Jack, you need to know this. Patrick, he… he's in love with Brooke.
Jack stiffened and his eyes opened wide in disbelief. – What the hell are you saying?
– That's why we broke up. I realized he has feelings for her.
– Did he tell you that? –asked Jack, furious.
– Of course not. He'll never admit it, not to me at least. You should've seen the look on his face Jack. He wanted to kill you when he learnt you had lied to her. He complaint about how miserable your absence made her feel.
When Jack noticed the resentment in Marion's voice, he nodded and threw a wry laugh. – Marion, you're totally making a big deal out of this. I don't blame you, right know you need to find an explanation to what's happening to you. Patrick's not in love with Brooke. She's like a sister to him, and he only freaked out because he cares about her, they've been friends forever. Of course they have a bond and maybe he's very protective with her. But there's no reason for you to think that he has feelings for her. –he said nonchalant, having all figured out.
Marion shook her head and rolled her eyes, wry. – How can you not notice? It's pretty obvious if you think about it. Anyway… all I'm saying is that it's not fair.
– What's not fair?
– Look, I just want all of us to be happy, especially Patrick. So, if you don't love Brooke and you're planning on keeping her out of your life, as you do, and will keep lying to her, you should think of getting out of the way, you know…
This time Marion went too far. – God, I don't believe you! You're out of your mind! Let me get this straight, my relationship with Brooke is perfect and…
Marion snapped abruptly again. – All I want is to prevent another heart to be broken.
Jack was losing it. – How can you speak to me like that? You don't even know what you're saying…
– I so know what I'm saying! Patrick and I, we… We were having the time of our lives. He got along, sex was great, we laughed together… Yet he never wanted me to meet his parents, and the only time I asked him to come home with me, he turned me down. He said he was "very busy with his reading tour". And the only reason I got to meet his friends was because they're the same than mine. We were "perfect". Just like Brooke and you. –she affirmed, her voice sardonic.
Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he stared at Marion and saw no use in explaining what he had with Brooke to some spoiled brat who was bitter 'cause her boyfriend had just dumped her. He used the last ounce of patience he had left. – Marion, sweetheart, I appreciate your counseling, God knows I do. But you really need to understand that this has nothing to do with me and Brooke. It's not her fault that Patrick left you. And he's certainly not in love with her. –Marion laughed shortly to his face. Jack breathed deeply and went on. – But, if I ever change my mind and decide to get out of the way so that Patrick can confess his secret love to her, I'll let you know, and him, of course. –he said cynical.
Marion shook her head slowly and looked down, casting a wry smile. – Fine Jack, I see you just don't want to get my point. Only one last thing, take it as some little piece of advise. –Jack rolled his eyes and waited for her to talk. – If you really want to prove me wrong, you go to that wedding… You don't want to leave Patrick and Brooke alone, believe me. –she stated, and then she got down of the desk and walked out of the office with grace, leaving Jack tense, annoyed and with a speedy heartbeat.