Friends Don't [Bo Bichette x OC]

Part 10: I Know You Do, and I Love You Too

Notes: Part of this, some of the dialogue and inner thoughts are taken directly from the song Friends Don't by Maddie and Tae, so credits to them for those few lines (it just worked for this part, and it is the inspiration for the whole fic lol). But enjoy!!

The rain fell heavily around her as Jess ascended the few steps leading up to Bo's front door. She brushed her wet hair out of her eyes and reached her fist up to the door. She knocked twice; barely able to hear it with the rain pounding around her.

She and the Blue Jays were back in Toronto; their road trip finished yesterday and they'd arrived late last night. The road trip had been good for the Blue Jays—they'd won 2/3 against the Marlins and 2/4 against the Mets. For Jess, though, it had been... less than ideal.

After having lunch with Bo, Mariana, Helen, and Riley, Jess had gone back to the hotel, claiming she had a headache and wanted to rest before the game that night. Really, she'd just sat in the bed, writing poetry and journal entries about her complex feelings. Her friendship with Bo had shifted after that lunch. Jess distanced herself from him. It just hurt too much to be near him and not think about his comments regarding dating her. Really, it was just one comment, but it hurt and brought up old memories she'd wished to forget. And when she was near him, she kept picturing him with someone like Riley: someone drop-dead gorgeous, sexy, interesting, and appealing in every way.

She didn't know if Bo had really noticed her distancing herself from him. He'd been so caught up with the games, training, practicing, and travelling. As well, he'd spent so much time with the other guys, that often times Jess had just fallen back easily and had retreated to her hotel room.

On the plus side, all that time by herself had given her the opportunity to work on her writing.

But now that she'd had about a week to think things over, and they were back in Toronto, Jess was done distancing herself. It was painful to be around Bo and think that he might not feel the same way, but it was even more painful to not be around him at all. So she'd apologize and see how he reacted. Either she would tell him the real reason she'd withdrawn, or she would make up some excuse, and they could go back to being just friends. Because hiding her love was better than losing him entirely.

The door swung open before her and Santiago frowned at her. "Jess? What are you doing here? It's pouring."

"Really? I hadn't noticed," she said sarcastically.

Santiago huffed and opened the door wider. He ushered her inside. "Did you walk here or something?" he asked as he shut the door.

Jess shook her head, water droplets falling to the front mat. "Just from the bus stop. Is Bo here?"

"Upstairs." Santiago raised his eyebrows at her. "I assume you're here to talk to him about whatever happened between you two on the road trip?"

Jess frowned. She nodded and unzipped her jacket. "Is it really so obvious?"

"No, I'm just observant." He smirked at her. "Let me take that, you go get your man."

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't deny it. She couldn't at this point. Thanking him softly, she handed him her soaked jacket, slipped off her shoes, left her purse on the small bench near the door, and went upstairs. She stopped in front of Bo's closed door. It wasn't too late. She could leave now, tell Santi to not tell Bo she'd come, and just forget her feelings for him. She didn't have to risk their friendship and her heart. She could just leave and—

The door opened and Bo started. He stared at her. "Wha—Jess? What are you—you're soaked."

Jess swallowed and shifted on her feet. "Um. Yeah, it's raining out."