Duets - 5. Chapter Five

Jack woke up to the smell of pasta sauce and the sounds dishes and soft voices. Jack rubbed the sleep from his eyes and rolled out of bed. He pulled on some track pants and slipped silently out the door. Nora was definitely talking to someone, a man. But Jack didn't’ know any men. Unless…

“Maybe I should go, I don’t want him to feel ambushed the moment he gets home.”

“Nonsense! You have to stay for dinner.”

Oh God. It was him! Jack could only see his back from where he stood, he was wearing a suit and his light brown hair was slightly mussesd. Matthew was in his apartment, he must have stopped in when he got home from work. And Nora was inviting him to dinner. And Jack probably looked like shit! Jack tried to retreat back to his room so he could make himself presentable but bumped into the door and it closed with a slight bang, leaving him standing in the hallway in a pair of ratty sweats and a two sizes too big t-shirt. Not that he cared what he looked like, it wasn’t like he wanted to impress him.

Nora of course spotted him right away, “Jack! Come meet Matthew.”

There was no avoiding it now, all he could do was head down the hall and face his fate.

⤐⤞

Matthew took a deep breath before turning. The moment before he faced his buddy for the first time he regretted stopping in before going home. He was still in his slightly rumpled suit, his shirt untucked and tie missing. He knew his hair was a mess. Nora said Jack had been lying down, what if he didn’t want to deal with company? What if he thought Matthew was a creep? Matthew pasted a friendly smile on his face and looked up at his neighbor.

“Wow.” His voice was breathy and low, “I mean, Hi. Hello. Um.. I’m Matthew. Nice to meet you.”

He was really glad in that moment he wasn’t prone to blushing. But apparently His shower buddy was, the poor guys face was bright red. There goes all the hope that Jack didn’t hear his exclamation. He hadn’t meant to say it, it just slipped out. The guy was friggin adorable. And obviously felt like melting into the floor. When Jack made no move to come closer or reply Matthew ran his hand through his hair, turning slightly back towards Nora.

“Maybe I should just…”

“Don’t be silly! Jack’s always a little groggy when he first wakes up. He’ll join us in a minute. Come sit, there’s lots of food.”

Matt gave Jack one last lingering look, eyebrows raised. Hoping he got the message. If Jack wanted him gone, he would leave. The smaller man just shrugged and padded slowly to the kitchen.

“It’s fine, you can stay. Nora says you cooked it, you should at least get to eat it.”

“Umm thanks. Jack, right?”

“Mhhmm.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Jack. Face to face.”

The rosy blush was back as Jack busied himself with straightening the silverware, refusing you look at Matthew.

“You too. I mean, it’s nice to meet you to.”

Matthew couldn’t help but smile, he really was the cutest little thing.

⤐⤞

It was an awkward meal. Jack was a little relieved he wasn’t the only one who was feeling it, Matthew was stiff and fidgety as well. Nora kept trying to start conversations but they seemed to stall after a few sentences. The conversation just wasn’t flowing. Jack felt like he was being put on display for an audience that didn’t want to look at him. Sure Matthew had expressed positively when he first saw Jack, but he hadn’t looked at him straight on for more than a heartbeat since they had sat down.

Jack pushed the food around on his plate. It smelled delicious but he just didn’t have an appetite. He was a little nauseous and tired and he really just wanted to go back to bed. The stress of this forced, awkward dinner was dragging down on his already shaky mental stability and he was a little resentful that his sister had forced this meeting on him like this. He had been looking forward to meeting his neighbor, thanking him for the mix tape and helping his sister. Now he was seriously considering moving out to avoid any future awkward encounters.

“How about some music, yes?” Nora’s voice drew the attention of both men. Her smile was mischievous as she crossed the living room and turned on the CD player. The opening notes of the song filled the room Jack couldn't help but glance up towards Matthew. The older man had put his fork down, his eyes glued to Jack; calculating and analyzing. Jack blushed and tried to avoid his gaze. The low soothing tones of Bill Withers, Lean on Me, helped calm him even though he could feel the heat of the other man eyes.

⤐⤞

Matthew felt like he was intruding, even though he had been invited. Jack really seemed like he didn’t want Matthew there, but was too nice to say so. Matthew didn’t know why he had stayed. He should have left. He could tell Jack wasn’t feeling up to company. He had made things tense and awkward when he had been unable to stop himself from letting that ‘wow’ slip out. Jack was uncomfortable and it was obvious Nora was trying to force their interactions. Matthew decided to keep his eyes glued to his plate and he was mechanically feeding himself. Answering Nora's questions without full engaging in the conversation.

“How about some music, yes?”

Matthew recognized it right away, he was the one who made the CD after all. Bill Withers’ low tones reminded him why he was here. Jack was having a hard time. He needed a friend, someone to lean on. He needed to know someone was worried about him and would be there to help him. He didn’t need a stranger drooling over him, he needed a friend that wasn’t his sister. Matthew studied the man in front of him, barely more than a boy. He was scared and sad and Matthew wasn’t going to let him go through this alone. Nora sat back down and studied the two boys, waiting for a reaction. With a small smile he got up from the table, and went to the kitchen. Opening the fridge he pulled out the Tupperware container with the leftover homemade chicken soup. Matthew heated it up as he listed to Nora trying to convince her brother to go into the kitchen and talk to him. The younger man was convinced Matthew was getting ready to leave because Nora had made things so awkward. Matthew chuckled silently to himself as he removed the soup from the microwave and brought it to the table. He pulled the untouched plate of pasta away from Jack and placed the soup down instead.

“This will be lighter on your stomach.” Matthew winked and took his place back at the table. Bill Withers had finished his tune and Charlie Puth had taken over. Someone needed to take care of this boy until he was ready to take care of himself. Jack ate the soup slowly, but steadily.

“This is really good. Did you make it?”

Matthew smiled. He told Jack about his Grandmother who had cultivated a love of good old fashioned home made food. How his Mother was a disaster in the kitchen and his Father could only bbq, so by the time he was 15 Matthew had been making dinner almost every night for his family. From that point on conversation flowed much smoother. Jack still wasn’t talking much, but he was engaged. By the time the CD finished everyone had cleaned their plates, or bowl in Jack’s case, and the younger man looked much more relaxed.

“Well, I’m going to head home. It’s been a wonderful evening, but it’s getting late.”

“No! Matthew, you must stay, a little longer!”

“I appreciate the invite, Nora, but it’s late. Jack is half asleep and I have to work tomorrow.”

Jack’s cheeks turned pink but he didn’t disagree.

Matthew gave his new friend a smile and a wave, Nora got up and walked him to the door and gave him a hug as they said their goodbyes.

“Matthew! Wait!” Jack called out. He jumped from the table and nearly ran across the apartment to where Matthew was standing at the door. The smaller boy practically threw himself into the larger man arms and held him tight.

“Thank you.” Just two little words. He didn't have to explain for what, Matthew got it. He wrapped his arms back around his shower duet buddy and held him. Firm but not tight.

“Anytime. I mean it Jack, you need anything you just give me a call or come on over.” Matthew followed the promise with a small kiss to the top of his head. “I’m here for you. You’ll sing for me again. Promise.”