Chapter 44 – Jack
JACK
Sunday morning arrived without alarms or calls. No one knocked at the door. Neither man needed to be anywhere else. A band of light slowly swept across the high-thread-count sheets of the Summit Spire.
Jack woke first. He didn’t move.
Luke lay on his side, facing away, with one arm bent under the pillow, his breathing slow and even.
Jack watched him for a long moment, then let his eyes close again.
They drifted in and out of sleep until Luke stirred, rolled onto his back, and blinked up at the ceiling.
“Morning,” Jack said quietly.
Luke turned his head. His expression softened when he saw him.
“Hey.”
The luxurious quiet continued. Late checkout felt like a gift designed for them alone.
They ate breakfast in bed—hot, perfect coffee, crumbs everywhere—laughing as Marley decided the sheepskin rug was his and refused to budge. They both checked their text messages and found photos from last night, and Luke’s Instagram was full of them.
Someone even snapped and posted a pic of the moment Jack had lifted Luke into the air, the very picture of two men in love.
“Look at this one,” Luke said, showing it to Jack.
“It’s perfect. We’re printing that one and hanging it up.”
Outside, the mountain went about its business without them. Inside, time continued to loosen its grip.
The drive to the airport was quiet. Jack drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on Luke’s thigh. Luke watched the trees slide by.
Jack’s parents were already waiting by the gate with Patty and Mara, who had driven them from town. The Garrisons looked rested and ready for another busy day. Patty and Mara? They looked like they needed more coffee.
Mara pulled Jack aside for a moment so she could say something to him in private.
“Your parents are great,” she said. “And they love Luke—and this, you and him.”
Jack beamed. “I know! When did they become so awesome?”
“Maybe the same time you did,” Mara said, resting her hand on Jack’s shoulder. “I know you don’t need my approval, but when I saw you up there with him Saturday night, that’s when I knew. You two are so great together. And Luke is… he’s so happy. Look at him.”
They glanced over at the parents and Luke, all chatting amiably. Someone must’ve said something funny because they all laughed. The Colonel even let out a short, audible laugh.
Jack hugged Mara. “I think you’re great, too. Glad we’re friends now!”
They walked arm in arm back to the others. Luke raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Mrs. Garrison said, “We’ll see you boys at Thanksgiving, or come see us anytime. Patty and Mara, same to all of you. We would love to host you all and let the kids see that part of the country.”
It was time for them to board the plane. Hugs all around, short, efficient goodbyes. The Colonel nodded once and held Luke’s gaze for a moment.
Instead of driving back to town, Jack took the long road deeper into the pines.
They parked at the trailhead and took Marley for a long walk.
The ground was soft with pine needles. The air smelled of cedar and cold earth.
They talked a little, but not much, with the only sound being the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps.
Late-afternoon light filled Luke’s living room when they finally got home. The house looked exactly as it always had, lived-in but tidy, unmistakably Luke’s. Jack got a drink of water and filled Marley’s bowl.
No one checked email or returned any calls.
They ordered a pizza and ate it on the couch, the box balanced between them, lights low. A nature documentary played on mute while Marley slept at their feet, twitching occasionally in his dreams.
Jack had a paperback spy novel open on his lap, forgotten. Luke leaned into him, his head resting against Jack’s shoulder, the weight already familiar. Jack pulled the blanket up from Luke’s feet and over his shoulders.
“You okay?” Jack asked, his hand stroking Luke’s curls.
Luke exhaled, long and unguarded. The tension Jack had noticed in Luke's shoulders for weeks was gone.
“I might never leave this couch,” he said.
Jack smiled and kissed his temple. “Sounds perfect.”