𝐌𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 | JJ Maybank

˗ˏˋseventeenˊˎ˗

I froze on the spot after hearing what JJ had just said.

Rafe cheated on me? That couldn't be true. It didn't make sense—why would he cheat on me and then turn around and act like my actions were the betrayal? My head spun, trying to reconcile JJ's words with what I thought I knew.

"Jayj, I don't know if this is some kind of attempt to get me to hate him," I said, my voice trembling slightly, "but there's no need. I'm dropping this stuff off for closure—for myself."

JJ shook his head, his expression unreadable, but his blue eyes burned with intensity. "Why would I lie to you, Sia?"

I shrugged, feeling the weight of his words pressing on me like a storm cloud threatening to burst. "Honestly, why wouldn't you? One day you're the best person in my life, and the next you're saying and doing things that make me hate you."

JJ exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "Can't you just trust me on this, for once?"

"It doesn't matter anyway, JJ." My voice rose slightly, frustration bleeding through. "Me and Rafe are over, and no—I can't trust you on this. You're unreliable. You always have been when it comes to him. You hate him."

"And so should you!" JJ suddenly grabbed my arms, his grip firm but not harsh. His voice cracked, a mixture of anger and desperation. "He's so manipulative. Why can't you see that? He shot your best friend, Sia. He's hurt you in ways I can't even begin to name. He tried to get me arrested just for existing. But somehow, you're still out here making excuses for him!"

I wrenched my arms free, the sudden motion pulling me back into my own space. "See, that's where you're wrong!" I snapped. "I'm not stupid, JJ. I know who he is and what he's done."

"Then why don't you believe me when I say he cheated on you?" JJ's voice dropped, softer now but still insistent. "Why is that the one thing you can't accept?"

I turned away, moving to the sofa and sinking down into it as if it could swallow me whole. My hands covered my face, muffling the words that spilled out. "Because if you're right, Jayj—if what you're saying is true—then I went through all this pain for nothing."

The tears came unbidden, hot and unwelcome, streaking down my cheeks. I wiped them away furiously, but it was no use. JJ sat beside me then, hesitating for a moment before pulling me into a hug. His embrace was warm, grounding me, and I let my head rest on his shoulder. Silence stretched between us, heavy but not uncomfortable.

"Sia," JJ said after a long pause, his voice low and raw, "Rafe isn't capable of loving you the way you deserve to be loved. I know you cheated too, and God, I hate that that's how we happened. But the truth? I'm glad you kissed me. I'm so damn glad."

His words hung in the air like the sharp scent of sea salt after a storm. I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. His hand lingered on my arm, steady and sure.

"Why?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

JJ's lips curved into a bittersweet smile. "Because it made me realize something. I didn't hate you, Sia. Not even close. What I hated was not understanding what I felt for you. And now, I do."

I blinked, my breath catching. "And what is it you feel?"

"I love you, Sia," he said simply, his voice unwavering. "I love the way you tuck your hair behind your ear when you're nervous. I love the way your laugh sounds, even when it's at my expense. I love how your smile can light up the darkest room. I love everything about you. I just didn't want to admit it—because it terrified me."

My heart felt like it had stopped altogether, his words so unexpected, so raw. I searched his face, looking for a hint of insincerity, but there was none. JJ meant every word.