Chapter Thirty Five

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A/N: I feel like this story just keeps getting darker and darker... Oops.

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I watched as Jack and Eli chatted together, we were still sitting on the couch as he was in the chair, but Felix was quick to jump at the chance to get out of the room and back to recording. I half expected Jack to scoot over and take his spot, but if anything, he got closer to me and put a hand on my knee. I wrapped an arm around him as Eli and him talked, finally bringing myself to listen to them.

"I've always wanted to go there!" Jack grinned, as I completely missed where they were talking about - probably some country this asshole visited. I could see it in his eyes, no matter how sweet Jack claimed he was. He had ten more years on top of us, he knew how to play this game, I was sure of it.

"Oh, I am so sorry for asking just now, but I realized I hadn't booked a hotel room tonight and I was wondering if I could perhaps stay here?" Eli asked, Jack immediately turning to me. I noticed Eli didn't seem to like that Jack was asking for my permission. It was my house! Jack and I have only been together for a little over a week! I had to get rid of this douche, maybe him staying here would be easier.

"Sure, you can take the guest room Jack used to use, considering he's been staying in mine," I smiled at Jack, who hugged me tightly. I saw the disappointment cross Eli's face. "You can show him the room if you want, we should probably get to bed soon anyway."

"Sounds good, Markimoo! Cuddle after in bed?" He grinned, his blue eyes seeming to sparkle. I nodded and he giggled, quickly gesturing for Eli to follow him. I rose and stayed close behind, making sure they didn't hear me. "So, how's L.A. so far?"

"It's been great, though I've only been here," Eli obviously flirted and it took everything in me not to barge in there and snap his neck. "It's been amazing seeing you again, you look great."

"Thanks," Jack smiled, but didn't return the favor. I could trust him, I knew I could, but that fucktard... No. Just no. (A/N: bye-bye, professionalism cx)

"How long have you and Mark been together? He seems possessive," Eli noted, I clenched my fists, but Jack giggled - much to my surprise.

"We've only been together for a little over a week, it's kinda complicated, but I love him. I also kind of like the fact that he's possessive, it's like a guarantee I won't ever be alone as long as I'm with him," Jack explained and I broke out into what probably would've looked like the most insane grin ever.

"You were never alone with me," Eli 'reminded' him, but I peaked in, seeing Jack frown.

"I suppose, but I love Mark," Jack smiled again, as if he was thinking about me and my heart felt like it was exploding. I think he truly loves me now, it's not forced.

"You reek of cigarettes, I don't think you're happy here," Eli suddenly brought up and the smile on my face immediately fell. I thought he stopped. "I never thought you'd pick up smoking. That's not the Jack I know. Or Sean."

"People change," Jack shrugged, not even denying the face that he was smoking. I can't believe I didn't even notice the smell. I suppose since the first day he did, it slipped my mind and I became accustomed to the scent. "And I am happy with Mark, we've just been through a lot and it's taking a toll on all of us."

"I've never seen you this depressed before and you've only been together a week. We were together for three years, what does that say?"

"You have a husband and you're ten years older than me, that's like me dating a sixteen year old now!" Jack snapped, shocking me immensely. I never thought I'd hear him ever get angry about something serious. He was always my happy-go-lucky Jack who just looked to the light of life. I actually liked this new Jack in a way. He was still a sweetheart, but him getting angry was different - a good type of different, or maybe I really have just lost my mind.

"My husband and I divorced before I came here and we never used to care about age, what's it matter now?"

"Well, for one, I have a boyfriend and he's in the other room. Second of all, I was immature and young-"

"You were in your twenties when we broke up-"

"I'm still in my twenties! I was twenty one when we broke up, nineteen when we got together. That's so young, I had my entire life still in front of me, I didn't even know what I wanted to do yet, while you had everything figured out! You were twenty nine and had already been a journalist for years, I don't even know why you stuck with me after you realized I was nineteen!"

"I stayed with you because I loved you, Jack. Even those years I spent with my husband, I could never get you out of my head."

"I love Mark, okay? So fuck off. I hope you're gone in the morning," Jack muttered and I peeked in again, just to see Eli pull Jack back when he tried to leave. My stomach plummeted and I looked up to see Felix peeking in on the opposite side of the door. He made eye contact with me and shook his head, as though he followed what was going through my head. He put a finger against the side of his throat, motioning it across, before looking back at Eli and then me. I nodded. "Fuck off."

"Jack, just hear me out, okay? You're smoking, you're depressed, and you're different. You've only been with that asshole for a week and he's already changed you for the worse. We were together for three years and were happier than ever. I loved you, he doesn't! He's just selfish and doesn't want anyone else to have you. I love you, Sean. I don't know how to get it through to you and I know you still love me."

"I don't love you, I love Mark!" Jack insisted and I heard a thud, my everything suffocating as Felix and I came out of our hiding spots and into the room, seeing Jack on the floor, holding his cheek and tears in his eyes. I looked to Eli, who seemed shocked by his own actions. I nearly charged him, but Felix pulled me back.

"Later," He whispered to me harshly and I settled a bit, but I couldn't even describe the anger and concern in me. Felix ushered me back quick before uttering quietly, "The basement."

I simply nodded and watched as he took Eli out of the room, hoping he was doing what I wanted him to do. I bent and helped Jack up, hugging him tightly as he cried in my chest. I felt more liquid on me than I should've just from his tears and pulled back, seeing his lip was bleeding. He must've hit him hard, but it was nothing compared to what I was going to do to Eli later. David's death was nothing.

"Hush, sweetheart, it's okay, I'm here. I love you so so much, I won't let anyone ever hurt you again, okay? Felix and I will take care of him, alright? Are you okay?" I murmured softly to him, watching him rub his eyes and sniffle, before realizing himself that his lip was bleeding. I quickly went to the bathroom and grabbed a clean towel, coming back and holding it against his lip. I kissed the side of his head, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around him, leading him out of the guest room and to our bedroom.

"T-Thank you, Mark," He gasped through his tears and hiccuped slightly, hugging me tightly. I lead him to the bed and helped him lay down, adjusting the towel, allowing him to comfortably hold it against his face, so I could leave and take care of business.

"Will you be okay being alone for a while? I have to take care of Eli, okay?" I practically baby-talked him, watching him nod. I kissed his head and gave him the best hug I could while he was laying down and cracked my knuckles as I left the room.

~

A/N: Are you even ready for this?! ARE YOU?!

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