Don't Hide Your Love

I'm in the Middle

Cher's POV

"Babe, I'm going out, do you need anything?" I called out to my boyfriend Josh Donden.

"Nah, I'm good. Do you want me to drive you?" He made his way to way to me and gave me a small peck on her lips. "I hate that you go alone."

"I know, I know." I sigh, 

"Look." He said moving a strand of hair from her eyes. "I'll drive and wait for you outside." He planted a kiss lightly again on my lips and I raise my head to meet them. 

"Okay, we need to go before it closes though."

"Let me just grab my keys."

-----

Rob's POV 

"Babe, please. We never go out for dinner anymore and this is important." Said Olivia leaning over the counter.

"I know and I'm sorry, but this order is so big and I can't not do this, our business needs this." I say guiltily, The business has been struggling financially, and we're so short staffed, and we're struggling to meet orders. I know how much it means to her when we go out and I also know how important this dinner is for her family. 

"Get someone else to do it." She pleaded 

"Me, Jake and Sarah are doing it together already, I can't just let them do it." 

"You cover for them all the time!" 

"Babe, I know but I can't I'm sorry but there is nothing I can do."

"You always cancel, It's like you don't even want to spend time with me." She raised her voice.

"That's not true and you know it." 

As if on cue the door opens, and a familiar but uncertain smile comes in.

"Hey, sorry am I interrupting something?"

"No-." I say softly but am interrupted.

"No absolutely nothing." Olivia said spitefully and I saw Cher's eyes widen in my direction.

"Maybe, I should go." She says hesitantly and reaching for the door.

"No you're fine, stay, what do you need?" I say and make my way over to her.

"Oh yes, I forgot, works more important to you." 

"Liv, you need to fucking stop. I'm sorry I'll make it up to you." I give her a warning look.

"Hmh lets ask her shall we? Is work more important to you? Would you put up with this shit?" She stands in front of Cher.

"Hey, I am the wrong person to ask about that, I'm in the middle of something right now and I don't think I should be involved." She says raising her hands.

"Just leave her alone." I say and Cher hands me what she needs.

"No but he cancels everything!" She says and I watch her grab Cher's arm and she pulls away.

"Well, It's hard to balance a job and a relationship. I'm not taking sides because I don't know the context." Cher says calmly  I walk away and into the back, so Cher can hurry and fucking leave because she has nothing to do with this.

"Today is really important to me, and I want him to come, I always end up going alone but he is prioritising his fucking work." 

"Liv, Can you fucking stop, do you even know who you are talking to  right now." I shout

"Look, I know it's fucking horrible but he did say he'd make it up to you, I think his business needs anything it can get." I had confided in Cher a number of times about the business to just get it off my chest, She had offered to help financially several times but I would never take her up on the offer. 

I hear the bell of the door ring again and as I walk to see who it is and I see a arm snake around Cher's waist.

"Babe, what's taking so long?" The man says.

"Oh nothing, don't worry about it, I am just waiting for my things."

"Here, Here I got them." I say quickly and make my way to them as quick as I can so Liv don't start.  "I'm Rob." I say introducing myself.

"Josh." He says in return and nods his head. 

"Right, let's go. Bye Rob." Cher says and make a swift exit with Josh following.

"I can't believe you half of the time, what was that about!? Playing your face up to fucking Cher."

"And that's your biggest concern! Whatever! Fuck you." She spits and slams the door after her.

-----

Cher's POV.

"You okay?" Josh says as we arrive back home locking the door.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'll just soft this food out and meet you in the living room." I say and stand on my tiptoes and give him a soft kiss.

I go into the kitchen and reach for my landline and dial the stores number, I rang occasionally to order things when I couldn't come in. I wanted to make sure he was okay after what happened, knowing him he'd be embarrassed.  

I dial the number and wait for three rings before he speaks.

"Hi, Camilletti's, Rob speaking, How can I help?"

"Hey, It's just me." I say softly

"Cher?"

"Yeah."

"I am so sorry about early, she just got upset. it's might fault, I'm sorry she bothered you."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. I just wanted to make sure you were okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine don't worry about it."

"If you ever need help though, I can give you a loan or something."

"No, No, It's going to be fine."

"Yes but if you ever-"

"No it's fine, Thank you but it's okay and next time you come, I'll take you to get coffee or something to make up for it."

I smile gently "Okay."

"Great, See you around then."

"Yes, I'll see you." I say bashfully and hang up the phone and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and instantly stop smiling, and diminishing butterflies that came after his offer, remembering his relationship and more importantly hers.