Happy Sunday ya'll!☺️
The closer we get to the end of this fanfic, the more motivation I have to finish it. (And no, not because I want it to end, but because all the ideas I have to put on "paper".)
I don't have exact number of chapters which are left just the story-line in my head.
Enjoy 🤞🏻
"Av..."
I heard an annoyed mutter from next to me, but I just moaned, turning away, pulling the sheets more onto me.
"Averyyy!" Jared whined frustrated, kicking my leg.
"Whaaat?" mumbling, I kicked him back.
Yes, we both might have been drinking a bit too much more than we could handle last night, but I had no regrets.
"Mango... juice."
"Uhum..." I muttered, hugging my pillow more.
I was ready to fall back into a hazy sleep when I felt another kick.
"Bring me!" he whined angry.
I sighed annoyed, sitting up.
"Jared, stop kicking me!"
"I need juice! Bring me!"
Looking down at him I saw his palms on his eyes.
"And close that damn curtain!" He demanded.
I was ready to pick a fight but he did seem so out of it and even if he is being a jerk, I wanted to help him.
"Yes, boss."
Standing up, I put on my robe as I walked to pull the curtains in, then checked the clock as I headed downstairs.
It was only six in the morning, which was calming as I think I still felt drunk and all I wanted was to go back to bed.
Grabbing the only juice we had and a painkiller, I hurried back upstairs, finding Jared in the same position, with his palms on his eyes.
"Here. We only had orange juice. And some painkiller," I muttered, kneeling onto the bed.
"Is the curtain closed?" he asked lost.
I chuckled,
"It is."
Slowly letting his arms drop, he looked up to me and I pouted.
"Oh, baby," I sighed as I grabbed his hand as he sat up.
His eyes were puffy, with dark circles around, and the vein under his left eye looked like is about to pop any time. Fine lines were seen on his forehead due to some serious dehydration.
"I'm too old for this," he mumbled as he grabbed the juice away and the pill.
"We only slept two hours, Jay. It gets better," I smiled as he laid back down, pushing his face into the pillow.
"How much we drank?"
"I'm not sure, but I remember you ended up having couple of shots, because the guys were mocking your "fake rockstar" image so much," I chuckled.
"I hate it," he muttered into the pillow. "I don't feel good..."
"I know..." I smiled as I laid down next to him, caressing his hair. "Sleep."
Needless to say, that day we did nothing but lay around and watched tv, silently suffering while Mom was off to work to the local market. Thank God, she did not have to see us.
The next few days were a bless.
We went for the promised hike on the trail with Jared, where he seemed like the most amazed child in the world. I couldn't get enough of looking at him and didn't even realize that we have wandered so far from home for hours and hours, exploring all the hidden corners of the trail and its' surroundings.
He did take pictures, but he was hundred percent off social media, which was a blast, really.
We also visited the local market several times. Went for a boat tour, explored some nearby cities, cooked traditional Scottish foods with my Mom. Went to restaurants, on long evening walks and shopping. All of this without any prying eyes on us. No fans, no paparazzi, no gossips.
Jared was living.
Like really living, like just another guy from the block. His smiles were wide, his laughter was loud and carefree and was heard much more often. He gave up on vegan foods for the week, as it was very hard to get by with his lifestyle in this small town, but he didn't seem bothered and definitely made my Mom happier about it when it came to putting food onto the table. He enjoyed the foods, and once he took a sip from my whiskey, just to try a real Scottish one, but he refused to have a glass of his own for obvious reasons, and I did see his judgmental looks when I kept on drinking during the days, but he kept his mouth shut which I did appreciate so much that I decided to not drink for the last of the days.
"Avery, I have to admit, I really like him," my Mom started, as we were getting ready for my birthday gathering the next day by pre-preparing some food and cleaning around the house while Jared was on a couple of phone calls. "He is nothing like papers talk about him. He is so fun and... he loves you so much," she looked at me, caressing my hair.
Looking back at her, I smiled wide.
"I know... and here he is thriving. He needed this vacation. Away from his life. This side of him is almost new to me as well," I chuckled as I turned back to the dough keep working on it with my hands. "I think his inner child comes out; you know before he moved to the city. Sometimes I really think, even though he is so successful and well appreciated worldwide, he does misses the calmness. And I know he loves his life and seems like he has everything he ever wanted and is fine with it; he sometimes struggles with fame... But I hope to come here more often with him, now that you said you like him... It means a lot to me Mom, because... I really... really love him," I sighed fighting back the urge to tell her we are thinking of having a baby.
She would flip out. In a good way.
Her silence made me frown and I looked up to her just to see her smile with tears in her eyes.
"Mom?" I frowned, stopping with my hands.
"Oh... my little girl... you're grown up too soon," she mumbled as she pulled me into a tight hug, and as much as I wanted to hug her back, my hands were full of dough. "Your father is very happy, I know. He always wanted the best for you and... now you... You are..."
