You Should’ve Asked - Jack Abbot
Character: husband!Jack Abbot x wife!F!reader
Summary : You keep your personal life private at your new job. Until one day, your son’s innocent answers spark wild office gossip about your “mysterious” husband. Everyone thinks they’ve figured him out.
They’re wrong. Because the night they finally meet Dr. Jack Abbott, everything they assumed falls apart.
Words Count: 3,661
Part 2 : The Neighborhood Doctor, Part 3: No Cap, Just Jack
Another Dr. Jack Abbot story : No Excuses : Part 1 , Part 2 ,-
If you enjoyed this, please leave a like, comment, or reblog. It really means a lot. Thank you for reading.❤️
Main Masterlist || 2nd Masterlist
Getting a job is hard. Settling into one is harder.
Adjusting to a new place takes time. New colleagues, new routines, new expectations. You had only been at the game studio for four months, but it already felt like a strange mix of comfort and chaos. On paper, it was perfect. Better pay, a solid position as an executive art director, and the location was close enough to both your home and your husband’s hospital.
In reality, it had its… quirks.
The workload wasn’t overwhelming, which was a blessing, and the environment was surprisingly flexible. People brought their pets, sometimes even their kids. On days when the nanny wasn’t available, you could bring Kyle along without anyone making a fuss.
Today was one of those days.
Jack had just come back from one of his SWAT assignments, and you could see the exhaustion in his eyes the moment he stepped through the door. You didn’t ask much. You just told him to sleep. He didn’t argue.
So here you were, with Kyle in tow.
Your twelve-year-old son loved coming to the studio. To him, it wasn’t work, it was paradise. Games everywhere, concept art pinned across walls, developers arguing over character designs like it was life or death. Sometimes, the team even asked for his opinion, especially when they needed feedback from “the target audience.” Kyle took that role very seriously.
“Go to the arcade room,” you told him, adjusting your bag on your shoulder. “If you get bored, come to my office.”
“Yes, Mom,” he said instantly, already grinning like he had just won something. Free games, no limits. What more could a twelve-year-old want?
You watched him disappear down the hall before turning back to your desk.
Unfortunately, that meant turning back to Jade.
Jade, who somehow always appeared the moment there was something to ask. Or dig into. Or gossip about.
The downside is that this place can get pretty noisy, and one person is the main source of it—Jade. Gossip can be fun to listen to, but it’s a different story when you’re the topic.
You’re not the type to talk about your personal life, especially in a new workplace.
But Jade keeps pushing. She wants to know where you live, your past job, even details about your husband. She’s the kind of person who likes to compare her life to others, always checking if she’s doing better. And to make things worse, she’s the CEO’s niece.
So yeah… going to HR isn’t really an option
She leaned against your desk, arms crossed, eyes already scanning for information. “So… why is Kyle here today? Shouldn’t he be at home?”
You kept your tone casual. “His dad’s busy.”
“Oh,” she said, but the way her eyes lit up told you that answer wasn’t going to satisfy her for long.
It didn’t.
A few minutes later, she wandered off. Not far. Just enough to circle toward the arcade room where Kyle was already deep into a game of Tekken, completely focused.
Jade crouched slightly beside him, smiling in that overly friendly way. “Hey, Kyle. Where’s your dad today?”
Kyle didn’t even look away from the screen. “He just got home.”
“From work?” she pressed.
“Yeah. From the police. He got hurt,” Kyle added, still mashing buttons like his life depended on it.
Jade blinked.
From the police?
Got hurt?
“Oh…?” she said slowly, her brain already sprinting ahead. Is that why she never talks about him?
“Why did he get hurt?” she asked, lowering her voice like she was stepping into something serious.
Kyle shrugged, completely unbothered. “I don’t know. Mom says Dad likes dangerous things.”
In his mind, that was cool. His dad was a badass doctor who also worked with a SWAT team. Getting hurt was basically a badge of honor.
In Jade’s mind?
