The Thing About Love... (The Thing About... #1)

by J. M. Raphaelle

  Jack: Mmm I'm so turned on!

  Jack: Fuck I want you!

  Jack: Shit! My dad's here

  Jack: I'm ditching him and going to get you!

  Ellie: Jack be nice

  Jack: LOL!!!

  Ellie:

  Ellie: Talk later. I'm taking a little nap… Like till tomorrow morning

  Jack: LOL! Ok baby dream of me loving you

  Ellie: Always! Hope you get home soon and rest

  Jack: Yes baby

  Ellie: My hottie!

  Jack: Damn Ellie what you do to me!

  Ellie:

  I fall asleep without a care in the world.

  CHAPTER 29

  I'VE CAUGHT A COLD, probably from my co-worker Eva. I tried to stay away from her, but we share an office, and it didn't take much to catch the virus. I've called in sick, and I'm staying in bed to nurse this illness. I'm taking advantage of my idle time and grab Marie's iPad to finish The Power of Now.

  My body aches. I'm taking vitamin C and cold medicine, hoping I can get rid of this inconvenient ailment soon.

  I reach for my cell that just pinged with a text.

  Jack: How's your day going baby?

  Ellie: Fantastic I'm in bed

  Jack: What, why, with who?

  Ellie: A cold please don't interrupt our affair

  Jack: LOL! You don't feel well?

  Ellie: Just a minor cold

  Jack: I can go take care of you

  Ellie: Thank you but I'm ok

  Jack: Sure? We can play doctor

  Ellie: Hmm tempting but I don't want you to get sick

  Jack: So…

  Ellie: I'm fine. I'm cozy in bed and I'll be ok in a couple of days

  Jack: Xoxo baby!

  Ellie:

  ●●●

  I haven't brushed my hair or washed my face all day. What's the point? I'm too tired and achy to do anything but stay in bed.

  I'm grabbing a glass of ginger ale, when the doorbell rings.

  It's probably that delivery Marie is expecting.

  I open the door and see Jack.

  "Hi, baby," he smiles.

  I gasp — Hell, I look horrible!

  I shut the door on him.

  "Ellie, open the door," I hear him laughing.

  "Sorry," I plead. "Give me two minutes," I shout through the door.

  I run to the bathroom with new found energy. I brush my teeth and wash my face. In my room, I apply tinted moisturizer to give my pale skin a bit of color, comb my hair into an acceptable pony tail, and change into a clean pair of PJs.

  This will have to do.

  I open the door, and he's leaning against the doorframe, smirking, holding a large paper bag. He moves to walk inside, but I block his way.

  I stand in front of the door with my arms crossed, smirking back at him.

  "What are you doing here?" I bite my lip.

  "I'm here to take care of you," he replies cheerfully.

  "I thought we agreed I was okay." I'm desperately trying to hold back a happy, jubilant smile, because I love that he's here.

  "You agreed. I didn't. Are you going to let me in?" he stares me down with his piercing bluish-gray eyes.

  "Depends," I banter.

  "On what, Ellie?"

  Damn, he's hot!

  "On what's in the bag."

  "Chicken noodle soup," he says, trying to stifle his laughter.

  "Hmm, that's a mighty big bag for chicken noodle soup."

  "And orange juice and bread," he explains sweetly.

  "Bread, huh?" I arch one eyebrow.

  "Fresh, warm bread," he gives me a concupiscent grin.

  I smile back and throw my arms around him. He almost drops the bag on the floor.

  He leans in to kiss me, but I turn my face away.

  "I don't want you catching my cold," I explain.

  "I'm a strong man, Ellie, I can take a little cold," he grabs my face with one hand, turns it to him, and plants a loud kiss on my lips.

  He commands me back to bed, while he finds tableware. I do as I'm told, because he's just too cute to resist.

  "Open up," he instructs. He's feeding me soup in bed.

  "You know, I can feed myself," I say, after the third spoon full. "I do have the strength to spoon," I tease.

  He laughs and quips, "I sure hope so. We'll get to that later. First you eat, open up."