"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked stunned, pulling away.
"I'm just happy for you. So much and just hope that..." she sighed, wiping her tears away as she smiled at me. "I hope you won't forget me over the seas and really will come visit often."
"Of course I will! I just told you!" I stated with a smile, trying to keep the frown away about her being way too emotional.
"Good. Good! I'll remind you of this!" she smiled, kissing my forehead. "Now back to that dough if you want doughnuts!" She shushed me. "And concentrate, if you really want to learn how to do them.
"Oh, I really do! Jared loves them and I wanna be able to do at home. Just check it out, he is going to eat it like he hasn't been fed for years! He gave up on them long time ago but now that he has his cheating week, I though he might love some home made ones."
"I am sure he will love it," she smiled, caressing my back. "How's the new home? You like it there?" she asked.
Nodding, I took a deep breath.
"I do. It's a work in progress to get used to it. It's huge and... there's no furniture enough in the world to make it look cozy at some parts. But the major rooms look very homey by now. Jared's mostly going to be around the whole summer so we will keep working on it."
"And what happens when he... has to go back to work. Did he tell you already what's your job going to be next to him?"
"Well... we haven't really talked about that yet," I shrugged. "I'm sure there is enough to do. I would love to be involved with PR and marketing. Maybe some event management, but I don't really want to tell him because... I don't want him to have to give less work to someone else or fire anyone for me," I pulled a face as I shrugged.
"Is this really what you want to do, Avery?" she asked seriously. "You had so many plans."
"This is what I want," I nodded firm.
There was no doubt in my mind.
"I miss working with him. I wouldn't want to be his assistant but something more involved with the business. And this way I am able to be with him most of the time. And that is the most important to me."
Mom seemed to approve my answer and she seemed happy and I was happy that she was happy. It didn't take long for Jared to charm her, which was not a surprise.
The next day was, indeed my birthday, which I hoped I wouldn't feel bad about but I did manage to.
"Av, come on, the guests will be here in an hour and you are still in bed," Jared sighed, sitting onto the edge of the bed.
"You said I shouldn't come out."
"Yeah, but that was three hours ago; the decoration is ready to surprise you," he smiled, caressing my back.
"I don't even want to see Erica and the family..." I sighed, as this would be the first time since we are here that I would see my half-sister.
"I know, but there's going to be other people too."
"All celebrating the fact that I'm getting old," I muttered.
"Hey, you don't get to pull the "old" card," he smiled grabbing my waist, pulling me up to sit. "Come on, baby! Last year I missed your birthday, this year you can't miss when I am around!"
I sighed, sitting up.
"Can I just celebrate with you... I have something in mind for myself as a gift and I want you to be there with me."
"What's that?" he asked interested.
"A tattoo," I smiled. "To hide the wound of my surgery. I was thinking you could help me with some ideas," I explained, caressing his arm, then looking up to him I saw him grin.
"Wow... I would love to! Would you like to have it in Scotland?"
"Yeah, maybe in Edinburgh," I shrugged.
"Sounds amazing. But now, get the hell up!" he stated excited, throwing me the dress I packed for my birthday lunch.
I sighed annoyed but did as I was told, getting ready finally.
By the time I was really ready the guests were here.
"Ready?" asked Jared as he stood in my door, wearing a beautiful blue button up shirt which matched the color of his eyes, with white suit pants.
I gasped looking at his torso peeking out, the triad necklace in his neck and his hair, flowing freely, his beard groomed.
"I have the most beautiful boyfriend in the whole wide world... I can't stand too close to you if I want people to notice me," I smiled as I caressed my white summer dress.
"Shut up, you look like you are straight out of a fairy tale. I'm just a hairy old man next to you," he shook his head, taking my hand and I noticed with a light giggle that his palms are sweaty.
He can't possibly be nervous.
"Even you don't think it's true!" I laughed as he led me out of the room.
"Fine; I look good but you are much damn hotter," he rolled his eyes and I couldn't help but laugh again as we made our way down the stairs.
We weren't planning anything fancy for today. We have enough fancy going on back in LA, so I wanted to keep it low, and just have a nice lunch with my family and friends. If that's even possible.
Erica was extra nice, which has never happened before and seemed like my grandparents, my Mom's parents just as my Dad's were more than happy to see me. They all behaved and did not attack Jared OR me, which was new, and made me think that Jared might think I exaggerated when telling him about my rude family members.
My Mom desperately wanted to say a toast, which was basically what she says to me every year, plus now thanked hundred times that I am home during my birthday. She even included Jared and that how happy she is that we got together, even if at first it did not seem like that.
After toasting we were ready to eat when Mom looked at Jared.
"Jared... why don't you say something?" she pushed.
