𝑃𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠

Chapter Eighteen

When they finally arrived back in Kildare Sage was the first one off the boat, running to find John B.

Everyone was happy he was home and safe.. but Ruby knew what this meant, her father was in fact alive.

JJ wrapped his arm around her waist as they started walking home, everyone splitting up and returning back to their own homes.

They eventually made it to figure eight, walking up the steps to their house but they both froze, staring at the eviction notice on the front door.

She tried the door handle, frustrated tears filling her eyes as JJ searched for an unlocked window.

This couldn't be happening, they couldn't lose their house, where else would they go?

Ruby sniffled, following JJ around the back of the house- the back door was busted and open so they went through.

They both looked around in horror, this place looked like a frat house, beer bottles, red solo cups, and trash littered the floor.

People had obviously been in here while they were stranded and took advantage of a big empty house.

Ruby felt sick, tears streaming down her face as she crouched down, beginning to clean glass up from the floor with shaking hands.

" hey.." JJ murmured, kneeling down and gently grabbing both of her hands, "it's- it's all ruined.." she choked out as more tears began spill.

JJ frowned and gently wiped her tears away, "we'll get through this.. me and you.." he promised, laying his forehead against hers.

She nodded, throwing her arms around him, both of them crying on the floor of their broken home, the one place they had once thought was their safe place.

"It's okay.. it's okay.." he promised with a sniffle, kissing her temple, she nodded, burying her face in his chest.

He stood and picked her up, gently moving the table in front of the back door before carrying her upstairs to their bedroom.

He set her on the bed before placing the gun on the bedside table, doing a quick scan out of the window before going to her and immediately taking her into his arms.

The two held each other, neither one having the strength to move as they both cried, of course they'd get the short end of the stick.

They held each other tighter as they eventually fell asleep, afraid to let go.

But they both knew if they had each other everything would be okay, like it always was.

At least they hoped so..