Perfect Imperfections

Eighteen

"So most of the town knows about the papers Valente had us sign?" I asked and Leo nodded.

"She told all the parents and her deputies, who then gossiped. It's so that, if this ever did happen, you two would be protected in the town. At least, until AJ is eighteen." He explained and Isaac nodded.

"Which is in February." He said and I huffed.

"Yeah, fucking February tenth. My birthday is always overshadowed by Valentines day." I grumbled and yelped as Jake pulled me off the arm of the chair and into his lap, which made Chewie shoot up.

"Easy, Chewie, I'm okay!" I told my dog as he came over, growling at Jake.

"Chewie, shh, I'm alright." I smiled and turned some, petting my dog.

"He's protective-"

"That's why I got him for her." Jake said as Chewie laid down next to our chair.

"Because of her family?" Abby asked and Jake nodded, hugging my stomach.

"If something happened while I'm not here, I wanted to make sure Smarty was okay." He said and I smiled as I relaxed into his chest.

"You really care about her-" Abby stopped as the front door opened, but I wasn't worried and neither was Jake.

"Sheriff!" I grinned and stood, going to greet the woman.

"Miss Costanza, glad to see you okay. What happened to the door?" She asked and I sighed.

"Chewie got too protective. Here, come in, it's cold out!" I smiled and shut the door behind her, leading her to the main room where the others were.

"Sheriff, what are you doing here?" Jake asked and Miss Valente smiled.

"Jared is in jail for now, Jake. We got him on trespassing on private property, attempted breaking and entering, and attempted rape thanks to his comment to you about Miss Costanza. He'll be going away for a little while-"

"Sheriff, what's going on with my family?" I asked and Mary looked at me.

"Well, that's gone up to state court since you're still technically a minor and some of your abuse happened in Texas. It may hit federal for that." She said and I nodded.

"Oh, and we found that video too. Your idiot sister took it on her personal phone and left it in her camera roll." She said, which made me snort.

"She was good at pretending." I said and Mary nodded.

"Well, I just wanted to deliver the news in person. Yawl have a good day now." She said and tipped her hat, turning and leaving.

"Federal?" Leo asked and I looked at Jake, who was silently asking me a question.

"My parents and siblings abused me when we still lived in El Paso." I said and Jake's friends nodded as I went back to Jake's lap, his arm wrapping around me.

"You're brave, baby." He whispered to me and I smiled at the pet name.

"Jake, what are you building out there?" Isaac asked and Jake smiled.

"The boathouse. I've got the wood put up until the snow melts, so it's going to stay like that all winter." He said and I smiled as I laid back on him.

"Nice. You ever get your boat from the pier?" Abby asked and Jake sighed.

"The plan is to move it here, since I don't usually have the time to go down there and use it." He said, but I frowned.

"You actually own a boat already?" I asked and he nodded.

"I do, but I don't have time to use it, Smarty." He smiled and I nodded, laying my head back on his shoulder as he continued talking with his friends.

Jake's POV
"Dude." I looked at Leo, seeing his eyes on AJ, then I looked at her and realized she'd fallen asleep on me.

"She must be exhausted." Abby whispered and I sighed.

"She didn't sleep well after everything with her family then with Jared." I explained and wrapped my arms around AJ's legs, moving my arm from her waist to her back as I carefully stood and lifted her. As I took her to my room, not wanting to try the stairs right now, I heard Chewie following me and saw him lay on the bed. I laid AJ down then covered her, brushing her hair back and smiled.

"We're right out here, Smarty." I whispered and kissed her head, tucking her in. I left the bedroom, leaving the door cracked open for Chewie, then I went back to my seat.

"How is she holding up with everything?" Isaac asked and I sighed.

"It's been tough, especially when I had to get her back into school. She was terrified to go back, but eventually did. That was a can of worms we weren't expecting-"

"Are people mean to her?!" Abby asked, but I shook my head.

"Complete opposite, Abby! Two of the kids from her school literally carried her to the truck when she was on the crutches!" I said and saw Abby relax.

"That helped some, knowing she had a support there at school. Here was a bit of a different story." I said and laid my head back.

"The first few nights, she was having nightmares and couldn't sleep. When she was able to sleep, it was never peaceful. Now, she's on and off with her sleep." I said and looked at my friends.

"She died, Jake, you gotta remember that-"

"I do, Leo! Trust me, I couldn't forget even if I had amnesia! I'm trying to be supportive, to be there for her, but she doesn't always open up-"

"She is a teen still, Jake." Isaac said and I sighed.

"Maybe it has nothing to do with age." Abby offered and I frowned.

"Maybe... Look, this might need a more... feminine touch." She suggested and I sighed.

"If you can get her to open up, Abby, then do it. I just want her to be happy, to know she's safe here!" I said and she nodded.

"I'll talk to her for you then-"

"When she wakes though!" I warned and Abby frowned.

"Don't wake that girl up, you'll live to regret it!" I said and Abby nodded.

"Alright-"

"What, she punch you or something?" Leo laughed, but his smile disappeared when I visibly winced.

"What did she do?" Isaac asked and I sighed.

"I couldn't walk for half the damn day." I hinted, watching as they winced.