One Hundred And One Sleepless Nights

I decided to let Vic have Alex through to New Years Day. This wasn't so much my decision. It was more Mike coaxing me into saying yes. I sometimes forget he's going to be on Vic's side. It's not even like I have Laura. She's total team Vic. At least Alan is on my side. Most wouldn't call that a blessing though.
Being the sad single I am my New Years Eve isn't spent out partying. It's spent in my apartment. I don't even have a guy. Who wants a single mom? But just as I'm cracking open the second bottle of wine and a box of mince pies there's a knock at the door. If I don't answer they'll just go away.
"I'm not stupid, Zee! I can hear the tv!" Austin called.
"You can't!" I yelled back.
"You're watching Titanic again! Spoiler - Jack dies!" Alan yelled.
"You bastard, Alan!" I grumbled.
I got up to answer and stepped back. I was expecting to just see the two of them. But oh no, apparently they felt the need to heard up the entire gang. Jemma, Tony, Mike, Laura, Jaime and Jess were here too.
"Any plans?" Alan asked, throwing his arm around me and guiding me inside.
"Why?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Because if you have any they're now officially cancelled. We're all going out to a club. You too." he told me.
"But-" I tried.
"I'll help you find something to wear." Jemma said brightly. She grabbed my arm and pulled me to my room.
"I have nothing!" I exclaimed, collapsing on my bed while she looked through my wardrobe.
"You have lots." she gushed.
Something was thrown on top of me. I sat up and looked at it. It was a dress I haven't worn for a few years. Saying that I haven't really been out for a few years. I sighed with defeat and got changed. The dress was pretty tight. I know I'm not fat but I'm not as skinny as the last time I wore this either.
"I look great!" Jemma beamed at me and skipped off into the hall. How can she be so cheery living with Austin? Has she not smelt him.
I walked out to my sitting room and everyone looked over. They all grinned at me so I took that I looked decent. Saying that they've probably been told to grin. If they didn't they'd get in trouble with the Chief Commander.
We went outside to find a car parked up. Turns out Jemma is the DD tonight. I'm not sure how it's going to work. I'm assuming the Mexicans of our group will go in the trunk. It comes natural to them. I got inside and found myself squished with Alan sat on my lap. He's practically shaking with excitement. Alan restores my faith in humanity.
We arrived outside a packed night club. I got out and we started walking to the doors. We got inside and I looked around. I have kind of missed all this. I haven't been out like is in so long. I got to the bar to get myself a drink and looked around. Everyone's seemed to have abandoned me already.
"Yes?" someone asked. I turned to the bar and my eyes widened.
"Leah?" I asked.
"Oh God, Zandra?" she asked and I nodded. "How are you?" she grinned.
Back when I first got pregnant with Alex Leah was dating Vic. She was the one that actually told everyone about my pregnancy, all because I kissed Vic. I hated her for the longest time. But we went to Kellin's birthday party a year ago and got talking. There's only so much you can hate a person when they hold your hair back as you're throwing up your Malibu.
"I'm good." I told her.
"How's Alex?" she asked.
"She's fine. Staying with Vic tonight."
"Don't know why you trust him." she grumbled. She may not hate me, but that doesn't stop her from hating Vic.
"He's her dad." I shrugged.
"What you having?"
"Orange and vodka." I told her.
"We'll have to meet up soon." Leah said as she passed me my drink.
"Definitely." I smiled, handing her my money.
I turned and spotted Jemma and Austin already lip locked in the corner. Mike and Laura were sat talking. Jaime and Jess were dancing, with Alan near by luring in his prey for the evening. As for Tony, I'm not sure where he went.
I got Jemma a drink because I know what she likes and she was the one that got me here. I went over and handed it to her. She looked like a dear in headlights. "I don't want it!" Jemma exclaimed.
"Why not?" I frowned.
"Jem'." Austin soothed.
"Whoops!" she cried and dropped the glass.
"Wait, you did that on purpose!" I accused.
"Didn't." she bit down on her lip. I eyed up her glass of orange soda.
"Why aren't you drinking? Unless-" I gasped. No. Is she?
"We'll talk later!" she said awkwardly and ran away to dance. Austin shrugged guiltily at me and left me too. Why am I even here?

