Believe You Me-Jaime Preciado fic

 “You need to tell him to stop. Or should I?” Jaime sat down next to me on the beach. Ever since my family moved to San Diego, and right next to Jaime, we had become really good friends. It didn't seem to matter that he was a few years older than me. “I know what's going on. I should have stopped it sooner.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

I wouldn't look at him. I couldn't hide the bruise this time. It was right under my eye. I tried make up, but it only made it more noticeable, and sunglasses weren't covering it. And I knew Jaime wouldn't take my bullshit lies.

I'm sure he could hear the yelling. My parents fighting, or when I would do something they didn't approve of. Always yelling.

I could feel the tears welling up. I hated that Jaime was going to see me crying.

“You don't have to deal with that bullshit anymore. I am moving out of my parents house by next month. You should move in with me. It will just be a little apartment, since I am always touring. But, you could live there with me?”

“Thanks for the offer, Jaime. But, my parents would never let me do that.”

“They don't have any say in your life anymore. You are an adult, and once you move out, they won't have any control over you.”

“I don't have a job.”

“You don't need one. With the money I make from the band, you won't have to worry about anything.”

“That's not my money.”

“I will marry you. Then it will be your money.”

That actually made me laugh. “And if I refuse?”

“Then my heart will be broken.” I grabbed his chest and fell over. I was still laughing. After a long pause, he sat up and stared at me, a serious look on his face. “But, really, he needs to stop hitting you. And, if that means you have to move out, then I will make sure you move out.”

“If I move out, he will just hit Julia.”

“That's not an excuse. You can't save her. You are going to move out sometime, or get kicked out, and he nothing will be any different.” I cringed. Unfortunately, what he was saying was true. “Victoria, I really care about you. I want you to be safe. And, if I could help Julia, too, I would. Although, she sometimes says very rude things to you.”

“She does, doesn't she?” I laid my head on his chest and closed my eyes. “You were just joking about marrying me, right?”

He didn't answer for a few minutes.

“Jaime?” I sat up to look in his eyes, maybe he had fallen asleep?

“I don't know.” He looked confused. “I mean, I should be joking, but I feel very serious.”

“Well, that's stupid. We shouldn't get married. I'm only barely an adult!”

“I could see myself spending the rest of my life with you. I really like you. I mean, sure I don't love you. But, maybe I could come to love you? Wouldn't it be better to marry someone you like then someone you love? You can fall out of love, I know I have. But, I really do like you.” He just kept talking.

And the only way I could think to shut him up was to kiss him.

That's how I found my lips against his. He didn't even hesitate to kiss me back. I felt his arms wrap around my waist as he slowly deepened the kiss.

“Victoria!” I heard my dad screaming my name. I broke away from Jaime just in time, before he came into view.

“I've gotta go.” I frowned.

“Please don't.” Jaime grabbed my arm. I just shook my head. “Then, I am coming with you.” I didn't think that was a good idea, but when Jaime had an idea, nothing could change his mind.

“Alright. But, please don't say anything?”

But, why would Jaime listen to me?

“You know what? You are a bully!” Jaime threw himself at my father, getting in his face. “Victoria is an awesome person, and you just treat her like shit.”

“Is that what she tells you? That I'm a terrible person? Well, I keep a roof over her head, I feed her, I pay for all of her shit. And she is ungrateful enough to go around telling lies about me.”

“No. She doesn't say shit about you. She defends you, in fact. And, she is going to be moving in with me by the end of the week.”

“Take her.” My father turned his head towards me, “You will be out of my house by the end of tonight.” Then he turned around and walked away.

“Jaime! What the fuck? What am I supposed to fucking do, now?”

“Live with me.”

“You've already ruined my life.”

“No. I have just saved you.” Jaime pulled me into a tight hug, ignoring the fact that I was fighting him. He was considerably stronger than me. And, it felt so right being in his arms.

I didn't love him. I couldn't. He was just my best friend. He knew everything about me. He was the only one I could talk to. And...

I loved him.

“I do love you.” His words were mumbled, but I knew exactly what he was said. “Really, marry me.” I could only nod as more tears streamed down my face.