A/N: Hello again everyone! I'm sorry for the late update, but the good news is that I'm officially on summer vacation! I have to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I should have a lot more time to write! Before we get started, I'd like to thank TheLoganTrain (Guest), annabellex2, winterschild11, child who is cool, and mrs. hutcherlark for reviewing last chapter!
Like I said, this chapter is pretty much a continuation of last chapter and pretty much deals with the aftermath. I hope you all enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter Eight
I'm thoroughly drained when I finally get off the plane and get to my car. As weak as it sounds, I just want to go back to the only home I know. I just want to sit down with her and tell her all this shit and let it out, knowing that she loves me regardless of anything I could possibly say.
I shove my luggage into the back and slide into the driver's seat. When I turn my phone on, I see I have a missed text from Jo.
Heading out for a few hours. Come by later? I'm dying to see you.
Knowing that she thought about me enough to even send this text is all I need. I breathe in a sigh of relief and head straight to her house when I see that the text was sent a couple hours ago. Even if she isn't home yet, hopefully Lucy will be. I just need my friends right now.
I stop by the liquor store first and pick up some wine before driving to their place. When I pull up, both Lucy's and Jo's cars are parked in the driveway. I've always had a key to their house, so I don't even bother ringing the doorbell. I just unlock the door and walk right in.
"Hey girls." I call out, and before I can make it to the kitchen to set the wine down, Jo runs into the living room and gives me a big hug . God, this feels good. It's only been a few days, but I've missed her like hell. She looks up at me, and with a huge smile on her face, she gives me a peck on the cheek and takes the wine. Lucy steps in and wraps her arms around me as I watch Jo walk into the kitchen.
Lucy starts chatting about some band she saw last night as I make myself comfortable on the couch. Jo walks back into the room and sits on the floor, opening the wine and pouring herself a glass.
"So how was your trip to San Diego?" Jo asked as she handed me the bottle.
"It was good. I hung out with friends, went out to a few bars, saw some bands. You know, the usual visit home." I said as I poured myself a glass of wine. I don't tell her what really happened because I want to talk to her about it in private, away from Lucy. Not that I won't tell her, but I just want to talk with Jo about it first.
"Well, we're glad you're back," Jo says with a smile and then takes a sip of her wine.
"You have no idea how happy I am to be back," I say in all seriousness.
"Man, was it that bad, Jay?" Lucy asked.
"It's just not home to me anymore. Plus, I missed you guys." I laugh in an attempt to shift my mood from its current somber one. "So, what have I missed?" I ask and then down my wine faster than I should, but I'm desperate to take the edge off.
"Well, Jo is dating a douche from the country club," Lucy says as she winks at Jo.
"I am not!" She squeaked, making me wonder what the hell I've missed in the past few days. "We went out for drinks. That's all." She explained.
"Are you going out with him again?" Lucy questions, teasing Jo, and I can tell she's getting under her skin.
"You're seeing him again?" I ask in shock. Who is she giving a second date to?
"No. I mean, yes. God, really, it's no big deal." Jo said, clearly getting a little frustrated.
"Must be if he's getting a second date." I muttered as I took another sip of my drink. "Is that where you were earlier? On your date?" I asked.
"Uh-huh." she nods.
"Where did you guys go anyway? You never told me," Lucy asks as she folds her legs underneath her.
"We went to Cosmos."
"I love that place," Lucy said, letting out a content sigh before changing the subject. "Anyway, new subject. What the hell are we doing this week before classes start back up?"
"I have things I need to finish for school. Besides, I have to work." Jo replied
"You always keep yourself so busy." I said. I wish that she wouldn't. I feel like she hides too much behind her school and work.
We kick back for a while, and I enjoy this much-needed distraction from what happened earlier today. We talk about school and what our schedules are going to be like this next quarter. I can tell that Jo is tired, so when Lucy and I decide to turn on the TV, I looked over at here.
"Come here." I said softly as I motioned for her to sit next to me.
Lucy turned on some random show as Jo laid down with her head on my lap. I comb her hair with my fingers as I sit back and only half pay attention to the TV. After a while, I look down, only to find that Jo is passed out.
"Is she asleep?" Lucy whispers in my direction, and I nod my head yes. I let her sleep for a little bit longer before I decide to go lay her down.
"I'll be right back. I'm gonna try and get her to her room without waking her." I said to Lucy as I maneuvered from under Jo to stand up.
"Okay. I'll go grab the other bottle of wine." She replied.
I nodded my head before scooping Jo up in my arms. This chick is tiny and barely weighs anything, so getting her into her bed is no problem. She's already in her pajamas, so I lie her down and pull the covers over her before heading back out to the living room.
Lucy and I drink the second bottle of wine, and wind up hanging out for a couple more hours. When she passes out on the couch, I head to Jo's room, letting out a soft sigh before sliding into bed behind her, I wrap my arms around her and draw her in close to me. She presses into me, tucking herself tighter against my chest.
"Did I wake you?" I whisper.
"Yeah, but it's okay," she says softly. "What time is it?"
"Around two. You passed out, so I carried you in here and hung out with Lucy for a while longer."
"Is she asleep?"
"Yeah, and snoring like a beast." I said, to which she just laughed, the sound making me laugh a little as well. She rolls over and lays her head on my chest , and I wrap my arms tightly around her. I feel like I'm clinging to the only person I have left to depend on.
"So, why did your trip really suck? I know something's bothering you." She questions, and I love that she can read me so well.
"I told them." I said, her grip on me tightening at the confession.
"What did they say?"
"They threw me out." I said with my chest starting to ache. Each breath I take almost feel like painful stabs. I know she is crying when I feel her tears roll onto my chest. I hate that she's hurting for me, but in a way, it comforts me to know she cares so much.
"I'm so sorry. Why didn't you call me?"
"I don't know. I was embarrassed, I guess. I haven't told anyone what happened. I don't want the pity."
"You know I don't pity you, right?"
"Yeah." I whispered, feeling a little more free now that I've told her. I know I have a lot more to tell her, but I won't tonight. I don't want to make her more upset, and honestly, I just don't think I have it in me right now. I'm tired and have had way too much to drink.
"I'm not sad because I pity you. I'm sad because I love you. When your heart hurts, so does mine. Your pain is my pain." She said, each of her words lifts more and more weight off my chest. We lie there and I just hold her.
"You know that this is your home, don't you? Right here with me and Lucy. We're your home. And we don't give a shit that you like guys." She said gently, to which I just silently nodded.
I allow her words to comfort me, the words I wish my parents would've said. I can feel my tears running down my face, and I try to keep my emotions under control so she can't see how upset I really am.
"James?" She whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I love you." She said, causing a genuine smile to form on my face.
"I love you too."
Done! Again, there won't be anything romantic happening between Jo and James. Just some friendly affection :) So this was somewhat of a filler chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed it!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well as your thoughts on the James/Lucy/Jo friendship! :)
Kendall will come back into the picture next chapter, which will be up on Saturday! Until then!
-Epically Obsessed
