A/N: I want to start by thank Nancy and the other Guest for reviewing as I can't reply to you personally, I'm glad the story is being enjoyed.
Secondly I want to apologise in advance, I won't be able to post any updates until Tuesday, but I'm going to attempt to make up for it today by uploading a few chapters, I don't want to rush anything though so we will see how far I get.
The next few days passed slowly for Jess, he was looking forward to the open house but he also had a dull ache in the pit of his stomach at the thought of it. He knew it was just the nerves, after showing Matt and Chris a draft of the first few chapters of his new book they were insistant on a reading by him. They still had to organise the place to hold the open house and set up other readers for the evening, Jess was hoping they would get enough of them that he simply wouldn't have time to do his reading.
Him and Rory texted, almost constantly now, he was enjoying talking to her and they were becoming good friends again. He hadn't brought up the question of the blond dick, it seemed a good sign that Rory was living with Paris but he didn't want to ask for fear of an answer he wouldn't like, instead he had kept the conversation to lighter topics and Rory went along with them. He was looking forward seeing her again, the nerves came in full force at the thought of her hearing her him read.
"Jess!"
"Hmm, what's that?"
"Jeez Jess, we've been saying your name for the last five minutes, what's got you all distracted?" Matt was laughing almost outright at the look on Jess's face.
"Sorry, just thinking about how we will layout the room."
"Oh bull, and you know it. I know you don't want to read on Saturday, but it's really good and it will build anticipation for the book, we are already waiting for more." Chris had joined the conversation now after moving the last table out the way. "And the layout is already sorted, given us two have been shifting all the stuff out of the way while you've been spaced out."
"Sorry, I was supposed to be helping, guess I got lost in thought." Jess genuinely felt bad for leaving all the grunt work to the two of them, he came down with the idea of getting out of his head by moving things around. "I don't even know when the book will be ready, it could be years before I finish."
"It's alright, there wasn't much left to do anyway. As for the book, it will get done quickly if you stay at the same pace and you know you can't stop now you've got started." Chris said matter-of-factly, he knew Jess well enough to know the truth behind the words. "We don't have to worry about your part in the evening. However the poet you have coming is another matter." He now turned his attention to Matt.
"He will be fine, I have all the stuff lined out for him and I'll make sure he doesn't go off script."
"You've said that before, Matt. He's known for doing it, I don't even know why we still get him to do readings."
"I've spoken to him and he will be fine, you have my word."
With that, the conversation changed to the order of reading and the guest list for the day.
"Right, today is the day! Are we sure everything is ready?" Matt was far too cheerful for the early hour of the day but given it was a big day Jess let him off for the excitement, he was less forgiving of him barging into his apartment without any warning.
"What are you doing in my apartment?!"
"Waking you up, I figured you'd still be asleep, I've already called Chris and he will be here in 10 minutes"
"You couldn't have just called me?"
"We had to come here anyway and figured it was easier, get ready and we will meet you downstairs in a few minutes."
He really had to move out of the place above the store, it was way too easily accessed. Once he was dressed he headed downstairs to see Chris had arrived, they spent the morning putting finishing touches to Truncheon and their plan for the evening before heading out. The plan was to stay out of Truncheon until shortly before the open house, they all knew that Chris had the tendency to over-think everything and they would end up with a completely new plan which would result in everything falling apart. 5 o'clock arrived too soon for Jess's liking, they had to get themselves ready for the open house starting on an hour.
Rory hated being late, at least it wasn't by much but when she arrived at Truncheon at 6:15 the open house seemed to be in full swing. She instantly fell in love with the place, as she looked around she saw shelf upon shelf of books, they gave the space a homey, warm feel. She was instantly comfortable as she walked further into room, she was glad to see so many people had turned up and seemed to be enjoying themselves, it bode well for Jess and his friends.
She then saw the crooked smile she had always loved so much. Before she had really registered what was happening she felt his arms go around her and herself wrap her arms around him in return. The hug was short but both seemed to be reluctant to end it as they stepped away from each other, Rory found herself grateful that he kept one of his hands on her forearm.
"Hi, I'm glad you came."
"I am too, I love this place already, makes me feel creative." Rory could see the urge to laugh build behind Jess's eyes at her statement, both of them knew she wasn't exactly creative.
"Well, I'm glad you like it, I'll watch out for any creative outbursts from you." Both of them couldn't help but laugh lightly at that.
"Luke is here?" As they went around the corner she saw him with a young girl that she assumed was the daughter, April.
"Yeah, he dropped by."
They went over and had a short conversation with them both, Rory found April smart and she could see resemblance between her and Luke. Luke seemed the same with April as he was with her at that age, slightly awkward but caring. Rory found it sweet that he had taken to having a relationship with her and more than a little amusing that she found similarities between that and her own relationship with him. Luke told them he had to leave, they had only wanted to drop in brielfy.
