The car ride to school was silent between Jane and Barry. This morning at his house was odd enough, Jane couldn't get why Barry couldn't confide in her, when she confided in him last afternoon about getting too excited making out with Maura. Jane honestly didn't know what was with her best friend, they were usually open to each other about everything.
She said her thanks to Admiral Frost before rushing out of the car and away from Barry. Jane found Maura in their spot underneath the bleachers, she frowned when Maura wasn't alone and Joey Grant was there trying to start some kind of shit. Jane definitely didn't appreciate it, how close he was to her face.
"Joey, what the hell is your problem? Can't you leave Maura alone."
"Jane, just ignore him, that's what I'm trying to do."
Jane nodded, "I know exactly what he's trying to do," she yanked him by the arm, away from her girlfriend. "What's the big idea you ass?"
"I'm just trying to have a conversation with your girlfriend, that's all. She's the one being all stuck up acting like she's better than everyone. This is what I get for attempting to be nice to this bitch of yours."
Jane glared at Joey, seeing red, she was about to deck the shit out of him when Gabriel Dean rushed over and grabbed Jane's fist.
"Jane, don't... he's just doing it to piss you off enough so he can get you into even more trouble. Just get lost Joey," Gabriel crossed his arms.
"You all have fuckin' issues," Joey shook his head and walked away. Jane was trying to calm her breathing as Gabriel looked over at Maura.
"I'm sorry about him Maura, he didn't do anything to upset you, did he?"
Maura shook her head, "No, it's fine, you guys are overreacting just a bit, he was just trying to talk to me is all. I don't have to communicate with people I don't want to though, Joey Grant is the main one. Thanks though for stopping Jane from beating him to death, I appreciate you helping the cause of keeping Jane out of jail."
Gabriel smirked, "Not a problem, I know you didn't like me at first, but I do really care about Jane."
"I know you do, I know you care about her a lot. I do as well. Jane, are you going to be okay?" Maura focused her attention onto Jane.
"Yeah, yeah I'll be fine. It's been a really rough morning is all. I think I'm going to get to class early. I have something I want to talk to you later though Maur, it's important," Jane kissed Maura's cheek and gave Gabriel a nod before walking away and into the school.
Once Jane was gone Maura turned to Gabriel, "You love Jane, don't you?" she asked, she noticed Gabriel caring maybe a little too much.
"No, not in that way, I swear Maura."
"Okay, I believe you, maybe, just thanks for looking out for her and everything. She's really going through some rough stuff right now, she needs all the friends and support she can get."
Gabriel nodded, "May I ask what's going on?"
Maura shook her head, "It's not my position to say, if she's close to you I'm sure she'd confide in you to an extent. You helping to keep Jane out of trouble is very productive though, so keep on doing that and it will be very much appreciated."
They both headed toward the school when Frost caught up to them. "Hey, where's Jane? I was talking to Coach Korsak and he's considering letting her back on the team. After everything he understands he made a mistake."
"She already went to class Barry, but that's great news. Jane will definitely be glad for that. I'll see you both in class," Maura smiled and rushed off, leaving Barry alone with Gabriel.
"So, you feeling better after this morning?"
Barry's cheeks flushed, "I thought we weren't going to talk about it in person."
"I'm concerned Barry, I think you may be confused... it's alright you know."
"Jane is going to kill me Gabriel."
"It's not your fault Maura looks that damn good all the time," Gabriel Dean shrugged.
"Yeah but how can I not, you know... unless I'm talking to you?"
Gabriel shrugged again, "Like I said I think you're confused. You have time to figure it out."
"That I'm attracted to Jane's current girlfriend and possibly her ex boyfriend."
"At least you're able to confide in me Frost, it's good that you can talk to someone, considering it's me you're confiding in even though I'm a reason for your troubles. But trust me, I know how it is to be confused. I loved Jane, but when Joey did things with me in Paris I don't know it felt good, even though he's been a fucking shit head since we got back."
"I feel like I can talk to you, better than talking to Jane about this." Barry sighed, "You're really done with him right?"
Gabriel nodded, "Yeah of course I am, he got angry and punched me, I still have this black eye to prove how done I am with him. I like you Barry and I want to help you figure your thing out, and you're worth whatever this may or may not turn out to be. This will be our little secret, okay?"
"I really hate hiding things from Jane."
"I know you do, but sometimes it's for the best until everything is all figured out. Let's get to class."
One reason Jane hated school was because the only class she had with her closest friends and Maura was gym class. She had to have classes with her sort of friend Bridgett, the girl was so hung up on Garrett Fairfield it drove Jane nuts. One more day and my bae will be here, that's what Bridgett told Jane twice today, as a matter of fact. Did Bridgett ask how her and Maura were doing, how Jane was doing? No. But did Jane care, not really just hearing Garrett's name made her squeamish, knowing he dated Maura made it that way. Even if Maura didn't date him, she probably still wouldn't like him.
