Where the Noise EndsChapter 3

The Chicago skyline was a blaze of light.

It was already nine o'clock. The building was nearly empty, but I hadn't received a single message from Jack.

Finally, I couldn't wait any longer and called him.

When he picked up, I asked tentatively, "Jack, are you still busy?"

There was a pause, and then he was a flurry of apologies. "Oh god, Winnie, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot you were in Chicago. I went out to dinner with my buddies."

My heart turned to ice.

I looked out at the glittering neon signs. The city was just coming alive. But I had come here alone, full of courage and hope.

Was this all it was leading to?

Half an hour later, the door to my office flew open and Jack rushed in, out of breath. He collapsed in front of me, crouching down to look me in the eye.

"I'm so sorry, Winnie. I honestly forgot. I'm so, so sorry. Hit me, yell at me, whatever you want."

A three-hour flight, a full afternoon of work… I was physically and mentally drained. Before I could even speak, a figure appeared in the doorway behind him.

A look of embarrassment crossed Jack's face. "I'd been drinking. Chloe gave me a ride."

The will to speak completely deserted me. I just picked up my bag. "Let's go."

I sat in the back seat, watching as Jack, in the passenger seat, nervously monitored Chloe's driving. "Check your mirror when you change lanes. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Chloe waved a dismissive hand. "You're such an old man, Jack. God, I know, I know."

They were so close, so comfortable, it was as if I wasn't even there.

I finally understood. Two years of living apart had changed him. This was not the Jack I remembered.

When the car stopped, Chloe offered to help with my luggage. Then, with the ease of long practice, she unlocked the door to Jack's apartment with her fingerprint.

She dangled the car keys in front of him and gave him a look.

Jack handed me a pair of generic gray guest slippers. But I could clearly see a pink pair tucked away in the shoe cabinet.

He guided me to the sofa to rest while he bustled around, unpacking my things. Once everything was put away, he approached me, hesitating.

"Winnie… I left the dinner so abruptly, I feel bad. You must be exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep? I'll just go back and show my face for a little bit, and then I'll be right back, okay?"

I suddenly understood the silent message Chloe had given him with the car keys.

I looked at him, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Jack, what do you take me for?"

"Winnie, you're my girlfriend," he said, his voice laced with desperation. "You're the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. That has never changed."

"Today was my fault, I know. But these last two years… it's not like you, back in New York with your family and friends. Chicago is a cold place. These buddies are all I have, the only people I can grab a drink with. I don't want to lose them."

He took a deep breath. "We're really, truly, just buddies."

I felt like all the strength had been drained from my body. "Fine. Go. Come back early."

His face lit up with relief. He leaned down, pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, and rushed out the door.

I stood at the window and watched as he practically jogged down the street, my tears falling without warning.

Late that night, he crept into the room and gently tucked the covers around me, his lips brushing my ear in a kiss that smelled of whiskey.

I stared at the ceiling, my voice quiet in the darkness. "You've been in Chicago for two years now. If you came back to HQ, you'd definitely get a promotion. Have you thought about applying for a transfer…?"

I felt his breath catch, just for a second.

But he didn't move. And he didn't answer.