This was escalating quickly.
“Does your dad… work?” she asked carefully.
Kyle nodded. “Yeah. But he works graveyard shift.”
He didn’t bother explaining further. He didn’t see the need.
Jade’s eyes widened just a little.
Police. Injured. Night shifts. Never around.
Oh, this was good.
This was fresh, premium gossip.
She straightened up slowly, already reaching for her phone. It only took one message to her group chat.
And just like that, the story started spreading.
“Hey.”
You looked up from your screen and found Cole standing by your desk. You had seen him around before, of course. Hard not to. He was known for being a little too friendly with everyone.
You just never thought he’d come up to you.
“Didn’t know you bring your kid here,” he said, leaning casually against your desk like he had all the time in the world.
“Sometimes,” you replied, keeping your tone polite as you glanced back at your screen.
He nodded, but didn’t leave. “Must be a lot to handle on your own.”
You paused for a second, then looked at him. “I manage.”
He smiled like that answer wasn’t enough. “Still, if you ever need help—”
You pushed your chair back and stood, already reaching for your tablet. “I’ve got a meeting.”
It wasn’t true, but it didn’t need to be.
Cole stepped aside with a small chuckle. “Right. I’ll catch you later.”
You didn’t respond. You were already walking away.
Today felt different.
You stayed until the end of the workday for once, no rushing out in between tasks, no distractions. By the time you and Kyle left, the sky had already started to dim. You picked up dinner on the way home, both of you a little too hungry and a little too tired to think about cooking.
When you stepped inside, you found Jack already getting ready to leave.
Dr. Jack Abbott stood near the counter in his black scrubs, sleeves slightly rolled, watch already on. He looked like he always did before a shift. Calm. Focused. Halfway out the door, even when he was still standing in the house.
He glanced up when he heard you, and that was all it took.
He walked over without saying anything, closing the distance like it was routine. His hand settled briefly at your waist as he leaned in and kissed you, quick but familiar, like he’d done it a thousand times and still meant it.
Then he took the takeaway bags from your hands, as if that had been the goal all along.
Kyle got a fist bump on the way past.
“How’s your shoulder?” you asked, slipping off your shoes.
“Doesn’t hurt,” he said. “Just a bruise.”
You gave him a look, unconvinced. “If you need help putting on the cream, tell me.”
You even added a small wink, just to push it.
Jack paused for half a second, then a smirk tugged at his mouth. He leaned back in, kissing you again, this time just a little longer, like he was answering your offer without actually saying it.
“Huek.”
Kyle made a dramatic gagging noise from the dining area.
Jack didn’t even look at him. “You should be proud,” he said dryly. “Your parents act lovey dovey.”
Kyle rolled his eyes and grabbed the food from Jack’s hands. “Yeah, yeah. Save it for later.”
Dinner didn’t take long to settle into.
The three of you sat at the table, the usual rhythm slipping back into place. Kyle was already halfway through his meal, while Jack ate a little faster, clearly aware of the time.
“Mom,” Kyle said suddenly, mouth still half full, “your friend is kinda noisy.”
You frowned slightly. “Huh? Which one?”
“The one we met before I went to the arcade room.”
“Oh.” You exhaled, already knowing. “Her.”
Jack glanced up from his food, catching the shift in your tone. “What is this?” he asked. “Did I miss something?”
You let out a small laugh, shaking your head. “Just office stuff.”
“That one,” you added.
“What did she ask?”
“Mostly about you.”
He paused, brow lifting slightly. “Me?”
“She’s the type who likes to compare her life to everyone else’s,” you said, as if that explained everything.
It did, more or less.
Kyle suddenly looked up again, remembering something important. “Oh, there was also a guy talking to Mom.”
Jack’s attention shifted immediately, subtle but sharp.
“I saw Mom keep walking away,” Kyle continued, completely unaware of the effect he was having, “but he kept following her.”
The mood changed, just slightly.
Jack set his fork down, not hard, not loud. Just enough.
