Contrary || l.p.

30. Royce

Liam's P.O.V

What did I ever do to deserve someone as amazing as Jessie?

I honestly thought I would lose her today. After confessing about what happened to Aimee, I swear I thought she would change her mind and leave me, but she didn't. After every attempt to protect her from my fucked up past, she still wanted to stay with me. I just don't fucking understand why she would love someone like me. I practically killed someone, yet she still said she loved me.

Was there something about me that was so lovable?

Am I really the guy she says I am?

I sighed and looked over at her, admiring the way she was softly humming to my mixtape. She was just so perfect to me. She was an angel standing next to the devil, yet she still thought of me as an angel as well. I really don't understand her, but I love her so fucking much, and I'm scared to make another mistake that will make me lose her.

She'll leave eventually, I know. I just hope that I'll be ready when that day comes.

I found myself tightening my grip on her hand, and she squeezed back, giving me a smile.

Shit, there goes my heart.

I smiled at her, hoping that this was not just another one of my stupid ass dreams.

It wasn't.

Pulling up to my driveway, I grinned as I saw Grace drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, and Royce playing his video games on the porch.

Jessie's face lit up. "Gracie!" She excitedly squealed and squeezed my hand. "Oh my goodness, I've missed her!"

"Go say hi," I happily told her and let go of her hand.

She unbuckled her seat belt and raced towards my sister, who gasped and shrieked Jessie's name as she tossed her little arms around her.

I put the car in park and stepped out.

"Have you gotten taller?" Jess asked with a raise of her eyebrow.

Grace giggled and shook her head. "No, I stayed the same!"

I chuckled and made my way to my brother, who only briefly looked up at me, then back at his video games.

"Hey, Royce," I greeted him as I sat down.

"Hi," he mumbled in a small voice and continued playing. "Umm... Who's the new girl?" He asked me without looking up.

I looked over at Jessie and Grace, who were looking down and talking about the cute chalk drawings that she made on the sidewalk.

"I'll show you. Jess," I called out and placed a supportive grip around my brother's shoulders.

She whispered for Grace to come with her, and made her way towards me.

"Royce," I said to my brother, "this is my girlfriend, Jessie."

Jessie grinned and squatted down to face him. "Oh, so you're the little brother that Liam loves so much!" She said in this high pitched voice. She sounded like she was talking to a fucking baby; it was hilarious.

"Yeah I guess," Royce mumbled and scratched his head. Soon after, he went back to playing his game.

Jessie looked at me with a little pout, knowing that this probably wasn't the conversation she had been expecting from my brother.

I shrugged and patted him. "Okay," I breathed, "we're gonna go inside. If you kids want to continue playing out here, then be sure to keep the door opened. Okay?" I told them.