11. Jack
Chapter eleven
Jack
I feel unusually low after Cassidy leaves. After a night like we’ve just had, I would usually be on a high from all the orgasms, but it’s strange to see her walk off. I don’t know what to make of that. Or how I should feel about everything that’s happened.
“What are your plans today?” Tom asks as I shut the door and we make our way back inside.
“I dunno. I might go to the gym. What about you?”
“I was thinking maybe I’d head home.” He’s looking me dead in the eye, and a burst of frustration spears through me. What the fuck does he want from me? I feel there is more going on than he’s letting on.
“Sure,” comes my monosyllabic reply.
“Okay, I’ll tidy the kitchen and then head off.”
“Don’t bother. You cooked, I’ll do it.”
“Do you think Cassidy will be okay with her call with her ex?” he mutters absent mindedly.
“She’s a big girl and I’m sure she’s been handling him for a while. She’ll be fine.”
“He’s a piece of work.”
“Yeah, he was a massive dick, but she’s divorcing him, so at least she’s getting rid of him.”
I make my way through to the kitchen to start tidying. There isn’t that much to do. Tom is much more restrained in his use of kitchen equipment than I am and tends to tidy up as he goes. The man is practically perfect in every way. And today that’s annoying me.
“When are you working next?” I ask.
“Tonight and every night next week, except Wednesday.” Hmmm, so that means I probably won’t see him this week. I try to smooth out the frown as I think that.
“Probably best we take a breather after last night anyway,” I say, to counteract the need to see him again soon.
“I’ll just go and grab my stuff and head out.” He comes closer towards me and usually I’d turn so he could kiss me. I might have even felt him up. But I’m not feeling it. So I let him kiss me on the cheek instead. “Jack…” he says. I look over to see indecision moving across his face. “Don’t…”
“Spit it out.”
“It’s nothing. I’ll text you later, okay?”
“Sure.” I’m back to one-word replies.
“Will you check on Cassidy later?”
“You’ve got her number—you text her.” I don’t know why I’m salty about that. Will they be bitching about me and my mood swings behind my back? If they are — fuck ‘em .
“See ya.” Tom shakes his head a little as he heads out. I don’t even walk over to the door with him and there’s a feeling of shame in my belly as he shuts it behind him without another word.
Why am I like this? Tom is even and steady. I know he cares about me, but sometimes it feels suffocating. I don’t want anything serious. I’m happy just having fun. But maybe this is too steady a thing now? It had started casual, but now, months later, we are seeing each other regularly and I haven’t slept with anyone except Tom—and now Cassidy—for ages.
We hadn’t agreed to be exclusive, so why has that happened? If I hadn’t just spent last night coming every which way, I might think about texting an old hook-up, but that’s not what I need right now. Instead, I finish wiping down the counters, grab my gym bag and keys and head out.
I push myself beyond my comfort zone in the gym. While I’m lifting weights and running flat out on the treadmill, I can concentrate on what I’m doing. Counting reps, pushing my pace and shutting my brain off. I try to have a sauna afterwards but barely last five minutes before my brain starts over-thinking again. I stomp to the changing rooms, making myself think about anything but last night and everything Tom, Cass, and I had done.
Opening up my phone notifications, I read a chatty email from Duncan, a former colleague who left recently for a contract in New York. His new job sounds amazing. He’s seeing all the sights and getting laid on the regular. He mentions how much I’d like it and that there might be more business strategist opportunities coming up; specialising in up-scaling, which is my passion. I thumb a quick reply, telling him it’s the same-same here in the UK and to give me a nudge if any more contracts become available. I’ve been thinking for a while about getting some overseas experience on my CV and this sounds like it could be a great chance to do that.
As I’m walking home, my phone rings. I spot it’s Duncan and click to accept the call.
“Hey man, how’s it going?” I greet him.
“Jack, good to reach you. I just saw your email reply and thought it would be easier to call.”
“What’s the time over there?”
“It’s early, but this city never sleeps, Jack.”
“How’s NYC? How’s the job?”
“NYC is crazy good, man. Loving every minute. And the job is full on but amazing. That’s why I’m ringing actually…”
“Oh, yeah?”
“They’re looking for someone else. I remembered how excited you were for me. And the areas of expertise they’re looking for fit with you. What do you think? Something you’d be keen to do?”
