Summary: reader doesn’t work in the medical field and always felt a certain level of insecurity because they feel as if Jack thinks they are dumb. Then one outing with Jack’s team and some comments from Jack and his coworkers all but confirms their insecurities.
Dating Jack Abbot is as fun and delicious as you would expect. He’s funny, handsome, means what he says, and the sex is out of this world. Almost everything about him is perfect. The only thing is his relationship with Robby. Robby has made it abundantly clear he does not like you and quite frankly thinks you're dumb. Jack has made zero attempts to stop him from his comments, which turns sprouts an deep insecurity inside you that Jack thinks the same thing.
When you ask Jack about his day at work, he always just tells you it was okay or it was long, but he doesn’t want to bite you with the details and that’s it. End of conversation. When you try pressing for more information or ask him questions, he would wave you off and say something along the lines of you don’t want to know the boring medical things. And you can’t ever help but feel the small stab of insecurity from his dismissal.
Sure you weren’t in the medical field, you worked in Human Resources. But you met Trinity in college and remained friends all throughout her medical schooling and you were thrilled when she moved to Pittsburgh and got a job here. For fucks sake you helped her study for all her exams, you know enough to carry on a basic conversation of “how was work honey?”. But apparently Jack never thought so.
And when Jack would ask about your day and you would tell him, he would act like he already knew the stories and the information you were telling him. Like your job was so easy to figure out and understand. And honestly it only got worse when you were around his coworkers, most notably Robby. He just viewed you as just a stupid little girl who plays dress up for 8 hours a day Monday through Friday.
“I wish I could have a job where I’m home by 5 and off every weekend. But at last, some of us have real jobs to do” Robby said to you one outing. And Jack didn’t do anything other than give a fake stern “Robby”, but there was still a slight laugh in his tone.
It was Trinity who wanted to say something, but you reminded her that even though she is outside of work, that Robby is still her attending and based on what you have heard about him, he can really make her life a hell. So against her better judgment, she bit her tongue.
……………………………………………………………………..
Jack was hosting a barbecue Saturday and the team was going to be there. He of course invited you, but you declined stating that you never fit in the team. Jack argued saying they all loved you, but he respected your decision and that he’ll miss you. And that was the end of the conversation until Saturday morning when Trinity called you.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” She asked
“Trin, I don’t fit in with them. I’m always the outlier” you reminded her and she sighed
“But Jack’s your boyfriend. You're basically living at his house, just because Robby is an ass don’t let that stop you” she said and she is technically right. You are at Jack’s more often than not. Hell, your cat has his own cat tower and kitty litter area set up there when you stay for extended periods of time. Jack even asked you to move in with him earlier this week and you said yes and actually was using today to pack.
“You know what, Trin you’re right. I shouldn’t let them stop me from hanging out. I mean, I’m friends with most of you anyways outside of Jack, so fuck Robby!” You say
“Here here!” Trinity said and you hung up with her and decided to call Jack who answered after the second ring.
“Hey baby!” He answered cheerfully
“Hey Jackie! Is the invitation still open for me to come today?” You asked
“Of course it is! But I thought you didn’t want to?” He asked
“I didn’t, but I spoke to Trinity and she talked me into it. And besides I am friends with most of them outside of you, so I can just hang with them and not cramp your style” you joke. Only slightly kidding and Jack laughed
“You could never cramp my style. Besides, you're always welcomed here. If you want to come a little early, I can help calm your nerves” Jack said suggestively and you giggle
“You got yourself a deal Dr. Abbot” you say
……………………………………………………………………..
It took you about 20 minutes to get ready and drive over to Jack’s. When you pull into Jack’s driveway you see a stupid ass motorcycle and know Robby is already there. Sighing you get out of the car and make your way into Jack’s house. Since you are moving in, you don’t even bother knocking and you follow the voices to the kitchen when Jack is cutting up some fruit and Robby is sitting at the island.
“Hey” you greeted catching both of their attention
“Hey baby” Jack smiled and you moved to give him a side hug as he pressed a kiss to your head.
“I see you just let yourself in now” Robby say
“Robby” Jack warned with a small smile
“What? All I’m saying is it must be getting serious” he says taking a swig of his beer
“It is. She’s moving in” Jack said as he resumes cutting up the watermelon and Robby chokes on his beer
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” He ask Jack as if your not standing right there
“Jesus Robby-“ Jack gets cut off by you walking away and you hear him say something else, but you are too far away to hear what. Or you’re too angry, you’re not sure what.
You make it to Jack’s room where you begin pacing and trying to calm down. You’re not even in the house for five fucking minutes and you are already being belittled and treated like you are nothing but scum and once again, your boyfriend isn’t doing anything about it.
“Y/n?” his soft voice enters the room as he shuts the door behind him and you stop pacing and turn to look at Jack who is leaning his back against the now closed door.
