Junie - JJ Maybank

25

I walk up the ramp that goes into The Wreck when I hear JJ's voice behind me.

"Hey, Junie."

I sigh as I turn around. When I see him I notice the bruises on his face are much more noticeable in the light.

That fight must have been brutal...

"I'm so sorry." He teaks me, "can I please just explain."

I let out another sigh, "I have to work," I say as I turn around.

JJ grabs my arm, "it will only take a second, Emery." 

I look at the time on my phone then hold it up for him to see, "I don't have a second."

He looks at my phone and I see his featured soften. It takes me a second to realize that it is because my lock screen is the picture that Kiara took of us on the hammocks.

"JJ, I'm late for work. I'll talk to you later." I tell him before walking into The Wreck.

I walk out the door and see JJ standing at the bottom of the ramp.

He really stayed here while I was working...

I had seen him while I was working. He was hanging around out here my entire shift. Every once in a while I would catch a glimpse of him walking up and down the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.

I walk past him and make my way down the sidewalk. I hear him walking behind me and trying to get my attention but I continue to ignore it.

He grabs my arm softly, making me turn around.

"Just give me five minutes to explain what happened." He tells me.

"I'm tired, JJ."

He lets out a frustrated sigh, "I am too, Emery. But I can't sleep knowing that you are mad at me."

I see the serious expression on his face and notice that he does have bags under his eyes.

"Five minutes."

He grabs my hand and pulls me down to the beach.

He sits me down on a fallen down tree then he stands in front of me.

"I am so, so sorry for breaking the promise. I know how much promises mean to you and I swear I didn't do it to hurt you." He tells me as he paces back and forth in front of me.

""I was working at the restaurant and Rafe, Topper, and Kielce all walked in. I tried my absolute hardest to ignore them as they talked shit on the Pogues. Topper had a whole lot to say about JB and Sarah but I managed to ignore it until I heard your name come out of Rafe's mouth."

I feel a tear run down my cheek. Just hearing how JJ is talking about it makes me sad.

"I tried so hard to ignore what he was saying but he was saying horrible things about you... and when I got off of work, they were also leaving. And I tried my hardest to just walk past them but then I heard Rafe call you a slut and I couldn't stop myself. I don't even remember what happened, Emery. It's like I blacked out or something."

He finally stops pacing and he stands in front of me.
"I would never do anything to hurt you emery. I love you too much."

What did he just say?

"What did you just say?" I ask him.

He stares at me for a second then speaks, "I love you... but I just couldn't stop myself from fighting him, Junie. I'm so sorry-"

"JJ-" he cuts me off but he continues.
I keep trying to stop him but he continues ranting. The only thing I can think to do is kiss him, so I press my lips against his.