Criminal ~ Shoey

Chapter 27 - On Parole.

» Joey's P.O.V «

Sawyer was telling the story wrong. This wasn't how things happened.

"I threatened him. I put a gun to his head and said that if he didn't go along with it, I'd shoot him." Sawyer stated simply, not once glancing my way. What the hell?! When would it be my turn to speak, so I could clear all of this up? I glanced behind me quickly, catching Shane's eye. He had the same puzzled expression on his face. "Mister Graceffa, Is everything Mister Hartman has said true?" Right before I answered, I looked to Sawyer to see him looking at me for the first time in days. "Go along with it." He mouthed, very clearly so I could tell what he was saying...Or wasn't saying.

He was trying to make up for everything he'd done...by getting me out of here?! I couldn't do that to him. Especially since he was suddenly trying to change his ways. But then I thought of Shane. He said he'd wait for me...But I'd be in here for years and years! Nobody waits that long for anyone. Shane would go back to school, graduate, go to college, find someone else, and fall in love... Completely forgetting about me. That hurt more than leaving Sawyer behind. I looked back to the judge, to see her waiting patiently for my answer. "Yes."

» Shane's P.O.V «

Good News: Joey got out on parole because of Sawyer an hour ago and is going to be living with us; my mom is currently signing all the papers to obtain custody of him- Which was obviously difficult considering Joey was an eighteen year old and had complete responsible over himself. But my mom insisted. She really is a great mom. I can't believe Joey's going to be living with me! But..

Bad News: Joey feels guilty for doing that to Sawyer. Joey and I had been waiting on these horrible plastic chairs since he got out and he's done nothing but chewed his fingernails to a nub. My head had been resting on his shoulder and I had been clinging to him since he was officially on parole, but he hadn't said a word to me. Maybe he thinks I think he's selfish? Either way: I'd imagined going to court and him getting out and us kissing in the middle of the court room and telling each other we loved each other a thousand times. But the exact opposite happened: Joey could barely look at me, let alone kiss me. Maybe he'd loosen up once we left this hell. And on perfect timing, My mom came out of a police man's office, clutching a thick booklet of papers. "We're free to go." She said, smiling from ear to ear.

Finally, I got a reaction out of Joey. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Dawson. I have no idea how I can repay you." He said, shaking me off of him gently so he could stand. "Its Mrs. Yaw but please call me Theresa. Oh, and I know a few ways you can repay me." My mom said as I stood. What did she mean...? "W-what?" Joey's face fell. Did she really want Joey to repay her? "Well, for starters we can head home and you can shower. I'm sure Shane's older brothers have clothes, soap, extra deodorant, or whatever else you need that you can use for now. We'll go shopping another day." Joey and I sighed in relief in harmony. I couldn't believe my mom was taking in another kid, her son's boyfriend for that matter, being completely nonjudgemental about his past plus him just getting released for jail. I couldn't get over it.

"You can be accepted into this family by letting us get to know you better, too." My mom continued as we headed for the door. "Oh, and being good to my son wouldn't hurt, either." She said as we stepped outside, the sunlight blinding.

* * *

While Joey was in the shower, my mom and I began cleaning up my dad's old office so we could move Jared and Jacob's stuff in there so Joey and I could have a room to ourselves. Once again: Best mom ever. I couldn't believe I wasn't dreaming.

My mom was taking a "criminal" into her family and under her roof and creating a make-shift bedroom for her sons so her son's criminal boyfriend could have room? Wow. I don't think I'd ever forget this.

As we were moving in the last thing to J and J's new room, Joey called from the bathroom, "Shane? I have a question..." he said it nervously, like he was scared. "I'll be right back." I said to my mom as I propped Jared's mattress up against the wall (it was the ominous last thing we were moving).

I knocked on the bathroom door before I opened it, suddenly getting bombarded with steam. I bet a hot shower after spending time in prison was nice. Then my thoughts strayed to Sawyer who'd be in there for five years...But I pushed it away as I stepped inside the humid bathroom. And oh dear god I was face-to-face with Joey in a towel. His hair was curling adorably around his ears, which made him look extremely young, but his body begged to differ. "I was wondering if I could use this hair gel?" He asked, shuffling his feet bashfully. "Of course! Jacob won't mind." I said as an awkward silence ensued.

"When am I meeting them? And...your dad?" He questioned, his tone nervous. "My mom called them when you got in the shower, we're meeting them for lunch. My dad? Uh...well my mom told me while I was in the hospital that...he died.." I said followed by a meek shrug. His death was taking a smaller toll on us all than I thought it would, we were actually doing better without him. Jared and Jacob's grades in University are higher, and my mom got another job. I have a feeling things will be better now. "I'm so sorry.." Joey said, running his fingers through his wet hair. "Hey, its okay. I'm actually happy." I said, reaching for the hand he was using to pester with his hair. "I love you." I said for the first time since I spoke to him using a handheld telephone two days ago. "I love you, too." He said, leaning closer to meet my lips in a passionate kiss. And even then: I couldn't forget the fact that he was in a towel.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Yay, happy ending! ;D Just Kidding, it is NOT the ending. Not yet, anyway. I wanted to make this chapter longer and have them going out to lunch and such but..I decided against it ;-; But that will happen in the next chapter plus Shoey touring Long Beach. c:

Thanks so much for almost 8k reads

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••