Page 41 of Before You
“I don’t want you to worry about me,” he says, his voice hoarse, and I have a strong gut feeling I shouldn’t let this go.
“I think you’re hurting, and that’s okay, JJ. I’m not going to lord it over your head, or hold it against you if you’re not perfect, but I want you to tell me before it gets to be too much,” I say, trying to be gentle with my delivery. There’s a massive clap of thunder, and a bright flash of lightning through the blinds, causing a small gasp to slip from my mouth.
JJ’s eyes immediately open at the sound, revealing the shattered windows to his damaged soul, distorting the emotion swirling in them. “I don’t want you to worry about me,” he repeats, leaning down to press his lips in a manner so gentle against my forehead it takes my fucking breath away. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
He rests his arms on either side of me, and it still feels a little unreal JJ’s here with me. “For not letting me leave, even when it wasn’t fair of me to show up like I did—especially how I did.”
“Well, it’s pouring outside, so I’m afraid I’m going to hold you hostage a little longer if that’s alright with you.”Thank god for the rain. I’m not ready for him to leave.
“Is that what you want?” JJ asks, watching me intently, and I can’t think of anything I want more.
“It is,” I say, very aware of how easy it would be for me to lean up and kiss him, just to see if it holds the same spark it did before. I think it’s an excuse, though, because there is no doubt in my mind kissing JJ again would be as life changing as it was the first time. “You could also thank me for letting you use my chest as a pillow too,” I tease, needing to lighten the tension between us.Comedic relief, I think it’s called, but it works.
JJ blinks, stepping away from me to put space between us, a low chuckle sounding from his throat. “Thanks, Marley,” he says, a smile on his face as he scratches the back of his neck.
“Well if I have to ask you to thank me for it, then it doesn’t count,” I point out, laughing again.
“My bad,” he apologizes, his eyes crinkling happily at the corners, all traces of his sadness disappearing.Maybe everything will be okay after all.
~
I’m walking out of the business building, exhausted from the hour I just spent learning about the different marketing strategies utilized by businesses. Today was worse than normal thanks to having the worst cramps possible courtesy of my monthly reminder of how much it can suck to be a woman.I just want to go home and curl up with a heating pad.
“Marley!” A voice calls, and I hold back a groan as I turn to see Asher with the same girl I saw talking to JJ at that party. He waves me over, and as tired as I am, it’d be rude to walkaway, especially knowing I don’t have anywhere to be until this afternoon.I guess my date with my couch will have to wait.
“Hey,” he greets warmly, as if the last time he saw me wasn’t when I was yelling at Trent in their house.
“Hi,” I say, smiling at both of them. I’m a little skeptical of the girl, but Asher doesn’t strike me as the type to fuck around with two girls at the same time. I’m not sure I can trust my judgement on this matter, though, considering I didn’t realize my ex-boyfriend was the type to do exactly that.
She beams at me, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement. “Are you Bria or Marley? Wait, I want to guess,” she blurts out, and it catches me by surprise.
I laugh, unsure what to do with my hands. “Okay,” I say, and she scans me, turning to look at Asher quizzically before focusing on me again.
“You’re Marley.”
“How do you know?” I ask, and Asher groans.
“Charlie, could you please not embarrass me?” he asks, taking his hat off to drag a hand through his chestnut hair. It looks like it has a reddish tint in direct sunlight I haven’t noticed before. I guess I haven’t spent a whole lot of time around him in the first place.
“Where’s the fun in that?” she asks, sticking her tongue out at him. “You can’t be Bria because he’s not acting like a lovesick fool around you, and Ash said Bria has the most beautiful grey eyes, but you have the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen.”
I grin, looking at Asher who is pretending to look the other direction. “I’m Marley,” I say, holding out my hand.
“I’m Charlotte, but the guys call me Charlie. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re a lucky girl. JJ’s a catch,” she says, and I feel my cheeks flush.
“We’re not . . . um, thanks?”
“Don’t you have a class you need to go to?” Asher asks her, shooting me an apologetic look.
Charlie groans, checking the time on her phone. “Shit, I do. Do you have plans later?” Charlie asks, looking at me.
“I’m supposed to call my parents later today, but I’m free after.”
Another smile forms on her face. “Perfect, do you want to get my number from Asher? Maybe we could get together and hang out or something?”
“Sure,” I say, trying not to overthink this. I have a feeling Charlie will push me out of my comfort zone, and it might be just what I need.
