Glimpses: A Halloween-Flavoured Attempt to Take Care of Jack

This is a post from the autumn of 2019, resurrected because a) it’s Halloween again, b) not much has changed where Jack, Gareth, and their family are concerned, and c) A Simple Mistake is finally done and out – and back in 2019, I wrote this as a ‘what happens after the end of ASM’ kind of story!

I’m still not one for ghosts and ghouls, or trick and treating – so trying to write a Halloween story was always going to be a stretch. One that very promptly went sideways when I turned to Jack and Gareth. It’s pretty obvious why, because ghosts and monsters don’t scare me, but a family struggling to stay together and fight their way through adversity… that is plenty scary.

So, instead of a proper Halloween story, have a glimpse at A Simple Mistake, the next Jack & Gareth novel. A Halloween-flavoured attempt by Daniel, Nico, and Gareth to make Jack realise that he still has a family, and that they have a call on his time, too.

Hope you enjoy!

 

 

Gareth reached across the Range Rover’s centre console and cupped Jack’s cheek. Stubble rasped against his palm, a sensual caress that Jack answered with a tired smile. He leaned forward at Gareth’s urging until he was close enough their lips could touch. They lingered over the kiss, savouring each gentle slide and taste, enjoying the connection. Gareth wasn’t a fan of public displays, and neither was Jack, but they’d had little time for simple pleasures over the last weeks. And the corner of the underground garage where Gareth parked his car was out of the way and shadowed.

“Missed this,” Gareth sighed against Jack’s lips, and Jack leaned just that little bit more.

“I know I’ve been less than… present. Maybe we should try that dating thing again,” Jack said, when he pulled back from yet another soft kiss. “Though I’m not sure I—”

“Yeah, me neither. Maybe a day out. All four of us together.”

“We can discuss it over dinner.”

It sounded like a sensible idea, so Gareth nodded before they went back to kissing, neither in a hurry to brave the rush hour traffic.

“That was one hell of a job,” Gareth said a while later.

“Frazer,” Jack mumbled, chin in the air while he worked to undo the buttons on his collar.

A flash of something dark caught Gareth’s eye as Jack turned his head. He knew what it was. Jack had started to wear his leather collar again. More than the ever increasing number of visible knives in their bedroom, the strap told Gareth that Jack was struggling. The mess at work wasn’t helping, though one of those issues—at least—had now been resolved. “Nothing doing.” Gareth shook his head in answer to Jack’s comment. “Frazer beat you to it. He said this one’s all on you. He wouldn’t have known where to start.”

“Bullshit.”

“Not. Frazer is ace at reading crowds, but you’re the authority on spook stuff.”

“That’s what he said?”

“Yep.”

Jack huffed out a breath and let his head thud against the back of the seat. “I thought I’d finally got him to own how good he is.”

“You have. Now he’s returning the favour.”

Jack muttered something under his breath. Gareth opened his mouth to respond, but a chime interrupted his plans. He pulled his phone out and winced at the image that greeted him.

“What?” Jack was immediately alert.

“Nothing a bottle of Cillit Bang won’t cure.” Gareth handed the phone across, hoping Nico had staged the kitchen carnage. If it was real, he didn’t hold out much hope for dinner that night.

Jack stared at the snap showing a bloody knife, artistic blood spatter and— “Oh my god, it’s Halloween!”

Gareth laughed. “What gave it away?”

“Pumpkin guts.” Jack made a face. “Or at least, I hope that’s what they are. I wonder what Daniel has on Nico to make him help with gutting pumpkins.” He sank back into his seat and closed his eyes. The dark shadows under Jack’s eyes spoke of his exhaustion, as did the weight he’d lost. Ever since he’d come back from Japan, he’d worked his contracted hours at Nancarrow Mining, then came home and spent the night hunting predators. He was relentless and, after going off the deep end himself during the summer, Gareth couldn’t think of a single thing to say to make him stop.

Family dinners with the four of them around the table had become a rarity. Their last day out was a fuzzy memory. And Gareth hadn’t realised what they were doing to each other, until Aidan had cornered him in his office.

It hadn’t been a pleasant conversation. In fact, it had been loud and heavy on the profanities, but Gareth couldn’t deny that Aidan knew what he spoke of. After all, he’d lost his wife and raised his daughter single-handed. And, according to Aidan, being shit-scared a large part of the time was part of that package.

Gareth had listened.

He’d throttled the rage driving him and focussed on what he had rather than what he had to lose.

Only then had he realised how much of a toll this summer had taken. And how far Jack had drifted away from them all.

“They don’t expect me to dress up and go out like we did last year, right?” Jack said as Gareth pulled the Range Rover out into the streams of rain and traffic. “I’m knackered.”

“Maybe you should consider coming to bed at night,” Gareth suggested, a hint of a snap in his voice. “Might do you good in all kinds of ways.”

