Jackie stepped out of the limo and took Tommy's arm and took their regular stroll through the fans and the photographers. As they entered the red carpet, lined with reporters, her heart began to race as she glanced back at the publicists. There wasn't any turning back now. She had made her mind. She pulled Tommy's arms closer and leaned into him, moving her mouth to his ear.
"I'm sorry Tommy but I can't do this anymore."
He looked back at her in confusion but once they locked eyes, his face softened.
"Okay, you know they're going to give you hell for this though right?" He warned, titling his head towards the publicists.
"Yeah I know, but I just can't anymore. I'm sorry."
"I understand," he said, letting go of her arm and smiled as he noticed her walking on without him.
It only took two questions before the first reporter mentioned her relationship with Tommy. Jackie took a deep breath in before responding.
"You know, people assumed we were together and I know I haven't done much to prevent them from thinking that, but we're actually just good friends."
The reporter was a little caught off guard by the moment.
"Well, I know a lot of young fans are going to be devastated about this news. It seems as though they labelled you two was their young 'IT' couple."
Jackie turned and looked directly into the camera.
"Well girls, I think it's great news for you all because I know for a fact that Tommy is on the market," Jackie said and winked. "He's a great guy and any girl would be lucky to have him. I'm so lucky to call him my friend."
"But never anything more?" The reporter pried.
Jackie smiled coyly, "Let's just say that I am very happy with that part of my life right now and it doesn't involve Tommy."
"Oh really? Anyone we know?" The reported asked and was intrigued, knowing she had just landed a hot story.
"No. I've always tended to prefer to try and live a more normal life outside of my career. So I have always been more attracted to people that aren't involved in the business."
"How long ago did this relationship transpire?"
"I'm not going to answer that question. I know how you people work. If I give you a time range, you will go back and stalk every movement I made to see who I was with," Jackie teased. "This person means the world to me and I'm just going to leave it at that."
"Okay, I can respect that and can tell you are very happy. I wish nothing but the best for you, Ms Kirk."
"I am very happy. Thank you," Jackie beamed.
After shaking her hand goodbye, she turned around and saw the look on her publicists' faces and could tell they were not happy.
"Holy shit Jackie. Did you tell anyone you were going to do that?" Rachel asked, pulling her aside the moment the interview was over.
"No. After this week, I'm done playing their games. This is my life and I'm in control of things now. However, I have a job to finish so you can tell them that we can discuss this later if necessary," Jackie replied, as she removed Rachel's hand from her arm and moved on to the next reporter.
****
Once the premiere was over, the publicists pulled Jackie and Tommy into a room.
"What the hell was that?!" One of the publicists yelled.
"Tell them what I did wrong?" Jackie asked sternly.
"We had an agreement. You two were supposed to ride this thing out until the very end."
"It is the end. I did my part and now I'm done."
"You need to run these things by us before you selfishly run your mouth to the reporters."
"Hey, come on now," Tommy said, putting his hands up and stepping in front of Jackie. "She's been nothing but patient this entire time. She did what was asked of her and there's no need to attack her like this."
"It's our job to be your guy's filter. You need to run everything by us."
"It's really not that big if a deal," Jackie responded. "Plus, I am an adult. I can say whatever I please."
"Not that big of a deal? Let's see how you feel about that when you disappear from the public's interest."
"Are we done here?" Jackie asked before storming out.
How could they be so rude to her and treating her as nothing more than their puppet? Also, how dare they call her selfish after she kept this 'Tommy thing' up for so long; while putting her real relationship on the line? She knew it was the last Neptune after party but was completely over this entire trip and everyone involved. Staying only an hour was enough for Jackie and she called it a night. Once she arrived back to the hotel, she released some stress with a long and hot shower before calling Catherine.
"What's wrong? Aren't you supposed to be at your premiere?" Catherine asked.
"I left early. I just want to go to sleep so I can wake up and be on my way home," Jackie sighed as she plopped down on the bed.
"What happened?" Catherine asked with concern.
"I ended the Tommy facade once and for all."
"What do you mean? What did he do to you?"
"What? Nothing. I told the reporters that me and Tommy weren't together in the first place and that I was happy with someone else."
"No, no you didn't..."
"Yes I did. I told you I was going to make it up to you. The only problem was that I didn't run it by the publicists because I knew they would be against it, and let's just say they were not too happy with me right now."
"So you completely blindsided them?"
