Guitar Strings & Coffee Dates (2/2)
Part 2 of my Female Jeff x Male Jack story. Joan needs a ride home, and Jack is more than happy to oblige.
“…so,” Greg slyly eyed his flustered roommate, “a study group, huh?”
“What? Oh,” Jack stripped himself of his hoodie and headed over to his dresser, “yeah, shit ran a bit late, sorry.”
Greg rolled his eyes and turned back to his laptop.
“Any…lucky ladies at this ‘study group’?” Greg prompted.
Greg could practically hear Jack freeze up.
“…no. It was just studying and shit.” A flush spread across Jack's face, “Why are you so dirty-minded?”
“Oh no reason, it’s just, y’know,” Greg spun around in his chair.
“The ol’ lipstick mark on your blushing cheek gives it away.”
Jack spun around and Greg tapped his own cheek with a pen. Jack brought his hand up and swiped it across his cheek.
Sure as shit, there it was. Smudged maroon lipstick.
“O-Oh,” Jack absentmindedly muttered as he stared at his hand, “that’s just…red marker.”
“Stop the bullshit bro,” Greg scoffed, “If you went out with a saucy lady you don’t gotta hide it,” Greg teased, shimmying his shoulders a bit to emphasize ‘saucy’, “You're a grown man, who cares?”
He’s got a point, why the hell did Jack even try to hide it?
“Yeah… I guess you've got a point.”
“So what’s her name?” Greg slyly asked and leaned in closer to Jack
Jack went over to his desk and flopped down in the chair, his roommate could be so nosy.
“…Joan,” Jack’s eyes wandered to Greg’s closet, his eyes lighting up when he saw his guitar in there.
“What?” Greg asked as he followed Jack's gaze, “ ‘s just my guitar?”
“Did you get that from the shop on 25th Street?”
“Uh..I believe so, why do you ask?” Greg was getting a bit tired of this odd secrecy.
“You know that cashier in there?” Jack asked, suddenly much more engaged, “The goth one?”
“Ohh yeah, she’s pretty fuckin’ hot, man” Greg reminisced, “I don’t know about you, but I’d bang her.”
Jack felt a flash of red-hot jealousy flood his veins for a brief second. Before he remembered that Joan probably doesn’t even know Greg exists. A lot of people don’t. Greg’s always just kinda there.
“So what?” Greg leaned back in his chair, “Is that the lady? Joan from the guitar store?”
Jack was about to reply before his phone buzzed.
It was Joan, and Jack felt his heart flutter.
“You gotta slow down bro,” Greg laughed, “she already got you smiling at her texts?”
“Oh shut up,” Jack murmured.
Joan had texted to inform Jack that her car had broken down outside of her apartment building. She made it home fine and would have to Uber to work the next morning. However, she miiiiight need him to help her get home.
Jack was a bit too excited to help and if he wasn’t so lovesick he might’ve been insecure about it.
“So do you and your giiirlfriend have another date planned?” Greg interrupted his thoughts.
“Fuck off,” Jack grumbled
Jack had never been so excited for 7pm to roll around. He thinks Greg made fun of him for it, but he didn’t remember. He was too busy cleaning out his car (for Joan).
Jack parked his car in the gravel parking lot and got out, feeling a bit too giddy considering the situation.
As Jack approached the guitar store he saw a figure sitting on the stairs out front. It was pouring rain too, who the hell would do that?
As he got closer, he realized he knew said figure.
“…Joan?” Jack asked, concern lacing his voice, “What happened?”
Joan stared ahead at the road, almost as though the words would sting her tongue when spoken.
“…my mom called me today.”
Jack really didn’t know what that entailed, however, based on Joan’s reaction it couldn’t be good.
“…Did you wanna talk about it in the car?” Jack offered, praying she would accept, “You’ll catch a cold out in this rain.”
Her hair was sopping wet and her clothes were soaked through. Her makeup practically gone at this point. She reeked of hair spray too, the fumes likely coming from the streams of water running down her hair
Jack stripped his jacket off and draped it over Joan’s frail shoulders. Ignoring the chill he felt now that he was in nothing but jeans and a tank top.
Jack's priority was getting the car started and warmed up for Joan. The poor woman was now visibly shaking.
