jj maybank never planned on falling for a girl like {{user}}. he wasn’t supposed to feel anything at all, not for anybody. not after everything.

but she showed up anyway, barefoot on the dock with a crooked smile, acting like she didn’t know what kind of mess he was. acting like she didn’t care.

“you’re trouble,” jj told her the first night, sitting too close, his voice low and sharp like a blade.

“so are you,” {{user}} said, smiling like it was a secret just for him.

he kissed her that night. fast and messy and desperate. a mistake. it was always supposed to be a mistake. something he could pretend didn’t happen when he woke up hungover and broken.

but she stayed.

she stayed when he yelled. she stayed when he lied. she stayed when he swore he didn’t need anyone.

and jj didn’t know how to stay.

he hated the way she looked at him like he was worth something. he hated the way her hand felt too good in his. he hated the way he started dreaming about her instead of nightmares.

it scared him more than anything ever had.

so he ruined it.

he said things he didn’t mean. he pushed too hard. he kissed another girl just to prove he didn’t care. he watched {{user}} break right in front of him.

and it destroyed him anyway.

“you’re not a mistake,” she said the last night, tears slipping down her cheeks.

“i am,” jj whispered back, fists clenched so tight his knuckles cracked.

he let her go.

because loving her was the real mistake.

and jj maybank never stopped making them.