Because Of You | Jemi

Twenty Eight

It had been a month since Joe had come home from his father's house and he had just got back again. Gary spent two weeks away with friends in the end but got back and made up for lost time. Demi could see a change in his mood straight away as soon as he got back, she didn't know what to do anymore, she just wanted things better for him. He shouldn't have to go through this. Joe made his way up the path his bag in his hands as he entered the door kicking his shoes off, he usually would go straight upstairs but he put his bag near the stairs entering the living room not surprised when Gary was there, he ignored his step father entering the kitchen this time surprised to see his mother sat at the counter holding something against her eye.

"Mom what are you doing here?" Joe questioned Denise standing up quickly acting as if she wasn't holding anything against her eye. "Mom why is your eye swollen?"

"It's nothing Joe." She sighed when he made his way over running his finger over what was forming as a black eye. He grabbed the ice pack again pressing it lightly against where the bruise was forming. Denise sighed taking his place on holding it.

"Did he do this to you?" Joe questioned Denise shaking her head.

"N-No." She stammered her voice shaky, it was clear she was shaken up by what had happened. It was the first time Gary had hit her hard enough to cause a mark.

"Mom be honest with me please," Joe begged having to hold back his tears as she nodded her head. He kissed her cheek gently sitting her down on the stool having to hold his anger back until he was in there living room. "Don't you dare touch my mom!" Dave took a sip of his bottle a smirk on his face as he turned around to his step son.

"No." He said simply.

"You said if I let you do anything you wanted to me you wouldn't touch my mom or sisters!" He exclaimed Dave shrugging his shoulders. "I want you out this house, my mom pays for it not you. Get out!" Dave laughed standing up in front of Joe who tried his best not to show his fear, he was scared of the man in front of him.

"You know what I can't be bothered with you." Dave grabbed his wrist to Joe's best efforts he was out in the hallway the living room door now locked. He sighed slumping down on the stairs, he didn't know what to do anymore.

It wasn't long later he heard a knock on the door. He got up opening the door surprised when he saw Demi stood there, he could tell she was holding back her own tears as he stared up at her.

"We need to talk," She demanded Joe nodding his head closing the door behind them. He grabbed her hand leading her down the path wanting to get her as far away from the house as he could. They ended up at the end of the street Joe leaning against a brick wall still holding onto Demi's hand. He wasn't pushing her into saying what she needed to. "Are you okay?" Joe leaned down kissing her gently Demi kissing back before he pulled away.

"Yeah I'm fine, Gary hit my mom," Demi sighed taking his other hand so he was now standing up straight again. "What's going on?"

"Promise you won't get mad?" Demi questioned biting her lip gently Joe growing more and more concerned more time went by.

"Of course not, what's going on?" Joe questioned again.

"I-I'm pregnant," Demi stammered closing her eyes not able to face his reaction quite yet. She only opened her eyes again when she felt him let go of one of her hands forcing her to walk by pulling her with the other. "J-Joe what are you doing?" Joe didn't answer her as they made their way back to his house and into the kitchen where Denise was still.

"Mom we have to get out of here!" He exclaimed.

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