The Lovable Jerk (boyxboy)

Chapter 31🔞

A/N

I have officially written my first (intense) smut scene, so take it easy on me if it's not perfect, okay? I, of course, am writing an author's note here to warn you that this is ABOUT TO GET SMUTTTYYYYYY🔥. You have been warned...meet ya at the end of the chapter!

Arlo

A month ago

"Thanks for the ride," I said as I exited Finn's car.

"No problem, need me to pick you up?" I shook my head. I knew he was concerned and all, but I felt like  I was using him. "Okay...hey, ah...what happened at the dinner last night? You seem completely out of it...did something happen?"

"I...ah...I broke up with Westin," I told him, avoiding eye contact, afraid I would cry. I didn't want to be emotional or make Finn worry; I just wanted to go to work, then home, nothing more.

"Why?" I expected him to sound surprised, but it was as if he had already known.

I shrugged, grabbed my school bag, and closed the car door. He watched as I did so in silence. We would be in this situation if he had just let me be. I had already told him I didn't need a ride, but he was persistent...I wanted to walk to work. It was only a few blocks from school anyway. I mumbled a goodbye and started walking into work.

"Callen told me you broke it off with Westin." I heard him say in a soft yet hurt voice. It sounded as though he was wounded, and he was told about my ordeal.

"So why did you ask what was wrong when you knew then?" I looked back at him, meeting his eyes that contained sadness.

My chest tightened. Was he hurt that I broke up with Westin? Was he secretly rooting for me and Westin?

"I was giving you a chance to tell me the truth. When Callen told me yesterday, I couldn't help but feel hurt that he was the one who told me and not my own best friend. Then I thought maybe you needed time to digest it...but seeing how you are now, I'm hurt you would rather suffer alone than let me be there for you--"

"You think I'm your best friend?" I interjected, and he knitted his brows.

I didn't remember anyone ever referring to me as their best friend. I considered Finn as my best friend, but I didn't know that's what he thought of me, too, and it feels good knowing.

"Yes, Arlo. You're my best friend, but I guess you don't think of me--"

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I never had friends like that...whenever things went wrong, I only had myself, no one else...I didn't even know how to tell you I broke up with him, I'm still trying to convince myself I did the right thing." I cried.

"You're not obliged to tell me everything if you don't feel like it...I just need you to know, I'm here for you, I'll be your shoulder to cry on if need be, or just someone who will listen to you." He told me as he got out of his car and gave me a hug. Something I didn't know I clearly needed.

"Don't pick me up...I'll walk home and thank you, Finn," I said as I let go of him, he nodded and told me to call or text for anything.

Luckily, Tobias was getting a bus ride home, and Mom seemed like she wasn't bailing on us anytime soon, so at least Tobias wasn't alone at home. Apparently, she was going to stop sending our father money to swell his gambling addiction or feed his family. I didn't believe her; I refused to believe a word she said, how would I? After everything she did.