love happy • chris evans (bwwm)

• twelve •

"What the fuck..." Phoenix whispered to herself while she stared at the monitor next to the front door which showed the security camera footage in real time. Dodger stood next to her in a protective stance as she held her breath for a moment, pressing the microphone button afterwards. "What are you doing here Jordyn?"

"I umm-" Jordyn cut herself off without looking up at the camera. Her eyes stayed fixed on her shoes as she awkwardly twirled her thumbs. "I can't stay at Kylie's anymore and I can't go home. The paparazzi follows me home every night and harasses my mom and sister every time they have to leave... I just need some place to lay low for a few days."

"And you decided to come to my house why exactly? I haven't heard from you in two years." Phoenix replied. "Why would I be inclined to help you? I know you have other friends."

"My friends are Kylie's friends. Nobody has been speaking to me. And the people that have been reaching out have been going back to her with the things I've said." She confessed, her voice light and shaky. "People I thought had my back were just waiting for me to fuck up so they could sell false stories to TMZ."

Sighing, Phoenix unlocked and opened the front door. Although she didn't consider Jordyn a friend at that point, Jordyn was someone she loved and cared about for years. There was no way Phoenix was going to kick another woman while they were already down. She felt the right thing for her to do was help Jordyn get away from all the fakeness, without expecting anything in return.

"How are you doing?" Phoenix asked while giving Jordyn a gentle hug. She looked so weak and fragile that Phoenix was afraid of snapping her in half if she hugged her too hard. Neither Ghost nor Dodger seemed to share that sentiment as they jumped up, scratching Jordyn's legs in the process. Phoenix tilted her head, watching as Ghost followed Dodger's maneuvers. She could hardly believe how much he had grown since she and Chris returned from Boston. Luckily, Gwen was willing to dog sit while the pair was gone but that didn't stop Phoenix from feeling a little sad that she missed a good chunk of Ghost's initial growth.

"I'm not too well." Jordyn spoke honestly while bending down to pet the dogs that were seeking her attention. I've just been having a really tough time lately."

"I can only imagine." Phoenix responded while offering Jordyn a hand and helping her up. "Chris and I are just renting this place for a few months and thankfully it came furnished so you'll have a nice place to sleep. C'mon, I'll show you."

"What's it like being back in L.A.?" She asked as she followed directly behind Phoenix. "You were living in Manhattan for a while, weren't you?"

"Oh yeah. Chris is more of an east coast guy." Phoenix answered. "Matter of fact, we're only here temporarily. We'll probably head back to Boston permanently shortly after the wedding."

"I had been meaning to congratulate you on the engagement for a while now but I wasn't sure if it was appropriate." Jordyn admitted. "It makes me feel good to know that you're doing so well and that you're happy. Chris has always come across as a really good dude."

"He's incredible; a genuinely kind soul." Phoenix gushed. "Chris is literally the most beautiful person I've ever met, inside and out. He has this certain vulnerability about him that makes me want to cry sometimes. He's just so sweet and caring and considerate. He's perfect."

"You truly look happy, Phoenix. I am happy for you!"

"Thank you, Jordyn." She replied with a small smile before opening the door that lead to the guest room, farthest from hers and Chris's bedroom. Dodger and Ghost stood at Phoenix's feet as Jordyn entered the room and took a seat on the queen sized bed. "I've just got one tiny question..."