"Oh..." Jared looked around the table as I looked at him shaking my head lightly that he doesn't have to. "I..." he looked at me and I couldn't help but notice how he rubbed his palms against his thighs over and over again, his fingertips became slightly lighter.
"Go on," my Mother smiled, holding her glass up as everyone else did, all eyes on Jared.
Clearing his throat he stood up, picking up his non-alcoholic champagne.
"I just... would like to thank to all of you for being welcoming towards me. I understand that most of you had some image in your head about me and I am happy that I can show you who I really am. And... who I really am is showing most when I am with Avery," he smiled down at me and I immediately blushed by his sentence, not wanting to look anywhere else. "We have known each other for long long years now and have been in each other's life for almost as long. She slowly became my right hand, my rock, and very very slowly..." he smiled back at me, "my other half. I love you, I have loved you longer than I can remember, that's for sure," he chuckled with a slight blush on his cheeks. "And just..." he looked around then to me with a nod. "Thank you for putting up with all my sh... mess, and keeping me grounded. Happy Birthday! Cheers!" he smiled and then just chugged down his drink then he sat back down.
"He is not only pretty, he can make a speech," I heard grandma' say and I chuckled.
"Jared, that was beautiful," I smiled, hugging his arm, peering to my Mother sitting on the other side of the table who looked at Jared with a deep frown and I glared at him uncertain.
"Thanks," he forced a smile. "Can I... Lynn, pass me the actual champagne, will you?" he asked as he ran his hand through his hair, then grabbing the champagne away, he poured himself a glass; half of it foaming onto the table. "Shit... shit sorry," he muttered then just poured the bubbly liquid down his throat which caused him to squeeze his eyes, coughing.
"Jared, are you alright?"I whispered, caressing his back.
"Yeah... yeah, just..." he coughed again, leaning to my ear. "Everyone was watching so intensely... I got a little nervous."
I raised an eyebrow seeing his desperate smile.
Look at that. The Oscar winner who is just another man when it comes to meeting the girlfriend's big family for the first time.
I had to giggle.
"It's okay... they actually are very well behaved so far," I whispered, caressing his arm. "Relax; they like you!" I encouraged.
"Well, shall we eat, then?" Mom asked and we all dug in, the different conversation finally easing up Jared.
After the lunch, everyone started mingling, and while talking to my father's parents, I kept peeking to Jared who was talking to Lynn and my Mom in one corner.
I was a bit worried that they are indeed going to scare him off, or that he doesn't feel good around my family. It was a big thing for me to show him around my home town, but I was a bit scared of bringing him into this family. He seemed to be more at ease but still he looked like he would love to be anywhere else, but here.
He made a slight conversation with everyone, but I watched him and I knew he was being tense and nervous.
I felt bad for him. It's been a lot and my grandparents surely had many questions after a few drinks while my old friend, Polly could not get her eyes off him, which he definitely noticed.
"Jared... for a minute," I smiled, pulling him away from Lynn, back to the kitchen where Erica was with the kids, preparing the cakes ready.
"Hey, you shouldn't be here!" she smiled.
"Just... I'm not looking," I sighed then turned to Jared.
"Baby, tell me if you wanna get out of here. We can tell them you have an online meeting or something," I offered gently.
"No! No, why.. why would I wanna get out?" he asked as he let a slight laugh. "I just... I need to talk to you..." he sighed, looking around. "Private."
"About?" I asked uncertain.
Oh, fuck... he hates my family... they scared him away... or it's me... I'm drinking again too much.
"I... I don't know..." he whined seemingly totally lost and out of it and I couldn't help the tears in my eyes.
"What's wrong?" I mumbled as my breathing became rapid.
What the hell is happening?
"Can we... go outside? To the barn?" he asked, looking into my eyes seriously.
"Sure... sure, we can," I nodded, putting my drink onto the counter and hurried after Jared as he was already half way out the door.
"What's happening?" Lynn whispered confused.
"I don't fucking know," I whispered back as I felt my heart racing trying to think back on the last few hours why he could have suddenly been so nervous and that is when it occurred to me out of the blue.
On the party... Jared was in the bathroom for so long. He then, bold from drunkenness, admitted he had diarrhea, but in that same exact time we were looking for Polly who, later on when she returned, told that she went to phone her ex.
Could it be that... these two drunk.... no... no Polly had showed us the amount of time she talked to the ex on the phone and was crying for like twenty minutes after it.
Or was she crying because of something else?
My insecurities hit the ceiling as I hurried towards the barn with Jared, hoping that I am just a stupid idiot. He wouldn't do it. Not even when he is drunk.
Never.
Maybe he is pranking me. Maybe he has a big surprise present, although I clearly told him do not dare to buy me anything. But maybe he did and that's why he is nervous. He knows I wont approve.
That's it.
It has to be it.