Triple the Love

Fixing Things

Corey

The truth was finally out there. Not only to just Jack and Hank, but to everyone in Chasea. Of course, not everyone knew all the finer details, but they knew. I wasn’t even sure how they all knew, but the small-town gossip had a way of spreading like wildfire, and it hadn't taken long for my personal life to become the talk of the town. Everywhere I went, it felt as if everyone was looking at me. Whispering behind my back. It felt as if the walls were closing in and no matter where I turned, I just couldn’t seem to escape the judgment. But none of that mattered. The truth was out, and I couldn’t change it. The only thing I could do was try to fix it. I had made such a mess of everything and the only way I could clean it up was to face things head on. That was how I now found myself standing in front of Alastair and Jacob’s house. They had been caught in the middle of this, and I owed them more than an apology. I knocked on the door and waited. I was nervous but determined. When Jacob answered the door, his expression was unreadable.

“Hey,” I greeted him. Jacob didn’t say a word as he stepped aside, letting me in. I took a deep breath as I entered their home and headed straight for the living room. Alastair was sitting on the couch, looking at his phone. However, he looked up and froze when he saw me walk in. The atmosphere was suddenly heavy, and tense and I just knew that this wasn’t going to be easy. Jacob was right behind me, and he sat down next to Alastair, the both of them watching me closely. “I am so sorry,” I stated. “I am so sorry for dragging you both into this…for lying, for making things complicated,” Jacob put up his hand and shook his head.

“Corey, you don’t have to apologize to us. We are not the ones you hurt,” he said, and I sighed softly.

“I know…but I hurt you guys too. I made you a part of this mess and…and I shouldn’t have. I should have just been honest from the start,” Alastair nodded slowly as he studied me.

“You did screw up,” he said bluntly. “But you also came clean. That…that took a lot of guts,” I chuckled as I shook my head.

“Guts? Nah,” I said as a wave of relief washed over me.

“Corey…you put Jacob and me in an awkward position…but at the end of the day, this isn’t about us. It's about you…and Jack…and Hank. You did the right thing by telling them the truth,” Alastair said, and I sighed as I took a seat across from them.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, Corey,” Jacob said. “And I know you never meant to hurt anyone, and I agree with Alastair…it is a good thing that you came clean,”

“I just…I wish I hadn't let things get so far…I should have just been honest from the start,” I admitted.

“Well, now that the truth is out there, you can start thinking about what comes next,” Alastair suggested, and I nodded in agreement. Of course, I had no idea what would happen. Hank had stormed out and Jack had also eventually left. I had no idea how either of them felt, and I was too scared to reach out to either of them.

“Have you spoken to either of them since you told them the truth?” Jacob asked and I immediately shook my head. “Well, why not?”

“Because I hurt them. Hank was angry…Jack…he said he needed some time…so, I guess, I’m just giving them some time,” I explained.

“That sounds like a good idea,” Jacob agreed, but Alastair shook his head. I frowned as I glanced over at him.

“I can understand that Jack wants some time, but I don’t know if leaving Hank with his own thoughts is the best idea,” he admitted, and I knew he was right. Hank would allow it to fester and that would only make it harder to talk to him. To fix things. Still, I wasn’t sure how to move forward. I had no idea how to approach either of them. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw that it was a message from Jack.

Jack: Hey, Corey. Can we talk?

I stared at the message in surprise. My heart started to race as I reread his message. Jack wanted to talk. Was that a good thing? Was it a bad thing? Was he going to forgive me? Or was this the end?

“What?” Jacob asked.

“It’s Jack…he wants to talk,”

“Well, that’s a good sign, right?” Alastair asked, as his eyebrows raised curiously.

“I mean…I have no idea, but I sure do hope so,”

“I think it’s a good thing…and whatever happens, just be honest with him, Corey. That is all you can do,” Jacob said with an encouraging smile. I nodded in agreement because that was all I could do. I quickly responded because the last thing I wanted to do was leave Jack hanging.

Corey: Hey, Jack. Sure, when?

I hit send and immediately held my breath. This was a pivotal moment, but I couldn’t help but worry about Hank.

“Maybe you should hear what Jack has to say before you get in touch with Hank,” Alastair suggested. “Jack knows Hank and he may be able to give you a few pointers on how to handle Hank,”

“Yeah…right,” I agreed as I stared at my phone. When Jack’s response came through, I whimpered at how sweet his message was.

Jack: Right now, boy. Come over to my place as soon as you can. I miss you, and we need to talk things through.

“Good?” Jacob asked and all I could do was nod as I stood up.

“I have to go,” I said to them as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. “But…sorry again,”

“None of that, all is forgiven,” Alastair said with a wave of his hand. I smiled as another wave of relief washed over me. Things were finally started to look up and there was a chance I hadn't lost Jack.