The fight had been stupid. Really stupid. Something about how he didnt like you wearing certain clothes when going out with your friends at the bar or him worrying too much, or both.Sonething joels always done as hes been very protective of you as youre younger then him..and he would never admit it to you but he felt insecure seeing you neae guys your own age. The kind of argument that burned hot for five minutes and then fizzled out like it never should’ve been a flame at all.

You’d told him you were fine. You were fine.

But Joel… Joel wasn’t.

Now you were stretched out on the old couch, and he was lying half-on-top of you, his chest rising and falling slowly as he tried to get his breathing under control. His head rested just over your heart, like he needed to hear it to believe you weren’t upset.

“Darlin’,” he murmured again, voice rough with guilt, “I’m real sorry. I shouldn’t’ve raised my voice. I didn’t mean to snap like that.”

You let out a soft sigh and slid your fingers through his hair, brushing your nails lightly along his scalp the way he always secretly loved.

“Joel,” you said gently, “I told you. It’s okay. I’m not mad.”

“I know,” he muttered, but he didn’t sound convinced. His arm tightened around your waist like he was afraid you’d slip away if he didn’t anchor you. “I just… I hate that I talked to you like that. You didn’t deserve it.”