“So, it was your mom who called you?” Jack tried to get the ball rolling.
“Yeah,” Joan monotonously replied, keeping her eyes on the passing scenery, “I haven’t spoken to her in over 4 years.”
“How come?” Jack glanced at her before turning back to the road, “if you wanna tell m-“
Shit, Jack didn’t really know what to do with that.
“Turn here,” Joan reminded him, giving him time to think of a response.
“… Why was she calling you?” Jack
Joan sighed and started picking at her chipped black nail polish.
“I guess my uncle died or something; I never really knew him,” Joan sniffed, “She invited me to his funeral but her voice made it clear she didn’t want me there.”
“Why would she call you then?” Jack asked, before mentally smacking himself.
Jack was fortunate enough to grow up with good, functional parents. However, he knew many people who did not. And from listening to their rants, bad parents go to great lengths to guilt-trip their children.
“My brother probably made her,” Joan shrugged, “ ‘s not like I plan on going anyways. It’s be a waste of time.”
“Do you two get along at least?” Jack promoted.
“My brother? Yeah, we get along great,” Joan smiled, “I really miss him sometimes.”
“No, he lives down in Texas,” Joan’s eyes followed the raindrops racing down the window, “That’s where we grew up.”
“How did you get all the way to Maine?” Jack knew Texas was AT LEAST 30 hours away from Maine.
“…I mean,” Joan cleared her throat, “ ‘got kicked out and kinda ventured on until I got here I guess.”
Jack really didn’t know what to do with that. Joan had a lot more lore and baggage than he ever could have guessed.
It didn’t make him want her any less though.
“ This is the one,” Joan pointed out the window and to the nearby apartment complex.
Jack pulled his car up to the curb and watched Joan carefully. His concern grew when she didn’t move.
“…will you,” Joan started, however hesitated once the words left her mouth, “maybe stay with me? Just for a few hours?”
“Of course I will,” Jack replied, probably a bit too quickly.
Joan softly smiled at him before retrieving her keys
Joan’s apartment smelled of incense and lavender. An interesting combination that would definitely become one of Jack’s favorites.
She had a dog too. A large malamute that Jack was sure could easily overpower him and eat him if it felt like it.
However, when the two entered the dog seemed much more concerned with comforting Joan (leaning against her and begging for pets) than eating Jack.
Joan kneeled down to pamper the large dog with pets before leading Jack through her apartment.
“You can chill here while I change,” Joan pointed to her couch, “I’ll be right back.”
Jack awkwardly plopped down on her couch. He was secretly grateful that her dog had followed her, he had a feeling the dog would’ve eaten him if they were left alone.
About 5 minutes later Joan rounded the corner and sat down on the other end of the couch with a sigh.
“…sorry if this is weird for you,” Joan rubbed her temple, “I just…hate being alone when I feel like this.”
“No no no! It’s ok,” Jack reassured, “I’m just not too sure…I’m always kinda awkward in new houses.”
Jack laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. Leaving out the “especially when I have a crush on the owner” part.
“I get that,” Joan smiled, “I…really appreciate you staying with me. Even though we barely know each other.”
“It’s not a problem, really! I’ve been needing a break from my dumbass roommate anyway.” Jack smiled and rolled his eyes.
Joan laughed. And not her awkward or sad laugh, but a real one.
God, Jack’s heart fluttered so hard it felt like it was using his ribs as a xylophone. And the fact that HE made her laugh only fueled his fire.
“Well I’m glad I could help,” Joan rubbed her eye, “… Did you wanna watch a movie?”
“-sorry if you were expecting something…more? I just really needed the company and,”
“You’re kinda the only person I felt could help me.” Joan shyly admitted.
“I’ll do whatever you want to do, Joan.” Jack places a reassuring hand on her shoulder, “I hate seeing you upset.”
The two spend the rest of the night watching shitty comedy movies. Not Joan’s cup of tea but she needed to watch SOMETHING positive.
Her dog stayed rested on the floor near Joan’s feet. Seemingly have forgotten about the strange man his owner brought in.
At some point she had dozed off, her head of messy black hair gently resting on Jack’s shoulder.
He really hadn’t planned on staying all night. However, once Joan fell asleep on him, he knew he would rather die than disturb her.