A Modern Love Story

Chapter 21 - Always Back

Criticism spot! :)

Jack's POV

The alarm I had set for two o'clock finally rang, waking Crutchie and I. After turning it off, I turned over to face Crutchie, hating to see the look of dread on his face. I gently brushed his hair from his eyes, smiling.

"How're you doing?" I asked him, worried.

"I've been better," he answered, looking away.

"I wish there was more I could do," I sighed, my heart aching.

"It's okay, you do enough by existing," I couldn't help but blush a bit, my smile growing. I then noticed that he had tensed up, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Hey, talk to me," I said, gently guiding his head up to look me in the eyes.

"I'm..." He began, choking up. "I'm really scared to go back there," he finally admitted, his voice shaking. "I don't think I can do this," he started tearing up, once again looking away.

"I know it's scary, and I know he's horrible, but at the very least, he goes away most weekends, right?" He nodded, sighing. "When he's away, you can stay with me, or I can stay with you, whatever works." He smiled ever so slightly, refusing to look at me. "We have time, so let's just take it slow, okay?" He nodded again, and I quickly sat up with him following soon after. "Hey, how about I pick you up every morning-"

"No!" He quickly cut me off, looking at me with terror in his eyes. "I'm- sorry," he breathed for a moment, pushing his hair back. "He can't see you, I don't want him to hurt you," he spoke frantically again, seeming exhausted.

"Can I pick you up on a side street, then?" He thought for a moment before nodding, looking down at his hands.

"Sorry, I'm so dumb," he trailed off, picking at his nails.

"You aren't dumb, baby," I quickly defended, getting off the bed and kneeling right in front of him. "You're just scared, it's okay," I smiled, hoping it'd calm him. "I'll go downstairs and start the car, okay? That way you won't have to hear the engine," he smiled slightly again, glancing at me.

"Thanks," he mumbled, starting to pick at his nails once more.

I got the car started quickly and went right back upstairs, pulling Crutchie in for a tight hug before we set out. The drive to his house was completely silent, aside from the faint music I played to try and help him feel mildly better. I parked outside, now feeling sick to my stomach when I thought about what could happen the moment his front door closed. He turned to me one more time, smiling weakly at me.

"Facetime me tonight, please," I asked of him, and he nodded, staying silent. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," he said softly, and I kissed him on the forehead before he left the car, my heart breaking the moment the door closed.

Crutchie's POV

I sat in my room and patiently waited for my Dad to come home from work, feeling completely destroyed. Eventually, at ten o'clock, Jack called me, and I quickly picked up, needing to distract myself. He smiled the biggest he had all day when I answered, almost seeming relieved. 

"How're you doing?" He asked as I set my phone up on my desk, trying to hide his worry.

"I'm okay, he hasn't even come home yet," I answered, resting my head in my hand. 

He smiled even more at my answer, and we changed the topic to anything but what I was going through, which was great. Of course, that eventually ended when the garage door opened, my Dad storming right upstairs. I didn't even have time to hang up on Jack, instead only being able to lock my phone so my Dad didn't see I was talking to him. Seconds later my door flew open, my Dad ripping me from my desk chair and pinning me to the wall.