Just Jack

by Meredith Russell

  “Okay, you’re freakin’ me out, man.”

  “Sorry.” Jack released Abe’s hand and looked at the palm of his own hand. Taking a deep breath, he curled his fingers. The echo of warmth lingered. This shouldn’t be happening.

  Abe narrowed his eyes. “What is it?”

  Jack didn’t understand it himself. How was he supposed to even begin to explain this to Abe? Straightening up, he looked firmly at Abe and made a decision. Abe didn’t need to know about any of this. Jack had worried him enough already.

  “Nothing.”

  “Would you tell me if there was somethin’ wrong?”

  Though unsettled, Jack plastered on a smile. “Of course.”

  Abe didn’t look convinced, but he relented in his questioning. “Okay, well, you still have the order to finish for Wednesday night.” He squeezed Jack’s shoulder, and Jack closed his eyes at the feel of warmth through his shirt. “If you need to talk, I’ll be out front.”

  Jack opened his eyes and gave a short nod. “Thanks. But I’m fine.” When Abe didn’t make to move, Jack added, “I promise.” Jack let out a held breath as Abe turned on his heel. Abe was the last person he wanted to lie to, but until he figured out what was happening to him, there was no point in worrying his friend. Curiously, Jack glanced at his hand.

  What the hell was going on?

  Chapter 16

  “Cheer up. It might never happen,” Nathan said on entering the staff kitchen.

  Leo glared at Nathan from over the rim of his coffee mug. “Yeah, right.”

  Nathan smiled brightly as he made himself a drink.

  “What’s put you in such a good mood anyway?” Leo sipped at his coffee.

  “Like you have to ask.”

  Leo snorted a laugh. “Ah, yes. Tonight’s free bar.” Was it really that time of year again? Maybe he should give the company party a miss this year. Alcohol and awkward conversation with the office gossips and his ex weren’t high on his to-do list for the evening. “I’m sure you and Ruby will have fun.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “What?”

  “You’re not not going tonight.” Nathan leaned back against the kitchen counter.

  “Nathan, I just… I’ve spent the last three days walking into rooms for everyone to go quiet, and had more one-on-one meetings with Mac than I can really stomach. I want to go home, get out of this suit, and curl up on my couch.” He turned to Nathan. “You understand, right?”

  “Office gossip has never bothered you before,” Nathan pointed out.

  “Maybe.” There had been plenty of speculation about him and Mac when they started going out. Even more when Mac’s cheating came to light.

  “And if you think Ruby’s going to let you sneak off home and stay there, you’re sorely mistaken.” Nathan elbowed Leo in the arm. “Plus, who else is going to dance with her? Me? I have two left feet.”

  Leo rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. “But what about Mac’s family?” He smoothed a hand over his jaw. “Do you think they know anything?”

  It wasn’t like he’d ever had anything to do with Mac’s family in the three years they dated. He was pretty sure they knew Mac was gay and had been seeing someone from the company, but did they know it was him? As a couple they had always avoided the Donovan family barbeques and picnics and holiday celebrations, and Mac had missed the last company party due to a business trip, so they hadn’t presented themselves as a couple at the event. In the office and in terms of management structure, Leo worked under Mac. They had always been professional. The last thing either of them had wanted was Mac’s grandmother or one of his brothers walking in on them in a passionate clinch. Leo suddenly felt ill at the thought.

  “Does it matter if they do?” Nathan asked. He seemed unconcerned. “I can’t remember you telling me anything about them in all this time. Have you actually met them beyond a board meeting or appraisal?”

  Embarrassed, Leo shook his head. “No.” Mac had met Leo’s family a few times, but nothing heavy. “They don’t know I exist, do they?”

  Nathan shrugged. “Even if they do, what difference does it make? They’ll do what they do every year. They’ll show their faces for an hour, two max, do their speech nonsense to inspire the troops for another year, then leave us peasants to drink the bar dry.”

  If nothing else, Nathan was honest and direct.

  “I guess.”