“Should I say something to him?” he asked, tone calm, but a little too controlled now.
You shook your head. “If he tries again, I’ll go to HR.”
He held your gaze for a moment, then nodded once.
“Alright.”
Simple. He trusted you to handle it.
But as he reached for his drink, there was something quieter sitting behind his expression now. Not anger. Not yet.
Just the kind of focus that didn’t go away easily.
Because if it happened again—
He wouldn’t need to ask.
*****
A few days later, the studio finally wrapped the project.
Which meant one thing.
Celebration.
By the time you arrived at the bar, the place was already loud, packed with your coworkers, music thumping just enough to make conversations feel like effort. Drinks were flowing like no one had work the next day, and for once, no one was staring at their screens.
Tonight, you were the center of it.
Finishing a project ahead of deadline was rare. Finishing it well was even rarer. The client was happy, your team was relieved, and somehow your name kept coming up in every conversation.
You didn’t try to own the attention, but it followed you anyway.
“Hey, star of the night,” someone called out, raising a glass.
You smiled, a little embarrassed, a little amused.
Across the room, Jade wasn’t smiling.
You didn’t even need to look directly at her to feel it. The way conversations shifted around her, the way her laughter sounded just a bit too sharp. If looks could burn, you’d probably have a hole in your back by now.
And then there was Cole.
Of course.
He slid into the seat beside you like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Didn’t think you’d actually stay this late,” he said, leaning a little too close.
“I won’t,” you replied calmly. “I’m not drinking.”
He glanced at your untouched glass. “Driving?”
You nodded.
“Shame,” he said with a grin. “You’re missing the fun.”
You didn’t answer. You didn’t need to.
Because the “fun” was already escalating without you.
Across the room, a group of the younger artists had cleared a bit of space, hyping each other up. Someone shouted, someone cheered, and before you knew it, one of them attempted a backflip.
Surprisingly, he landed it.
The room erupted.
Cole sat up straighter beside you. “Okay, that’s easy.”
You turned your head, eyeing him. “You’re drunk.”
“I’m fine,” he said immediately, already standing.
“You’re not,” you added, a little more firmly now.
He waved you off like it was nothing. “Relax.”
You exhaled, watching him join the group, your instincts already telling you this wasn’t going to end well.
Someone clapped him on the back. Someone else cleared more space.
Cole bent his knees slightly, trying to steady himself. That alone should’ve been enough of a warning.
It wasn’t.
He jumped.
For a split second, it looked like he might actually pull it off.
Then everything went wrong.
His landing was off. His balance shifted mid-air, and instead of coming down clean, he twisted awkwardly. His leg hit the floor at the wrong angle, and the momentum carried him straight into Jade.
She didn’t even have time to react before she went down with him.
The sound wasn’t loud, but it was enough.
A sharp thud. A collective gasp.
Then—
“Ah—!”
Cole’s face twisted immediately, his body going rigid as he grabbed at his shoulder, then his leg.
Jade, on the other hand, let out a full scream.
“My leg! Oh my God, my leg!”
Everyone started talking at once.
“What happened…?”
“Is he okay?”
“Don’t move him!”
“Oh my God,” you muttered, pushing your way through the crowd, your mind switching gears instantly as the chaos unfolded in front of you.
**********
By the time you reached the ER, the noise had already swallowed you whole.
Voices overlapped, monitors beeped in uneven rhythm, and stretchers moved past like a constant current. You stayed close as Cole and Jade were wheeled in, one groaning, the other still loudly complaining as if volume could somehow reduce pain.
“Hey, kiddo.”
You turned and saw Dana walking toward you, already halfway into work mode, eyes scanning the situation before you even spoke.
“What brings you here? Nothing's wrong with you right?”
You exhaled lightly, nodding toward the two of them. “Delivering two packages.”
Dana followed your gaze, taking in the scene in one sweep. “Alright,” she said, already moving, voice shifting as she signaled to the staff. “Trauma two. Let’s go.”
