Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 13: Save Him

Ally's POV

I stood in front of Joe's New York apartment door, my hand poised to knock. I hesitated, then knocked firmly three times. Silence.

I tried again, calling out, "Joe? It's Ally. Are you there?"

No response came, but as I pressed my ear to the door, I heard it—muffled sobs punctuated by the sound of something shattering. My heart raced, knowing all too well what was happening.

Without thinking, I reached into my purse, my fingers closing around the spare key I'd never returned.

"Joe?" I called again as I unlocked the door, "I'm coming in, ok?"

The apartment was dark, heavy curtains drawn against the New York skyline. I moved cautiously through the living room, following the sound of his distress.

"Joe?" I called softly, approaching his bedroom.

The door was ajar. I pushed it open to find Joe crumpled on the floor, surrounded by the wreckage of what had once been a glass vase. His body shook with uncontrollable sobs.

I rushed to his side, carefully avoiding the shards of glass.

"Joe," I said gently, kneeling beside him, "Baby, it's me. It's Ally."

Joe looked up, his face tear-streaked and haggard. Recognition dawned in his eyes, followed quickly by shame.

"A-Ally?" he choked out, "What are you.. How did you-?

"Shh," I soothed, instinctively reaching out to brush his hair from his forehead, as I wrapped my arms around him.

"It's ok. Just breathe, alright? Can you breathe with me?"

Joe nodded weakly, struggling to match his ragged breaths to my steady ones. Slowly, his sobs subsided, though his body still trembled.

"That's it," I encouraged, "You're doing great. Do you want to say cuddled on the floor a bit longer or are you feeling better?"

"I can get up, thanks" mumbled Joe.

I nodded and helped him to his feet, guiding him to sit on the edge of the bed. As he sat, I took a second to look at him. Really look at him.

The dark circles under his eyes, the unkempt beard, the rumpled clothes that looked slept in. My heart broke at the sight.

"Oh, Joe," I whispered, "What happened?"

Joe laughed bitterly, the sound harsh in the quiet room.

"What happened? You left, Ally. That's what happened."

I flinched at the accusation in his voice, feeling like I'd been slapped. The pain in his eyes was unbearable, but I forced myself to hold his gaze.

"Joe, I—"

"Why are you here?" he interrupted, his tone oscillating between anger and desperation.

His hands were shaking, and I could see the effort it took for him not to reach out to me.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

The urge to comfort him, to fall back into his arms, was almost irresistible.

But I couldn't. I wouldn't.

"Kevin's worried about you," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper, "We all are."

His face darkened, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.

"Well, you and Kevin should just mind your own business. I don't need your pity."

"Your well-being is his business!" I countered, my voice rising, "He's your brother, Joe, and he loves you."

I paused, swallowing hard before adding, "And I still care about you."

The words came out as a broken whisper, betraying the depth of emotion I was trying so hard to conceal.

Joe's eyes flashed with a mixture of hope and fury.

"Care about me?" he spat, taking a step closer.

I could smell the faint scent of his cologne, achingly familiar.

"You're the one who walked out on us like we meant nothing!"

Something inside me snapped. All the pain, all the sleepless nights, all the tears I'd cried over the past three weeks came rushing to the surface.

"You meant everything to me!" I shouted, my voice raw with emotion.

Tears streamed down my face, but I made no move to wipe them away.

"You still do, Joe!"

Joe stumbled back, stunned by the force of my outburst. I pressed on, the words pouring out of me like a flood.

"You were my world, my future, my whole damn heart!"

My hands were shaking now, and I clenched them into fists to stop myself from reaching out to him.

"Do you have any idea how much it killed me to walk away? How much it still kills me?"

Joe's anger seemed to deflate, replaced by a look of anguish that mirrored my own.

"Then why?" he whispered, his voice cracking, "Why did you leave?"

I closed my eyes, fighting to regain some semblance of control. When I opened them again, Joe was closer, close enough that I could see the unshed tears in his eyes.

"Because it was destroying me, Joe," I said, my voice quieter now but no less intense, "I can't shake off the memory of seeing you with her, no matter how hard I try. Every time I close my eyes, every time I look at you, I see it. And it breaks my heart all over again."

Joe reached out, his fingers barely brushing my arm before I flinched away. The hurt in his eyes at my reaction was palpable, but I forced myself to stand my ground.

"Ally, please," he begged, his voice thick with emotion, "I made a mistake. One terrible, unforgivable mistake. But I love you. We can fix this."

I shook my head, feeling like my heart was being torn in two.

"That's just it, Joe.. Love isn't always enough."

"I miss you Ally," he said softly, "Every day, every minute. I can't... I can't do this without you."

"I miss you too! But you can. You're talented and you're strong. You don't need me."

"Why not?" Joe asked, his voice breaking, "We were happy once, weren't we?"

I closed my eyes, "We were," I whispered, "But we need space. Time apart to heal."

I stood, smoothing my skirt and wiping my tear stained cheeks.

"I'll call Kevin, have him come check on you. Please, take care of yourself Joe. If not for me or yourself, then for your family, your fans and your girls."

He nodded. As I walked to the door, Joe called out, "Will I see you again?"

I paused, hand on the doorknob.

"I don't know," I replied honestly, "But I hope that next time, if there is a next time, we'll both be in a better place."

I rushed out of his building and pushed through the revolving door, barely registering the startled looks from passersby as I hurried down the sidewalk.

My sunglasses were on, but they did little to hide the tears streaming down my face.

I ducked into a small alley between two buildings. My hands shook as I pulled out my phone, scrolling to Kevin's number.

The phone rang twice before Kevin's voice came through.

"Ally? How did it go?"

At the sound of his concerned tone, my composure crumbled completely. A sob escaping my lips.

"Ally?" Kevin's voice sharpened with worry, "What happened? Are you ok?"