Jack’s head whipped around. “Is that a complaint?”

Gareth hesitated for the length of a heartbeat—Jack needed sleep, not a fight—but then he said it anyway. “What do you think? “

“I think…” Jack’s ears were red, and his cheeks were getting there, but he didn’t gear up for a fight. He dipped his chin, acknowledging Gareth’s words. “I think it could be an invitation.”

“It could be that,” Gareth agreed.

Traffic was thick, but at least it was moving. Gareth drove while Jack sat silent in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead. He didn’t return any of the glances Gareth’s sent his way. Not until they’d almost reached Richmond.

“So… Acknowledging that I wasn’t exactly present didn’t cut it?”

“Not really,” Gareth said. “Don’t get me wrong. I understand what drives you. It drives me, too. But neglecting your family for the sake of protecting your family isn’t the way to go.”

Jack mulled that over. Before he could argue or apologise—neither of which Gareth was angling for—Gareth laid his hand on Jack’s knee and rubbed small circles. “Don’t worry about it now. We can hash it out tomorrow while the boys are at school.”

“You’re off too?”

“Julian’s cancelled the board meeting. So, yes. I’m at home. We have time to talk then. Use tonight to relax and sleep.”

“I thought…” Jack drew out the words and there was a definite smile in his voice. “I thought, you had plans that involved me sleeping in our bed for a change. Or maybe not sleeping.”

“I do.”

“Tell me?”

Gareth wasn’t sure that was a good idea, with Nico and Daniel waiting for them at home, but he couldn’t resist the look Jack sent him. “Think back to the very first night we spent together,” he purred. “Can you remember what you were complaining about?” Jack didn’t speak, but Gareth noticed that he shifted in his seat as if his tight jeans were suddenly uncomfortable. “You realise you’re due another earful, as soon as we get home?”

Jack made a face. “Gah! Way to ruin the mood, Flynn! But yeah, I get it. And I’ll be ready for the two.”

Gareth didn’t turn his head this time. He kept his eyes on the road, but he remembered the image of blood-spattered countertops and sharp knives that Nico had sent them earlier and he shivered. “Somehow, I doubt that either one of us is ready for what awaits us at home.”

---

“See?” Jack pointed to the jack-o’-lanterns sitting either side of the front door. “I said pumpkin guts were involved.” There were a couple of artistically bloody hand prints decorating the front door, too, and Jack grinned at those despite his exhaustion. “What do you think we’ll get inside? The Addams family or Freddie Krueger?”

Gareth pulled their bags from the backseat. “I have no idea,” he said, following Jack across the gravel drive. “I know they were planning a special dinner. I was under orders to make sure you actually came home. Beyond that, I really don’t know. Looking at the pumpkins, there may be a Halloween theme to the rest of the day.”

Jack’s stomach growled and he rubbed a hand across his midriff as if trying to muffle the sound. “If that Halloween theme involves food, I’m game. Even if I get a bollocking first.”

“Ring the doorbell.”

“What? Why?”

Gareth shrugged. “Because I was told to ring the bell before we came in.” He’d long given up enquiring after reasons when it came to Daniel and Nico planning surprises. It saved him a lot of aggravation. “Go on.” He motioned with the hand holding Jack’s laptop bag.

Jack pressed the bell.

The door swung open to the sight of Nico in sharply creased black trousers, a black tailcoat, and black gloves. “Good evening, gentlemen. You’re just in time for dinner.” He bowed as he’d learned in dance class, and waved Jack over the threshold.

“Thank you.” Gareth followed, holding back his smile just as Jack did. There was something stately about Nico dressed in tails. As disguises went, the all-black outfit suited him surprisingly well. He appeared taller and more mature, though he looked at Jack with a mix of relief and concern in his face.

Jack hung up his jacket and bent to take off his boots. Then, as was his habit, he turned towards the stairs, and froze two steps away. Gareth didn’t need to see his face to picture his surprise. The suddenly rigid back and tight shoulders said it all.

A witches’ broomstick blocked the stairs.

Jack reached to move it, only to find Nico moving in front of him. “No going upstairs.”

“I could do with a shower,” Jack said.

“Shower downstairs.”

“What? What’s wrong with…?”

“No.” Nico shook his head. “Dinner is ready. If you go upstairs you sit down in front of the computer. And then we don’t see you for the rest of the evening. “

Jack’s back went rigid. “I’m not that bad!”

“You’re exactly that bad,” Nico argued.

“We’re not asking a lot,” Daniel said from where he stood in the kitchen door. “Just that you have dinner with us.”

Gareth prepared himself to intervene. Nico and Daniel meant the world to Jack, but any moment now Jack might decide that he didn’t want to be pushed. Or that his rage-fuelled crusade was more important than his family.

