JJ's biggest flaw was his recklessness, and his bad ideas. Honestly, that didn't seem that bad to Bexley.
Rafe's biggest flaw? Jealousy. Pure, uncontrolled jealousy.
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tw: slight sexual context
"I don't think I've ever been here," Bexley told JJ.
She read the lit up sign on the top of the building as they pulled into the parking lot.
'The Wreck'.
"You'll like it, swear," JJ said, sure of himself. "You like lobster or shrimp more?"
Her smile fell. She quickly said, "Shrimp. I don't-I don't like lobster." At least, not anymore. She didn't know a food could hold so many unwanted memories.
"No worries," JJ smiled. "The shrimp here is better anyway." And ten times less expensive, which he was secretly thankful for, seeing as he was going to insist on paying for her. He got out of the car, grabbed his backpack, and rushed around to open Bexley's door. She laughed again as he held out a hand to help her out. "Right this way, ma'am."
She walked beside him, and burst out in more giggles as she kept rethinking what had happened. "Did we really just do this? Did this really just happen?"
"Me driving the speed limit the whole way here? It happened, but don't get used to it."
"I mean you asking my brother to take me out," she said, waving her hands because she couldn't get her head around it. "Oh my god, JJ. Oh my god. I can't even think about what he's gonna say when we get back."
He shrugged, like it was nothing. "You said you wanted to wait until he approved. I just sped up the timeline." JJ smiled more and added, "I'll take that apology now for trying to ruin my day, by the way."
"I'm sorry," she swore. She grabbed his arm, pulling him closer, wrapping both arms around his. "I'm really sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I was being so dumb."
Dumb enough to almost ruin everything in a single evening.
JJ just said, "Well, you're a dropout. It's what's expected from you."
She let out a shocked laugh.
Pausing before they reached the door, he said, "But look, I...I'm not upset or anything. I mean, I know sometimes you get, like, overwhelmed. Right?"
Bexley felt the warmth of understanding. She smiled softly, and nodded. "Right."
JJ pulled his arm from her, instead taking her hand in his. Her smooth skin clashed against his calloused hands. Yet Bexley could never imagine a more comforting feeling.
"I mean-I do too sometimes," he admitted softly. Shyness crept up on him. He scratched the back of his head. "Well, you know that. I, uh, I kinda freak myself out. So it's okay if you do too. I figured keeping things a secret mighta made you a little paranoid, you mighta convinced yourself everything would blow up if the secret got out too fast."
