Thristy

Chapter Five

He shut the door after allowing Bear into the car. Bear sat at the back of the seats that I sat in with his head bowed in the middle of us, “Sorry bud, Baby Girl, get shot gun.” He lifted his hand on to Bear’s head as he drove down the street, “I know your daddy is an asshole for picking a lady over his best friend. I started to laugh as he talked to the dog. Jack shifted his body, so he was almost leaning on Bear, “Listen, I think this is the one, Buddy. So, please don’t take it personally. If it was any other stranger than I would have them stay in the back, then you could still be next to me.

I continued to roll until he said, “The one.” My head started to spin, what did he mean by the one? How can we have a healthy relationship if we both have baggage that we can’t share? Can I even carry his baggage along with mine? I shook my head as Jack took a quick look at me as he lifted his hand to touch my shoulder and pulled me in. Bear thought it was a good time to place his head on top of Jack’s arm close to my face and gave me a lick on my cheek with his big wet tongue, “Aww, He likes you, too.” I smiled, “Hey. What can I say? Animals and babies love me.”  I heard Jack say under his breath, “They are not the only ones.”

We arrived at Jack’s place as we went up the side stairs to get to the loft. He opened the door as he held Bear’s leash and my overnight bag, “Home Sweet Home.” I started to giggle as he smiled at me, “What’s a matter, Baby Girl?” I shook my head as he stepped towards me as I closed the door, “Nothing, Just happy.” He tilted his head, “That is a bad thing?”  He placed a kiss on my forehead then placed my bag on the table and let Bear off of his leash. He turned and went towards me then placed his arms around me as he pulled me into him.

Bear ran past us making me trip back on the bed with Jack still locked around me as we hit the bed. He chuckled, “You okay?”  I nodded as he looked over to Bear, “Now that is what you call a man’s best friend right there.” Bear picked his head up from his huge doggie bed as Jack smiled, “Yes, I am talking about you.” I laughed as Jack raised his eyebrow, “What?”

He still has me wrapped in his arms on his bed as I said, “I think it is cute. This whole day was cute. You were cute with your sister, Michael and now with Bear.” Bear lifted his once more to give a “Woof.” I laughed, “See even Bear thinks you are cute.” He laughed as he lifted my head up to his, “Do you know what I think is cute?” I shook my head, “No. What? Please do tell.” He smirked, “You” He leaned down and placed his lips on mine, “Jack, I think we have started getting ready to meet up with Rick and Abby.” He groaned, “I know. I just want to lay here for a minute in your arms.” I smiled, “I guess so.” As the two of us laid in the bed together. I felt his cellphone vibrate. He reached over my head where his phone laid then looked to see who it was, “Time to go, Baby Girl.”

Luckily, we didn’t have to go gar to meet Rick and Abby. They were waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. I went down the stairs fast as I could to take Abby into my arms as Jack shook Rick’s hand. Abby looked at me at arm length, “You are different?” I blushed; I don’t know what you are talking about.” She looked me up and down, “No, you do know what I am talking about. And the cherry went.” She took her finger and placed in her mouth as she slid it out, she made a pop sound. I smacked her arm, “Abby.” Jack shook his head, “Okay, Ladies. Rick was able to get us a table in the VIP section. We can finish this conversation up there.”

We walked up the stairs on the opposite side of the club where the VIP rooms sat. We were shown to our section when I realized that we could hear the music, but it wasn’t as loud. Abby and I sat in the middle of the table as Jack took the side to me and Rick sat next to Abby. Abby looked at me as she whispered, “Tell me. How was it?’ I smiled, “It was Amazing.” She smiled then leaned over to give Jack a thumb up. I pushed her, “Abby.” She chuckled, “What? I just let him know that your best friend approves. If he hurts, then he is all mine. Six feet under the ground.” I chuckled as our waiter came to take our order.

