no strings attached - j.b

the break up

"hey" Joe greeted Phoebe with an uncertain smile as he entered Paige's office the next noon followed by Ja'Marr. "H-hey" Phoebe stared in surprise at Ja'Marr, who sat down in the chair next to Joe.

She had texted Joe last night to ask if he could stop by today when she was at the Facility so they could talk. She hadn't mentioned anything about Ja'Marr and couldn't imagine why Joe had brought him along.

Was he supposed to preserve that the mood between Joe and her would get as weird as the last time they'd seen each other? Had he brought him along for emotional support?

"Ja'Marr's along because he's pretty sure he knows who leaked the photo of...us to the public" as if Joe could read her mind, well, maybe you could tell by looking at her, he nodded in his best friend's direction.

Surprised, Phoebe stared at Ja'Marr. " Seriously? How?" she asked. She'd been thinking about it on and off for the past few days, but due to the other things on her mind right now, had never really bothered to find out.

"Well, I was there when the picture was taken" Ja'Marr ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Huh?" Phoebe asked, confused. "Remember back to that night. Do you know where Ja'Marr was, or rather with whom, before we kissed?" Joe helped her up.

"Ugh, I should have known. Of course it was Fiona" Phoebe groaned in annoyance. How had she not figured it out right away? After the action at Ja'Marr's party, it was obvious she was going to get back at Phoebe somehow.

"I'm really sorry, Phoebe. We actually took the photo just for fun, to maybe tease you guys a little bit. I didn't think she'd use it to expose you in public though" Ja'Marr looked at her, bad conscience definitely written all over his face.

"don't worry Ja'Marr, I know you didn't have anything bad in mind. It's not your fault. Fiona is just being herself" Phoebe smiled at him. "I'm just glad this is finally settled and we know who's responsible for all of this" she sighed.

"What are you going to do now? Are you going to pay her back? Because if you do, I'm in. She used me. Multiple times" Ja'Marr looked at Phoebe questioningly.

"wohoo, I don't think you should do that" Joe cut in. "Fiona's just trying to draw you out, annoy you. Don't you think it would annoy her the most if you just didn't do anything? Not let it bother you?"

Phoebe shrugged. "Joe's probably right. Sorry, Ja'Marr, next time, okay?" she grinned at him as Ja'Marr shrugged. "Whatever. I'd go then, too. You two have things to talk about, right? You wouldn't want me there, would you?" he stood up and pointed to the door.

"Yeah, you're right. I'd like to talk to Joe in private, if that's okay?" Phoebe kneaded her hands as she looked questioningly at Ja'Marr. "No problem. I'll be on my way. Promise me you'll keep your clothes on though, okay?" he winked at the two before leaving the room with a grin.

Ja'Marr's last comment only made Phoebe more nervous. She had been planning exactly what she was going to say in her head all morning, and yet she was terrified of this conversation. It could change in so many ways and that uncertainty was getting to her.

"Okay, so what did you want to talk to me about?" Joe leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Phoebe took a deep breath before placing her hands on the table, looking at Joe, but then taking her eyes off him again.

"I want...I want to break things off with us" she exhaled loudly. Her gaze stayed on the tabletop. She couldn't look at Joe. She didn't want to see the reaction that was written all over his face right now.

It took Joe a few moments to snap out of his trance as he stared at Phoebe, quite surprised. "You want to...stop?" he asked, confused. Phoebe nodded. "Why? Is it because of Friday?" Joe echoed.