Don't own them....never did....never will.
I am so sorry this took so long. I have had alot to deal with the last week or so.
Please continue to read and review
Author's Note: I am changing the rating for the story due to some language and some adult content.
Chapter 30: Friends
The last few days have been chaotic, to say the least. Jack and I had to cancel our plans for Wisconsin….make plans for Chicago….then there was the engagement party to plan….which included the gathering and attempting to coordinate everyone's flights into Boston….Jack also had a few local appearances with Rizzo and Pav….my parents had arrived….we all went out for dinner….and to top it all off Jack wanted me to meet some of his oldest friends! I am not saying I did not want to meet them….but it would have been better to do so when I was less stressed.
Unfortunately, there was no time to wait….Jack was needed in Chicago by the end of the month (so that only gave us about two weeks). And so here I am sitting in a booth at one of Jack's favorite bars waiting to meet Eric and Sam.
"Are you sure they said this bar Jack?"
"Yes, I am sure. We just got here early and they are usually late. I am sure they will be here any minute….speak of the devil….Hey Eric….Sam….over here!"
I turned toward the door and saw two rather big guys acknowledge Jack and head in our direction. Upon reaching our table there were a few manly hugs exchanged and some grunting noises that I can only assume were greetings. I was starting to feel ignored until one of the "new guys" spoke.
"Hi, you must be Tara….I am Eric."
I shake Eric's hand.
"Hi Eric….it is really nice to meet you….and you must be Sam….Jack has told me a lot about you guys."
"Only the good stuff I hope."
"Sorry Eric there wasn't enough good stuff to tell….so I had to tell her all of it."
"And she still agreed to meet us….wow OC she is a keeper."
"Yeah….don't worry Eric….I already know."
Jack turns his head towards me and smiles. I find it amazing that a simple smile can convey so many things….and right now all I can see on Jack's face is love….so I smile back.
The rest of the evening goes pretty well. Eric was really nice and it was fun to see Jack with his old friends. He seemed more relaxed than I had ever really seen him….I am sure that also had something to do with the Olympics being over….but none the less. I don't know what to think about Sam. With Jack he acted a lot like Eric….but with me he was….quiet?….yes….but there was something else….I just could not put a finger on it.
"You are awfully quiet….what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing really….just going over the night."
"It was so great to see the guys again. I am glad you got to meet them."
"I am too. They both seem really nice."
Jack just smiles and refocuses on the road. He was so happy tonight I didn't want to bring up what I was feeling about Sam. It was probably nothing anyway….he did invite me to a party at his house tomorrow night.
When we got back to the house we were so tired I think we were asleep before our heads hit the pillows. The next thing I know itis morning and it is cold! I rollover to find Jack's body and get a little extra warmth….but to my surprise his side of the bed is to think of it that could be why Iam so cold….since Christmas there hasn't been a morning I have woken up without Jack's arms around me. My confusions over Jack's whereabouts are solved when he enters the room with a tray.
"Hey you are up."
"Yeah, just a few minutes ago. I was cold without you….whatcha got there?"
"Breakfast."
"For me?"
"No….for me."
I throw my pillow at him.
"Hey….watch it! You don't want me to drop your breakfast, do you?"
"I thought you said that it was your breakfast?"
"Actually, I was hoping we could share."
"Sounds like a plan….so what is it?"
"Banana-nut pancakes."
"Where did you get them?"
"I made them."
I look at him in utter shock.
"What? You think I can't cook?"
"Honestly, the thought never even crossed my mind."
"Well, I can."
"So besides banana-nut pancakes what else can you cook?"
Jack smirks a little, looks down, and mumbles….
"Nothing."
"What was that?"
He looks up at me.
"Nothing….all I can cook are the pancakes….they got me through college."
We both laugh a little. We then settle ourselves into the bed and begin to eat.
"These are really good."
"I know."
"Cocky much?"
"That is one of the reasons you love me."
Jack leans in for a kiss.
"Your lips are sticky."
"So are yours….but they taste good."
"Yeah….yours do too."
We kiss some more and the pancakes are soon forgotten.
I wake up some time later and happily I am much warmer. Unfortunately, I know I will soon have to leave my happy place and face the day….and what a day it was going to be! Mary had mentioned to my mom and I that there was a great local bridal shop and we all figured that there was no harm in looking….I mean even though Jack and I had not picked a date we knew we were going to get married….we even had decided that the wedding would be in Minnesota. So the plan was to check out the store, grab some lunch, make sure everything was set for the engagement party and be back in time for Jack and I to go to Sam's party.
I take a deep breath, get out of bed andhead into the shower. It is not that I don't want to do all this stuff today….what girl doesn't dream about trying on wedding dresses….it is just that I wish I didn't have to do all this stuff TODAY. I feel like I have been on go for months. I just want one day when nothing is planned. I want to stay in bed until I want to get up….not when I have to get up….I want to lounge around in my pjs all day. I feel like at the rate I am going I will get to be like that when I am 80. My life has been so crazy for so long my body is starting to hurt. I let the hot water run over my back, grab my neck and try to work out some of the kinks.