Once he left, I leaned over to Abby and whispered, “How was your night with Rick the bouncer.” She giggled, “It was amazing.” I smiled at her then leaned over to give him the thumb up as he shook his head. She pushed me into Jack, “Monica.” Jack started to laugh as I tilted my head, “What? Like you said. Just giving him your best friend approval. In all seriousness. I will place him six feet under the ground if he hurts you.”

Jack pulled me into him as he whispered, “You having fun?” I smiled, “Of course I am.” He chuckled, “Good. After dinner. The four of us will head up to the loft for a bit then when they leave.” He whispered in his low sexy voice, “You are all mine.” I smirked at him, “Jack, Is that a threat.” He threw his head back and laughed, “Nope, Baby girl, that is a promise.” He planned his lips to my cheek as the food and drinks arrived.

For the next hour, Rick and Jack shared funny stories of their friendship. Abby continued to embarrass me as she told Jack some stories of our friendship before we all headed back to the loft. Abby looked around, “Jack this is a cute little place you have.” He smiled, “It is home to me.” We gathered around the table as Jack grabbed everyone's beer, “Abby, how did you meet my baby girl here?” I gave Abby a stare to not give too much information. Like everything else she doesn’t listen. I think to myself, “This woman is going to be the death of me.” She smiled, “We met in college when she ran from Chicago to Boston.” Jack looked up at me as she kept going, “She was in a dark place at the time.” Jack placed his hand on my back as he glided his finger tracing the scar on my back over my shirt. She sighed, “She was my roommate.”

She sipped her beer, “I was supposed to move in the day after she moved in. I decided to move in on the day when I opened the door she was getting changed and had her back towards me.” Jack interpreted, “The scar?” Rick tightened his muscles around his neck then looked at Abby for more of explanation as Abby looked up, “Yeah, The scar. I saw it when it was still fresh. When she saw me, she broke down? I comforted her and had a girl’s night out. We have been two peas in a pod ever since.” Jack placed his arm around my shoulder and pulled me. He kissed the side of my head, “You okay?” I looked up at him, “I will be ok” I wiped a tear away before Jack noticed as Abby sat up, “Monica is one of the bravest and strongest women that I have ever known. It has been an honor being her best friend all these years.” Jack smiled, “Let’s not forget beautiful and smart. More importantly her heart is made of gold.” 

I blushed as they tossed in my honor, “Ok you guys. Enough about me. Tell me Rick. How do you like my best friend, here?” Abby gave me the I know what you are doing look as I wanted to talk about something else before I had a breakdown. As Rick placed his arm around Abby, “She is great.” He smiled as he gave her a kiss. She had to take over the board and started making out with him right in front of us as Jack and I laughed. Jake shook his head, “Okay, Love birds. I think it is called a night. At least before you take over my apartment, I will have to stay with Monica. I would never be able to walk into this place ever again. I wouldn’t mine but I really like my apartment.” Abby and Rick chuckled as they got up as Jack walked them to the door. Abby looked back to me, “Monica, we are still on for next week for your birthday?” Jake looked over with a devil look. I smiled as I held up my beer, “The big three-o.”

She laughed as they left and all Jack’s attention was on me as soon as that door closed, “So, Baby girl.” He slowly walked towards me, “You didn’t tell me that your birthday is coming up.” I shook my head as I got up from the table, “I did? Didn’t I? I slowly backed towards the bed as Jack moved towards me, “I think, I would remember that you did.” He started to close in on me, “I am sure that I did...” He moved into me quicker, “Nope.” I nodded, “At your sister’s?” I went to run when he caught me as he pulled me into him then lifted me up with my legs locked around his hips, “No, Baby Girl. You never mention it.” He placed his lips on mine, “I want to do something special for you.”

I shook my head as he walked to the bed, “Jack. You don’t have to. I never really like my birthday anyway. I usually go out with Abby and get hammered.” He leaned his lips to brush against mine, “Not this year. This year you are going to enjoy it.” He placed me on the bed as he pushed himself into me, “Jack” He smiled as he pushed harder, “Monica, Baby Girl.”