Chapter 37 Margeaux
MARGEAUX
I was not planning on visiting home any time soon. I guess it couldn’t be helped since I went to college only a couple of hours away from where I grew up. Mom and Dad weren’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer. Especially after the ordeal Jon and I went through.
I called Ashleigh and explained everything to her.
To say she was shocked would be putting it lightly.
She almost fell out of her stilettos when I told her I had a stalker, who was sending me creepy letters for the last couple of months.
She told the directors, and they granted me as much time as I needed to recover and get my head on straight.
I honestly don’t want to spend any more time away from training, and out of my routine.
Jon also has an extra couple of days off work.
He called his boss-mentor-supervisor person, and she isn’t pressuring him to get back any sooner either.
I can tell he is just as eager to get back to work.
The man truly lives for his patients. After we woke up from the world’s longest nap the other day, we laid in his hospital bed and just talked. About everything.
I cried with him when he told me about Sammy and his brother.
We held each other. I talked to him about my wrestling family, and how amazing and supportive they all are.
It’s always been easy to talk to him. What’s not easy is being in bed with this delicious man, and trying not to touch him.
Now, I have to tour my childhood home with him and somehow keep my hands to myself. Not likely.
Mom loves Jon. I knew she would. How could she not? He’s the whole package.
“So, do you plan on staying in Paramount, Jon?” Mom asks as we pass dishes around our dining room table. My feet are tapping relentlessly. I’ve never brought a guy home to meet my family. This is uncharted territory for me.
“At least for another year or so while I finish up my fellowship,” he says, smiling. He’s such a fucking charmer.
“So impressive,” Mom praises. She glances at me, giving me the thumbs-up and nodding her head in Jon’s direction. Real subtle, Mom.
Ready for the spotlight to be off me for once, I nudge Jacky’s leg from under the table. He picks up on our twin telepathy and changes the topic of conversation.
“Zoey said her dress is back from the tailor. She was beaming, so excited.” I fight every reaction in my body not to roll my eyes.
On second thought, let’s keep talking about how great Jon is.
“Oh, Jack. That’s wonderful news. Will Zoey be coming to church and brunch tomorrow?” Mom asks. Dad’s accepted his role as the silent observer during most family meals.
I watch Jon cringe at the mention of church. I don’t blame him, and I’m perfectly content not going to church again. He’s not asking me to stop believing in God. He also has no interest in having any relationship with a higher power again.
Jacky doesn’t miss Jon’s reaction either and, like the awesome brother he is, changes the subject again.
“I think we’d like to spend some time with Mags and Jon. You’re not staying much longer, are you, sis?” he asks, biting into his potatoes.
I sit back in my chair, my shoulders sagging. “Yea. I want to get back to training. Jon wants to get back to work, too.”
“But you just got here. You’ve been through so much,” Mom chokes out. She heaves a passive aggressive sigh then says, “Well, at least we will see you both at Jack and Zoey’s wedding in a couple of months, right?”
Jon looks at me, giving me a smug grin. His lips are so kissable right now.
I resort to holding his hand under the table.
I drive Mom crazy and don’t give a firm answer.
I just want to enjoy this moment with Jon.
We’re both still reeling over what happened.
I just want more alone time with him before we go back to our separate cities.
That’s what saddens me most. I don’t want to be apart from Jon.
Wrestling keeps me in Kentucky most of the year.
I have some down time throughout the year, but I have no reason to move to Paramount, and I’ll never ask Jon to give up his career and move closer to me.
We still have so many logistics to figure out.
I’d prefer to just enjoy these next couple of days and make plans later.
“Just try and be nice, Mags. Please,” Jacky begs as Zoey pulls up to the house.
Jon offered to go to the grocery store so we can have brunch ready by the time my parents return from church.
I would normally scoff at that kind of behavior, thinking he is sucking up to get on my parents’ good side.
But this is truly how Jon is. He’s thoughtful, kind, and selfless.
I also think he’s giving me space to face off with Zoey. Clever asshole.
“You know her dad is the chief of police. He was the reason we were able to get a team over to help you and Jon.” We share a look at that comment.
“So, I’m just supposed to thank her and forget how she treated me?” I cross my arms over my chest tightly. I love my brother. But I hate him right now. “Why is it so important to you that we get along, Jacky?”
