Me and the Devil

18.

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

The sound of raised voices cut through the humid morning air, as I walk down the street in front of the police station. I wasn't sure if JJ would even want to see me, but I had to check on him. Get him out of this situation, even if it's the last thing I ever did for him.

I round the corner , and my heart drops. I see Luke's truck parked on the side of the road, the driver's door flung open. And through the windshield, I could see it - the flash of movement inside the cab, the sound of shouting, and then the unmistakable thud of a fist.

"JJ!"

Without thinking I run forward, feet pounding against the concrete. My pulse roars in my ears, as I get closer, seeing Luke leaning over, his arm swinging down on JJ, who was slumped in the passenger seat. Growing up, JJ and I had an unspoken understanding. When his dad hit him, I would be there for him no questions asked, but I had never seen it actually happening and the sight of JJ's face twisted in pain, blood running from his nose, was like a knife to my chest.

"Stop it! Get off of him!" I don't hesitate. I grab the back of Luke's shirt with all my strength pulling him off of JJ. Luke's bloodshot eyes snap towards me, and for a second, he looked like he might swing at me too.

The adrenaline rushing through me, I push Luke further away from the truck. "Leave him alone"

Luke stumbles, the alcohol on his breath almost making me gag. But I see an opportunity and seize it. I slide into the driver's seat between Luke and the truck, slamming the door fast before Luke can pull me out. I glance at JJ, seeing the bruises blooming on his cheek, the raw cut across his lip. I start the truck up as fast as I can, and speed away from Luke running alongside the truck, cursing.

As we leave Luke in the distance, JJ speaks up.

"You shouldn't have done that."

"JJ, you're always protecting us and the people you care about. It's about time someone protects you." My voice is steady, but inside, everything is churning.

In my driveway, I help him out of the truck, his weight pressing against me as he lets out a shuddering sob. Wrapping my arms around him, I hold him close, saying nothing, until the pain spills out of him. After a few minutes, I guide him inside and up to my room, where we sit on the edge of my bed, the silence lingering.

"JJ...I have to tell you something."

He looks at me, his face bruised, his eyes rimmed with red.

"The other night, after the movies, I avoided telling you the truth. I was scared - scared of how you'd look at me, of what you'd think. But I know I should be able to trust you," I begin, my hand resting lightly on his thigh.

"The reason I was able to get Rafe to let up during that fight is because Ward and my mother have arranged for me and Rafe to go to Midsummer's together. Since you know how hard Rafe tries to please his dad, he's taking this arranged date very seriously and I kind of threatened blackmail. That's why Rafe backed off the other night." I look at JJ's eyes to see if there is any indication that he isn't buying my lie. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you right away. I hated leaving things 'weird' between us, and then seeing you take the fall for Pope, I felt so guilty.."

Before I can say more, he leans in and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. "No, I should apologize for the way I acted the other night. Tensions were just high already, and I thought you were mad at me." He gives a slight smile, but winces, pain flickering across his face.

As I sit next to JJ, dabbing his wounds with a damp cloth, I watch the way he looks at me - like he trusts me without question, like he believes I'll always be there for him, and I feel the weight of every quiet moment we've shared, every laugh, every look that lingered just a little too long.

I'd loved JJ for as long as I could remember, and now, after our kiss, it was harder than ever to ignore. I'd always imagined what it would be like to finally have that moment with him, and when it happened, it was everything I'd dreamed of - until Rafe stormed into the picture, clouding everything.

It makes my chest tighten with a familiar guilt. It's a strange, twisted thing, loving JJ like this but feeling a thrill with someone else. Just the thought of Rafe - the darkness in his eyes, the way he pulled me into a world I'd only glimpsed before - sends my pulse racing in a way that shouldn't happen around anyone but JJ.

But I push those thoughts aside, hoping he doesn't see the doubt in my eyes as I say, "You know, we may not live next door to each other anymore, but you'll always have a place here."