"Here let me help with that."
I am startled out of my thoughts by the sound of Jack's voice and the feel of his hands on my shoulders.
"Shit….you scared me….um….that feels good….but you have to stop….I need to shower….um….Jaaaaaaaaack….I am leaving with our moms…."
He is kissing my shoulders.
"Now is not the time to be talking about either one of our mothers…."
"Now is not the time for…."
"Shh….we both need to shower right?"
"Ah-ha"
"So if we shower together….we can save time."
"But…."
Jack turns me around to face him.
"No buts. This is the only….the best….way."
The smile….he's got me. We kiss.
Much to my surprise Jack's little plan was actually helpful and I managed to be ready on time. The afternoon went pretty well. The bridal shop had all kinds of dresses and I think I must have tried everyone of them. My mom, of course, cried and so did Mary….to be perfectly honest I did a little too. However, none of the dresses I tried really "danced on me". I don't really care. It was fun and I want to do it again. So here I am once again in the bathroom….this time alone….getting ready for Sam's party.
"Hey, baby….you almost ready?"
I exit the bathroom to find Jack sitting on the bed.
"Yep….how do I look?"
"Beautiful….as always."
We briefly kiss and head out.
"So who is going to be there?"
"Well Sam….Eric….and a couple of my friends from BU."
"Don't worry….they are going to love you."
"Oh, really? What makes you say that?"
"They are going to love you because I love you."
Jack takes his hand off the stearing wheel and places it onto top of mine. As he squeezes it he smiles at me and all of a sudden I feel warmer. Oh god! How I love this man! Jack holds my hand for the rest of the ride….and the whole time his thumb is rubbing tiny circles on the top of my hand. We drive in silence....no need for words….just happy to be with each other.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Jack and I are standing outside Sam's front door. We have been holding hands pretty much since the car and right now he is giving me a reassuring squeeze. I smile at him….I love that he knows that I am nervous.
"Hey OC….Tara….what took you guys so long….we have been waiting for you."
Sam takes Jack's hand and slaps him on the back. Then….in a move I found slitely surprising….Sam kissed me on the cheek. It wasn't anything sexual….it was a greeting. Maybe I shouldn't have been worried. Sam seems perfectly nice tonight.
"We had some stuff to do for our engagement party."
"God OC if I didn't know any better I would think you turned into an adult while you were away….engagement party?"
"Hey don't knock it until you try it."
"Are you saying I am not an adult?"
"I am saying you don't always act like an adult."
Both Sam and Jack are laughing and at that last comment Sam takes a second to reflect….
"Yeah….you are probably right."
Now they are hysterical. Soon after Jack is all but tackled by the rest of the guys who have assembled at Sam's house. Once the manly display of affection is over Jack introduces me to "the guys".
"Hey Sam….where is Eric?"
Jack and I turn our attention back to Sam and for a brief second he looks….scared. But he soon smiles and says….
"Oh he had some family thing to take care of."
Jack looks at me and shrugs.
Within an hour I have met more of Jack's friends and have had a few drinks. I am not drunk but I am feeling a little buzzed. It is nice to be around a group of people my own age again. It has only been a little over a week since the team was together but it feels like forever and since we have been in Boston most of my time has been spent with Mary or my mom. Not that I am complaining….but…..this is just more comfortable.
I am sitting on the couch talking to one of Jack's high school teammates. He keeps telling me all of these stories about Jack's temper. He says that by senior year Jack had gotten into so many fights that they all thought he would have a better chance at making the Olympic boxing team then the hockey team. I find it strange to hear stories about Jack. I know we have only known each other for a few months and I know he had a life before we met, but, I just never really thought about it.
"Hey Tara….Josh boring you yet?"
"Hey Sam….no Josh is just telling me about all the fights Jack used to get in to."
"You could be sitting here all night!"
"Well, at least some of them are funny. Plus I like hearing about how Jack used to be."
Sam looks over at the door and before I can see what he is looking at he grabs my hand at starts to lead me away from the couch.
"That reminds me….there is something I wanted to show you."
"Ok….hey who is that girl talking to Jack?"
"Oh….that is Donna…..his old girlfriend."
That is one part of Jack's past I really didn't want to know about. I try to get a better look at her but Sam is pulling me in the opposite direction. All I manage to see is Jack and Donna head out the front door.
"Sam where are you taking me?"
"I wanted to show you something."
He opens a door and leads us into what I can only assume is his bedroom. Sam gestures for me to sit on the bed and starts to rummage though a box on the floor.
"Here it is."
Sam comes and sits next to me on the bed. He has got what looks like a photo album in his hands.
"They say a picture can tell a thousand words. So I figured these could help you see how Jack….how did you put it?....how Jack used to be."
His words seem a little sarcastic….but I could….I probably am….just hearing things.
"I would love to see pictures of Jack when he was younger."
Sam's smile seems weird….I have definitely had too much to drink.
