𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝟓 || 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧

CHAPTER 14: 𓆩⟡𓆪

"I hung out with Pierce last night." I say as I'm laying on Joey's couch in the house that Edel Kavanagh let him and Aoife live in. School had just ended about 2 hours ago, so I rode with Joey.

"Thought you broke up with him 2 weeks ago," He responds gruffly, holding AJ on his hip as he fixes himself a snack in the kitchen.

"Things changed." I sighed, sitting up and tucking my hair behind my ears as I watch them. I trace my thumb over my fresh self harm cut absentmindedly.

AJ chews on his pudgy fingers as his eyes land on me. He then gives me a big, toothy grin.

I can't help but smile too.

He turns his head back around, looking at his dad before looking at the snack.

"Where's Aoife?"

"Working."

"Hmm.."

I stretch my limbs out, standing up and entering the kitchen. I lean against the doorframe.

Joey wears nothing except his sweatpants that hang low on his hips, giving whoever sees him a full view of his muscles and the tattoos that adorn his body.

I examine the artistry, seeing the Aoife tattooed on his chest and raising a brow.

I look up to meet his eyes but he keeps looking down at the snack he made. He puts the lid back on a peanut butter jar with one hand.

"Is AJ not heavy? You've been holding him this whole time."

He shrugs, "I've gotten used to him." He gently nuzzles his nose against AJ's and the baby giggles.

I smile.

He shrugs past me to head into the living room, holding a plate of crackers with peanut butter on it.

"So you gonna tell me what happened with you and Pierce yesterday or are you gonna keep it a secret?"

"Actually.."

He takes a bite out of a peanut buttered cracker, looking at me as he chews, AJ rested on his knee.

I bite my lip, sighing.

"It's not about Pierce."

"Something.. happened. At a party. Two weeks ago, I think?" I shrug.

He nods, a gesture for me to keep going.

"Listen, I, I got really drunk. You should've been there. You would've laughed at my ass." I laugh awkwardly.

"Get to the point, Liz," He mutters as he takes another bite. AJ tries to lean in and bite the cracker too.

"I made out with a girl."

He just stares at me. I stand there like an idiot.

I groan, "Christ, does that not bother you at all?" I scrub my hands down my face.

Joey shakes his head, amused. "Made out with many girls myself. Why would you doing so bother me?"

"Because I'm a girl? Duh?"

"Fuck, Lizzie, I'm not, like.." He lets AJ have a little taste of peanut butter and the boy smacks his lips trying to get more.

"I respect gay people, okay?" He finally says.

"Okay, well, for more clarification, the girl I made out with was Katie Wilmot."

He chews for a moment as he thinks, then he looks at me, confused.

"Isn't she dating that Biggs boy?"

I nod.

"And you are in that fucked up situation with Pierce."

I nod again.

He huffs out a laugh, and my cheeks turn pink in embarrassment.

"I don't know what to do. I don't like girls, Joey."

"Mhmm."

"I'm serious."

He sighs, "As much as I would like to, I can't help you. I got too much shit to be dealing with - Quite literally because AJ just blew up his nappy."

I scowl as I watch him stand up, readjusting AJ in his arms.

"All I can say is good luck."

"Wow, thanks. I know exactly how to fix this situation now." I drawl sarcastically.

"Trust your heart, Liz. Your brain will tell you to make the logical decision but your heart will do what's good for you, not for anyone else or their benefit. Believe me."

And I do. Because Joey of all people would know to trust your heart before anything else in the world.