Jane got to gym class early so she could have a talk with Coach Korsak, Frost told her in passing that he wanted to talk to her about baseball. She needed to ignore the fact that he was over kissing her mother just last night. She walked into the room and Coach Korsak was at his desk and on the phone. "Yeah a student just came in, we'll talk later, yes I'll see you tonight." He hung up and looked up. "Hey Jane, I guess you got the message from Barry Frost that I needed to talk to you."
"He said it was about the baseball team, that is true, right?"
"Yes it is, well I got some pretty good news for you. Joey Grant quit the team, said he couldn't work around certain people and wanted you to get back at it."
Jane's jaw dropped, "Seriously? I can come back to the team? This is great news," she was very excited for this news but it only lasted for a moment. "Is there some sort of ulterior motive you have Coach? Like knowing my mother would come to the games once they start."
"No other motives Jane, I promise. What you witnessed last night was the only time... I swear to you. It's not going to happen again, your mother is very upset about this divorce from your father. It shouldn't have happened."
Jane crossed her arms and nodded, "You're right, it shouldn't have. I don't like knowing what you were doing with my mother. You swear it won't happen again?"
Korsak nodded, "Yes I swear, plus my recent ex wife wants to try and work out our issues."
"Good, that's good. I kind of liked that last wife of yours Coach, she was quite lovely, I hope things work out for you both."
"And I just hope that your mother can get passed this whole thing with your father."
"Oh wishful thinking there sir," Jane went to her desk as her classmates were filing in. Frost came to sit down next to Jane.
"So, did you talk to him?"
Jane nodded, "Yeah, I'm back on the baseball team, Joey decided to quit, at least he's done something right. Hey Maura," Jane turned to greet her girlfriend with a smile. "Great news right? You'll be able to watch me play baseball."
"Yes, I'm very thrilled to watch you play Jane. So this morning said you wanted to talk to me about something?" Maura thought she would remind Jane, she had been thinking about what it was all day, it kind of brought her anxiety.
"Oh yes, I almost forgotten. If you'd like you can come over for dinner at my house, Ma really wants to meet you and since he won't be there I can openly be myself. My brothers don't know yet about you and I. She wants you to make sure it's okay with your parents first."
Maura smiled, "Really? That's great Jane, I would love nothing more than to join you and your family for dinner. Plus you know my parents wouldn't mind, plus mother and father are in need of some alone time."
"Awesome, Ma makes the best kind of food you'll ever taste. I swear to you on that."
"Should I go home and change into something nice first?"
"Maur, you always dress in something nice," Jane laughed, shaking her head, causing Maura to blush.
Gym class went pretty well, Jane stayed out of trouble and Maura kept on smiling at her girl, glad she was in a naturally good mood today, and Maura didn't really have to do anything. She was very excited but nervous to meet not only Jane's mother but her brothers as well.
After school today they just decided to sit on the bench near the pick up area, Admiral Frost said he'd be a little late, plus Frost disappeared after gym so he was no where to be found to be their look out for their usual underneath the bleachers make out session, so hence them being out in the open.
Jane was telling Maura about her brothers Tommy and Frankie, they all went to the same school but her brothers were in a different area in the school so their paths didn't necessarily cross. And not to mention they had their bikes they rode to school instead of being in the car with Admiral Frost who scared both of them.
"How scary is Barry's dad anyways?"
"You can find out for yourself soon enough, I promise."
"You sure he won't mind an extra person in his car?"
"Barry said it was alright, but just warning you now his father might assume you're with him. He's not really understanding of our kind of lifestyle, as he would say."
"Well I'll just say we're friends, that wouldn't be lying, he just won't know you're with me then."
"It's for the best, I promise."
"At least we don't have to hide it from our own families," Maura added and Jane nodded.
"You know what Maur, I kind of like this, talking while we wait for our ride. I mean I do quite enjoy our make out sessions."
"But we kind of lack self control," Maura replied with a laugh. "I didn't want to mention it, but I noticed how you um..."
Jane's face turned red, "Dear God, you did? You noticed."
"Yeah, you left really quick too I know you were embarassed so I didn't want to say anything."
"I um... jeez I'm so sorry I just... damn I feel like an idiot."
Maura rested her hand on Jane's, "Hey it happens Jane, it was nice knowing the affect I have on you."
Jane laughed, "Well you don't have to look so smug about it babe."
"I'm sorry Jane it's just, I never got someone that excited before, not even, well you know who."