We start to flip through the album. Because Sam and Jack have been friends since childhood the pictures show the boys from about the age of 5. Most are of Jack and his friends. In some of them they are in hockey gear and in others they are wearing street cloths. Jack is always smiling. As the boys get older there are more and more people in the pictures. When we get to the "college years" I can pick out more and more people I know. Some of the pictures even have Rizzo in them. There is even one of the two of them in their BU uniforms. I get a huge grin on my face….those two are going to be friends forever. I am brought out of my reverie by her….Donna. As I begin to flip through the book I notice that she is in more and more pictures….always next to Jack.
"They make a cute couple don't they?"
I look up at Sam confused. Why would he say that to me? I am Jack's fiancée.
"Don't look so shocked. I know you were thinking it. Look at their faces….they look happy….I have never seen OC as happy as he was when he was with her. They are great together…."
"Were."
"Excuse me?"
"You said they are great together. They are not together any more."
"We will see about that."
"What!?"
"They are outside right now….hopefully working things out."
"Sam….Jack and I are getting married….there is nothing for them to work out."
"They used to break up all the time, but they ALWAYS got back together."
"That was a long time ago. Jack is different now."
"You keep saying that….OC is different….OC has change….who do you think you are? You have known OC for what? Seven months. I have known him for seventeen years. You are a passing fling…."
Sam angrily points to the picture.
"We are his friends."
I am now starting to cry. Why is he doing this? What did I ever do to him?
"Nice touch….is this how you got Jack into your bed? He has always been a sucker for the water works. I do have to admit you are very pretty. I can see why he was attracted to you. But a wedding….you must be excellent in the sac. I wouldn't mind sleeping with you."
I don't know why I don't just get up and walk out. I just keep staring at the picture. Jack loves me I know he does….but from the look on his face in the picture he loved her too. I suddenly feel Sam's hands on my face. He jerks my head up and tries to kiss me….I try to turn my head but his hands are restraining my motions. Suddenly, I am on my back and Sam is on top of me. He is gripping my hands above my head. I am struggling to break free, but he is much bigger than me.
"This will be much more fun if you would stop fighting."
"Please stop! Why are you doing this?"
"Jack needs to understand that you are no good. This "new" Jack needs to go and that means so do you….besides….he and Donna belong together….you and I sleeping together will accomplish all of that."
"Please….I love Jack….I only want what is best for him….please stop! JACK!!!!!"
I don't know how he did it. There is no way he got up the stairs that fast. I had barely finished yelling for him when the bedroom door flung open. He grabs Sam from the shirt and nearly throws him to the other side of the room. As soon as Sam is off of me I jump into Jack's arms. He squeezes me tightly and tries to sooth my sobs. I can feel him turn his head towards Sam.
"What the fuck are you doing?!"
"Being a good friend!"
"A good friend! A GOOD FRIEND! How is rapping my future wife being a friend?"
"She is trash! She is only using you."
"Using me for what? My money? She has more than I do!"
"For attention! You are famous OC and once you start to play for Chicago that fame is only going to grow….she wants her time in the spotlight too!"
"She didn't even know about the Chicago offer until after I had turned it down! And that was after I had proposed! As far as the Olympics….nobody….and I mean nobody expect there to be so much attention! We fell in love before I had even made the final cut."
"Can't you see what she has done to you? You are almost completely different. She is trying to turn you into a different person…."
"Shut up! I am not the different person….you are. I can't believe we were ever friends. I never want to see or hear from you again….do you understand me? We are done!"
Sam starts to say something but Jack has turned us both around and we are already headed down the stairs and out of the house. We drive back to Jack's house in utter silence. As we pull into the driveway we both turn to each other and speak.
"Are you mad at me?"
"Are you ok?"
"What?"
"What?"
I put my fingers on Jack's lips.
"Are you mad at me?"
"What? Oh god no….why would you think that?"
"You have been so quiet since…."
I start to cry. Jack literally pulls me across the median and into his lap.
"Shh….shh….it's alright….everything is fine….I am so sorry I was quiet. I just wanted to get you home and make sure you were ok."
"I'm fine….I was so scared."
"I am so sorry."
"Why are you sorry?"
"I should have known….I should have been there."
"How could you have known. Sam is….was….your friend…."
"I knew he was acting weird at the bar the other night….but then tonight he seemed fine. Urggh! I am so stupid….this is all my fault."
"Stop. You couldn't have known….besides nothing really happened. I am fine. It was only words. I know you love me….I knew you would save me….and you did….you are my hero."
I smile at Jack and for the first time since he came into the bedroom he smiles too. Not his big beautiful smile, but what can you expect after a night like this. I cup his face with my hands and bring our foreheads together. The world seems to stand still as we try to ease to pain of the evening. Finally something dawns on me.
"How did you know?"
"Know what?"
"Where I was….that I needed you."
"That is actually a very interesting story. But it is kind of long and I am starting to get cold. Let's go inside the house and then I will tell you."
"Ok."
We kiss, get out of the car, and head into the house. This is turning into one hell of a day!