Page 101 of Before You
JJ shakes his head, laughing as he leans down to kiss my cheek. “I like seeing you here,” he whispers, going back for seconds to kiss the corner of my mouth as I smile.
I like being here.
“What did you do to him?” I ask, and JJ shrugs, opening the back door to step inside, returning a few moments later with a water bottle in each hand.
“We went for a run, and Hunt had a problem with the pace,” he says, taking a seat in the chair next to me, but despite how he’s not panting, he chugs what I’m guessing is nearly half the bottle.
“When the hell did you start running like the devil is chasing you?” Hunter asks, pouring water on his face instead of drinking it.
The light in JJ’s eyes dims a fraction, and he scoffs, his hand resting on his knee, rubbing circles on the joint. “I think the better question is when did you get so out of shape?”
“You’re annoying.”
“So are you,” JJ fires back, before the back door opens, and Thalia pokes her head out, eyebrows raised as her gaze bounces from Hunter to JJ.
“Do I even want to know?”
“Probably not,” I chime in, and she chuckles.
“I was coming out to ask if anyone heard from Henry and Mirabelle to know if they’re coming over for dinner tonight, but I might just call her again and leave you boys to your bickering. Marley, I don’t know if you need rescuing, but you’re welcome to join me inside if they’re being too much for you,” Thalia continues, a soft smile directed my way before the door closes again.
JJ tilts his head, leaving it up to me, which I appreciate, but it would be nice to get to know her better.
A strangled cry sounds from the ground, causing us both to jump. “Shit, motherfucker, make it stop,” Hunter begs, shoving his fist in his mouth as he grabs for his leg.
“Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?” JJ asks, looking at Hunter. “I thought I was the one with the bum leg.”
“Charley horse,” he says, his voice strained. “Can you massage it?”
“Okay, I’m out, this is weird,” I say, laughing as I grab my songbook, and JJ follows.
“Yeah, no thanks, but you can call your girlfriend to do it.”
“You so did this on purpose.” Hunter moans, and I shake my head as I open the door into the spacious dining room off the kitchen.
“Are you good if I slip out for a bit?” JJ asks, and I turn to look at him, trying not to let my head fill with worry.
“Yeah, I’ll hang out with your mom. You okay?” I ask, and JJ reaches for my hands, squeezing them briefly, his cheeks turning pink.
“Yeah, there’s just a meeting nearby I want to hit. I won’t be gone long,” he whispers, glancing away as if he’s embarrassed by the admission.
He’s trying.He’s really trying, and I couldn’t be more proud of him for it.“I’m proud of you,” I say, and his emerald gaze is slow to meet mine. “I love you and I’m proud of you,” I repeat, to make sure JJ knows I mean it.
JJ’s hand leaves mine as he slides it into my hair, pulling me to meet him halfway for a kiss making my toes curl and tempting me to beg for another. “Thank you,” he says, lifting his mouth to kiss my forehead again. “Thank you for seeing me, and still loving me.”
“Loving you isn’t a choice, JJ. It’s part of who I am.”
His smile is blinding when he steps back. “Now who has the one-liners?” he teases, winking playfully at me.
“Shut up, I’m never going to say anything romantic ever again if you’re going to give me shit for it.”
JJ’s shoulders shake as he turns around. “That’s okay. I’ll come up with enough of them for both of us.”
~
My jaw falls open as JJ steps out of the bathroom, a towel slung low over his hips and his ridiculously chiseled chest on full display. I close my journal, shamelessly staring as his eyes find me. My head is telling me I should finish getting ready so we can leave for Hunter’s game, but every other part of me is telling me to put my mouthallover him.
He laughs, his smile wide as he looks at me.I wonder if he can read the filthy thoughts running through my head?“Close your mouth, sweetheart, unless you plan on using it for something else,” JJ teases, and apparently, he can read my mind.JJ, if you can read my mind, drop the towel.
