love me like you • jeremiah fisher

chapter thirty five

song: strong - one direction

He wasn't wrong but this wasn't the time to be bringing that up.

"You know when shit got tough, he couldn't handle it and he dropped you." My boyfriend turned to Belly. "At least I did that, instead of fucking hogging my girlfriend. You didn't even give her a second to talk about her feelings, did you Jere? It just had to be all about you, all the time." Conrad argued, pointing to me.

I shut my eyes tightly as I felt Jeremiah turn to look at me.

"What are you talking about?" Jeremiah scoffed. When no one answered he spoke up again. "So what? Now you know everything about my girlfriend, you know how she's feeling?" Jere stepped closer to the boy.

"Yeah cause I actually asked her." Conrad said bluntly. I stepped back closer to Belly, noticing how uncomfortable she felt as well. "You know what, I'm not surprised. I've seen the way you two look at each other." Jeremiah said pointing to Conrad and I.

I had enough.

"What the hell Jeremiah? Are you seriously accusing me of what I think you are?" I asked the question although I couldn't believe it myself.

"I tried to ignore it but I can't. I saw you look at him when Steven asked you that question during truth or dare." I could hear the pain in Jeremiah's voice.

"That didn't mean anything! And don't go acting like you're all innocent, what about you and Belly, huh?" Tears were beginning to blur my vision. "What are you saying?" Jeremiah was taken aback and from the looks of it so was Belly.

"Yeah, you've been spending an awful lot of time together, haven't you?" Conrad said, moving to stand next to me in front of the other two.

I was so engrossed in the argument that I hadn't even noticed that Skye left.

"Nothing's going on." Belly spoke up, but it seemed more as if she was telling Conrad. I met my boyfriend's eyes and I decided that I couldn't just stand there. I turned, walking away, ignoring the calls from the three.

Did I know where I was going? No.

It wasn't until I heard the sound of waves crashing when I finally stopped. I fell onto the sand, bringing my knees to my chest. Everything was falling apart and I didn't know what to do.

We were the losing the house but I didn't want to lose Jeremiah too.

"Bri.." I sighed as Jeremiah moved to sit next to me. "Are you okay?" He asked carefully, staring at me. "Of course I'm not Jere." I admitted, finally meeting his eyes.

"I'm sorry, okay. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to make you feel second to anyone." He began, moving to face me.

"I- I'm sorry if I made you feel that way too. Conrad had spoken to me when we first got here and I realized I hadn't been there for him during...Susannah's passing." My voice cracked as I mentioned her name.

"I was just trying..I was trying to be there for him now." I finished, leaning back on my palms. "Shit. I feel like such a shitty boyfriend now." He laughed dryly and I couldn't help but grin as I wiped a stray tear.

"You make me terrified." His voice suddenly became vulnerable.

"Why?" I asked, sending him a puzzled look.

"I never realized how much I needed you until my mom died. You became everything I needed. It didn't feel like puppy love anymore, I was starting to get dependent and it scared me to death." He let out and I couldn't help but awe at the boy who was finally letting out everything he was feeling.

"I didn't want to accept it. Because if it was just you and I lost you, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. So I started confiding in Belly instead of you because..." It finally hit me why Jeremiah was acting the way he did.

"Because it would hurt less if you lost her than if..." I started slowly.

"I lost you." He finished, his hand inched closer to mine in the sand.

I closed the distance, grabbing his hand with mine and intertwining our fingers.

"Nothing happened with Belly I need you to know that. I just talked to her about my mom and she was there when I got insecure about Conrad." He mumbled. "I know you would never do anything Jeremiah and listen you're not going to lose me, okay?" I tried to reassure the boy.

"I was scared. And Conrad was right, I was so dependent on you that I never asked how you were doing. I should have been there for you, like you were for me. I'm sorry." I moved closer to the boy and he moved his hand to wrap around me as I leaned into his chest.

"Don't be sorry for saying you need me Jere." I whispered.

"I just feel like when I'm not with you I'm weaker." As the words left his mouth, I felt his heartbeat quicken. "Fisher boys really know how to make a girl swoon, huh?" I joked, as I traced his jawline with my finger. "Bri.." He dragged.

"I know. You make me strong too Jeremiah. You're the only one who has that effect on me. It's only you, it's always been you." As soon as I finished speaking his lips met mine. Our lips moved in sync as he pulled me closer.

"You make me feel like I can do anything. Is that so wrong?" Jeremiah muttered against my lips.

"Of course not." I whispered back, kissing him once again. When we finally pulled away he tugged me up.

"What are you-" I was cut off by him lifting me up and spinning me around.

"How'd I get so lucky?" He screamed out to no one in particular. "I could ask you the same thing, but put me down!" I giggled, hitting his shoulders playfully. "Put you down? Is that what you want?" He asked as he ran into the water.

"No! I changed my mind-" I was too late as he dipped me into the water. The saltwater drenching my clothes and hair. "Jere, you idiot!" I was betrayed by my lips which showed a wide smile.

"I love you." He said suddenly as we both stood in the ocean, hand-in-hand.

"I love you so much more." I replied back breathlessly. "I think that's up for debate." My boyfriend said, pulling me in by my waist.

He makes me strong.

word count: 1105
Thank you guys for reading again! Finally some fluff lol! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave a vote/comment! 🤍