For such a big and tall person, Jacky is a tender-hearted guy at his core.
He always wants everyone to be friends. Ever the peacekeeper.
He rubs the back of his neck, trying not to let me see his lips trembling.
My heart breaks a little. I don’t want to hurt Jacky’s feelings.
I also don’t want to be in a forced friendship with his fiancé.
Girls like her have never liked girls like me.
It will be easier if we all just accept this fact and let bygones be bygones.
“You’re my sister, Mags. My best friend. I’m going to be married to Zoey in a couple of months. I’m committing myself to her. To be her husband, her pillar of support, and partner in life. I don’t want to have to choose between you two.”
That comment makes me stop and look up at him.
“Who would you choose?” I ask, nervous that I already know the answer.
“Please. Don’t make me choose,” he pleads.
Those four words make everything around us still. The light breeze ceases. The birds chirping in the tree next to our family home’s driveway are silent. I’m pretty sure the Earth has stopped its rotation around the sun.
“You would choose her.” It’s not a question.
Jacky’s shoulders sag and his eyes become glassy. “Just, try to get to know her. I gave Jon a chance.”
“Jon’s perfect!” I cut in, my heartrate spiking along with my contempt for Zoey.
“So is Zoey. For me. I think you two both need to give each other a fair chance,” he says.
“Is this an ultimatum? Either I become friends with your girlfriend or you’re not my brother anymore?”
I’m so close to joining Jon at the grocery store and leaving my brother to do whatever the fuck he wants.
“Fuck. Margeaux. No! This isn’t a fucking ultimatum. I’m going to be with Zoey whether you like her or not. It will be easier for everyone if you two are kind of friendly. I’m just asking you to try. If you two simply don’t get along, I’ll drop it and stop asking.”
I hear the defeat in his voice, as if he already knows Zoey and I are going to butt heads and storm away from each other.
I think about what I would do if for some reason, Jacky and Jon didn’t hit off.
No question, I’d choose Jon, but a part of my heart would break knowing the man I love doesn’t get along with my twin brother.
I owe it to Jacky to give Zoey a fair try.
Maybe first impressions aren’t her strong suit. Or second, or third impressions.
“Fine. But you’re not moderating this shit. Go for a jog or something,” I tell him.
He laughs and gives me a hug. “You’re the best, Mags. I love you so much for just trying,”
I hug him back, hoping it’s not the last time. He lets me go and waves me off as he walks down the street for an aimless walk.
I turn and see Zoey still sitting in her car, reapplying lip gloss in her mirror.
I roll my eyes thinking this is going to be the steepest uphill battle.
Girls like Zoey never wanted a girl like me as a friend.
Even before I was all tattooed and pierced.
I’m crass, aggressive, and not the happy perky type.
I knock on her driver’s side window, and she startles, maintaining perfect control of her lip gloss applicator.
She twists the cap back on and tosses it in her bag sitting in the passenger seat.
She gives me a perfect smile, which I tell myself is probably forced.
Everything this girl does is forced. Nobody is naturally this happy.
She lowers her window, looking up at me expectantly. Am I supposed to say something first?
“Are you hungry?” she asks, full chirpiness and smiles.
I pause, my brain remembering how to have a conversation. “Uh, yea. But Jon’s planning to make brunch for everyone once my parents are back from Church,” I say.
Zoey waves her hand, dismissing my concern. “Oh, they’ll be at least another two hours. Your mom chats everyone up afterwards. Gossip is her love language.”
Not going to lie. That’s pretty fucking accurate. I do my best not to smile, but I fail, and we both share a short laugh. “Come on. We can get Starbys!” she squeaks.
Aaaaand I’m back to rolling my eyes. Nonetheless, I get into her Ford Focus. She moves her purse to the backseat, and I’m surprised that her passenger seat is already shifted as far back as it’ll go.
“Jacky rides shotgun a lot. So, the seat is permanently set to his height,” she says, as if she can read the question on my face.
“He does prefer to be a passenger princess,” I add, chuckling again.
“Oh, is he ever!? I swear. We took a road trip to Michigan last Fall, and he had a blanket, pillow, and snack bag ready to go. I drove the entire way. He said he would be my designated snack feeder. Which was really just him shoving chips into my mouth and then letting me drink whatever was leftover of his soda.”