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Imani sat at her kitchen counter, stirring her tea. The room was quiet, but her mind was loud. She couldn't stop thinking about Gio and the way her friends had stepped in to help her. But more than anything, she couldn't stop thinking about how alone she felt.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She picked it up, her heart racing when she saw the name.
IMESSAGES: Jobe ⚽️
Jobe ⚽️ Can I come by?
She stared at the screen, unsure what to do. It had been so long since they'd talked, and now he wanted to come over? Why now?
Yeah. Sure. Jobe ⚽️ I'll be there in 30 minutes.
Imani put her phone down, her hands shaking slightly. She wasn't ready to see him. Not yet. But it was Jobe. And for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say no.
When the knock came, Imani froze. She stood there for a moment, her heart pounding, before she slowly walked to the door.
When she opened it, there he was.
Jobe stood in the doorway, hands in his hoodie pockets, his shoulders slightly hunched. His curls were a little longer, and his eyes were tired, but they were the same steady eyes she remembered.
"Hey," he said softly.
"Hi," she replied, stepping aside to let him in.
Jobe walked in, his gaze moving around the small living room. He noticed her camera bag in the corner, the tea on the counter, the stack of books on the table.
"You've been busy," he said, nodding at the bag.
Imani shrugged, crossing her arms. "Keeps me distracted."
Jobe turned to her, his face serious. "Jude told me what happened with Gio."
Her stomach sank. "He shouldn't have done that."
"He was worried about you," Jobe said. "So was I."
Imani blinked, surprised. "You were?"
Jobe frowned, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Of course I was. Just because we haven't talked doesn't mean I stopped caring."
His words hit her harder than she expected. She looked away, her chest tight.
"I didn't need you to come here," she said quietly. "I've got it handled."
"Do you?" he asked, stepping closer. "Because it doesn't look that way to me. You don't have to do this alone, Imani."
Her throat felt tight, making it hard to speak. "Why are you here, Jobe?"
He sighed. "Because I couldn't stay away. When Jude told me, I knew I had to see you. I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but—"
"You're not," she said quickly, cutting him off.
He froze, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm not?"
She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't know how to do this without you, Jobe. And I hate that I still feel like I need you."
Jobe stepped closer, his voice softer now. "You don't have to hate it. And you don't have to do it without me, either."
Her tears spilled over as she looked at him. "But what if I mess it up again?"
"Then we'll figure it out," Jobe said gently. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just let me be here for you."
Imani nodded, the words sinking in. She didn't know where this would lead, but for the first time in a long time, she let herself accept his help.
Jobe reached out, his hand brushing hers, and she felt something inside her soften.
For the first time in weeks, she didn't feel so alone.