I pause for a moment to think about it. Seeing more of the world had always been a dream of mine. And New York is at the top of my bucket list. I take a deep breath before answering, “Yeah, I think I would. How does the process work?”
“At the moment, they’ve put out a message internally asking for us to give any recommendations for people we know who might work. Can you put together a brief one-page resume with the highlights and your contact details and email it to me? I’ll forward it to my boss with an extra helping of praise.”
“Sure. I’m just out, but I can do it later today. That okay?”
“All good. I think they’ve got a few recommendations already, so it’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth a shot, right?”
We chat a while longer—him telling me about the sports events and crazy parties he’s been attending since he arrived a couple of months ago. The more he tells me, the more I realise I want this. I wish him well and promise to get my details through to him later.
I let myself into the flat, which is usually my safe haven. But there’s still the sweet scent of Cassidy’s perfume mingled with Tom’s woodsy aftershave. And now, it feels empty without them. I wish I could be the kind of person that dives into a relationship, but I’ve been burnt in the past and decided that it’s safer to keep it casual.
I drop my gym bag by the door and decide to distract myself from the memories of last night. I make a giant protein shake and quickly pull together a summary of my CV to send to Duncan, so he knows I’m keen.
Once that’s done, I strip off my sweaty gear as I make my way through to the bathroom. The bed has been neatly made. I sure as hell didn’t do it and I wonder if it was Cass or Tom. Definitely Tom , I decide. The guy is a neat freak and can’t leave an unmade bed alone to save himself.
Dammit, given my wish to keep things casual, I’m starting to wonder if I’m kidding myself. I know Tom, I’m getting to know Cassidy. Where is this going? Is it time to get over myself and my desire to stay single and accept that this thing with Tom is no longer a casual hook-up? But how does that work with my potential plans to work overseas?
I step into the shower and let the water rain down over me. Bracing my hands against the shower wall, I tip my chin forward and feel the heated spray run down my back. There’s some stiffness in the muscles I’ve overworked at the gym and I think about doing some stretching or getting the foam roller out.
See. I don’t have to think about them. Of course, as soon as that thought enters my head, so do all the images from last night. How amazing it had felt to go down on Cassidy while Tom fucked me. The sounds we’d all made as we worked our way to orgasm. Those animalistic groans from Cass when I’d expected her to sigh like an angel. I look down to see my cock starting to stiffen. For fuck’s sake . Surely last night and the exhaustion from the gym is enough to give it a rest for the day, but clearly not.
I take myself in hand and rub my dick as I remember more of last night. It’s the image of Cassidy and I laying down on each side of Tom that is forefront in my mind as my cum paints the shower wall.
It’s not as good as having them here with me. I clean up, then get out of the shower and roughly dry myself. I walk, naked, to the kitchen and pour a glass of water, gulping it down. Then I head back to my bedroom, draw back the covers, and throw myself down on the bed in frustration. Thank fuck I’ve just come, because had I not, the smell of Cass and Tom on the sheets would likely make me hard. As it is, I am so tired I can’t keep my eyes open and soon fall asleep.
I wake up disorientated and glance over at the clock to see that it’s just after 4 pm. Shit, I’ve slept for almost two hours . I must have needed it. I wipe my hand over my face and look out the window at the blue skies, making me regret that I’ve slept most of the afternoon away.
My phone vibrates with an incoming message. I usually keep it on silent and have barely glanced at it since sending my CV to Duncan earlier. I look around and see that I left it on the bedside cabinet on the other side of the bed. I’m surprised to find I’m huddled up on one side when usually I like to starfish in the middle. I crawl across the wide mattress and grab my phone before sitting back against the headboard.
There’s a reply from Duncan, acknowledging the document I’d sent through. And then under that—thirteen messages. What the fuck? I swipe up and realise that Tom and Cass have started a group chat. I smirk when I see the group name and wonder which one of them came up with ‘three is the *best* number’.
I read through the messages…
Tom: Hey losers - how’s it going?
Cassidy: Hey Tom, just off the phone with my ex * eye roll emoji * What a massive twat.
Tom: I hope he’s not giving you too much trouble. Here if you need to vent x
Cassidy: Thanks Tom *kiss emoji*. We just needed to talk about the divorce papers. I think I’ve convinced him to agree to a joint application to make it quicker. He seems just as eager to get rid of me now as I am to get rid of him.
Tom: Definitely sounds like you’re well shot of him. How’s the writing going?
