this charming man - j.k.

thirteen

Josh's POV

I listened to Jake and Sam go back and forth about whatever it was. I wanted to participate, but I was lost in my own thoughts.

I couldn't figure out why Juliette won't talk to me. What did I do?

Did she finally realize I wasn't the best guy out there for her? I mean, she deserved so much. She was amazing. She was meant for great things, she deserved all of it. She kept me so happy, but then she just stopped talking to me.

I really needed to ask Jaylen if he knew anything. I didn't want to put him in the middle of this, but I had the strangest feeling he knew something. Maya was no help, contrary to what Juliette had told me.

"Josh?" Jake asked snapping me out of my daze.

"Hm?" I hummed in response.

"You okay?" He asked looking at me. They were all kind of looking at me.

"I'm fine." I said. "I just need to get a drink."

I stood up and started to walk towards the door when I stopped.

"Jaylen, will you come with me?" I asked. His face went into a very funny looking face. Shock, fear, it made me want to laugh.

He followed me out of the garage quietly. He followed me into the kitchen, still not saying anything.

"...did I do anything?" He asked, his voice laced with nerve.

"No, you didn't do anything." I said. "I, uh, wanted to ask you about your sister."

"What do you want to know?" He asked curious. I was second guessing asking him anything. What if I just threw her under the bus? Then again, I really wanted to know.

"Um, have you noticed her acting different?" I asked.

"Yeah, she's being real quiet. More than normal." He said.

"Was she sick today?" I asked.

"No, she just wanted to skip." He said. "Said she wasn't feeling like it today."

"Ah." I said rubbing my bottom lip for a moment. "Jay, I'm just gonna ask."

His face moved into a questioning expression. His facial expressions always tickled me a little.

"Do you know why your sister isn't talking to me?" I asked.

"She isn't talking to you?" He asked slightly surprised.

"No, and I don't know why. She just stopped on Monday." I said. His face had a look of realization dawn on it. "What?"

"Uh, I might have an idea why she may not be talking to you..." He said. His voice was growing more and more quiet.

"Jay, tell me, I won't be mad." I said. He looked at me for a moment and finally started to speak.

"I didn't mean to do it." He said. "But the other day, I kind of overheard you talking to Jake."

"About what...?" I asked trying to figure it out as he spoke.

"Evidently my sister, may have said she liked you...while she was drunk." He said. I felt like someone just slapped me. Of course.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't know what to do. I wanted to tell her, because she's my sister. I didn't mean to cause this—"

"Jaylen." I said stopping him. "It's okay, I get it. I would've told Ronnie if someone said something too."

He looked at me, I felt guilty for having him tell me. Then again, it made sense as to why she suddenly stopped talking to me.

"But." I said. "I'm driving you home tonight."