𝐵𝒰𝑅𝑅𝐼𝐸𝒟 𝒮𝐸𝒞𝑅𝐸𝒯𝒮

Chapter 9: Running on Empty

Her phone buzzed.

Will.

She knew what the message would be before she even looked.

Don't be late tonight.

She swallowed hard, fingers tightening around the device. Another message came in seconds later.

And don't forget, this is on you. If you just listened, none of this would have happened.

Her stomach twisted.

She shoved her phone back into her pocket and pushed herself to her feet. "I have some things to take care of at home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Emily frowned. "You're leaving early?"

JJ forced a smile. "Just a few things to do. Not big deal."

She turned before Emily could ask anything else and walked away.
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The drive home was suffocating.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white.

She didn't want to go home.

But she had no choice,

By the time she pulled into the driveway, the sky was already turning orange with the setting sun. She exhaled, forcing herself to move.

When she stepped inside, the house was eerily quiet.

For a moment, she thought maybe Will had gone out.

Then she saw his jacked on the couch.

He was home.

JJ's pulse suickened, but she kept her expression blank as she set her keys down. Maybe if she was careful—

"You're late."

His voice came from the kitchen.

She clenched her jaw before walking in. "It was only twenty minutes."

Will leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "I told you not to be late."
JJ said nothing, just swallowed and nodded.

He studied her for a moment before shaking his head. "Go make dinner."

She bit the inside of her cheek but didn't argue. She was too tired for this fight.

She went to the fridge and started pulling out ingredients, keeping her movements careful, measured.

She was chopping vegetables when she heard his voice again.

"You should eat less, by the way."

JJ's hand froze on the cutting board.

The words sliced through her worse then any wound ever could. Her stomach turned, and suddenly, she had no desire to eat at all.

She finished cooking in silence, plating the food and setting in on the table.

Will sat down, eating without another word, as if he hadn't just shattered another piece of her.
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Emily hesitated for a moment before stepping out of her car. She had been debating whether or not she should come, but now that she was here, there was no turning back. Something felt off and she wasn't about to ignore it.

She walked up to the front door, pausing briefly before knocking.

A few seconds passed before JJ opened it.