Chapter 30
30
While calls with the girls are usually a balm to my soul. But this one left me more stressed than relaxed. That isn’t entirely fair. Most of the stress is from the job interview I have tomorrow with my dad’s contact in New York.
I mentioned the interview to the girls and while they were supportive, I could tell they were freaking out at the prospect of me moving. They said they’d support me no matter what, but leaving Nashville is not ideal.
With Lainey on the call, I couldn’t get into the deeper reason for wanting to stay since we haven’t told her yet. It’s been a while since Jack mentioned telling her and I wonder if he, too, thinks we should wait until things settle after the tour.
I would hate to jeopardize my relationship with Lainey over something that doesn’t last once we hit the Davidson County limits. I don’t believe Jack intends to end things when we get home, but I can’t picture a world where we stay together. Both his brothers are taking on adventures. I know he will, too.
Best case scenario, whatever secret project he’s cooking up will keep him in town. At least that way, we have a chance. Going from seeing him all day every day to having to plan date nights is going to be hard, for me but even more for him. Jack is a shockingly clingy boyfriend. I don’t hate it, but it will be harder to satisfy when I am putting in forty-plus hour weeks.
How long will he be okay with me falling asleep in the middle of the movie or canceling dates due to a work even?. There are so many variables when it comes to jobs in fashion, I can’t begin to know what specific obstacles we’ll face. He says he’s invested, but he’s a man used to living on easy street.
It’s not that he doesn’t work hard. He does. But most of his success thus far has been one long ride. He doesn’t have that hustle mentality. I’m not sure he’ll understand it. How many declined invitations will it take before he stops asking? How long until he decides he’d rather have someone who can fit more easily into his life instead of the other way around.
With the growing pit in my stomach, I shift my focus on the positive moments ahead of me. Tomorrow I get to see my grandmother in person for the first time in a few years and get one of those famous Grammy O hugs.
Growing up in Tennessee, I haven’t been able to see her as much as I would have like. Thankfully, she didn’t let the distance factor into our relationship, even with all her other grandchildren much closer. Visits to see her each summer are some of my most treasured memories.
Aisling O’Leary and her husband, Finneas, came to the US shortly after getting married and shunned by their families. It was a whole Romeo and Juliet situation without all the dying. They settled in Boston, where they had five children, all of who stayed in the Northeast except for my father. He jokes that having children is the thing that made his mother love him again. She has neither confirmed nor denied this statement like the badass she is.
I’m excited to see Grammy O, but I am low-key nervous of what chaos she and Jack will cook up. I am also anxious to hear whatever news she has for me. She is normally direct. It is out of character that she wouldn’t tell me during our last phone call. I asked , but he didn’t know either.
By the time Jack comes to bed later, I am round so tight, I’m afraid I might snap.
“I come bearing tater tots,” singsongs.
“I’m not hungry,” I grouse.
“Unfortunately, the answer we were searching for is, ‘Thank you, my magnificent boyfriend whose mustache makes Tom Selleck’s look like a schoolboy.’”
“Sorry, babe. Tom has you beat. Yours is better than Burt Reynolds, though. Oh my gosh. Is our Burt named after the Burt?”
“That is a distinct possibility. We’ll have to ask him tomorrow,” he replies, sitting down beside me and placing a plate of tots and chicken in my lap.
“I’m really not hungry.”
“Eat a few for me, please. You haven’t had anything since lunch.”
“Fineeeee.”
“That’s my girl,” he says with a kiss to the temple. “I will be sure to reward your efforts.”
“Do you want to tell me why you’re stressed? I thought you’d be happy after talking to your friends. Is something wrong?”
“With them?” He nods.
“No.” As I dip my tater tots into the sauce, I think about how to answer his question. I haven’t told him about the interview tomorrow and I don’t want to. Instead, I go with the easy answer: Lainey. Jack nods in understanding, running his hand up and down my back as he listens.
Once I’ve finished eating, he takes my plate into the kitchen. “You’re still tense,” he observes.
“I know. I can’t turn it off.”
“I might have a way,” he suggests.
“I’m all ears.” The timber of his chuckle sounds alarm bells in my head, but it’s too late. Jack lifts up the bottom of the comforter and crawls up the bed until his face rests between my thighs. As he nips my sensitive skin, I lift the cover.
“What are you doing? Get out of there.”
Pinning me with a stern gaze, he shakes his head. “I didn’t interrupt your meal. Don’t interrupt mine.”
Two orgasms later, I am much more relaxed and fall into a peaceful sleep.