"Yeah, speaking of you know, Bridgett won't stop talking about his arrival tomorrow. She's so excited, I don't know why she has to be irritating about it though."
"I think it's just because you don't like him, he's honestly not that bad."
"You guys known each other for forever, of course you wouldn't think he's bad," Jane looked at her phone. "Admiral Frost will be arriving any moment now. Where the hell is Frost? I have to go find him, you wouldn't mind waiting here right, text me when he's here if we're not back."
"Okay," Maura nodded, watching her girlfriend leave the bench.
Jane went to go search for Frost in the usual spots, the last place she looked should have been the first. Barry was in her usual space with Maura, and he wasn't alone. "Barry! What the hell is this?" Jane asked in a shout causing both boys to jump away from each other.
"Jane... I-I can explain."
"Why do I always walk into a place where people who shouldn't be kissing, doing just that?" Jane gave her head a shake. "This is what you weren't able to tell me... it was Gabriel all along."
Gabriel stepped back, fixing his hair, "Should I let you two talk?"
Barry grabbed onto Gabriel's arm, "No wait... I can't tell her. Please can you?"
"Are you sure?" he asked and Barry sighed. Gabriel turned to Jane who had her arms crossed, waiting for the boys to explain themselves. "Barry here didn't really want to tell you yet, it's not all that bad Jane. He's been confused and I've been trying to help him out figure things out before he discussed it with other people. He confided in me when he was thinking about Maura, he knew you'd freak out so he talked to me about it. And he wasn't really able to you know, finish until talking to me."
"So you were thinking about Maura this morning, and you lied to me?" Jane glared at her best friend.
"Jane, I didn't want to but when you said you'd kill me I got scared, I seen you when you're angry and it's pretty damn intense. When Gabriel was able to help me I was confused and upset, I knew you and Gabriel had a thing before I came back to town, and I don't know what it is I'm doing or feeling. I'm still trying to figure it out like he said," Barry explained himself, almost in tears. "Please don't hate me."
Jane just stood there for a minute, "I don't hate you for having this thing, whatever it is with Gabriel, I'm mad that you lied to me. I thought we could talk about anything Barry, I confide in you about everything going on and you don't have the courtesy to do the same."
Gabriel frowned, "Aren't you overreacting, just a little bit Jane?"
"Gabriel, it's okay, she's not overreacting, she's right. She tells me everything and I should be able to do the same."
"I just came to find you to mention your dad should be here soon," Jane turned on her heel.
"Jane hates me."
"Hey Barry, it's Jane, she can't be mad at you for long, you're her best friend. I should get going, maybe I can call you tonight?"
"Okay," Barry nodded before grabbing his backpack from the ground and leaving the bleachers.
Jane went back to where she was with Maura, frowning at the company she just seen. "Garrett Fairfield, thought you weren't coming in until tomorrow, at least that's what Bridgett told me, plenty of times."
"Hey Jane, it's nice seeing you too, and I just figured that I would surprise her."
"And is that your car?" Jane asked, glancing at the red Ferrari.
Garrett nodded, "Yes, got it for my birthday actually, getting some pretty good use out of it. It's quite the speedster."
"Woah, is this car yours?" Frost's jaw dropped as he approached Jane and Maura.
"And you are?"
"Um Barry Frost, friend of Jane and Maura's."
"Gotcha, well my reason for being here has shown up," he glanced over and waved at Bridgett who rushed over and gave him a hug.
"Oh my God Garrett, you're here early."
"Yes I am, I wanted to surprise you, ready to go?" he asked and she nodded.
"This car is better in person," she smiled, Garrett said his goodbyes to the three before getting in the car. "Maura, I never thanked you, for making Garrett an available man."
Maura smirked, "Hey, it's not a problem at all, happy to please. He's all yours."
After they drove off Admiral Frost pulled up, rolling down his window. "Hey kids, sorry I'm late, there was something I had to do at work that kept me."
"At least you showed up sir," Barry nodded as the three kids got in the backseat. Maura sat in-between Barry and Jane, in which Jane was very grateful for. She still was kind of upset at her best friend, she'd get over it eventually but not right now. Right now she was still trying to wrap her head around it all. She would be thankful for the distraction that is Maura meeting her family. The closer they got to her house the more anxious Jane got, and she could sense that Maura was going through the same bit of anxiety.
Thanks for reading this chapter, Garrett is here now and Frost we figured out what he was going through. Jane and Frost's friendship is a little strained but things will get better. And Rizzles talks are always great, I love writing their interactions in this. And will Coach Korsak actually keep his promise that he and Angela are not going to have another kissing session again. Dinner at the Rizzoli house is up next, anyone as excited as I am?