“Can you please not do this today?” He asked and you look at him in confusion
“Pick fights with Robby” he said plainly. And you’re trying to wrack your brain for what the fuck he is referring to
“Me pick fights?” You asked and he nods
“I never do. It’s always Robby who starts them. I barely speak to the guy and yet he finds ways to get his digs in at me” you tell Jack and he sighs
“This is a perfect example, you walked away from him when he was talking to you”
“To you” you cut him off. “He was talking to you. He was talking to you as if I wasn’t even there. He does that often Jack”
“Yes he does! He always fucking does it he talks down to me like I’m fucking stupid or worthless because I’m not a goddamn doctor. And you let him every fucking time!” You yell
“Keep your voice down. He’ll hear you” Jack remains oh so calm
“Oh no, poor Robby will hear me talk bad about him? Well I probably should just go out there get on my knees and kiss his feet and beg for his forgiveness” you fake pout
“Can you be mature? I just wanted a nice get together with friends and you-“ he stops himself
“I’m what? Finish it Jack.” He goes to say something but the doorbell being rung and voices filling the house stop him.
“This conversation isn’t over. Just please have fun, and don’t start anything with Robby” he says as he opens the door and you watch him leave.
……………………………………………………………………..
Throughout the party, Jack acted as the perfect host. He laughed, cooked, and made sure everyone was happy- well almost everyone. Once again, you were pushed off to the side while the important people mingled. You were only saved when Trinity, Dennis, Samiria, and Victoria showed up.
When they did, they all made sure to pull you into their conversations and for once you felt welcomed. You didn’t feel that nasty insecurity bug crawling around inside you. When they talked about work, they didn’t feel the need to dumb anything down and if you felt inclined to, you would ask questions. You couldn’t help but think why it couldn’t be this way with Jack. Speaking of which, out of the corner of your eye, you see him walk over.
“Glad you guys could make it”- he says smiling to the group- “though proper etiquette is to say hi to the host” he says clearly a little tipsy from the beers he's been drinking.
“Poor y/n here looked lonely when we showed up, so we kept her company” Trinity said while she threw an arm around your shoulder and you blush a little. You briefly spoke to Trin about your fight with Jack.
“Well I’m glad you were. Can’t have my girl sad during a party” Jack said and smiled at you
“Someone has to” Trinity mumbled and it was clear Jack heard based on the way his face fell.
“Well I hope you guys enjoy the party. Let me know if you need anything” - he smiled to the group and turned to you- “come find me later baby” he says as he pat your ass gently and you give him a smile and a “of course”.
When Jack left, you glared at Trinity who simply held up her hands in surrender.
……………………………………………………………………..
The night continues on and you actually start enjoying yourself. You and Samira have chatted most of the night as Trinity ditched you guys to flirt with Garcia.
“So what happened with that manager you were telling me about the other day?” Samira asked you
“Oh! Yes- well he was fired. After the initial racism complaint, we had several other employees come forth with similar experiences and complaints. We had enough for termination based on his contract and our company policies” you tell her
“That’s amazing!” Samira said and you smiled, it’s always validating to hear someone to get excited to hear stories from your job.
“What are you two chatting about?” Jack cuts in as he takes a seat next to you and Robby takes one across from you in the little circle of chairs your group had set up earlier. You look around the yard and realize it is only you four left.
“Oh y/n was just telling me about the manager she had to fire” Samira said
“Oh shit you had to do it?” Jack asked
“Yeah- yesterday” you tell
“Why didn’t you say anything?” He ask and you shrugged
“You worked yesterday and I didn’t think it was that important” you told him and he frowned
“You’re not wrong”- Robby snorts into his beer- “I mean having to tell someone they’re fired? A child could do that” he laughs and your frown deepens
“It is important. Y/n spent hours reviewing the complaints and federal laws on this case. She put a lot of work in this” Jack said
“Whatever. It’s not like she’s doing life saving work like we do. Honestly Jack the imbalance is crazy. How is she ever going to understand what you do?” Robby asked and Jack sighed but didn’t say anything and your glare turned to him.
“Are you not going to say anything?” You asked him and he looked at you mouth opening and closing, like he’s trying to figure out what to say.
“No, of course you’re not. I don’t know why I’m surprised. You never say anything to defend me against Robby’s hurtful comments towards me. Hell, half the time you laugh and egg him on!” -You shout and stand up now. Jack tries to ask you to sit down and lower your voice, but you cut him off and turn towards Robby.
“And you- you are a hurtful, spiteful, sexist asshole. You have done nothing but cut me down since I met you. I thought at first, I just had to get to know you, but now it only gets worse every time I’m around you. You are the sole reason I don’t come to many of Jack’s team outings. You alone make me feel like the outsider, like I’m a fucking idiot because I’m not a doctor. I may not be saving lives like you Robby, but I’m also not making my coworkers live a living hell. Yes I hear all the stories and if I worked in that damn hospital, I would do everything in my power to make you pay for the way you treat your female inferiors.” -you take a small step towards him- “you are fifty fucking years old and act like a child. I don't know if this hatred you have for me is because you think I’m taking Jack away from you, but you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I’m done. You need to grow the fuck up Robby” you end your spiel to him and turned back to Jack who is now standing
“I’m not moving in with you. I’m done”
“No. I’m tired of not being enough for you Jack. I’m tired of you thinking I’m not smart enough to tell me about your day. You can talk to me Jack, I may not know the complicated medical terms, but you can fucking tell me how you damn day was. And I’m so tired of you never defending me against Robby. I’m done with obviously not being the right woman for you” you say as you turn and walk out.
You walk out of Jack’s yard, out of his house, and out of his life. You don’t look back and you don’t think about what you did until you’re laying in bed crying yourself to sleep that night.