Cassidy: It’s going fast - I’ve written about 8,000 words since I left. Shit, is that the time? I better have some lunch!
Tom: Mac - you need to take care of yourself. Go have some lunch and report back once you’ve taken a break x
Cassidy: Yes, sir! *Salute emoji*
I don’t even try to muffle my laugh at Tom’s bossiness and Cassidy’s sass. The man is a fiend for aftercare. And even if he’s not there to give it, he’s still determined to make sure Cassidy is taken care of. There’s a break between messages for a while where I assume Cassidy followed Tom’s orders.
Cassidy: (attached photo of big salad and a big glass of water) How’s this, sir? Can I go back to work now?
I can hear her sass even though it’s all written text.
Tom: Good girl. Yes, you can. I won’t disturb you. No idea where Jack is though and when he’ll chime into the convo.
Another break and then…
Cassidy: Wowsers - 800 words in half an hour. All because you called me a good girl, and it fueled me! *Laughing emoji* *swooning GIF*
Tom: Well done, baby girl. Do you want me to give you some more accountability? *raised eyebrows GIF*
Cassidy: Yes please, sir. I’ll report back in half an hour with my word count. *Furiously typing GIF*
I glance at the clock again and see that the thirty minutes is almost up. I decide not to reply just yet as I don’t want to interrupt Cass if she’s in the writing flow. I scroll Instagram for a while and a few minutes later, the group chat lights up again.
Cassidy: Another 750 words! This girl is on fire *flame emoji*. I might have to rope you into this more often Tom *laughing emoji*
I can see ‘Tom is typing…’ across the top of the screen and try to get in there first.
Me: *Hot stud has entered the chat* *Henry Cavill winking GIF*
Cassidy: Jack! Hey!
Tom: I wondered where you were… busy having a wank? *Laughing emoji, splash emoji*
Cassidy: *Jennifer Lawrence spits milk GIF*
Me: Actually, I was sleeping… after wanking earlier of course *wink emoji*
Cassidy: You’re insatiable! How did you have any left in the tank after last night?
Tom: Cassidy - you have no idea. He’s an animal *Muppets animal GIF*
Me: I’m a highly sexualised creature. You’re just jealous because you can’t keep up.
Tom: Er, get your facts straight. Neither Cassidy or I had problems keeping up with you last night, dude.
Cassidy: Guys, can I just copy this chat into my manuscript and save myself coming up with the chatty banter? *Praying hands emoji*
Me: Sure thing, doll. I don’t think you could make up someone as charming and witty as me. May as well take it straight from the source.
Tom: *Marlon Brando eye roll GIF*
Cassidy: I’m going back in - if I can get another 500 or so words, that’s 10k today and I think I’ll call it a day.
Tom: I’ll expect your report back in half hour.
Cassidy: *salute GIF*
I realise I’m smiling down at my phone and roll my eyes. This pair. What are they like? I’m about to get up and find something to wear when a direct message from Tom pops up.
Tom: How was the gym? Did you work out your mood?
Man, he’s good at calling me out on my nonsense. It amuses and infuriates me in equal measure.
Me: It was good. I went hard. And I don’t know what you mean about a mood. *Smirk emoji*
Tom: Glad it helped. Did you have lunch?
The guy can’t help himself. Dominant during sex and obsessed with aftercare afterwards. Usually attentiveness is a turn off for me, but there’s something about the way that Tom does it that slips under my defences.
Me: a massive protein shake when I got back. You?
I turn the tables on him and wait for his reply, which arrives a few moments later.
Tom: Touché. I had a sandwich. And I’ve put in an order with the kitchen for steak for dinner.
Me: *salivating emoji* That sounds good.
Tom: You wanna come by the bar? I can ask them to do enough for two.
I think about it for a moment. No doubt the steak will be amazing. The bar’s chef has skills. But I feel like we’ve already spent a lot of time together over the last couple of days and perhaps I need to cool it a bit.
Me: Can I take a rain check? I just wanna veg in front of the telly tonight.
Tom: No worries. I better get back to it. See you in the group chat, no doubt.
I wonder for a moment if I should have mentioned Duncan’s call and the New York job possibility, but given that nothing might come out of it, I decide against it. I get out of bed and sling on some sweats and a hoody. I gather up my dirty laundry and sweaty gym gear and put a wash on. I’m feeling virtuous after that and grab a soda from the fridge before flinging myself down on the couch and scrolling Netflix, trying to find something to watch.