Chapter Eighteen
"Lock?" Jack called, knocking. "Hey, we got plans, 'member?"
"Yes, sir Jackie," she laughed, opening the door. "I remember."
He stopped and watched her put on her boots. The teen had changed a lot since she had been here, she still had her attitude and her momentary lapses, but she was adjusting. She had showed several sides that Bobby and Jack never guessed even existed, she was sweet and gentle, and great with kids. She still dressed like a punk, but he'd have it no other way, he loved the way the skate pants fit her and she always had his jacket on everywhere she went.
"So, where are we goin'?" she asked as she shrugged into her coat, moving her hair.
"Surprise," he taunted, hugging her. "You'll see when we get there."
"Bobby is really letting you take his car for the night?" she laughed, prying him off to brush her hair.
"Yes, Bobby is," Bobby snickered. "And if he does anything to her, he's dust."
"Uh, oh," Lock smiled. "I'm goin' upstairs."
"All right, be up in a few," Jack grinned.
She vanished upstairs and Bobby's blue eyes looked at him. Bobby reached over and shut the door.
"Jack," he was deadly serious, "you better behave, you hearin' me?"
"Bobby! It's not-."
"Jackie, seriously! As much as you wish I was blind and stupid, I'm not. I see how close you two have gotten. . ."
"She's still scared, Bobby," Jack stood his ground for once. "I'm not about to fuck this up."
"You're also not about to fuck her," Bobby pushed him to the wall.
"Jesus, Bobby!" he was stunned that his brother would think that. "What in the hell?"
"Just checkin', Jackie boy," Bobby grinned, tapping his cheek. "I figured that's not what tonight was."
"No, you dumb bastard," Jack smirked, shoving Bobby away playfully. "I was thinking' of asking her out. . .maybe. . ."
"If it feels like the right time, Jackie. ."
"I know! You keep tellin' me. . ."
"It's in the big brother hand book," he laughed. "Now, get your ass upstairs. Stray's waiting."
He started up the steps, with Bobby behinds him, and he stopped to face him.
"Thanks, Bobby. . ."
"Move your queer ass," Bobby joked, shoving him.
"So sentimental," he laughed, jogging up the steps and out to the car.
"'Bout time," Lock sighed as she sat on the hood of the car.
"Brother stuff," he smiled, gesturing her to get off the hood.
"Oh, I see!" she laughed, getting in the car.
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Ten minutes later, they were stuck in traffic. Jack felt like screaming, leaning his head back and biting his knuckle. This wasn't how he had planned things to go.
"Relax, Jackie boy," Lock snickered, relining the seat and putting her feet on the dash. "Life happens."
"This is not how I envisioned tonight going," he grumbled.
She sat up and looked at him, giving him an annoyed glare. He shook his head and let out a frustrated growl, biting harder on his knuckle. Lock grabbed his hand, pulling it from his mouth and held it, drawing light patterns on it.
"Seriously, learn how to flow with things, Jack."
"How would you recommend doing that?" he mumbled.
Of all nights! Why tonight!
"First," Lock started massaging his hand, "relax."
"All right," he made himself loosen up. "Now what?"
"You drive," she laughed, pointing to the again flowing stream of cars.
"Holy shit!" he laughed, slowly advancing. "Lock, how'd you do that?"
"I didn't," she smiled, laying back and putting her feet back up.
They drove in silence, Lock's feet tapping imaginary drum pedal as she listened to the music, and Jack felt his self-control slip a little bit. He reached over and gently set his hand on her thigh, close to the knee, and waited to see what she would do. She stopped moving, staring at his hand, and just as he was about to move it, she laced her hand in his and sat up, bringing the seat up with her. She did move his hand from her leg, resting on the arm rest between them, but continued to hold his hand. He blushed and focused intently on the road, feeling quite foolish.
"Sorry. . ." he muttered.
"It's all good," she snickered, toying with his fingers. "Just be a tad more careful. . ."
"I know. . ." he mumbled, gently squeezing her hand.
"Where in the world are we going?" she looked out the window.
"I told you," he smirked, "it's a surprise."
"Jackie boy?" she sounded nervous.
"Hmmm?"
"I ummm. . .have a thing about 'surprises'. . .Bad experiences, do you get it?"
"Do you believe me when I say that tonight holds no 'bad' surprises for you? I have honestly planned a very 'nice' evening. . ." he glanced her way.
"I believe you, Jackie boy," she brought his hand up and kissed their interlaced fingers.
"Good, 'cuz we're here," he smiled. "Welcome to part one of our two part evening!"
"Jack!" she was very excited. "The carnival! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've been to a carnival?"
"Nope," he parked and kissed her cheek. "But I can guess that it's been a while."
"Since before my parents. . ." she trailed off, tears in her eyes.
"Lock," he soothed and pulled her into a hug, "is this bad?"
"No, Jackie," she lightly kissed his neck, "this is good, very good."
