The Way Your Heart Sounds

Jimmy strolled into her living room and plopped down onto the couch. He then motioned for her to join him, so she did.

“So, what do you want to do now that I’m here?” he asked.

“I actually wanted to tell you that I listened to a bunch of your music before. And boy do I have some questions,” she laughed.

“Did you really? Well go ahead, I got answers,” he said, sitting up and resting his elbows on his knees, looking at her curiously.

“Was that you singing in a little piece of heaven?”

“Sure was.”

“That song is insane. Seriously. But I can’t help but be intrigued by it at the same time.”

“Thank you! I take that as a huge compliment.”

“When you filmed the seize the day video, were you guys really in a jail cell?”

“Yes we were. Our singer Matt also really did get butt naked.”

“Were those spiders crawling on you in Afterlife real too?”

“Unfortunately, they were. I should add that I’m deathly afraid of spiders,” Jimmy laughed.

“Why on Earth would you agree to do that then?”

He shrugged. “I thought the fans would enjoy it.”

“You wear contacts? I saw you with glasses on in Dear God.”

“Yeah. I’m blind as a bat, actually. I’m planning on having Lasik done in a few months though!”

After berating him with a few more questions, she offered to make him something to eat. When she went into the kitchen to start cooking, he followed her.

“Can I help?” He asked.

“You don't have to, but if you want to you can.”

Jimmy helped by setting up a pot of boiling water and throwing the pasta in while she grabbed other ingredients from around the kitchen. While they were waiting for the pasta to cook, they sat at her kitchen table and thumb wrestled.

“This isn't even fair. Your hands are more than double the size of mine,” Lauren said. She got up to attend to the pasta which was just about done. Jimmy chuckled and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She jumped a bit, but relaxed in his arms as he murmured an apology in her ear.

Once dinner was ready, they ate together while Jimmy told her stories from his childhood, his early days on the road with the band, and all the crazy things that have happened to him throughout his life. She listened intently, and was amazed at how many ridiculous stories he had to tell. Some of them almost seemed made up.

“You've had quite the interesting life,” she said, twirling spaghetti around her fork.

“I guess you can say that. I'm sure you see some interesting things at work yourself.”

“I do. But I also feel like sometimes work is all I focus on. That I need some time for social activities, you know? Even when I'm off, all I do is think about my patients.”

“How did I get so lucky to have a nurse like you?” He smiled, and she felt her heart warm.

After dinner, they decided to sit in the living room and watch a movie together. Jimmy picked “Requiem for a Dream.” Lauren hadn't seen it before, but she figured if Jimmy liked it, she might too. As the first few minutes played out, she thought the movie was very strange. Yet, it still had charm to it. She could see why he enjoyed it.

Once they had relaxed a bit, Jimmy moved closer to her and put his arm around her shoulder. She smiled and leaned into him, enjoying his soft comfort. They watched the movie quietly for a bit before Jimmy spoke.

“Before I forget, my friend Zack is throwing a party tomorrow at his place. Would you wanna come with me?”

“Sure. Sounds like a good time.”

“I thought it would be a good social activity for you,” he murmured, laughing a little. He then let out a sigh. “I feel so connected to you already. Is that a weird thing to say? I just met you a few days ago.”

Lauren shrugged. “I don't think it's weird, Jimmy. I feel the same way.”

It didn't take long for them to start kissing instead of watching the movie. Lauren was too focused on the sexy man in front of her to care about what was happening in their world. Jimmy stopped kissing her for a second.

“If at any point I'm doing something that you're not into, just let me know and I'll stop, okay?” He said. Her occasional hesitation and nervousness around his touch made him want to reassure her that she was in control.

She nodded, and pushed him back into the couch so he was laying down. A noise came from the back of his throat that she interpreted as pleasant surprise. She smirked and climbed on top of him so she was straddling him.

“You're gorgeous,” he breathed as she leaned down to kiss the side of his long, tattooed neck. She mumbled a thank you and continued. His breathing became heavier, and he let his hands grab her sides. When he suddenly bucked his hips upwards, she moaned. The sound made him smile.

She sat up a little bit to change her attention to his lips instead, when she heard him grunt. But it wasn't one of pleasure, it sounded like he was in pain.

“Are you alright? I'm not hurting you, am I?” She asked, sitting upright.

“No… I'm fine babe, promise.”

Not really believing him, she continued kissing him, but was considerably more gentle about it. Jimmy’s phone started to ring.

“Ignore it,” he mumbled against her lips.

A few moments later, it rang again. Jimmy groaned.

“Hold on a sec. I'm sorry,” he said. He dug through his jacket pocket and grabbed his phone. After looking at the screen to check who was calling, he answered.

“This better be good, Bri,” he mumbled. A few moments passed, and she watched him roll his eyes.

“Jesus Christ. Alright, let me call you back.” With that, he hung up and sighed.

“That wasn't Brian. It was the bartender. Apparently Brian’s girlfriend dumped him earlier today and he decided to go get plastered at the bar. Bartender knows me and wants me to get him because he can’t even walk out of the damn door,” Jimmy explained.

Lauren shook her head. “It's alright. You should go get him and make sure he's okay. Do you want me to come with you?”

“If you don't mind. I'm really sorry about this… To be continued?” He asked, then kissed her. She smiled and nodded, getting off of him so he could get up.

Jimmy called the bartender back to let him to he was on the way, and they were off.

Notes