"He's proud of you, you know?"
"He may have mentioned that, alongside the awkward man hug he gave me, he's the same Luke as always." Jess wouldn't ever say it outright but he was happy he finally deserved his uncles praise, he was the only one who ever really believed in him, who tried to help him do well in his life. Well, him and Rory.
"Hey, there you are, nearly your turn." Chris had been trying to find Jess amongst the crowd for the duration of the last reading. "And, who's this?"
"Chris, I was hoping you'd forget about getting me up there. This is Rory. Rory, this Chris, one of my partners here." Jess was hoping Chris wouldn't make it obvious he had heard her name before, thankfully Chris had a small amount of sense and though his eyes widened in shock and recognition he didn't make it too obvious and Rory hadn't noticed.
"Hi, there. No I hadn't forgotten, now get over there."
"Hi, nice to meet you." Rory thought Chris seemed nice enough. "You're going up there to read something?" The thought shocked Rory, Jess wasn't known for sharing his work, especially to large crowds, it would have taken some convincing.
"Yes I am, don't go anywhere before I have a chance to say goodbye?"
"Of course not, I'll be around, wouldn't miss your reading anyway."
That didn't help Jess's nerves on the matter but he went around to the reading area anyway to wait for the poet to finish, he knew the passage he would read but now he questioned if it was the right one, there was no going back now though, as he went up to the microphone and took the piece paper out of his jacket so he could read it. As he looked into the gathering of people around him his eyes picked out hers, bright blue and staring straight at his.
"Hi, Jess Mariano here. Reading a small passage from an unfinished and yet untitled book I'm working on."
As he looked at her he felt the love for her grow, it felt ever growing within him. Next came the pain, it was forever growing too. He knew he would live with any pain he needed to in order to stay there, with her. Looking into her eyes he saw the pain reflected there, he had hoped he would see the love he felt reflected also but any remnants of that seemed long gone now. So many things he wanted to say in this moment but he couldn't bring any of them forward, instead he just stared, drinking in the sight of her, he never wanted to lose the image in his mind of her beauty. He may have been able to live with his pain through anything but he knew he couldn't live with the pain he gave her. He hated being the cause of that, knowing she was hurting because he was there. At least he could fix that, he could leave. He would suffer that pain for her, he would suffer it all if it meant that look left her eyes forever.
As he looked up from his paper, he saw Rory wasn't where she was stood before, he then noticed that he was being applauded for his reading. He stepped away from the microphone to allow another poet to take his place for his own reading. He spent the evening walking around the guests making conversation about work and books. He hadn't caught any sight of Rory since before his reading, when other guested started leaving he worried she had left without a goodbye anyway.
As the last few guests were leaving he looked round to see her sat in a mostly hidden corner with a book, she looked so like the teenage Rory he had known years ago, it brought back so many memories of those years.
"Don't tell me your reading that again." He had made sure to walk up loudly enough that his voice hadn't scared her but he had noticed the book in her hands was The Subsect. "Didn't you just finish it?"
"I found a copy on a desk shoved in the corner, I can't believe you put notes in the margins of your own book." She chuckled softly at the idea.
"Old habits and all, I'd change a lot of things if I had the chance now."
"Well, I love it, even if you don't and you're reading was just as good."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Very much looking forward to reading your new book."
"It will be a while yet." He felt a slight blush on his cheeks at the compliment and looked down to hide it.
"Anyway, I'm glad things are better with you at home now."
"Me too, speaking of which, I suppose I best be heading back to New Haven."
"You're driving back tonight, you realise it's gone 10, you won't get back until the early hours of the morning?"
"Crap, it's that late?" She was shocked to see how late it was, time got away from her, she was having a good time, mostly watching Jess walk around as he talked to different people.
"Yeah, seems you lost track of time."
"I'll find a hotel and crash before I leave first thing then."
"You could always stay here?" He honestly had no idea what made those words come from his lips, he saw her eyes widen and turn slighly confused at the implication. "I live in the apartment upstairs, you can crash here, I don't mind staying on the couch for a night."
"I couldn't ask you to do that."
"You're not, I'm offering."
"If you're sure, it might be easier."
"Of course." He wasn't sure if it would be the best idea but he was already in too deep now anyway. "The guys invited you along for the celebratory drink at the bar down the road, if you feel up to it, we won't be out long."
"Yeah sure, they both seem great."
Rory wasn't sure she had made the right decision by staying the night at Jess's apartment but he'd offered and he was right that it was an easier answer than trying to find a hotel at this time and she liked the idea of spending more time with him and his friends before she had to go back.