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Chapter 16
At 9:00 pm that Friday, Patrick picked Brooke up at the hotel. She looked amazing as always, but that wasn't new for Patrick.
– Well, look at you…
– Hi Patty! You like my outfit?
– I sure do, let's go…
– Where's your girlfriend?
– Oh, I'll meet here there.
– You're driving me but not her? That's rude, honey. Now she's going to hate me…
– It's not what it looks like.
– Then what it is? –Brooke asked with a concerned look.
– Well, actually it's a long story…
– I have time…
– Damn it Brookie, you just won't let it be, right?
– Right.
– Jack's driving her.
Brooke's eyes opened widely in disbelief. – Jack? Why?
– Because we planned this before you two got way along.
– You're kidding me…
– I'm not. The thing is I didn't know how it would be going between you and I thought, you know, just in case, of getting you together at the party.
– Ain't you sweet?
– You bet.
Varya's house had an amazing pool area, where the party was being held. Jack was feeling nervous. Not because he was about to see Brooke, but because Marion had told the whole world about "this chick" that was coming to the party for him "to hit on". Derek was already picking on Jack about it, as well as Varya and other coworkers that were there. Jack didn't find it amusing at all. Everybody was making a big deal about it, which was exactly what he didn't want.
After the plane crash Jack hadn't kept in touch with other survivors, because he didn't want anything to remind him of that nightmare around. He just remained with those who were now a part of his life: Kate, who became his wife and mothered his first child almost immediately; Claire, his sister, and therefore Charlie, who became his brother-in-law. But one who could never move away from him was Hurley, who openly admitted he needed Jack around to be safe from his bad luck and even considered him a father figure.
Hurley knew all Jack's friends and coworkers, so he was invited to the party as well.
– Dude, you're horrible. –he told Jack whilst eating a canapé.
Jack rolled his eyes. – Now what?
– How could you not tell me the whole chick thing?
– There's nothing to tell.
– How can you say that? It's huge! You've been alone for two years, dude.
– I'm still alone, Hurley.
– But now you've got a date. Come on, cheer up!
Jack giggled and rubbed his forehead. – This is awful, you people behave like teenagers, really.
– Is she hot? I bet she's hot. You always get the hot chicks in the end.
– Yes Hurley, she is. –Jack admitted with a smile.
Hurley was about to say another thing when he saw Brooke coming in with Patrick. – Dude… –he said, completely amazed.
– What? –Jack replied turning around to see what Hurley was looking at. It was Brooke.
The minute she walked in, everybody knew that was Jack's chick and gave him impish looks. All the women went uneasy feeling threatened by Brooke's presence, while men couldn't keep their eyes off of her. Marion and Varya exchanged glances, thinking that Brooke was actually hot, but she still had to jump the shotgun, meaning them.
Patrick introduced Brooke to the rest of the guests, whilst Varya and Marion approached Jack and Hurley.
– So, that's her, huh? –Marion told Jack with a wry smile.
– That's her. –he said, looking away.
– At least she's not trashy…
– Oh come on Marion! You know she's gorgeous. –Varya corrected.
– Whose side you are? –Marion snapped at her with a disapproving look.
– Jack's, of course!
– Thank you very much, Varya.
They were interrupted by Patrick, who arrived to the group with Brooke.
– …and here we have Varya Richardson, birthday girl, wonderful oncologist and Derek's girlfriend as well. This is Hurley, beloved friend of ours, and last but not least, Marion Gibb, prestigious intern, spinal surgeon-to-be and Chief of Surgery's pet, I must say.
– Patrick, come on… –Jack told him embarrassed, forcing a smile.
– And I think you've met Jack. Everybody, this is my beautiful friend Brooke Julian.
Brooke shook hands with all of them and then told Varya: – Happy birthday, thanks for having me. –as she gave her a gift, exquisitely wrapped.
– Oh my God! You shouldn't have! –Varya told Brooke, smiling and impressed as well.
Then Marion stepped in front of Brooke and said: – I'm Patrick's girlfriend, nice to meet you.
– Nice to meet you too, he's told me a lot about you.
Jack was watching the scene with a nervous smile on his face. He knew Varya and Marion were a tough audience and he didn't want them to pick on Brooke. Besides, he wanted to get the hell out of the group to finally have a moment with her alone.
– Has he? –Marion answered Brooke with particular interest. – Well, how about we go inside to open the present you gave Varya and get to know you better? You can also tell me what Patrick says about me. –Marion told Brooke with an evil smile.
Brooke knew she was dealing with bitchy and jealous friends of Jack. She knew that song well. She behaved the same way at college when Patrick introduced a new girlfriend. She found that amusing and wasn't impressed. – Of course, I'd love to. –she replied and went inside with the girls after giving Jack a complicity look. He just smiled at her.
When the girls were gone, Derek, Patrick and Hurley started giving Jack a hard time.
– Don't worry, she'll live. –Patrick told Jack referring to the girls, who had just kidnapped Brooke.
– Dude, that chick's beyond hot! She's the hottest girl you've ever had! –Hurley said excited.
– He might be slow, but finally! –Derek said, referring to Jack.
– And you didn't believe she was a model. –Patrick said proud.
– Really man, this time you just made me shut the fuck up. –Derek told Jack.
Jack was done with the comments. – You know what? I'm really not in the mood for your high school bullshit guys, so just drop it.
– Oh come on Jack, don't be a party pooper! –Patrick told him, a bit annoyed.
– I just want you to stop, it's not funny to be talking about a lady in that way. – Jack said, serious.
– Dude, don't be mad, it's okay, we're just happy for you, aren't we, guys?
Jack thought about it for a second and then nodded. – Okay, but let's behave like adults, for God's sake.
They went on talking about other things. Jack got into the conversation and was having a good laugh, but then he noticed the girls were still inside with Brooke, after about half an hour. He felt annoyed. After all, Brooke was the main reason he was there, and he missed her. He was about to go inside the house to look for her when all the girls appeared, laughing and having a great time.
– You guys are not going to believe what Brooke just gave me! –Varya said totally excited.
– How come you never mentioned she's the fashion editor of The New York Days? I loved her Pulitzer piece! She made me hate models less. –Marion affirmed looking at Patrick.
– She gave me a Fendi bag! –Varya told them high pitched.
As they were all chit-chatting nonsense, Brooke and Jack could only look at each others eyes. Patrick noticed it and said: – Okay Derek, Varya, please come with me, we need some host presence here. Marion… –They all got it and left Brooke and Jack alone, though Hurley remained there.
– Dude, you really won a Pulitzer? –Hurley asked in disbelief. Jack was also impressed with that.
– Yeah… it's not a big deal, really. –Brooke replied as she flushed.
– You're serious? –Jack told her. – Don't be so modest. –Then he noticed Hurley was not planning to leave, so he made him. – Um, Hurley, you think you can get us something to drink, please?
– Oh, I'll just call the waiter… –Jack gave Hurley a set look and he got the message. – Or I'll just… go to the bar… see you dudes.
At last, Jack and Brooke were alone…