Wild Heart | Jiara

Chapter 10

I'm on the couch in my living room anxiously awaiting JJ's arrival. I chew on my fingers, something I never do, because I'm that worried about him. He's never ever sounded like that while I've been on the phone with him. Something tells me this has something to do with his dad. For his sake, I really hope I'm wrong. I hate knowing that he's mistreated by his dad.

A knock on the door breaks me out of my thoughts. I hurriedly make my way to the front door and immediately frown when I see him. He's sporting a black eye and a busted lip. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close to me. I don't know what else to do but I do know I want to comfort him in some way. I pull away from the hug and gesture for him to come inside.

I lead him by the hand to sit down beside me on the couch. I turn my body towards him, sitting cross legged. I gently touch the space under his eye. "What happened J?" I mutter softly.

He doesn't answer at first. He just continues looking down, so I drop my hand from his face and grab his hand, intertwining our fingers. He focuses on our hands and finally responds, "I had a little run in with my dad. He was drunk and looking for a fight."

"I thought you'd be at work right now."

"Yeah," he pauses. "I was but I had to run home to get something."

I tilt his chin up with my hand so he'll make eye contact with me. "I'm so sorry J. You don't deserve this, no one does. Do you want to spend the night here or you going to John B's?"

He looks between my eyes. "I'll crash with John B for a few days. It will give my dad a chance to cool down." He grabs my hand that's holding his chin giving it a soft kiss. "Thank you for letting me come over. You were the first person I thought of as soon as I got in the car. I just really needed to see you and hear your voice."

"I will always be here for you J, no matter what. I don't care what I'm doing I'll always make myself available for you." He lays down on his back with his head in my lap. He looks up at me to flash me a smile. "Let me go grab you an ice pack."

I walk in the kitchen and grab an ice pack from the freezer. I sit down on the couch and put his head back in my lap. I hand him the ice and he places it beside his eye. "Thanks princess." I don't respond just give him a smile in return. "What were you doing before I came over?"

"Nothing much, just watching New Girl on Netflix. You want to watch a few episodes with me?"

"I would, but I have to be back at work in like 30 minutes."

"Aw, that's a bummer. Are we still on for this weekend though?"

He looks at me. "I wouldn't back out on our plans princess."

"Okay," I smile. "Do you want anything to drink before you leave or a snack?"

"There is something I want, but I'm going to hold off for now." He gives me his sexy smirk.

I furrow my brows. "I'm so confused, but okay. If you want something from the fridge just help yourself." I shrug and reach over to grab the remote to resume watching New Girl.

I'm laughing at something ridiculous Schmidt said when JJ speaks up. "You know that's my favorite sound."

"What?" I briefly look down at him before turning my attention back to the TV.

"Your laugh. I consider it a win every time I get to hear it."

"Thank you." I answer distractedly, my attention still on the show.