"Well then," he wiped the tears, "let's get going, huh?"
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My god! A carnival! Lock was ecstatic, she had teared up from joy, not anything else. This is the perfect gift! Well, half the perfect gift--what else does he have hidden up his sleeves?
Jack opened her door, bowing as she stepped out. It felt as if they'd both regressed to children, something they never got to really enjoy, and she loved it. Jack extended his hand and she eagerly accepted, letting him lead the way. He bought a few tickets, just enough for a couple rides, and she remembered that she had money.
Oh well. . .Let Jackie boy do his thing.
"Excuse us," two small kids were trying to beg tickets off of customers. "Excuse us? Can you spare some tickets?"
"Jack?" she gently stopped him. "See those kids?"
"The beggars? Yeah, why?" he smirked as if he already knew why.
"Would you mind?" she whispered. "Let them be kids while they are kids. . .please?"
"Hey, this is your gift," he kissed her. "Do what you want. I've got backup plans, don't worry."
"Thank you, Jackie boy," she smiled, moving toward the kids.
"Do you have any spare tickets?" the two boys asked.
"No," Lock grinned, "but you have some tickets."
"C'mon lady," the older boy got an attitude, "you know we don't."
"Really?" she held up the tickets. "Then what're these?"
The kids looked at her hesitantly, with the usual mistrust of street kids, and then each other.
"What do we gotta do for 'em?"
"Do?" she didn't like where this was going. "All you have to do is promise to have fun on the rides!"
"Really? That's it?"
"Yep," she smiled. "Promise?"
"We promise!" the boys cried in unison.
"Here, go have fun!"
They grabbed the tickets and took off. Jack snickered and pulled her into a hug, nuzzling her neck.
"Where's my attitude-filled Lock?" he laughed.
"Right here, you ass!" she giggled.
"I almost missed you," he teased. "C'mon, I've got an idea."
Jack turned her around and laced their fingers together, leading her toward the games. They stopped at a balloon popping game and Jack paid for three darts. Lock leaned on the counter and laughed harder each time he missed.
"Dammit," he frowned, "usually I'm good at this one."
"May I?" she smirked, pulling her wallet from her pocket.
"Sure, go ahead," he curled a lip playfully. "If you think you can do better."
She smirked and paid for three darts. She aimed and tossed one, popping a balloon. Jack made an aggravated noise and hugged her waist, trying to screw up her throws.
"Dude!" he whined. "How the hell?"
"Here y'are miss! Your prize!" the carnie said, handing her a hot-pink feather boa.
"Jackie," she laughed, putting the boa around his neck, "the Noose has a dart board. . .I've spent hours just tossing darts at it."
"You're so taking all the fun out of my plan," he whined again.
"Oh my god, Jack!" she laughed, pulling him away from the game. "Come here."
"What?" he mumbled, frowning and messing with the boa still on his neck.
She gave him a shy grin, grabbing the ends of the boa and pulling him close. He got the message and smirked, allowing her to pull him in. Lock gently pressed her mouth to his, running a hand in his hair, and pulled him even closer. His hands quickly moved to her face and she very shyly wet his lips. She was granted entry at once, and she almost quit right there, but pushed herself to go on--it wasn't really fair to Jack if she did that--and his tongue quickly met hers.
Oh hell, she panicked, I don't know how to do this! I never paid any fucking attention to when the others were kissing me--stop it! Do NOT think of those ass holes now, this is Jackie. . .
Jack smirked a little, traced patterns in her mouth, showing her some things to do. She calmed down somewhat and copied him the best she could, improvising when she felt the metal stud, and she felt him shudder. Though she'd gotten quite comfortable with Jackie boy, closer to the teen, she was still very scared when it came to certain things, and she was for the most part, inexperienced. Yet, Jack went slow, letting her adjust and get used to him, even teaching her what to do.
He's not like the others. . .they were pervs in the way they taught me 'stuff'. . .not my Jackie boy though. . .he's making it so sweet. . .OK, this is more than enough for now, her body informed her.
"Down boy," she whispered, breaking the contact. "I think I've managed to put the fun back in the night. . ."
Oh, man. . .that was. . .
Jack smirked, panting, and put the boa around her neck. Then he quickly pressed his lips to her nose, and carefully brushed past her lips.
"Definitely put the fun back in the night!" he laughed. "Now, can I do what I planned for the night?"
"Only if you promise to stop bitching if not everything goes as planned. . .I want us both to have fun."
"All right, I promise," he smiled, toying with the boa.
"Thank you," she kissed his cheek. "Now, what did you wanna do?"
"You'll see," he grinned.
For the next few hours, Lock forgot about all her problems, she was lost in bliss. The smells and the lights of the carnival were mesmerizing, and Jack's strong arm wrapped around either her shoulder or waist made it feel better. She laughed so hard and so long that her sides had a constant dull burn, but she loved the feeling, and joked with Jackie. They were in the flea market now, Jack looking through some necklaces and Lock just rummaging around, when she heard someone talking to Jack. She kept her back to them, but listened for trouble.