As they wheeled your coworkers away, you stepped closer, lowering your voice just a little. “Where’s Jack?”
A small smile tugged at her lips, like she already knew more than she was saying. “I’ll call him. Go on, stay with them.”
You hesitated for a second, glancing toward the hallway before following anyway. “I wish I was here for something else,” you murmured under your breath.
Inside the room, the tension hadn’t settled. It had multiplied.
Cole was pale now, his breathing uneven, every small movement pulling a strained sound out of him. Jade, somehow, had found enough strength to be furious.
“I’m going to sue you, Cole,” she snapped, clutching her side. “I told you not to do that—”
He didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
The door swung open, and Dr. Shen stepped in, already pulling on gloves, his gaze sharp and efficient as it moved from one patient to the other.
“Alright, what do we have here?”
His eyes landed on you, and something in his expression softened, just slightly. “Well. Fancy seeing you here.”
You let out a breath that almost turned into a laugh. “Yeah. Not exactly planned.”
“He’ll be here in a second,” he said, like it was already decided.
Jade frowned, her attention snapping between the two of you. “Why does it sound like you know everyone here?”
Shen glanced at you, then back at her, one brow lifting as if he was about to say something—
The door opened again.
And this time, the room didn’t just react.
It adjusted.
Dr. Jack Abbott stepped in without urgency, without raising his voice, but somehow everything aligned the moment he did. The scattered movement tightened, the noise dipped just enough, and even the tension seemed to shift around him like it recognized something steady.
His gaze moved once across the room, taking everything in with quiet precision, before settling.
On you.
You didn’t think. Your body moved before your mind caught up, closing the distance between you in two quick steps as your hands found him, grounding yourself for just a second. His hand came up to your back automatically, firm and familiar, steadying you before he pulled away again, already halfway into his role.
Work first.
Always.
He reached for the chart, scanning it in silence, his expression unreadable until something in the name made him pause. It wasn’t long. Just enough.
Then his eyes lifted to yours.
A look.
That was all it took.
Understanding passed between you without a word, something quiet and sharp settling behind his gaze before the corner of his mouth lifted just slightly.
“Well,” he said, voice calm, almost thoughtful, “that explains it.”
His attention shifted back to Cole, gaze steady as he assessed the angle of the shoulder, fingers pressing just enough to confirm what he already knew.
“Dislocated,” he murmured, almost to himself.
A strained groan slipped out as Cole tightened his grip on the edge of the bed. “Yeah… no kidding…”
There was no reaction to that. Just a slight adjustment in stance, one hand firm around Cole’s arm, the other bracing at the shoulder. The movements were precise, practiced.
Unhurried.
“Try to relax,” he said, the dryness in his tone making it clear he didn’t expect that to actually happen.
“I am relaxed—”
He moved.
Quick. Clean.
And just a fraction sharper than it needed to be.
The joint slipped back into place with a dull, sickening shift.
Cole’s body jolted, a sharp cry tearing out of him before he could stop it, his head falling back as he struggled to catch his breath.
The hand stayed there a second longer, steady, making sure everything was aligned before finally letting go.
“Better.”
Simple. Like it was nothing.
Cole was still breathing hard, eyes unfocused, whatever confidence he had earlier completely gone now.
A small adjustment of the gloves followed, as if that had taken no effort at all.
Then, almost casually—
“Next time, maybe skip the gymnastics after a few drinks.”
Jack’s attention shifted to Jade, and the difference was immediate.
Where Cole got efficiency, Jade got silence.
He didn’t rush her. Didn’t fill the space. He just looked—really looked—taking in the bruise forming along her cheekbone, the small cut across the bridge of her nose, the way she held herself like the injury was worse than it actually was.
She straightened under that gaze without realizing it.
“It’s not broken,” Jack said at last, his tone calm, almost indifferent.
Jade blinked. “Are you sure? Because it really hurts—”
“It will,” he cut in, not harsh, just factual.
