Finally Free -- JATP Luke x MaleOC

Chapter 38

Hey everyone! I'm still looking for title suggestions for this book, so please don't feel intimidated or afraid to say whatever ideas you have. You can comment or DM me any ideas or suggestions! And thanks for all your messages of support regarding the storm, it means a lot. I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter!

It took a lot for Jay not to cry in front of Luke, as much as he wanted to. The night took a heavy emotional toll on him, so much so that he ended up sleeping in until early afternoon that night. He was never a heavy sleeper, he usually woke up with small disturbances. But that night, Jay had slept for nearly twelve hours in an attempt for him to process and recover from the night's events.

Sundays were often among the most uneventful for Jay. His aunt and uncle would go to church in the afternoon, leaving Jay home alone. They never forced the religion onto him even if they preached its teachings to him when they had found out about his first boyfriend. His homework was usually mostly done if not all done. It left him with not much to do.

When Jay had woken up and seen the time, he had scrambled out of bed and freshened up in a rush, inattentive as he was fearful of the reaction he would get from his uncle. It relieved him temporarily to know that they were at church, but he knew it was only a matter of time before they would come back.

Once he had freshened up and returned to his room, his eyes immediately landed on his journal. He had taken it last night from Luke after an emotional ride. It was a moment of weakness, but part of Jay was glad to have his journal back. He had given it to Luke in a last-ditch effort to rid music from his life so that he could be safe in the house until he moved out for college. He hated that he did it and he hated the way he did it even more. 

Lucky for him, Luke was stubborn.

If Luke cared for someone, he would try his hardest to help. And he wouldn't stop until he either had to or succeeded. In fact, Jay was sure that Luke didn't think he succeeded and would continuously show up until Jay would finally return to the studio. He was easy to read like that.

Jay hadn't noticed himself move closer to the desk until he felt the familiar texture of his journal cover in his hands. He had complicated feelings about the journal, about his songs. He had taken it back from Luke, sure, but he still wanted to put it away somewhere and never see it again. He poured so much of himself into his songs, his music was a part of him. A part of him that brought so much light and happiness into his life. But it was also a part of him that caused him pain: physical, emotional, and mental. He wasn't sure what to do next. Whether he should keep pursuing his music, something that truly made him feel alive, or listen and do as he was told for the sake of his own safety.

Jay's grip on the journal tightened and he set it down quickly before he did something else he would regret. He wiped his hand on his pants as if he had just touched something dirty and began to leave his room. He froze when he heard his phone ringing and patted himself down, confused when it wasn't found on his person. It didn't take long for him to finally locate it on his bedside table, the caller ID being very familiar to him.

"Hey," Jay began cautiously.

"Hey," Flynn's voice greeted from the other end. "How you feelin'?"

"Okay," Jay says, although he knows that Flynn can tell when he's lying.

"Yeah?" Flynn asks. "They weren't too mad?"

"Nah," Jay scoffs, a fake smile on his face even though no one can see him. "Nah, they just yelled a bit. Same old, same old."

Silence.

"That bad?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You didn't show to school on Friday, Jay. Besides, I know when you lie to me."

Jay knew that. He knew that he was an open book to Flynn, he had been since the time when they were each other's beards.'

"Yeah," Jay choked out. "Yeah, it was bad."

"What did he-?"

"Don't," Jay cut the girl off. "Please."

Even though his face wounds had mostly healed, Jay could still feel the pain on his side. There was a bruise there, he knew that, but it wasn't a big deal. He had dealt with worse than a broken rib.

"Okay," Flynn's soft voice said from the other end of the line. "Do you want me to come over?"

"No, that's not a good idea," Jay said quickly, his heart rate kicking up. He took a breath before he continued. "I quit the band-"

"What?"

"-and Uncle doesn't want to see me with you all anymore," Jay continued over Flynn's exclamation.

"Jay, you can't quit the band!" Flynn urged. "That's probably the worst thing you can do for yourself right now."

"Flynn, I've already had this conversation with the boys," Jay sighed. "And I already know Julie's gonna wanna talk about it tomorrow."

"Jay, you need them," Flynn said stubbornly. "I know that you're scared of what your uncle could do, and I don't blame you. But cutting yourself off from your friends isn't the way to go."

"Well, it's either that or face his anger again," Jay said, also stubborn in his stance. He knew Flynn was right, he knew that his friends would be the ones who could truly help him. But his fear was his motivator now, and fear made you do the dumbest things to keep yourself safe.

"He's out of the house most of the time, it's not like he'll know if you're over at Julie's house," Flynn argued.

"Yeah, that's what I thought before Eat & Beats," Jay said sassily.

"But that was because Julie's dad called your uncle," Flynn retorted. "He never would have found out otherwise."

Jay conceded at that point because, once again, Flynn was right. He didn't blame Ray, he was just being a father. He didn't know what Jay's uncle was like either, the two of them weren't close at all. The only reason Ray had the proper contact information was because Jay and Julie were close friends.

"I can't go back to the garage," Jay said, continuing before Flynn could interject. "I don't have my car anymore, my aunt took the keys. She's gonna be watching me now. But I'll be at school."

"And that's great, but what about the boys?"

"I'll be at school," Jay repeats, but then he remembers that Julie and Flynn weren't aware of their frequent visits to Jay's trigonometry class. He quickly explains himself and earns a chuckle from Flynn.

"I'm telling you, that boy is whipped," Flynn says, referring to Luke.

"I'm aware," Jay said, turning to look out the window with a faint smile on his face. "He came by to visit a couple of times."

"See? Whipped."

"There is nothing between us Flynn."

"I can't believe you're saying that after everything that happened over the past couple of days."

Jay rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"I'll see you tomorrow Flynn."

"Okay okay, fine."

"Hey," Jay said quickly before Flynn ended the call. "Thanks for checking in on me."

There was silence on the other end of the line, but Jay heard a quick huff of breath from Flynn.

"I'm always here for you," Flynn said and Jay could almost see the smile on her face. "Whether you need a beard or a shoulder."

"Speaking of which, I need to shave."

"Don't let me keep you. I've seen you with facial hair, it is not a look for you."

"Gee thanks."

Both Jay and Flynn laugh as Jay takes the phone away from his ear and ends the call. Of course he had forgotten to shave, he was in a complete rush to get ready. Jay sets his phone back on the side table and runs his other hand on his chin, feeling the stubble.

Flynn was completely right. Not only about the band, but the scuff too.

Facial hair was not a good look on him.