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

Chapter 56: My Person

*Joe's POV*

There was no doubt in my mind that Taylor would walk away from me entirely. Wasn't that what had happened every time we had any sort of conflict? Except this one, I wouldn't have blamed her for.

I stayed awake all night, hypervigilant on waiting to hear Taylor get up in the middle of the night to leave. I was thankful we had already planned out a few days off after our London shows so I could spend more time with Willa and Delphine, tomorrow being the last free day.

"You awake?" I heard Taylor croak out, my back facing her.

My eyes had been open the whole night. Awake was an understatement.

"Yeah," I whispered, the wall staring back at me.

Truthfully, I didn't want to talk. I didn't want to discuss what I was feeling or thinking. I didn't want to feel anything at all.

To my surprise, warmth engulfed me as she scooted her body against mine and wrapped her arm around me tightly. There were only a few times I became the little spoon, and as much as I hated to admit it, it felt soothing.

"I love you," she said, her breath hitting the back of my neck, her head resting close to mine on my pillow.

I definitely wasn't expecting that to come out of her mouth. "I love you," I intertwined my fingers with hers, keeping her embrace tight around me.

I really, really did, which made me feel so much worse.

"Mmm," she nuzzled her face against my bare back, "Whatever they're cooking out there smells really good."

Did I dream about yesterday? Why was she acting so casual?

"Yeah," I gulped, "You can go out there if you're hungry."

"Without you?" she asked, "You're not hungry?"

"Not really."

She let me go and sat up, placing her hand on my shoulder to turn me on my back to look me in my red-rimmed eyes that I was sure had tired bags underneath, "I'm not mad at you. You know that, right?"

I shook my head, my gaze not leaving hers.

"Do you remember what you told me Nick told you?" she moved misplaced strands of hair away from off my forehead.

"I don't know," I replied, "He's said a lot of stupid things to me."

That got her to chuckle a bit, "It wasn't stupid. But it made me understand grief isn't linear. Just because you're still grieving doesn't mean you're not allowed to continue to heal. What kind of partner would I be if I wasn't by your side when you need me the most?"

Her patience and understanding weren't anything like I had ever experienced before, "Thank you"

She tilted her head, "For what?"

"For being my person," I responded.

My answer brought a giant smile to her face, "I'm your person?"

"Is that even a question?" I found myself starting to smile with her, "Of course you are. Don't ever doubt that."

Leaning down to press her lips into mine, a giant weight lifted out of my heart and off my shoulders. "You're my person," she exchanged after pulling away, "Oh, and speaking of Nick, I think you really need to work out some stuff with him."

"Yeah," I drew out with a sigh, cringing at my behavior towards him, "I don't really want to, but I know."

Even though food didn't sound that appetizing after pulling an all-nighter, I grudgingly made my way with Taylor to Nick's kitchen. Everyone was already grabbing food chaotically as they did their own thing all the while enjoying being in each other's presence.

"Good morning!" Pri grinned, "Nick brewed up some coffee for you guys. It should still be hot. Right, Babe?"

To answer for itself, we were given hot cups of coffee from Nick. "Thank you," I graciously told him, hoping it would make me feel more like myself, "Hey, Nick?"

He spun back around to face me, raising an eyebrow.

"You think you can come with me to pick up Willa and Del?" I asked. What better way to make up with my brother than to be stuck in a car with him? It wasn't like either one of us would have been able to walk away.

"When?"

"Um," I glanced at the clock on the stove, "In like an hour?"

He quickly nodded his head, "Sure."

He may not have been able to walk away during our car ride, but he definitely did have a choice on talking. Right now, it seemed like he chose to be a man of few words.