About Us (all of us #2)

T H I R T Y O N E

G I O

"You're not off yet?" Henry asks.

"I'm about to be," I mumble, checking my phone for the time, but also subconsciously hoping for a text from Joselyn. Even if it were just to sarcastically thank me for telling on her to her brother—even if it were a call to tell me to stay out of her business, I'd take it.

I've never really missed anyone before. It took me all of a day to realize that's what it was.

I miss her. It's a new feeling and it fucking sucks.

"Why, what's up?"

"Nothing." He takes a few steps like he's going to walk back to the front, but stops before he can push the door open. "I mean, maybe you can scare off the little girl who's been loitering out front all day. I told her I'd call the cops, but she clearly didn't care. Must've caught my bluff."

My heart speeds up and I slide my tongue over my front teeth to keep from smiling. I know exactly who that defiant little girl is.

"Next time raise your arms so you look bigger."

"Fuck you." He laughs, tossing his rag and shoving through the door.

I wait out that long torturous minute before clock out, standing next to the computer, ready to hit out right when the clock strikes.

She's probably pissed. She's probably going to yell at me for ruining things for her. But it's not like I ruined a good thing. I ruined a bad thing, hopefully she'll understand that in time.

I clock out, taking a breath as I get ready to brave the wrath of the girl I've mistakenly fallen in love with. I'm ready to apologize, I'm ready to compromise. I'm ready to tell her everything I should have before.

I hit the door open, the brisk, night air making me slightly shiver as I scan the lot. It's empty. I take one more look around, my chest feeling heavy as I scratch my head.

Way to get your hopes up way too high, man.

I drag my hand over my mouth as I swish around in my pocket for my keys.

"You cut all your hair off?"

I stop still, my hand retreating from the drivers side door before I can shove the key in lock.

"Why would you do that?" Joselyn says, almost sounding pained as I turn toward her.

Dammit, she's fucking beautiful.

I smooth my hand over my head, not missing the length or the knots I'd dealt with for the past ten years. "It was time for a change."

She stares at me like this is the first time she's granted herself permission to. It starts at my eyes and ends at my neck before returning again.

"Loitering?" I say with a smirk.

"I would've went inside if I were...twenty-one."

I laugh, just happy. Glad she's here with me and not with him. Not with anyone else. And she won't be now.

Feeling a strong sense of deja vu, I tip her head up and pretend to check her eyes for dilated pupils. Just like I did the first time she wandered over here.

"You stoned?" I smirk.

"Not this time."

I lower until our lips meet in a gentle kiss that hopefully says sorry for being a jackass. Sorry for always saying the wrong things. For always doing things the wrong way. Sorry for overlooking you when you were right in fucking front of me.