  “There’s no guess about it. We’ll pick you up at eight. Ruby is the designated driver.” Nathan didn’t allow room for Leo to argue, instead he took his drink and left the kitchen, flashing a cheeky grin over his shoulder as he walked away.

  Glancing at the clock above the door, Leo took a long drink of his coffee. He had agreed to meet with Mac again that afternoon to help him work on his part of the ‘speech nonsense’ for the party. “Here we go again,” he uttered into his coffee. Standing up, he picked up the second mug he’d made and headed for Mac’s office.

  * * * * *

  “Watch it. We’d like to see them at least leave the club in one piece. Yeah? Thanks.” Abe held his head in his hands and gave a frustrated growl. “Where the hell do they find these people?” he said of the deliverymen struggling to maneuver the crated ice sculptures onto the back of their truck. He turned his back on the men and stared at Jack. “Just tell me when they’re done, yeah? I can’t look.”

  Jack laughed as he watched over Abe’s shoulder. He didn’t know why he was laughing. He had spent hours perfectly sculpting the blocks of ice and should be the last person amused by the incompetent collectors.

  “They’re fine.” He kept his eye on them for a moment more before also turning his back. He hooked his arm around Abe’s shoulders. “Who’s covering the luge and the bar at the party tonight?”

  Abe tensed his shoulders.

  “What?”

  “Yeah, need to talk to you about that.”

  “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

  Abe ducked, freeing himself from Jack’s arm. “I know you like to keep a low profile, but I need you to do the party tonight.”

  Jack turned around. “Tonight?”

  “You have somewhere else you need to be?”

  “No, but…” He didn’t mind the odd shift here and there, helping out when the bar was busy, but that was his limit—one more nameless, faceless barman among a stream of alcohol.

  Abe pressed his hands together. “Jack. The twins are ill, and I mean ill. Seriously, they overshared. Everybody I’ve called seems to have plans, so I’ve got no cover for tonight. So, I need you to go with Misha to the Silverstorm.”

  Jack went to argue.

  “Don’t make me pull the ‘I’m the boss’ card on you.” Abe folded his arms and looked smug. “Unless there’s a problem? Anythin’ you want to talk about?”

  “I didn’t realize you’d taken up fishing.” He gazed over Abe’s shoulder as the last of the crates was carried up the ramp and onto the truck. What was he supposed to say? Admit he was scared about what might be happening to him?

  “So?”

  “Fine. I’ll do it. What time do you need me there?” This had to be easier than the truth, right?

  “Party starts at eight. I’ve asked Misha to pick you up from here about seven, which gives you time to assemble the bar.”

  With a sigh, Jack nodded. “Fine.” He curled his hands into fists at his side as tension ached in his chest. It was one night. What could happen in a night?

  You’ve totally just screwed yourself thinking that. Jack reached for the wooden bar and forced a smile. “It’ll be fine.”

  * * * * *

  “Where’s your date?” Ruby questioned as Leo slid into the back seat of the car. She looked at him from between the front seats and grinned.

  Straightening his jacket, Leo pressed his mouth in a line. He was already having second thoughts about going without her teasing him. “No date.”

  “Did you ask Jack?” Nathan chimed in from the passenger seat.
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  “Honestly, no.” He leaned forward and rested his arm on the back of Ruby’s seat. “Under the circumstances, I didn’t think it was a good idea. Plus, I didn’t want to send him running for the hills.” He could picture Jack’s look of panic as he searched for the exit if Leo had asked him to be his plus-one at a work event. Though the thought of having someone to go with, instead of being third wheel to Nathan and Ruby, sounded great, he didn’t think they were quite there just yet.

  “I don’t see Jack as a guy so easily spooked.” Ruby turned around and settled in her seat, resting her hands on the steering wheel. “But I guess it might be a little awkward.”

  “Would prove a point, though,” Nathan said idly.

  “What point?” Leo buckled his seat belt.

  Nathan glanced over his shoulder. “That the two of you are done.”

