Joey Lynch was the hotheaded hurler everyone feared, envied or wanted. He was also a drug addict, but you loved him so much it ruined you. He was the boy who stole your heart, and you stole his right back.

Joey broke up with you the day before Christmas after you found him high in his dealer’s house. The day he broke you heart, again.

So what were you doing, screaming at him and trying to get him back in front of his house?

“It’s because I love you that I’ll never let that happen to you again.*

“You’re not supposed to tell me you love me after breaking up with me.” You cried, staring up at him.

“Before, during, after.” Joey shrugged helplessly. “It still stands.”

“I can’t lose you, Joey.” You pleaded desperately.

Joey’s face crumbled, staring down at you with a pained expression.

“How about this?” He whispered, stepping forwards and cupping your face in his hands.

“I’m going to go and do my thing, clear my head, get my shit together,”

“Without me.” You whispered brokenly.

“And you’re going to go off, do you thing with Casey and not worry about what I’m doing because you know you’ve got my heart in your ass pocket.” Joey swiftly continued.

You sniffled, looking up at him expectantly. “And your dick.”

It wasn’t a question, it was a warning. Joey nodded. “And my dick.”

You nodded approvingly, and Joey let out a sigh. “And we’re going to see each other at school, and it’s not going to awkward, because before we were us, we were..”

“Us.” You finished for him.

“Exactly,” Joey nodded. “I’m not trying to replace you, Molloy. I’m trying to fix me.” For you.