How can you mend a broken heart (Joel Miller AU)

Chapter 10.

It had been a few months since you started living with Joel. You had been saving up money from your job and had been looking for a place to live. You didn't want to be a burden on Joel, but you also didn't want to leave him. He had become an important part of your life and you enjoyed being with him.

One evening, as you were sitting on the couch with Joel, scrolling through apartment listings on your phone, he asked as he sipped from his cool beer, "What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for an apartment," you replied, without looking up from your phone.

There was a beat of silence, he was taking it what you said. Blinking twice as he couldn't quite tell if what he heard was true. "Why?" Joel asked, his tone slightly concerned.

"I don't want to be a burden on you," you said, finally looking up at him. "I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I think it's time for me to find my own place."

Joel's face fell. "But I don't want you to leave," he said softly, leaving the half-empty beer on the coffee table.

"I know, Joel, but I can't just keep living with you forever," you replied. "Plus, it could raise more suspicions with my dad."

Joel furrowed his brow but said nothing.

"If I keep living with you, it could make him think that we're in a relationship or something. I was meant to stay with you 'till I got back on my feet" you explained.

Joel sighed. "I don't care what anyone thinks, Muffin. I just want you to be happy and safe."

"I don't want to cause any drama or problems for you," you said, placing a hand on his arm. His muscles tensed under your touch and you wished to run your fingers across every inch of his strong arms.

Joel leaned in and looked into your eyes. "You could never be a burden on me, Muffin," he whispered taking your hand in his. "I want you to stay with me, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure you're happy and comfortable."

You looked at Joel, feeling a mixture of love and gratitude. "I want to stay with you, Joel," you said, a shy smile spreading across your face. "I just thought you might want me to move out."

Joel shook his head. "Never, Muffin," he said firmly. "I want you to stay with me for as long as you want to be here."

You tugged on his arm, which took him by surprise and part of his body weight landed on you as you wrapped your arms around him tightly. You knew that living with him wasn't going to be easy, but you were willing to take on the challenges together. You'll postpone how and when to tell your father. For now, you just wanted to relish the moment.

Your phone rang and you stood picking it up. It was Anita. "Heeey!" You said excitedly as you walked around the living room.

'Hi girl, How are you doing?' She asked as you eyed Joel downing his drink.

"I'm doing well, you?" You asked turning your back to Joel and heading towards the kitchen. The day before you had cooked some rice with vegetables and you started warming up the leftovers for you both to have for dinner.

'I'm great! Are you free this Sat?' She asked as you grabbed a couple of beers.

"I-..." you gasped unable to finish your answer. Joel had moved your hair out of his way, your neck, as he started to leave tender kisses on your skin.

"Go on, Mama. She's gonna find out if you don't keep talkin'" he whispered out of Anita's earshot.

You cleared your throat and accepted her offer.

It was finally Saturday night, and you had invited your best friend Anita over for a girls' night in. Joel had plans to go out with his friends, so he was getting ready in his room while you and Anita were lounging on the couch, sipping wine.

As Joel walked out of his room, he called out to you, "Bye Mama, I'll be back later."

Anita's eyes widened in surprise and she turned to look at you. You felt your cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Did he just call you Mama?" Anita asked, a grin forming on her face.

You tried to play it off cool, "Oh, yeah. He has this thing where he calls me Mama sometimes. It's just a joke."

Anita chuckled, "That's cute."

As Joel made his way to the door, Anita couldn't help but tease him, "Hey, Joel. Mama needs you to pick up some more wine on your way back."

Joel laughed, "Got it. Anything else, Mama?" He asked looking at you. His cheeks were rosy and he had a spark in his eyes.

You couldn't help but giggle at their banter. You were happy that Joel and Anita were getting along so well.

As Joel finally left, Anita turned to you with a smirk, "So, Mama, spill the tea. How serious are things between you and Joel?"

You rolled your eyes playfully, "Oh, please. It's nothing serious. We're just enjoying each other's company."

Anita raised an eyebrow, "Uh-huh. I can tell you're not fooling anyone, girl. You two are practically joined at the hip."

You chuckled, "Well, we spend a lot of time together. But that doesn't mean anything. We're just having fun."

Anita shrugged, "Okay if you say so. But I can see it in the way he looks at you. Joel's crazy about you, Mama."

You couldn't deny the truth in Anita's words. You had noticed the way Joel looked at you, and it was more than just casual. But you didn't want to think about it too much.

As the night went on, you and Anita chatted and laughed, enjoying each other's company.

Before Anita made it out of your place, Joel came back with a bottle of wine. "I guess this is for your next meeting," he said as he put it in a cupboard.

"Keep him close" Anita whispered as she walked out.

As you closed the front door, Joel stumbled over to you and kissed you with more passion than you expected from someone who had been drinking so heavily.

"I missed you, baby girl," Joel slurred smiley, his eyes barely open.

You rolled your eyes at his nickname for you, "It's just been a couple of hours, Joel," you teased.

Joel grins back at you. "Hey, a couple of hours without you is a couple of hours too long," he says, making you blush.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," you said as you tugged on his hand to lead him to his room.

Joel let out a playful groan, "You're not tired yet, are you?"

You shook your head, "No, but you're too drunk to do anything anyway," you said with a smirk.

Joel pouted, "But I wanted to cuddle with my baby girl."

You couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous he sounded. "Alright, let's cuddle," you said as you climbed into bed next to him.

Joel wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close, "You're the best, you know that?"

You snuggled into his chest, "Yeah, I do," you said with a content sigh.

"Did you have a good time with Anita?" Joel asks, running his fingers through your hair.

"Yeah, we had a great time. We watched some movies, ate some popcorn, and talked about everything under the sun," you reply, closing your eyes and enjoying the feeling of his fingers on your scalp.

Joel hums in response, and you can tell he's already starting to drift off.