Page 4 of Before You (Reckless Love #2)

“JJ,” I whisper the name I’ve only said aloud to a select few—Bria being one of them.

He’s taller than I remember, towering over me, and he’s filled out more, radiating pure masculinity.

JJ’s going to consume me, and I’d happily let him.

Trent clears his throat next to me. “Do you know each other?”

The question is laughable. Do we know each other? I’d argue JJ knows me better than anyone in the world. I open my mouth, but I’m at a loss for words. Thankfully, JJ notices, pulling his hand from mine, looking from me to Trent.

A short laugh escapes his mouth, and he smiles ruefully at my boyfriend. “No. I think I would remember if we’d met already because Marley would be dating me instead of you,” he says, and Trent relaxes, laughing. Oh my god, he thinks JJ’s joking.

He’s being entirely serious, and one look at the clarity of his eyes says everything left to be said.

I wonder what Trent would think if he knew the reason I can’t tell him I love him is because I already gave my heart away to his roommate?

“Hands off, Walker. She’s all mine,” Trent says, pulling me back into him, and I let him. I let him because I don’t know what to do right now.

I look at Bria who looks as surprised as I feel. “Sapevi che era qui?” 1 she asks me in Italian.

“Ovviamente no,” 2 I respond, and Trent looks at me confused.

“What language are you guys speaking?” he asks, moving us toward the loveseat closest to where Bria is sitting on the couch.

“Italian,” JJ answers on his way back to the recliner.

My stomach twists. “Pensavo parlassi solo Francese?” 3 I ask him and his mouth lifts into a smile.

“Ho imparato l’italiano,” 4 he responds, his voice smooth as silk.

I told him I spoke Italian. Is it stupid a part of me hopes he learned for me? Is it possible to lov— like hearing someone’s voice so much?

Bria shoots me an impressed look, no doubt coming to the same conclusion, and I switch to Portuguese. “Senti sua falta?” 5 I ask, looking for any inkling of understanding.

He laughs, the sound reminding me of music. “Sorry, you’ve got me there. I’m only fluent in Italian, French, and English.”

“What language is that?” Trent asks, pulling my legs to rest over his lap, his hands running up the length of my legs.

“Portuguese,” I say, feeling mildly uncomfortable.

“I didn’t know you could speak Portuguese?”

I’m lucky languages come naturally to me, because it’s the best thing I bring to the table as the future CEO of a billion-dollar company. “Yeah, I like to learn new languages. I speak French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and I’m learning Mandarin,” I say, growing self-conscious as his jaw drops.

“You’re so sexy,” he says loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, and my cheeks burn.

I can feel the weight of JJ’s stare on us, and I want nothing more than to untangle myself from Trent. I feel so off-balance right now, and my mind is all over the place.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to act when I’m stuck in the same room as the man I’m trying to love and the one who made me love him in less than a day.

~

He pulls me along the narrow street. “This is one of my favorite places to go when we’re here.

They have the best pastries, and if we’re lucky, there might still be some of the good ones left for us,” he says in fluent French, his accent perfect.

I never would have guessed JJ wasn’t from here if he hadn’t told me.

His excitement makes my smile widen as I abandon all logic to wander around a foreign town with a stranger. I never do anything like this, especially with a guy pretty enough to make me forget my own name. “Good thing I love pastries.”

“What a relief, I’m not sure this would work out if you didn’t,” JJ teases, winking at me over his shoulder.

“Oh really? And what is this?” I ask, curious to hear his answer. I’ve met a lot of people across the world, and I’m positive I’ve never met anyone like JJ.

“I’m not sure, but I’m hoping to find out. I know we only met an hour ago, but I have this feeling about you I can’t shake,” he says, and my heart sputters in my chest. “It feels like fate you were lost at the same time I was sitting in the café, and who am I to argue with fate?”

I stop in my tracks at the pure honesty in his words. Maybe it should freak me out, but I know exactly what JJ’s getting at. It’s the same reason I asked him to be my guide after he offered me directions.

“No. Not at all. Just the opposite, actually.”

~

Maybe I can convince Trent to drive me back to the apartment, and we can hang out there tonight. I can’t think straight knowing JJ’s here, and I having to pretend like I don’t know him.

There’s a soft knock on the bathroom door, and I turn the faucet off, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I look as awful as I feel. My skin’s leeched of color, making me appear clammy.

“Just a minute,” I say, hearing my voice shake. I pinch my cheeks to bring color back in them before I open the door.

