I Need A Favor (Jake)

[Jesse Adams]

Jesse stared at the cell phone in his hand, at the displayed digits that had mocked him for a solid half an hour. They would reach one of the last people he really wanted to talk to, and he was sure they’d feel the same way. But he was stuck, and this was the one person that might be able to help him out.

He couldn’t keep Gambit in the pet hotel forever. What Sean had said about his money might have aggravated him, but it had also made him nervous to a degree. The more money he spent on Gambit’s stay, the more concerned he got. Besides, he missed the big lug.

He sighed and finally hit talk on his phone, pressing it close to his ear. He was surprised he even still had Jake’s number memorized, but he did. Hopefully, he’d at least listen to him.

[Jacob Lawrence]

Jake had been in the process of washing dishes when he heard his phone go off in the other room. Assuming it was either Ella or Brendan, Jake dried his hands and went to retrieve it from the coffee table. But the number that displayed on screen was not one he recognized and for a second, he considered just letting it go to voicemail.

But then he thought that Brendan might have given his number to Cynthia, should she have any concerns about the restoration that they had been working on at the House, and it was probably more polite to answer. Sliding his thumb across the screen to accept the call, Jake lifted the phone to his ear and tried to sound professional. "Hello, Jake Lawrence here." Not that Cynthia really seemed to care for professionalism, she had come on a bit heavy... several times.

Jake was about to be in for a surprise.

[Jesse Adams]

As he waited for Jake to pick up, Jesse paced the length of his motel room, weaving around the bed, into the bathroom, and back to the window. He wasn't even sure if this was a good idea, but it was the only one he had. There was no way he was going to even try to bring Gambit back to Max, because that defeated the purpose of running away and taking the dog in the first place.

He froze when the line picked up, though. For a moment, he couldn't talk. This was Jake. They'd both been to blame for their antagonism at the compound, but that was behind them, right? The teenager swallowed before speaking. "Jacob? It's... Jesse. Don't hang up, just listen." After a second, he decided to be just a little polite. "Please."

He went back to pacing, more out of nervousness than anything else. Jake didn't owe him anything, and he wasn't even sure the older man liked Gambit enough to grant him this. Still, he was trying. "Look, I'm... asking you to take care of Gambit for a bit. I can't have him with me for a little while, and... you were always good with the dogs." It was a lame finish, but it was all he could come up with. "He's at a pet motel right now, and he's being looked after, but he can't stay there forever. He knows you." His grip on the phone got tighter. "Please, Jake? It's important. I don't care if you still hate me, just don't take it out on him."

[Jacob Lawrence]

When the strange caller identified himself as Jesse, Jake could feel a sudden flare of anger. You would have thought that the hatred would have died down after not having seen nor heard from the annoying kid in so long, but there it was, just as vile as ever. His first instinct had been to hang up, though he was thrown for a brief second when he was told not to do just that. For whatever reason, he didn't, and he simply seethed in silence as the kid explained his predicament.

When Jesse was finished, Jake's anger got the better of him. "I don't care. Stay out of my life." He hissed before ending the call and tossing his phone down on the couch. How could Jesse even think that he would do anything to help him? After everything he'd caused? Jake wanted nothing to do with that asshole.

But as he was storming through his house, the more rational side of his brain lit up. Jesse had only wanted someplace safe for Gambit to stay. Jake didn't have it in his heart to turn away an animal in need and it was only after he had taken a few breaths and calmed himself down that he called Jesse back. He didn't even wait for Jesse to say anything, instead simply blurting, "Fine, I'll watch Gambit."

[Jesse Adams]

Jake’s snapping was honestly to be expected, though that didn’t mean it didn’t sting any less. Neither did the click and dial tone that sounded in his ear.

... Well fuck. Now he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to leave Gambit in the hotel forever, nor did he want to take Evan’s advice and rehome the big lug. Much as he didn’t want to admit it, Gambit was important for a few reasons. Namely, he had been a gift from Gabriel, and still served as a sort of connection to him. He was sure that he’d never be able to let go of that, and it was probably hindering his progress in leaving M.S.A.D. behind.

His phone ringing made him jump. He stared at the number, surprised by it. It took an extra ring, but he finally answered it.

Oddly enough, relief shot through him. “Thanks, Jacob. I’ll bring him and his stuff over. What’s your address?” He scribbled it down on the motel note pad, realizing he’d have to map it out later. But that didn’t matter. Gambit was going to be safe.