After the interview, the bar manager seems to be impressed with my records and performance. He recognized me from the news, but still decided to ignore my personal life and deal with me on a professional level and so he promises to give me a call.
I arrive at home and the three Js are already home. I'm not surprised, it's their revision week and so they'll be dismissing early.
"Hey, sis." They say in unison.
"Hey, what's there to eat?" I ask already walking to the kitchen.
"Jack and Phoebe went to a fast food earlier, and they got some food and snacks. It's on the cupboard."
At Jake's direction, I walk to the cupboard and find the bags filled with mouth-watering takeouts.
"Hey, Js, any drink?" I ask, hoping there is a drink tagged along with all this for me.
"Yes, an apple drink in the fridge," Jack replies.
Feeling satisfied, I smile and open the fridge and take out the apple juice.
When I return to the living room to see the three Js lost in the happening on the TV, I guess it's a new and interesting movie and so I find a comfortable spot and settle in to enjoy my food.
"What is the name?" I ask, taking a hamburger out and biting on it. Delicious is the definition of it and I almost don't hear when Josh answers.
"The Big Game."
"Seem like a pretty interesting movie, I can't remember when last you three sitting down to watch a movie together." I bite in my hamburger again. "What's it about?"
"A president that is attacked and is being protected by a little boy," Jack says grumpily, It's obvious he doesn't want to be disturbed.
"Okay, grumpy."
The station goes on a break and they look at me with interest and my eyes dim in suspicion.
"We saw you all over the news with your lover boy, passionately kissing." Josh sings with interest.
"Does that mean he's ready to make you two official in public?"
"And make you his girlfriend?"
"Is he's going to call off his engagement to Paris then?"
"Guys slow down, I can't answer all your questions at once," I exclaim with a frown. "Yes I do think we are going towards that, yes he might decide to make me his girlfriend. Yes, he says he's going to break things off with Paris."
"Aww, such a lucky damsel." Jake purrs and I blush.
"I'll go sleep for a while, I've got a date to catch," I say, getting up and going to the kitchen. I grab a glass and fill it with water so I can drink.
"I was thinking," Jack says suddenly and I jump, before holding on to my chest.
"You scared me," I exclaim breathlessly.
He grins, and I give him a hard look, but nod so he'd continue while I drink my water. "I'm sorry. I wanted you to know. I bought the house."
I spill the water out on hearing him say he bought the house. "You what?!!!"
"I bought the house." He replies, this time bolder on his answers.
"Where did you get the money?" I demand, trying not to think he done anything illegal because the house isn't something you can just get such money from the air. "You didn't do anything illegal, did you? Did you ask Phoebe for it? You didn't have to!!" I can feel myself getting ahead of everything in my head.
"Will you stop jumping to a conclusion and listen?!" He snaps a little pissed off. "I didn't do anything illegal, and I didn't ask Phoebe for it. Apart from the scholarship to study at Stanford University, I also got $150k so I thought to use the money to buy the house so you and Mom wouldn't have to work so much anymore—"
A tear fall from my eyes and I marvel at how mature Jack has become, and how he was ready to make the family's problem his responsibility.
"And it's not like mom's getting any younger and you're already doing so much... "
I hug him tightly, cutting off the other words spilling from his lips. "I'm proud of you Jack and the selfless decision you made and I'm sure Dad if he was here, would be proud of his son."
"I hope so."
"I know so." I pull away to wipe off the tear stain.
"The girls are coming over tonight." He informs.
"Okay." I begin to say, taking the water from the counter and drinking. "I believe you'll keep everyone in check while I'm away."
He smiles awkwardly, "I am not the best when it comes to keeping everyone in check."
"Ironically speaking."
"What does that mean?"
I chuckle and he glares at me, but before I can speak, Jake who's at the door does. "Contrary to your belief, you're a good big brother."
"I am?" he asks unbelievably.
"Take it while you still can, this would be the only time I'd get to admit it," Jake says pertly.
"I know," Jack says, passing his frown for a chuckle.
"Good will you help me these the dishes before mom gets back then?" Jake asks with hopeful eyes.
"If you'll rinse it."
"Sure."
"Okay." The two wash the few plates in the sink.
"Come the movie is starting," Josh calls and they walk back into the living room. Jake hit Jack shoulder for something he seems to have whispered into his ears and a little box falls from his pocket. He picks it up, but I pick an interest and walk to him.
He sees me and tries to suppress his deep shyness. "I'm gonna ask Phoebe to marry me when she comes over."
I raise my brow with interest, "Really?"
"Yes." With every word he utters, his smile widens. "I don't think I need forever to know when something is right or when someone is right for me and that what I feel whenever I'm with Phoebe."
I hug him and tap his shoulder as I pull away. "You already have my blessing."
"Thank sis."
~•~•
Seven p. m.
I hear a car horn blaring from outside and I know that it's Rory. I realise I am still undone and I run to quickly put on my jeans and my black converse and I shrug on my grey hoodie and put on my black sneakers. I slip my phone into my pocket before running out of my room. I quickly greet the girls (Naomi and Justine) before walking out.
I meet Rory outside and I have to catch my breath at how breathtakingly dashing he is looking in casual black jeans and a navy blue T-shirt. His hair looks to have been trimmed than usual with is still an addition to the perfect man standing before me.
He is resting his back to my car and does not notice me at first and I see his eyes dim in forces as he stares down at his phone and if I'd ever thought he's adorable, it is nothing compared to watching him when he's concentrating on something. His lower lip is pushed out in unawareness and his long fingers run on the plane of the phone.
"Hey," I say, breaking him out of his deep thoughts and he looks up.
"Hey, hun." He says and his eyes lighten in relief.
"Is this okay?" I ask in an uncertain voice, pointing to my clothes.
His eyebrow lifts bewilderingly and walks towards me. "Oh Taylor. If only you see what I see then you'd realise you are always going to be perfect to me."
He kisses my lips hungrily. "This is for keeping me waiting." He kisses me again this time harder. "And this is for feeling so insecure." He kisses me for the third time, making the kiss a long and wet one and I wait for the reason behind it since there is nothing left to say. "And this, my love, is for all the chaos we are about to engage in."
That wasn't expected but still respected.
"Alright, let's get out of here." He takes me into his car making sure that I am properly seated before going over to his side and entering the car. He starts the car and we drive off.
I do not know what the future holds, but at least I'm sure of something tonight, and it is that I love the man sitting beside me with the whole of my heart, mind and soul and know he loves me too.