My heart skips a beat at the sight of JJ standing there. He looks over me intently, worry warping his strong features. “You don’t look so good,” he murmurs, pressing the back of his hand to my forehead before I can react.

“Gee, thanks,” I say, and his green eyes soften.

“I didn’t mean it that way. You’re just as beautiful as I remember, but you look like you’re going to be sick. You don’t have a fever, but I can drive you home?” he offers, causing my head to spin.

“I should ask Trent.”

I don’t know if it’s a good idea for me to be alone with JJ.

JJ takes a step back, giving me space, even if every fiber of my being wants to pull him closer to me. “He’s on his fourth beer. Asher told me Trent started before you got here. He shouldn’t drive.”

I hesitate, but I also know what kind of person JJ is. He’d never put me in a position where I’d cross any boundaries.

“Marley, please, just let me take you home.”

I look at him carefully, seeing nothing but sincerity. Against my better judgement, I nod. “Thank you,” I say as he motions for me to lead.

Trent is talking to Luka, and I can’t tell if Bria is annoyed with Asher, but Asher is the first one to notice we’ve come back.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his gaze flitting between me and JJ.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” Trent asks, looking in my direction.

“I’m not feeling very good. JJ offered to take me home since you’ve been drinking, but I can call you later?”

“I can take you,” Bria interrupts, and I shake my head quickly.

“No, it’s okay. You should stay. I’ll leave my keys on the counter for you.”

“Are you sure?” Bria asks, hesitating.

“I’m sure.” I muster a pathetic smile, and Trent stands up from the couch, looking over my shoulder at JJ.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate you looking out for my girl.”

“No problem,” JJ says, smiling.

I press a hand to my stomach as the feeling of nausea returns. Trent leans down, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Feel better soon. Love you,” he says, and I look away before I can see the look of disappointment when I don’t say it back.

“Thanks,” I say, stopping in the kitchen to leave my keys on the counter for Bria as JJ waits patiently by the front door with his keys in hand.

JJ walks toward the souped-up Jeep Wrangler, opening the passenger door for me, but neither of us say a word until we’re both in the car.

“You’re here,” JJ says softly, breaking the silence. “You’re really here.” He opens his mouth and then shuts it, shaking his head as he pulls out of the driveway. His hands clenching the steering wheel tightly tells me everything I need to know.

“JJ, I swear, I didn’t know you were roommates with Trent,” I say, resisting the urge to bite my nails.

“I was starting to think I’d imagined it all. There’s so much I want to tell you . . . to ask you.” JJ looks over at me again, ignoring the fact I brought up my boyfriend.

“You didn’t imagine it. It all happened.” I’ve wondered the same thing more than a few times.

I close my eyes to rest my head against the headrest, hoping it helps calm my stomach.

“Well, the sight of me has never made a girl want to vomit before,” JJ tries to joke, but I don’t have it in me to explain the confusion swirling around in my head right now.

“I think it’s something I must have eaten today,” I mumble.

“I hope you feel better,” he says, glancing over as if he’s checking in.

“Thanks for taking me home.”

When JJ doesn’t respond, I open my eyes to look over at him to see him silently laughing. “What?”

“Marley, I don’t know where your home is. I’m just driving in circles.”

Oh. Good point.

My cheeks flush, and despite everything, I can’t help laughing.

“I live in the Poppy Apartments off Main Street. Do you know where they are?” I ask, trying to remember what street they’re on, I only moved in yesterday.

He cracks a smile. “Yeah. I know where those are. It’s only a couple of minutes away.”

“Nice.” I don’t know what else I’m supposed to say.

JJ flips his radio on, and music begins playing quietly from the speakers. He still has a death grip on the steering wheel.

“Is there a reason you’re choking the steering wheel?” I ask, and JJ’s jaw clenches.

“Honestly?” I have a feeling whatever he’s going to say isn’t going to help make my brain any less confused, but I still want to hear it.

JJ glances over at me, and I nod, telling him silently to continue.

“I’m trying to respect you have a boyfriend by not touching you, and it’s a lot harder than you would think. ”

“JJ—”

“Are you still playing guitar?” he asks, abruptly cutting me off.

I blink in surprise because I can’t believe he remembered after so long. Maybe I shouldn’t be, though. JJ learned Italian.

“Yeah, every day.” I’ve also written a couple songs about him, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Have you worked up the nerve to play for a crowd yet?”

Another thing JJ’s remembered: I have terrible anxiety about playing in front of others.

I smile at him, shaking my head. “Not yet.”