What This Could Be | A Joe Jonas Fanfic | Book One

Chapter 12: The C Word

*Joe's POV*

Kevin and Danielle were gracious enough to offer their home for Taylor and I to stay at for the night. At first, we were in separate guest rooms, but at some random time in the middle of the night, Taylor snuck herself in my bed and snuggled up against me. I would have made the move, but I didn't want to feel like an overbearing creep that wouldn't allow her to have her own space.

"Good morning, Beautiful," I mumbled with my face buried in the crook of her neck.

"Good morning," she nestled closer, the warmth of her body heating mine up, "How'd you sleep?"

"The best," my arm wrapped around her tighter, "This is definitely something I could get used to."

"Is there a set time we have to leave, or can we stay like this for a little bit longer?" she asked.

"I say we stay like this for right now," I replied. Today's plans could wait.

And just like always, our moment was interrupted. Taylor's phone went off from inside her bag, making us both groan out of frustration and annoyance. She slipped out of my grasp to retrieve her phone while I stayed in bed, watching her answer it with her morning voice.

I sat up as her face changed with seriousness, hearing the person talk on the other line.

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can," she stood still, not keeping her eyes off mine as she replied, "Hang in there, Sis. I love you."

As she hung up, I already had gotten myself out of bed, "Is your sister okay?"

"That wasn't my sister," she stated, "It was my best friend, who is basically my sister."

"Is she this sister that has a thing for yellow flowers?" I questioned as she was pacing around gathering the rest of her stuff to shove in her bag.

"No," she bluntly responded, clear irritation in her tone, "I have a sister just like you have brothers."

Confused, I went over and placed my hands on her shoulders to give her a pause and support, "Hey, I wasn't questioning your word. What happened? You can talk to me."

She swiped my hands off of her, "I don't have time to talk about it. Can you get out so I can take a quick shower?"

"We have hours of a drive to talk!" I hollered behind her as she walked into the guest bathroom before I walked out the door, closing it behind me. "Oh shit!" I jumped, placing my hand to my chest, at my surprise to see Kevin standing at the top of the stairs with his arms crossed, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Are you sure about this?" he quietly asked, his big brother instincts coming through.

I sighed audibly, "If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out, but I won't know unless I open myself up again."

"I get that," he leaned against the railing, worry rising within him, "but you're already fighting this soon?"

"We aren't fighting," I refuted, "Just let me figure this one out, okay? I haven't felt something this strong since Sophie."

The bedroom door opened behind me. Taylor's hair was freshly damp, nearly dripping down her black long-sleeve top.

"Morning," she delivered a grin to Kevin that didn't quite meet her eyes, "Thank you for inviting me in your home and letting me stay the night. Both you and Dani have been nothing but kind, and I hope to return the favor."

Kevin gave me a quick glance before responding, "So long as you keep your word, you're always welcome here. Besides, I'm pretty sure Dani has already taken a liking to you."