  I happily do as he says.

  ●●●

  We're lying on the bed, my head on his chest and our arms around each other.

  Marie walks into my bedroom, and she immediately stops when she sees us.

  "Huh, well this is interesting. What's up?" she crosses her arms and grins.

  "Jack came over to take care of me."

  "I see. Is he doing a good job?" she asks amused.

  "Yes," I smile and squeeze him.

  "We're watching a movie. You want to join us?"

  She takes a few steps inside and looks at the TV. "The Notebook?" she mocks, lifting an eyebrow.

  I give her another smile, and Jack shrugs.

  "Damn, Jack, you're a goner!" she declares and walks out, shaking her head and laughing.

  He rented The Notebook and Love Actually on iTunes. I'm pretty sure he had never seen either before tonight and hadn't planned on it. But he thinks it's the type of movie I want to watch, and it proves to me how much he cares.

  What he doesn't know is that Love Actually is one of my favorite movies of all time, but I will tell him, so he knows how happy he's made me.

  Jack always makes me happy.

  He was just what I needed when I was most broken. I don't know who or what intervened, but I thank them from the bottom of my heart for bringing Jack to me.

  CHAPTER 30

  JACK'S BEEN HERE all day. It's late. I wonder how much longer he's staying. I don't want him to go, but I also don't want him to catch my cold.

  "More orange juice, soup, water, anything?" he asks sweetly.

  "No, baby, you've fed me enough, thank you," I giggle, delighted he's in bed with me. I'm wrapped around him, my head resting on his chest.

  "Are you laughing at me or with me?"

  "Both," I respond playfully.

  "Both?" he looks down at me and tilts my face up to him with his finger.

  "You're way too adorable, you know that?" I say, loving his inquisitive eyes on me.

  "I don't want to be adorable. I'm strong, manly, and tough," he grunts.

  "Okay, now I'm really laughing at you," I smile and kiss his chest.

  "What do you want, Ellie?"

  "Hmm, water maybe," I say, not understanding what he's asking.

  He scoots down so we're face to face and just stares at me. His eyes are intense, eager, gripping…

  "No, what do you want?" he asks again.

  I search his eyes for what he's refusing to tell me.

  "You," I reply, studying him.

  He remains quiet, but his beautiful bluish-gray eyes are bright.

  I'm going to say it again, but I sneeze instead, so loudly and forcefully, I almost bump him on the head.

  "Sorry," I cover my mouth mortified.

  He chuckles.

  "Are you laughing with me or at me?" I ask embarrassed.

  "Both," he replies. "You really are adorable, Ellie, and I want to take care of you. Can I stay?"

  "Yes," I say, but quickly add, "but you shouldn't, because I don't want you to get sick."

  I try to pull away from his embrace, so he knows I'm serious, but he holds me tighter.

  "You said you want me, now you have me, baby, cold and all."

  "But…" Before I can finish objecting, he removes my hand from my mouth and kisses me on the lips.

  "Jack, don't. You can stay, but don't kiss me," I reprimand him.

  "Well, that's a first, a girl asking me not to kiss her."

  "What? Who else have yo
u been kissing?"

  "You have a cold, baby, and my lips need to be kissed on a daily basis," he teases.

  I try to escape from his embrace again, because his answer stings, even though I know he's kidding.

  Hell, I hope he is kidding!

  He won't let me go.

  "Jack's got the ladies eating out of his hands," Mike's snide comment overpowers me like a tsunami, sending my fears into high gear.

  "Well if you're out there kissing other girls, I suppose I should find someone else to kiss too."

  "You want me to go then?" He asks smiling.

  "Yes," I push him away again. This time he lets go and peers at me, amused.

  "I'm glad I amuse you," I sit up crossing my legs and point to the door.

  I sneeze again hard, my nose runs, and I don't have a tissue. Self-conscious and mortified, I wipe it with my hand, like a child.

  Without another word, he gets up and walks out the door.

  Crap, how did this game go so wrong, so fast?