Later that night I found myself at the bar. I've been here a while. On the wall I saw it was twenty minutes to midnight. Guess who's not getting a kiss! That's right me! I bet Vic is getting a midnight fuck. I hope Alex is in bed.
I sipped on my jack and coke - all the better to get you drunk - and someone sat down next to me. I didn't even look up, just set my now empty glass on the bar. "What were you drinking there?" someone asked. I looked up now and smiled. Jack Barakat was in front of me.
"Just a Jack Daniels and cola." I told him.
"Let me get you another." he said and hollered at the bar man. He brought me one and I took a sip. Jack tipped his bottle back before he set it down.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Same thing you're doing here, I suppose. Accept I think I'm having a better night than you."
"You're probably right." I laughed.
"What's your name?" he asked me. Does he not recognise me?
"Zandra Knight, Jack. Katelynne's sister." I laughed.
"Oh, shit!" he exclaimed. "How's little Alex?"
"Not that little." I shrugged.
"She at school yet?"
"Yeah, she goes up to first grade next year."
"That's gone fast. I remember when you were pregnant."
"I'm sorry. I probably shouted at you at some point."
"You shouted at everyone at some point." he teased.
"So, who are you here with?" I asked.
"Some friends from LA. But by the looks of it they've all found their hook ups and left me."
"Ouch, I feel your pain. Mikes with Laura. Austin's with Jemma. Alan is probably with a blonde with huge boobs. Tony could be anywhere by now. I'm all on my own." I replied.
"You have me." he smiled.
"Who's your hook up buddy for the night?" I asked.
"Actually, it was supposed to be you. But you became Vic's ex and wrecked my plan, shame on you!"
"You don't need to worry about that," I told him. "Vic's engaged."
"Wow, really?" Jack asked and I nodded. "You hate her?"
"With a passion." I grinned.
I don't know what I was doing. I looked up and saw it was almost midnight. We'd been talking for longer than I thought. I looked at Jack who was smiling gently back. I deserve a New Years kiss. What's stopping me? Jack is hot. He's not like Vic, but he's sexy in his own way. As soon as he smiled it lit up his eyes. What was actually stopping me?
"Jack?" I asked. He turned to me just as they started to count down from ten.
Nine.
"Hmm?" he asked.
Seven.
"Kiss me." I urged.
Five.
"What?" he frowned.
Three.
"Kiss me." I told him firmly.
One.
A smile lit up his face and he leaned in. Just as fireworks went off on the tv in the club his lips touched mine. I kissed him eagerly while he held my face gently with one hand. My arms went around his neck and he kissed me harder. I pulled at his hair and he gasped.
We broke away and he rested his forehead against mine. "Come back to my place?" he offered. I knew I could say no. But I looked at Jack and to all of the other couples in the room and my decision was made. I nodded and took Jack's hand.
We walked out of the club and he hailed a cab. While the driver headed to Jack's Jack was whispering things to me. They weren't dirty things. Just normal conversation. He asked me how Kate and Kellin are. He asked me if I'm still modelling. He asked me how Alex is doing at school. But all the while his hand was resting on the inside of my thigh.
We pulled up outside and Jack started ahead. I had to job to keep up. Not something I wanted to do, I haven't jogged since before I had Alex. We reached his apartment and got inside. I noticed how much nicer it was than mine. Then things seemed to move forward. It turned into a blur of red wine, clothes, bed sheets and that pink thong I was wearing. But I liked every second of it. It's not up there with getting engaged in Germany, but it's still pretty good.

I blinked in the light. My head hurts. My body aches. My heels are fucking killing my feet. I stumbled into my apartment building and felt the light switch. I turned it off and sighed. That's better. I reached my apartment and found it unlocked. Please don't burgle me now, I'm not prepared.
I walked in and found Vic looking at me. Was he waiting? Who told him? His eyes travelled up and down me and he sighed angrily. I stepped out of my shoes and walked right past him to get some pain killers.
"Where have you been?" Vic asked.
"I went out last night." I explained.
"And you're only just getting back?" his eyes widened.
"It's one night... I'm sure you go out every other night on tour. I on the other hand have barely gone out since Alex was born." I explained.
"So it's a competition?" he frowned.
"It's too early for your stupid, Vic." I groaned.
"Zee, it's eleven."
"Yeah, early." I rolled my eyes.
"I can't believe you just stayed out all night."
"I stayed at a friend's." I admitted.
"Oh, that's better than, I guess."
"A male friend." I can't help but add.
"You went to a guy's?" Vic asked, angrily again. Ugh.
"I did." I snapped.
"Do I know him?"
"It's probable. But he's in the whole - responsible not getting engaged to German women - gang though so perhaps not." Wow, I'm stretching the truth there.
"Did you hook up?" Vic asked urgently.
"What do you mean?" I asked evasively.
"Did you fuck this guy?!" he demanded.
"So what if I did? It's none of your business!"
"Did you use a condom?"
"What are you, my mother? And you're not really an authority on condom safety, Vic!"
"It becomes my business when my daughter has a little brother or sister!"
"Oh, grow up!" I snarled.
"No, you grow up, Zee! You can't be hooking up with random men!"
"And you can't be getting engaged to random women!" I screamed. Vic shut up at this and just stared at me.
"I came to get Alex some clothes for today. Next time I'll call." he said flatly. He walked out and I slammed the door behind him. I loathe Victor Fuentes.

Notes

Hey! Ohhh drama! What did you think? Are you still shipping Zee with Vic? Or are you on Jack's team now? Any predictions? :)