Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 17: Conflicts

Ally's POV

I stirred, consciousness slowly returning, feeling warm, comfortable, and strangely at peace.

Suddenly, my eyes snapped open as reality hit me. This wasn't my bed. I know this bed.

I turned my head slowly, my suspicions confirmed as I saw Joe's sleeping form beside me.

The events of the previous night came rushing back in a blur of heated touches and passionate kisses.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

My phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. As I reached for it, the screen was flooded with notifications - missed calls, texts, and social media alerts.

"Oh no," I whispered, my heart racing as I opened the video link at the top of my feed.

There it was - DNCE's new music video. The camera panned over our intertwined bodies, lingering on passionate kisses and intimate touches. It was artfully done, but so explicit.

Why was it out so soon? We just filmed yesterday.

As I watched, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. Dani's name flashed on the screen, hesitating before answering.

"Ally!" Dani's voice was a mix of excitement and confusion, "What is going on? Are you and Joe back together? This video is... wow. Just wow."

I groaned. "Dani, I... it's complicated."

"Complicated? You're practically having sex on camera with my brother-in-law! How did this even happen?"

"It was just a job," I tried to explain, my voice weak, "I didn't know it was Joe's video when I agreed to it."

"And now?" Dani pressed.

I felt movement beside me and turned to see Joe stirring.

"Dani, I have to go. I'll call you later, I promise."

I ended the call just as Joe opened his eyes. He smiled sleepily at me, then seemed to register the frustration on my face.

"What's wrong?" he asked, sitting up.

I held out my phone, showing him the flood of notifications.

"The video dropped. It's everywhere, Joe."

His eyes widened as he took in the situation.

"Fuck. I thought we had another week before release."

"Well, it's out now," I snapped, scrambling out of bed and searching for my clothes.

As I dressed hurriedly, Joe's confusion rose. "Where are you going?"

"Home," I replied curtly.

"Ally, wait," Joe said, getting out of bed, blocking my path, "We should talk about this. About last night."

Just then, Joe's phone started ringing. He glanced at it, frowning. It was Nick.

I paused, curious despite myself. Joe answered the call, putting it on speaker.

"Nick, now is not a good time."

"Joe, man! I just saw the video. It's blowing up online! Are you and Ally back together?" he asked, sounding excited and slightly out of breath.

Joe looked at me, his eyes questioning. I shook my head vehemently.

"Uh, it's complicated, Nick," Joe replied, his gaze still locked on mine.

"Complicated? Come on, that video was hot! You can't tell me there's nothing going on between you two," Nick pressed.

I felt my cheeks burning, acutely aware that I was standing there in my hastily thrown-on clothes from yesterday.

"Nick, I gotta go. We'll talk later, ok?" Joe said quickly.

"Alright, but don't think you're off the hook! I want details!" Nick laughed before hanging up.

The silence that followed was deafening. Joe and I stared at each other, the weight of the situation hanging between us.

"Ally," Joe started, his voice soft.

"There's nothing to talk about," I replied, my voice tight, "It was a mistake. This whole thing was a mistake."

Joe's jaw clenched. "A mistake? Is that what you would call last night?"

"What would you call it?" I retorted, "A triumphant reunion?"

"Ally, let's talk" pressed Joe.

"Fine," I seethed, "You want to talk? Let's talk about how you betrayed me."

Joe's face fell, a mix of guilt and frustration crossing his features.

"Ally, I've told you a thousand times, that kiss meant nothing. It was a moment of weakness-"

"Then let's talk about how you suddenly expect one night to erase everything that happened." I snapped.

Joe stepped closer, his eyes intense. "It wasn't just any night, Ally. You can't deny what we felt."

I backed up slightly. "It doesn't matter what we felt. It was a mistake. Now move, Joe!"

"Was it?" Joe pressed, taking another step forward, "Remember how your body responded to my touch?"

My breath hitched, my back now against the wall. "Joe, don't-"

He inched closer, his voice a husky whisper. "The way you gasped when I kissed your neck?"

"Stop," I interrupted, my resolve weakening.

Joe placed a hand on the wall beside my head, leaning in, his lips almost brushing against mine.

"Tell me you didn't feel that connection. The electricity every time our skin touched. Or shall I jog your memory?"

I closed my eyes, fighting the memories from flooding back.

"It doesn't change anything."

"Doesn't it?" Joe's breath was warm on my neck, "Tell me you don't want me, Ally, and I promise that I'll let you go, but please, don't lie to me"

For a moment, the air between us crackled with tension. My eyes fluttered open, meeting Joe's intense gaze.

I could immediately feel the heat radiating from our bodies, so close to each other.

Then, with a supreme effort, I managed to duck under his arm.

"Goodbye, Joe" I said, my voice shaky but determined, "I'll see you around."

With that, I wrenched the door open and slammed it shut behind me, the sound echoing through the apartment like a final punctuation to our last fling.