Jab My Heart [Boy×Boy]

Chapter 12: Naïve

"Whoa that's enough. You gonna hurt your wrists." I finally stop punching. I'm panting and sweat is dripping down my temples. My vest is soaking wet from my sweat and not the rain outside. That's how tired I am but I am feeling more frustrated than exhausted. I continue hitting the punching bag.

"AJ I think we should take a break!" I could see Richard was fed up with my stubbornness, so I stopped, begrudgingly so. I took off my boxing gloves while walking away, frustration overwhelming me. I sat on the ring apron. Richard followed me and stood in front of me, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"What's the matter?"

"I just want to be alone Rich."

"You really want me to leave you alone when you're this angry?" I sighed.

"I'm not angry." I say bluntly.

"What then? Talk to me ple--"

"Sam is pregnant." I blurt out. Richard's face lights up.

"What?! That's fantastic! I'm gonna be a godfather soon." Richard looks at me in disbelief and happiness but his wide grin falters and his eyebrows furrow when he notices I don't share the same excitement. "Oh my god did she cheat on you? Is it not yours?! I knew she was to--"

"Stop! It's not like that at all."

"I don't understand. Why are you so grumpy then?" Richard asks, confused as hell. I deeply sigh and rub my temples before confessing.

"I'm in love with someone else."

"What? Who?" Utter disbelief was evident in his tone. He came closer and sat beside me on the apron in anticipation for my answer. I looked at him and raised a brow.

"You know who."

"Really? No I don't th--" he pauses as if realising something. "Wait...could it be...JP?" I looked away, avoiding eye contact. Richard chuckled in disbelief. "How? This all doesn't make any sense!"

"What do you mean?"

"You just met weeks ago and you're already whipped?! For someone who doesn't believe in love you sure fell way too quickly for him."

I try to say something but my mind decides against it at the last minute. Richard obviously saw that and he squint his eyes. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you knew him before." He gets up and starts pacing in front of me, "To think of it, you were acting weird that night. I can't believe JP has been cheating on Nathan this whole time."

"No! Jimmy didn't cheat on Nathan okay...we were in the same high school. That's how I knew him." Now Richard stopped pacing and turned to look at me.

"Oh?" Richard slowly sat down next to me again as if he's processing everything. "It's been that long? Wow. You must really really like him then."

"I love him." Richard seemed shocked. I don't blame him. I wouldn't believe it if I were him too. I've always shielded my emotions from people including him. Even though his observant nature always saw right through me, I've never openly admitted to feelings like that.

"You've changed." Richard chuckles in disbelief. "Have you been keeping it a secret because you're scared what the media will say?" He says after a while.

"It's not just the media's attention. I'm afraid that if my parents find out, they will try and break us up again."

"Again?"

I sigh. "They've tried before and they've succeeded. I don't want to lose Jimmy again!"

"Well your dad is quite scary and your mom has an evil side to her I believe. I do not doubt that one bit." They both chuckle softly. "I'm afraid you have to get Jimmy and Sam out of your mind now." He stands and gestures for me to stand up too.

"You have to prepare for tomorrow's game."

***

3rd person P.O.V

Jimmy was taking pictures for his first exhibition when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and opened it.

My Angel💕
Hey. Can we meet?

Jimmy
What for? I'm kinda busy.

My Angel💕
I have a lovely surprise for you.
Bouquet garni...right now
if you don't mind?🙄

Jimmy
Okay... I'll be there in 20
Read 17:06

*

Jimmy arrived at the restaurant and looked around, but couldn't find AJ.

"Table for two?" The waiter asked him and Jimmy nodded. He was led to and empty table and told the waiter he was going to order later. He looked at his phone to see if AJ has sent a message, but there was nothing.

"He's not coming." An oddly familiar voice said behind him and he didn't need to turn around. He knew exactly who it was. He felt a shiver down his spine as the woman sat across him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I used Adam's phone to lure you here." Her voice was smooth but cold. Devoid of emotion. "But that's beside the point. I thought I told you to disappear."

Jimmy's heart sank as he remembered how Adam's mother made him leave AJ all those years ago. He always knew that this moment would come, where he would have to leave Adam again but he never thought it would be so soon.

"He found me, not the other way around. There was nothing I could do." Jimmy said while trying hard to blink away the tears that were starting to form in his eyes.

"For your own good, I advise you to stay away from him." Jimmy took a deep breath to get some courage.

"I'm sorry but I can't. You could've manipulated me back then, but I'm older now and I love Adam. I'm done listening to you." Jimmy firmly said. Stephanie squinted her eyes in annoyance before laughing. Jimmy furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"I knew you were naïve but I didn't know you were this blind. Is that what he told you? That he loves you?" Jimmy's new found confidence disappeared as fast as it came as he realised that AJ never even told him he loved him, not even when they were teenagers.

"Do you really think Adam will give up everything for you?" Jimmy looked down to his hands which were fiddling with the hem of his T-shirt under the table. "If he really loves you the way he says he does, why is he getting married and having children with someone else?" Jimmy's head shoots up and his eyes meet hers. He gulps.

"Oh? He didn't care enough to share the news with you did he?" Jimmy bit his lip to stop it from quivering. He had a love in his throat and the lump wouldn't go away no matter how hard he gulped. "Which just confirms it, you'll always be his dirty little secret."

Jimmy dropped his head again in shame. He felt like like his heart was being ripped apart as he realised she was right. He had made countless sacrifices for AJ, but AJ has done absolutely nothing. He wanted to say something but he didn't trust himself to be strong enough not to cry. Stephanie got up from her seat ready to leave.

"And oh...be creative this time." And with that she strutted out. Leaving Jimmy defeated.

A/N: Omw I almost cried while writing this scene. I hope y'all enjoy. Please leave your comments and vote. It motivates me to write.

Q: What do you think Stephanie means with that last line?