"Well, if it isn't Queer Jack!" a boy laughed.
"Hey, Ronnie, I heard that he's actually here with a chick!" another one put in.
"I'm bisexual, you fucking nimrods!" Jack growled. "Not gay."
"Right, so that's why you loved Kett in your ass so much. . .'Cuz you're bi," Ronnie shot back.
His band mates. . .ex band mates. . .Lock realized.
"Jack, we booted your dumb ass cuz you just couldn't stop hittin' on us! Touching us and shit," Ronnie said. "Isn't that right, Kale?"
"Yeah," Kale agreed. "Rubbin' up on me and stuff, using me to get your wood."
"Leave me the hell alone, you guys," Jack muttered.
"So, where's this bitch you're here with?" Ronnie snickered. "If she's even real, which I highly doubt."
Those fucks are not gonna screw this up! she swore, slowly moving from where she was.
"Just go!" Jack snapped.
"No, not until I meet this girl," Ronnie giggled. "So, come on. . .Where is she?"
"Behind you, fuck stick," Lock purred.
"Fuck me!" they both yelped, spinning.
"No thanks," she smirked. "I'm sure you have each other for that."
"Hey, Lock," Jack grinned. "There you are."
"No," she walked between the two idiots and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Here I am!"
Jack smiled and thanked her with hazel eyes, briefly kissing her. She smirked and winked, letting him know that she had this all under control.
"So, you 'guys' were in the band with Jack?" she turned to face them, leaning back into Jackie's chest.
"Yeah, but he was too queer for us," Ronnie sneered.
"Huh? Really? 'Cuz I didn't know that he was gay," she glanced back. "I think you guys just couldn't stay focused with him on stage with you. . .I mean he turns you on so much."
"WHAT!" Kale screeched. "Yeah fucking right!"
"Denial. . .so, you guys are still on that stage huh?"
"Look, fuck you!" Ronnie snapped.
"I already told you: No!" she laughed. "Why don't you save your pillow talk for later? I'm sure Kale enjoys it sooo much."
Kale's face burned and he growled loudly, turning and stalking off. Ronnie stayed and stood his ground, not about to be trash talked by a chick.
"Tell me, Lock," he shot back. "Does Jack just fucking plead and beg for your finger in his ass?"
She felt Jack go rigid at that comment and her claws came out full force. She got right into Ronnie's face, barely any space between them, and stared into the hateful brown eyes.
"No, he doesn't," she growled. "But I hear that you would listen through the walls if Kett happened to stay the night with you guys while on tour. Tell me, Ronnie," she smirked. "Was Kale the one fingering you or did you have to do it all by yourself as you listened to Kett and Jackie, knowing you could never have sweet little Jack?"
The fire in his eyes flickered, then died, as she used her icy tongue to shut him the fuck up. He clenched his jaw and balled his hands into fists as they stared at each other.
"I wonder," she smiled sweetly, "does Kale ever get pissed if you call out Jack's name by mistake?"
The teen growled, then turned and left. He had been put in his place by a bitch, and retreated with his tail between his legs.
"It's OK, Ron!" she yelled, wanting just one last shot. "The closet door's open a crack, all you have to do is step out!"
She got his middle finger flashed to her and burst into laughter. She stopped when she realized that Jack was still tensed up and really upset.
"Jackie boy?" she used her absolute favorite nickname on him, hoping that it may help.
"I can't fucking believe him!" he growled, so pissed that he was tearing up. "That cocksucking ass hole!"
"Jackie!" she giggled, putting her hand to his mouth. "There are little kids around! Besides. . .I'm pretty sure his Ego is dead and gone. . .Please don't let one fool ruin this night that you planned for us. . ."
Hazel eyes looked into her sliver ones, softening when he saw her version of the puppy face, and he lost it when she made her bottom lip quiver. She smiled proudly and hugged him.
"You're right. . .I'm not gonna let them ruin my night out with you, ever."
"Good," she grinned. "Know what?"
"Hmmmm?"
"Blue cotton candy!"
"What in the hell?" Jack gave her a confused look.
"Think about it a second, you dork," she laughed, watching the hazel eyes fill with knowing.
"Oh, hey, that does sound good. . ." he smirked, kissing her forehead. "I'll get some in a sec, but there's something I was looking at to maybe get. . ."
"All right, I'll just wander here, I'm not quite done looking yet anyway," she smirked.
"Right," he grinned. "I won't take long. . .we got about an hour before I execute part two of this evening."
She kissed his cheek and went to go finish 'looking'. She already knew what she was going to be buying.
Shoe: YAY! Happy 19th Birthday to me! Woot! Tell me what y'all think of this chapter…..are Lock and Jack going too fast or no?……