  I'm freaking out. If I go after him, I'll look like a fool. If I don't, I'll be a fool. It's a lose-lose for me either way.

  But he walks back in holding a box of tissues. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

  Thank you, baby Jesus!

  "Here," he says, takes a tissue out of the box and wipes my nose. Then, he takes my hand and cleans that too. After he's done, he pulls me up to him and wraps his arms tightly around my waist.

  "I'm not going anywhere, even if you are kicking me out," he emphasizes.

  "You said you kiss other girls," I fuss.

  "I said you have a cold, and I need my lips to be kissed every day, which means cold or no cold, I'm kissing you."

  "Oh!" I pout.

  "You pout a lot," he teases. "And it's fucking sexy, because I want pull that tasty lower lip of yours," he leans in and whispers in my ear.

  Mmm, yes, PLEASE!

  "Now bed. I'd prefer my beautiful girl get well sooner rather than later," he kisses me softly on the lips. "And don't you dare kiss lips other than mine," he warns and spanks me lightly, making me yelp.

  "You like to spank me, don't you?" I observe smiling, climbing back in bed.

  He undresses, amused, and gets into bed next to me. I snuggle to him, my arm around his waist, and my head on his chest.

  "It's not a spank, baby, just a light touch when I need to get your undivided attention."

  "You always have my undivided attention. I kind of bite a little," I confess shyly.

  "I've noticed," he smirks.

  "I want to take a real bite out of you," I leer up at him.

  "I'd love for you to take a bite out of me too, as soon as you're better," he chuckles. "Right now you need your rest."

  "Okay. Just don't go around kissing, spanking, or whatever, other girls," I say, recalling the memory of him with that "friend."

  "Baby, I haven't kissed anyone else, since the first time I kissed you," he says. "And I should've probably kept that tidbit to myself," he mumbles quietly.

  "Thank you for telling me," I kiss his chest softly.

  "I hope you haven't either," he says with trepidation.

  "Nope," I reply immediately and playfully bite his bare chest.

  "Mmm," he grunts.

  "Love bite," I say.

  He's turned on. I can feel the tension in his body, but he won't make love to me, not tonight. He's here to take care of me not do me, though I wish he would.

  My hand is on his abs, and I'm aching to run it up and down his entire, hard, muscular body. I want to trace his abs with my tongue and nibble at every inch of him.

  Mmm, if only I wasn't so revoltingly ill.

  I'm sure I can motivate him to give up his good intentions, but my runny nose reminds me how disgustingly sick I am. Besides, I really don't want that aching, throbbing, thrusting — well, I do.

  Gah, stop Ellie!

  I don't want him to get sick, basically.

  "I have to leave really early in the morning, baby," he interrupts my reverie. "I won't wake you, so you can rest. I'll text you and come by later in the day to check on you."

  I nod okay, and he kisses my forehead.

  "Good night, baby," he reaches for the side lamp and turns it off.

  "Good night," I kiss his chest again, but I can't help myself and bite him.

  "Mmm, Ellie!"

  "I know, sleep," I whisper.

  I sense he's smiling, because I am. I do as I'm told and fall asleep peacefully in his arms.

  I wake up with a smile plastered on my face, but it quickly dissolves when I notice he's gone. I had hoped to watch him dress, but I missed the show.

  I reach for the note he left me on the nightstand.

  "It was my turn to watch you sleep. I love taking care of you, thank you for letting me. Your Jack."

  CHAPTER 31

  "I GOT IT, I GOT IT!" I scream, jumping up and down in the living room.

  Marie walks in and jumps up and down with me. "What'd you get, what'd you get?" she asks laughing.

  "The editor position at Music & Radio Today magazine," I hug her and shake her from side to side.

  "You go girl!"

  I can't wait to tell Jack. He's the first person that comes to mind any time I have good news. He's going to be so thrilled and proud of me. I'll tell him in person tomorrow.

  But amid this happiness, one thought vexes and confounds me…

  Why didn't I confirm my stay in Los Angeles, when Angela Richards offered me the job? Why did I hesitate?

