Headlock | Joe Jonas

Ladies First| 9

"My dad is having a surgery in a few days on Wednesday and I'm gonna be at the hospital for the next week. Right now he is my main focus. I'd love to say yes, but I'm just not sure I'd have the time." He rested his hand on the top of my car door as I slid into the seat. "You're helping him on your own?" I frowned and nodded. "My mom is always somewhere. She sees him for a few days and then she goes back to her adventurous life style. Its mostly always been me, my sister and my dad." He inched closer, smiling at me. "Well, you let me know if or when you're available for a date. I'll wait." I started my car and hopped out to give him another hug. "Thank you. For being patient." His warm hands gripped my back tightly as if he were afraid to let me go. "You are worth it. I can tell."
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It was Wednesday, the day of my dad's surgery and I was preparing for a long day. It was 6am now but his surgery was scheduled for 9am. I packed extra snacks in my purse, a hoodie in case I got cold, and a book. I don't read much but you never know. Half awake, I headed for the hospital after making myself drink some water. I walked into my dads room, expecting him to be asleep when I heard his voice loud and clear. "She's all I really got. I love her dearly." I scrunched my eyebrows to find him playing cards with Joe. "Joe? Dad? Good morning?" My dad looked over his glasses and smiled at me. "Good morning, honey." I put my bag down and sat next to Joe. "What are you doing here?" He resumed his game with my dad by placing a card on the table. "Well, you said you'd be alone. And I didn't want you to have to go through this by yourself. So I came to visit your dad last night and asked if it would be alright for me to keep you company today. He told me what time you would be here but I figured I'd just come early." No one had ever went through the trouble to check on me as well. My stomach filled with butterflies and I smiled uncontrollably. "That's really sweet of you. Thank you."
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"You two better be here when I'm out of surgery." Joe and I nodded as I held his hand one last time before the operation. "Don't give the doctors a hard time please." He laughed and motioned for them to wheel him off. "Have you eaten?" I looked back at Joe and shook my head. "No, nothing." Something about his charm was making my insides melt but I knew I wasn't in any position to fall for him right now. "Let's go get some breakfast. Or, I heard the smoothies here are great. One time this girl even tried to steal mine." I laughed at him, rolling my eyes to myself. "Did she try to steal it or was it hers and you took it?" He whispered in my ear, sending goosebumps down my spine. "Between you and me, I would've given it to her and waited for a new one." My cheeks filled with pink as we walked to the bagel shop across the street. "Order whatever you want. I've got it." He laughed at me and pulled out his wallet. "I refuse. What would you like?" The lady behind the counter smiled at Joe, knowing exactly who he is. I couldn't explain why, but it made me feel uneasy. "Do you want to live dangerously?" He smirked. "My nickname is DJ Danger." I looked at the menu scanning it over one last time. "Hi can we have two everything bagels with walnut raisin cream cheese and two lattes with almond milk?" Her look from him to me was very noticeable. Almost as if I wasn't allowed to speak for him. "Coming right up." She finished the transaction, hurrying to make Joe's latte personally. "Here you go, Joe. This one is yours." He took it and handed it to me. "Ladies first. But thank you."