  A twinge of doubt sparked in Leo’s chest. Done. Over. The end. He knew that was the case, but having still spent time with Mac, near-missing each other’s guarded glances when they thought the other wasn’t looking, the end for them didn’t feel real. He looked up, surprised to catch Ruby’s eye in the mirror.

  “Please tell me you’re not.” Ruby narrowed her eyes.

  Leo looked out the side window. He wasn’t going to forget about Mac or stop caring about the man with a snap of his fingers. He did still have feelings for Mac, how could he not? But whatever he felt, he was sure it wasn’t love. Not anymore. Not for Mac. A smile teased the corner of his mouth. What he had had with Jack over the last few days might not be his next great romance, it might never be love, but he had felt more joy and contentment in a few days with Jack than he had in a long time with Mac. Maybe he and Jack were just some passing thing, but then maybe they weren’t. Either way, he’d learned he could move on, that he wanted to. His heart might be bruised and battered, but it wasn’t broken, and he shouldn’t give up or throw it away so easily.

  In reply to Leo’s non-answer, Ruby huffed a breath and started the engine.

  “Leave him,” Nathan whispered to her. “Let’s have a good night, yeah?”

  “Yeah. Sorry.” Ruby put the car in drive. “Silverstorm, here we come.”

  * * * * *

  The tension in the car had eased by the time they had arrived at the hotel. The Silverstorm was situated on the coast. The hotel was a two-story building attached to a converted lighthouse. The green-gray painted wood was set off with white fencing running around the walkway and balconies on the second floor that looked out on the ocean as well as a large patio and swimming pool.

  “Fancy a dip?” Nathan joked.

  Ruby shot him a look of disgust as she headed for a seat beside one of the large outdoor heaters.

  “I guess not.” He laughed and hung back with Leo. “Are you okay?” he asked Leo.

  “I’m fine.” Leo looked out at the dark ocean. Lights from boats on the water shone through the night, reflecting off the surface in a hazy glow. He used to sail with his dad when he and his sister were kids. When it had been all happy families. Seemed such a long time ago now. He loved it out on the ocean; everything was so big, endless, and anything seemed possible. He smoothed his hand over his tie and smiled when Nathan patted him encouragingly on the shoulder.

  “Drink?” Nathan asked and nodded back to the building and hotel bar.

  “Sure. Whatever you’re having.”

  “You may regret that.” Wearing a grin, Nathan headed back inside, leaving Leo standing alone near the pool.

  The outside space was lit by strings of white lights running around the edge of the patio. On the tiled area stood a number of tables. One held filled champagne flutes, others had a selection of canapés, and another silver platters of ice and fruits. The four largest tables were each centered with a masterfully carved ice sculpture—a fairground scene including a Ferris wheel and carousel, a teddy bears’ picnic, a train set, and a row of old-fashioned wooden toy soldiers. They were beautiful, each backlit by a light cycling through the primary colors.

  A shiver passed along Leo’s spine as he sensed someone behind him.

  “Evening.”

  The voice sounded familiar, and Leo checked over his shoulder. “Jack,” he said, surprised. Turning around, he looked Jack up and down. Was he really here? Aware he was staring and had fallen silent, Leo cleared his throat. “Hi. What are you doing here?” He winced as his words came across more rudely than intended.

  If Jack had thought him rude, he didn’t acknowledge it and instead smiled. “Working.”

  “You work here?” Leo pointed toward the hotel.

  Jack grinned. “No. I came with the bar.” Beyond the table stood a bar of ice, and on one end was what looked like a miniature version of one of the giant slides found at state fairs. “Luge and cocktails. As ordered by the big boss.”

  “Oh, right.” Leo wished Nathan would hurry with that drink. He felt awkward with nothing in his hand, nothing to focus on other than Jack. His gaze drifted across the ice sculptures. “Are the sculptures from your club as well?”

  “Yup.” Jack beamed.

  There had been some fascinating and fun pieces in the ice bar. “Who makes them?”

  Jack raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

  “You?”

