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

Chapter 45: Heated Arguments and Bathtubs

Author's Note: I can't believe it's at 5k! 🥹 You all have been so sweet and supportive. Thank you, genuinely, from the bottom of my heart that you've continued to read my writing. None of it goes unnoticed and only pushes me to make it better, to give you more content and chapters, to bring both the spice and drama with a hint of sweetness and secrecy. You're all amazing 🫶

To celebrate 5k, here's a 5-page chapter. Enjoy!

Author's Note: Explicit/Mature Sexual Content

*Joe's POV*

After collecting myself enough to physically stand, I let Liv in for a few, not wanting to hold her back from spending the remainder of the day with her family.

 Delphine was the first to reach her arms out to Taylor, giving me free arms to hug the shit out of Liv, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Merry Christmas, Joe," she quietly said against my ear, her embrace more authentic and heartfelt than her usual with walls up.

"Merry Christmas, Liv," I smiled as we parted, wiping my eyes with my index finger and thumb.

"And Tay," Liv handed her a small green gift bag, "Merry Christmas. Open it when you're alone, okay?"

Taylor seemed skeptical, almost as if she didn't want to accept Liv's present, but did out of politeness, "Merry Christmas, Liv. I hope you and your family have a good day."

"Thank you," she gave her a big hug that she evidently wished it to be longer, "I'll call you tomorrow and give you all the messy details on the shitstorm I'll be forced to be around."

"Sounds good," Taylor replied, adjusting Delphine on her hip.

The air was thick with tension as an awkward silence plagued us. Even Willa, the chattiest of us all, recognized the perturbation I was feeling.

"I'm gonna head out now," Liv timidly stepped backwards towards the door, "Again, have a merry Christmas, and I love you both so, so much."

I nodded with a smile as Taylor brought Willa and Delphine to the living room, "You too, Liv. And thank you for bringing my girls to me. You're definitely getting that raise now."

"It's seriously the least I could do," she said as we were at the doorway, "You've done so much for not just me, but Taylor too. Your love for her is something I always wished that she'd be able to experience, so thank you for making my best friend happy and loved."

"I hope I do," I admitted, "She doesn't know this yet, or maybe she does, I don't know. You women have weird mind-reading superpowers sometimes. But I'm really falling in love with her. It doesn't help that I can see my girls are as well, especially Delphine."

"You should tell her," Liv suggested, "I think that's something she'd want to hear."

"I have something special up my sleeve," I winked, "Go on. Your deathbed is waiting for you."

"Oh, trust me, I'm very aware," she laughed, "I'll talk to you soon."

We ended our goodbyes, closing the door between us, and locked it before proceeding to the living room where I'd meet Taylor, Willa, and Delphine in the middle on the floor playing with some coloring books that were left on the table from last time they were here.

"You okay?" I asked, quiet enough for only her to hear as I sat down next to her.

"No," she responded in such a direct way that was out of her character, "I'm not okay. None of this is okay, Joe."