In the end, it didn’t come to that. Jack blew out a deep breath and made an effort to release the tension from his shoulders. “Fine,” he said, turning away from the stairs. “I accept that you have reason to be annoyed with me. I did bury myself in work and… stuff. Gareth has already read me the riot act. Now tell me what’s for dinner?”

Nico smiled in triumph. He planted a hand between Jack’s shoulder blades and propelled him out of the hallway. Gareth followed, knowing that yet another surprise was waiting for Jack. They’d spent the previous evening transforming the dining room. Small jack-o’-lanterns lined the sideboard. Leaves had been strung into garlands. And a large bowl of pine cones, acorns, and gleaming chestnuts scented the air with a hint of woodland spice. It looked autumnal rather than spooky, and Gareth had to admit that he liked it better than the more traditional ghouls and monsters decor.

The same appeared to be true for Jack. “When did you do all the decorating?” He asked, turning in a circle to take it all in.

“When you weren’t here.” Daniel shouted from the kitchen and Jack winced.

“If I apologise, will you give it a rest?”

“Only if you mean it.” Nico paused beside the dining table straightening the cutlery that was already perfectly straight. He seemed to be debating whether to argue or run away. “You’re letting them win, you know?”

Jack opened his mouth. And closed it again without saying anything. Shock held him still. Nico looked as if his words had frightened him as much as Jack. And then Jack took a step forward and wrapped Nico in a hug. He held out his other hand, and Daniel joined them a moment later. “You’re right,” Jack said, turning his head to meet Gareth’s gaze. “You’re all three right, and I’m sorry. I am letting them win. And I didn’t even see it.”

A buzzer sounded from the kitchen, and Daniel yelped. “Oh my god, our dinner!”

As if on cue Jack’s stomach growled again, and Gareth laughed. “Right then. Dinner. Need a hand?”

“Just sit down. We’ve got this.”

The boys rushed out of the room and Gareth caught Jack in hug. “Hungry yet?” he murmured, brushing his lips over Jack’s temple.

Jack chuckled, but he didn’t move away. “Don’t start, Flynn.”

“Fine. I’ll save it for later.”

“I’ll be there.”

---

“It’s Count Dracula’s butler!” Nico stood in front of the fire in all his black-gloved, tail-coated glory, balancing a tray with a jug and two flutes filled with what looked like the good count’s favourite tipple.

“It’s a cocktail,” he explained as he brought the tray to the table.

Gareth took a flute and sniffed. Sour, bitter, metallic, and booze mingled in the air and he took a careful sip. Bubbles burst on his tongue, and alcohol meshed with citrus as he swallowed. “Very nice.” He took another, bigger sip. “Does it have a name?”

Jack was already halfway through his glass. “Bloodbath?” he wondered. “What is that bitter edge in there?”

“It’s beetroot lemonade, campari and prosecco. Do you like it?” Daniel joined them, setting a pumpkin in the the centre of the table. “Do you?”

“It’s fab.” Jack leaned over the table. “And this smells amazing.”

“Pumpkin fondue,” Daniel said proudly.

“With rosemary breadsticks.” Nico set a tall glass vase filled with breadsticks next to the pumpkin. “I made those.”

Gareth pulled out Daniel’s chair and Jack did the same for Nico on the other side of the table. “That bloodbath cocktail is a keeper,” he said and refilled Jack’s glass and his own. “I’d have sworn I could smell meat cooking.”

“Roast is in the oven,” Daniel said. “Along with stuffed peppers.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Jack dipped a breadstick and took a bite. “You put chillies in the fondue.”

“Because you like it.” Daniel didn’t look up from rearranging his knife and fork.

Jack got the message. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “Thank you for coming after me when I got lost in… everything. I truly didn’t notice.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Gareth said. “I didn’t either.”

Jack’s brow creased in confusion. “How do you mean?”

“I was just as lost as you were. Wasn’t until Aidan kicked my shins that I snapped out of it. Fear. It bends perception. You do what you need to do, but you don’t realise what you’re risking.”

“Neglecting my family to protect my family,” Jack repeated Gareth’s earlier words.

“We’d rather have you here with us.”

Jack wrapped an arm around Nico’s shoulders. “Understood.”

They dunked breadsticks in companionable silence and, for the first time since his shouting match with Aidan, Gareth relaxed. He’d worried that Jack would hold on to his rage, but when Jack had said that his priorities had changed, he’d meant it. All it had needed was a reminder that he was no longer alone.

“What’s with the black gloves?” Jack wanted to know while Daniel put the finishing touches on his roast. “Are you channelling Sebastian?”

Nico flushed a deep red. “It looks good.”

“Oh, I agree. But we’re home and—”

With a huge, put-upon sigh, Nico peeled the gloves off. And Jack clapped a hand over this mouth in an attempt to hide his laughter. He failed. “Oh, my god,” Jack gasped. “You look as if you’ve murdered someone.”

Nico made a face. “That’s why I hate beetroot.”

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