  Jack laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

  “Sorry.” Leo admired the closest of the icy creations. “I hadn’t realized.”

  “No reason you should.” He rested his hand on the small of Leo’s back. “So, how have you been? I hope you don’t think I’ve been ignoring you.”

  “What? Oh, no.” They had exchanged a few text messages on Sunday, but otherwise they’d agreed to get in touch at the end of the week. Anything more and one of them would probably have come across as stalkerish, and most likely it would have been Leo.

  He leaned back into Jack’s touch and smiled. “We said the end of the week.”

  “True.” Jack stroked his hand over the back of Leo’s jacket. “Who are you here with?” His voice was smooth and seemed to flow through Leo like a seductive wave.

  “Ruby.” He indicated where Ruby had retreated to the heaters. “And Nathan’s at the bar.”

  Jack waved as he managed to catch Ruby’s eye. “She looks happy.”

  A huge smile spread across Ruby’s face as she sat back in her seat and crossed her legs. She looked from Jack to Leo, tapping her nails on her forearm as she gave some strange wink-nod combination.

  “Is she all right?” Jack sounded amused.

  “Ignore her,” Leo told him. “She’s in a weird mood.”

  Jack turned his back on Ruby and came to stand in front of Leo. “Sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. If I’d known you were here… But Abe was struggling to get cover.”

  “What? No. Don’t be silly. It’s good to see you.” It really was. There were moments each day where he had found his thoughts wandering to Jack and what had happened over the weekend between them. Despite his better judgment, Leo had wondered what Jack was doing, if he was working, who he was with. He really liked Jack and enjoyed his company. If he hadn’t just gotten out of a relationship where he’d had his heart and head messed with, he could quite easily find himself falling in love with Jack. Hell, maybe he was a little anyway.

  “Looks like the cavalry has arrived,” Jack said of Nathan as he returned from the hotel bar. He lowered his hand, and Leo was surprised how quickly he missed the contact.

  There was a playful smile on Nathan’s lips as he joined them. “Hey. Jack. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Work,” Jack said at the same time as Leo.

  Nathan laughed and held out one of the bottles of beer he was carrying for Leo to take. “Thought I’d ease you in gently.”

  “Thanks.” Leo took the drink, and instantly, he was drawn to the feel of the label beneath his fingertips. Idly, he began to pick at the raised edge.

  “Later.” Nathan raised the wine glass he held in his other hand, then went to join Ruby.


  Jack briefly returned his hand to Leo’s back. “I should probably leave you to your party.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Disappointment flooded through him. “You probably have things to do anyway.”

  Jack smiled. “Come see me later. I’ll make you a cocktail.” He hesitated, as if trying to decide on his next move. Seeming to make up his mind, he leaned in and kissed Leo on his cheek. “Have fun.”

  “Thanks.” Leo took a drink of his beer as Jack walked away. He stood for a moment, taking the time to study Jack from afar. What was it about Jack that had him so fascinated? He was just a man. He observed Jack for a few more moments, until loud laughter seemed to break the spell he had fallen under. Looking over his shoulder, he went cold as he spotted Mac with his two older brothers.

  Great. The last thing he needed was to be caught staring. Luckily, people were still arriving. Quick thinking led him to fall in with the newest arrivals, walking alongside them until he was safely on the other side of the patio and with his friends beside the heaters.

  “Wimp.” Ruby covered the word with a faux cough. She’d obviously spotted his reason for joining them so hastily.

  With a sigh, Leo pulled up a seat at the table she had laid claim to. He rested his head in his hand as he looked from Mac over to where Jack was laughing with the young barman who had accompanied him. A twinge of jealousy rose in his chest as he watched them together, how Jack’s hand brushed the other man’s as they exchanged a bottle of vodka.

  “You’ve got it bad,” Ruby teased.

  Leo shot her a look, then looked back at Jack. He swallowed uncomfortably as a warmth rolled in his stomach. Just seeing Jack made him feel brighter, happier.

  He turned away. Well, damn.

  Chapter 17