But I did notice his periodic wistful glances at Jack. It was clear to me he still had feelings for his ex, and who could blame him, really? Jack was everything.
While I was busy ruminating on how perfect Jack was, Ty had moved to the seat next to mine. “Jack tells me you’re a nurse in a senior home. I have a good friend in New York who works with hospice, and she loves it. I think it takes someone with a big heart and lots of patience to work with the elderly.”
Just when I was trying to decide whether or not to be annoyed by his words, he continued. “It’s hard for some of us to slow down enough to listen to the incredible stories the older generations have. I remember my great-grandfather, when I was little, telling stories about rationing during the war and how he had a neighbor lady who traded for extra butter because one of her sons had asked for just butter for Christmas.” He chuckled. “The kid ate the entire thing if you can believe it.”
“Ugh, why not have it made into a cake or cookies?” I asked with a groan and a laugh. “I can’t imagine what that butter did to that poor kid’s stomach.”
Jack looked over at the two of us laughing together with a comical expression on his face. I ignored him and began to ask Ty questions about his new job. Apparently, it was the right subject change because the man’s face lit up. He told me all about Michigan City’s location on the shore and its famous lighthouse, how couples loved to plan weddings in the area, and how he hoped to make La Porte County a corporate events destination for Chicago companies looking for a little more space and nature. We talked for a long time about how to market La Porte County to Chicagoans, and he asked me lots of questions about growing up in the Chicago area.
By the time the food was ready, I felt… not exactly thrilled he was there, of course, but at least I felt less intimidated by him than I had when I’d first realized who he was. I even had the random thought that if Jack and Ty ended up together, that wouldn’t be so bad for Jack. Ty was kind and interesting, clearly smart and successful at what he did, and he already had the family connection as Kirk’s brother. If the only thing holding Jack back from committing to Ty was his disinterest in settling down with anyone, that meant the minute Jack was ready to settle down, he still had the option for it to be with Ty.
Those thoughts took me down a dark path that unsettled my stomach.
“You okay?” Jack asked, whispering low in my ear. His hand was resting on my thigh under the table, and his touch had helped up until this stupid train of thought about Ty and Jack and their perfect house in La Porte together.
“I…” I looked around at Millie, who was teasing Ty about his ideas for the baby’s nursery. Keith was busy asking Kirk about work, and Lori was gathering up dirty plates from the table. I stood to help her. “My head’s starting to hurt,” I said quietly to Jack. “I might need to beg off early.” It wasn’t really a lie. The stress of meeting Jack’s whole family in addition to his beautiful and perfect ex was getting to me with a low throb behind my forehead. I wanted some time to myself in a dark room to just be still.
Jack’s brows furrowed. He reached out to brush the hair back from my face in a tender gesture that made a lump form in my throat. “Okay, let’s go up to bed, then.”
My heart thundered erratically. The affectionate look in his eyes, the gentle caress of his hand… his assumption that if I needed to go to bed, then he was coming too. It all hit me at once.
I was in love with him.
“No!” I blurted, suddenly frantic. If he came with me, I’d say it. I’d say it out loud like a stupid jackass and ruin everything. I didn’t want to lose him, lose what we had now. Friendship was better than nothing, and I sure as shit didn’t want nothing with him.
Jack’s expression froze in surprise, and then he pasted on a fake smile. “Okay, let me show you where we’re sleeping, and I’ll leave you to it.”
30
Jack
I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, really. Bringing Teo to meet my family would have been stressful enough as it was, but then adding in the unexpected appearance of my ex, and it was excruciating.
All I wanted was to get him into the guest bed and snuggle the shit out of him. Or maybe suck his dick until his brain went offline. Either way, what I did not want to do was leave him. But he seemed to be in need of some alone time, so I did anyway.
“He okay?” Millie asked as I returned to the patio. It was a nice early summer night, and I appreciated the chance to sit outside.
“Headache. He’s been working odd shifts, so his sleeping is off. I’m worried he’s been skipping meals because of it too.”
I took a seat again at the table next to my mom, who patted my arm. “He’s a real cutie, Jack.”
My dad nodded, but I noticed Ty look down at his glass of wine.
“He’s a sweetheart,” I added softly. “I’m glad you all got a chance to finally meet him.”
The sound of summer nights floated around us, crickets and neighbors having their own backyard barbecue a few houses away.
“I like him too.” Ty’s voice was hesitant. “He reminds me a little bit of Pat Farrow. Remember him? Tina’s friend who we met at that party in Chelsea?”
I thought back to the man with the bright green eyes who was trying to make a living as a professional figure skater. “It’s the eyes,” I said with a laugh.
“And the dark hair, and the dimple. But also, he just has that nurturing vibe, you know? He’s nice, Jack.” He met my eyes. There was sadness and regret there, but I could see he meant what he said. “It’s good to see you with someone. I hate thinking of you being alone.”
“I…” I’d started to say I wasn’t with anyone, but I couldn’t exactly admit that when I’d brought Teo here for the weekend. “It’s not serious,” I said instead.
Every single person sitting at the table burst out laughing.
“Sure it’s not,” Millie said through tears.
“Yeah, right,” Kirk added.
Even my dad was chuckling. “Son, you’ve got a screw loose if you think there’s nothing serious between you two. I’m not sure if…” He glanced at Ty.
My mom wasn’t as hesitant. “What your father’s trying to say is, maybe you’re downplaying it for Ty’s sake, but we can all see you’re in love with the boy. And Ty’s a grown-up. Respect him enough to be able to handle it.”
In love. Hardly.
I turned to my ex. Poor Ty looked like he wanted to crawl under the table and slink off into the woods. “She’s not wrong,” he muttered. “I’m not exactly still crying into my pillowcase every night. We’ve been broken up for years, Jack.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” I asked gently.
He shook his head. “I was, but it wasn’t serious. He’d never been out of New York and had no interest in travel or adventure. I may be ready to settle down, but I’m not ready to stop traveling and trying new things. Plus, I knew I was getting more serious about moving here, so I didn’t pursue it.”
Millie clapped her hands which was never a good sign. “We’ll take you to South Bend and show you the gay bars.”