  "You're staying in Los Angeles for sure, then?" she asked.

  "Can I have a few more days to confirm?" I requested.

  She agreed.

  Why do I have doubts? Is my subconscious warning me, reminding me to get all my ducks in a row before making a final decision?

  Jack and I have a conversation pending. I love him, more than I can even express. I believe he loves me too, but has he chosen me? Has he chosen me definitively?

  I can't wait any longer. I have to talk to him. We can't have any ghosts lingering around us, not Mike nor any of his girl "friends," not if we want to have a chance at a real life together.

  Maybe we can talk tomorrow. I'll start with the good news about the job, and then find a way to bring up the rest. I'm anxious at what he might say, but I have to talk to him.

  ●●●

  "Wait!" Marie is standing in front of me, stopping me from exiting the front door.

  I'm dying to see Jack. I haven't touched him since a few days ago, when I was sick.

  Why is she stopping me?

  "Why? What's going on?" I frown at her.

  "Mike's here, with Jack and Sam," she replies soberly.

  "What!" Good thing they're all outside and can't hear my stupefied tone.

  "I don't know why Mike's here, but he's coming with us," she examines my mood.

  I've entered an alternative universe.

  What is he doing here? What is his end game?

  I stare at her for what seems hours, until she grabs my arm. "Put on your best smile, and get out there. You're not going to let Mike ruin your night," she stresses.

  She's right…damn right! I pull myself together and head out with her.

  Mike tagging along means nothing. I'm Jack's, he's mine, and we're going out together. Mike can do whatever he wants.

  Jack is standing by the driver's side of his car, Mike by the passenger. They're talking to each other. I'm expecting Jack to come greet me, to kiss me, and claim me. But he just looks at me and doesn't move.

  Mike notices we're here and turns to us smiling. "I'm joining you. I hope you don't mind."

  What the hell is this?

  Shit, Jack is hiding our relationship again.

  He's looking at me with trepidation.

  Don't do this again, Jack!

  Then a cold chill comes over me...

  Did Mike tell Ja
ck he drove me home, after the voting registration event? Crap! If he's upset, he should come to me, have faith in my love for him. I've done everything I can to prove to him that I love him, that I want nothing to do with Mike.

  My breathing gets heavier and faster, as agitation and disappointment grow inside of me.

  Jack wants to play, let's play!

  "Not at all, it's so nice to see you," I smile broadly at Mike, touch his arm, and kiss him hello on the cheek.

  I give Jack a scornful, mocking smile. That's what he deserves right now. He looks back at me with panic and regret.

  Mike opens the back passenger door for me, and I get in, before Jack has a chance to say or do anything.

  I'm so distraught, and everything around me seems cloudy. I don't even notice that Marie is with Sam in his car, until we're on the road, and I receive a text.

  Marie: How are you?

  Ellie:

  Marie: Shit!

  Ellie: Jack has a lot of explaining to do!

  Marie: Yea he does!

  Ellie: What the hell Marie! Why am I here in this situation?

  Marie: Breathe just breathe. We'll figure it out

  Mike informs me we're making a stop to pick up a friend. I wave him off. I don't have time for his nonsense.

  I'm looking down at my iPhone. I can't look at Jack, because I'm afraid I'll see all of his imperfections, all of his fucking uncertainties about us, and I will begin to hate everything I love about him. There will be no turning back from that.

  Ellie: We're going to pick someone up a friend of Mike's I think

  Marie: Wait what?! Let me check…

  Ellie: At least that's what I think he said

  Marie: Ellie it's not Mike's friend it's Jack's

  I can't type a reply.

  My fingers won't move.

  My body's entire energy source is suddenly at my throat, where an ocean of tears has amassed, and is threatening to choke me.

  I refuse to let the tears make their way up to my eyes. I clear my throat over and over.

  We arrive at an apartment complex in Studio City and wait.

  Jack and Mike get out of the car to say hello to the girl who is obviously Jack's date. Mike opens the front passenger door for her, and he sits in the back with me.

  I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry, FUCK, I WILL NOT CRY!