"Yeah, and then they pulled me and Tommy into a room afterward and tore me apart."
"How does Tommy feel about it?"
"He was completely supportive and even stuck up for me."
"Wow."
"I know right? He's been so different ever since New York."
"It seems like it. Is he still at the party?"
"Yeah, why?" Jackie asked as she pulled herself up until she was sitting.
"Just wondering."
Jackie could tell Catherine was subtly trying to get information on Tommy and couldn't understand why, especially since she just told her she completely ended things with him. Aside from walking in on Tommy in her apartment before they were even together, and their drunken misunderstanding, she hadn't done anything to warrant Catherine's jealousy.
"Catherine."
"Yeah?"
"I just told a reporter at an international movie premiere that I wasn't with Tommy and was happily taken, and all you care about is where Tommy is?"
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm proud of you. It's just been a long three weeks."
"Are you ever going to trust me? I've done nothing wrong. You know I'm not going anywhere and I thought this would've proved it."
"I know, I know," Catherine replied apologetically.
"I'm just going to go to sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning before my flight."
Jackie was exhausted fighting with everyone and didn't have the energy to do the same with Catherine. She called her and was hoping that she would make her feel better, but instead she was intensifying her frustrations.
"No, please don't go. I'm sorry. It really means a lot to me and I just need to get over the Tommy thing. I do trust you."
Jackie talked to Catherine a little longer before calling it a night, venting her frustrations and eagerness to get home.
****
The next morning, she awoke to a message from her manager Matt. He was unhappy about the night before and told her that the PR meeting really needs to be scheduled as soon as she returned to the States.
On the way to the airport, she gave Catherine a call but before she could talk, Catherine interrupted with the great news that she had just received.
"Stanford called! I have an interview!"
Not having the heart to bring down her happiness with the dreaded PR meeting, she decided not to mention yet.
"I told you that they would call! I'm so happy for you! We will celebrate when you come to LA in a couple of days!"
The joy in Catherine's voice was infectious and lifted Jackie's spirits. She couldn't wait to get back home and see her.
On the flight home, she sat next to Rachel and the two of them talked all about their week in Europe's and Jackie and Catherine's relationship. It felt good finally being able to talk to someone about Catherine. It removed so much built up stress talking through both her frustrations, and her happiness in their relationship. Jackie felt lucky to have Rachel in her life and their bond was only growing stronger.
When they finally arrived back in the States, Jackie spent the entire first day in bed. After ten days of illness and no sleep, she refused to move and gave her body the proper rest it needed. Catherine was arriving in the morning for her second interview at UCLA, so she decided that she should get her act together and step out into the world to do some grocery shopping.
Despite the lack of enthusiasm, Â Catherine agreed to the PR meeting and it was scheduled during her visit. One of the many reasons to pick up some wine while she was out. After putting away the groceries and cleaning her apartment, she called it an early night and was so eager to pick up Catherine in the morning.
****
Jackie opened her eyes and looked around the room, wondering what had woken her up. A few seconds later, she heard knocking at her door and sat up in bed. It was after midnight, and her heart began to race, not knowing who it was. There was the knocking again. She slowly got out of bed and made her way down the hall, tip toeing to the door.
When she looked through the peep hole, her uneasiness turned into an overwhelming sense of excitement. She couldn't undo the locks fast enough before swinging open the door and throwing herself into Catherine's arms. Catherine held her tightly and pressed Jackie's head close against her as she laughed.
"You scared the shit out of me!" Jackie said, squeezing her even tighter before stepping back. "What are you doing here?!"
Jackie's checks were already started to burn from smiling so hard.
Catherine cupped her face in her hands.
"You're not the only one who can do all of the surprising. I couldn't wait any longer to see you."
Jackie grabbed her face and kissed her, not having enough control or desire to stop. After a few moments, Catherine finally pulled away.
"Aren't you going to invite me?" Catherine laughed. "It's pretty late and I have been travelling all day, you know."
Jackie smiled and tossed her bags in her apartment before grabbing Catherine's hand and pulled her inside.
"I missed you so much. My heart is literally going to explode right now."
Catherine smiled and placed her hand on Jackie's chest to feel for herself. Jackie took her hand and kissed it before moving back to her lips.
This time removing her jacket as they made their way back to Jackie's bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes.
A/n Thanks for reading my story. Please vote and drop a comment. Comments will help me a lot more than you might think. â¤ï¸