He stepped back slightly, already pulling off one glove as he turned his head just enough toward Shen.
“Clean it and apply the topical,” he said. “The stronger one.”
Shen’s lips twitched, like he understood something Jade didn’t.
“Got it.”
Jade frowned. “Stronger one?”
Jack glanced at her again, expression unreadable. “You’ll be fine.”
Which, somehow, wasn’t reassuring.
Shen stepped forward, gently but firmly tilting Jade’s chin. “This might sting a little.”
“A little?” Jade repeated, already tense.
The moment the cream touched the cut, Jade flinched hard.
“—Ow! Oh my God—why does it burn like that?!”
Shen didn’t pause, continuing his work with practiced ease. “It’s doing its job.”
Jack watched for exactly one second. Just long enough. Then he spoke, tone even, almost absent-minded. “It’s supposed to sting. Means it’s working.”
Jade’s mouth snapped shut.
Completely.
By the time Shen finished, Jade had gone quiet in a way she hadn’t been since arriving.
Then, as if the entire situation had only just become relevant to him, his gaze moved between them, calm and unreadable.
“It’s nice to finally meet my wife’s colleagues,” he said evenly. “Jack Abbott.”
The shift was immediate.
Jade’s expression faltered first, confusion flickering before it snapped into realization. Her posture straightened without her noticing, the earlier sharpness in her voice gone just as quickly as it had come.
Cole didn’t even try to hide it. The embarrassment hit harder than the pain, sitting heavy on his face as he looked at him, then at you, then back again, like he was trying to rewrite the last few days in his head and failing.
There was no reaction to any of it.
No pause. No satisfaction.
Just a slight turn of the body toward Shen. “Finish up here.”
Shen nodded, a hint of amusement slipping through as he stepped in.
The gloves came off in one smooth motion, discarded without a second thought. A pump of sanitizer followed, fingers rubbing together briefly, methodical, clean. By the time his hands dropped again, his attention had already shifted.
To you.
The gesture was simple. A hand offered, like it had always been there waiting.
You took it without hesitation.
He didn’t look back as the two of you stepped out of the trauma room together, leaving the noise, the complaints, and the consequences behind.
Out in the hallway, the air felt different. Quieter. The tension you hadn’t realized you were holding finally eased, your shoulders relaxing as you let out a small breath.
You glanced at him, a smile tugging at your lips. “You didn’t have to use that much strength on Cole,” you said lightly. “Or the stronger cream for her.”
He gave a quiet hum, not even bothering to deny it, his eyes flicking toward you for a second before looking ahead again.
“Seemed appropriate.”
That was it. No explanation, no apology.
You huffed out a small laugh, shaking your head as you kept walking beside him. Of course it did. With him, it always was. Never obvious, never loud, but just enough to make a point.
You nudged his arm lightly.“You enjoyed that a little too much.” A faint smirk pulled at his mouth. “Maybe. After this, I don’t think they’ll bother you anymore.”
The way he said it wasn’t boastful or dramatic. Just calm. Certain. Like he had already seen the outcome and moved on from it. ****
A few days later, he was proven right.
Jade barely spoke when you were around. The sharp tone, the constant questions, the subtle comparisons—gone. Now she kept her distance, her eyes slipping away the moment they accidentally met yours, like holding your gaze for too long might remind her of that night.
Cole wasn’t any better.
The confidence he used to carry around you had completely disappeared. No more leaning too close, no more unnecessary conversations. If anything, he looked almost… careful now, keeping a noticeable distance, like he had finally learned where the line was.
You didn’t say anything about it.
You just noticed.
And maybe, just a little, you enjoyed it.
Because every time you caught a glimpse of that shift, your mind went back to the ER—to the way Jack had walked in, taken control of the room without raising his voice, and left just as easily.
Calm. Precise. Unbothered.
A small smile pulled at your lips as you focused back on your work.
Yeah.
Your husband was kind of amazing.
