|THAT EVENING, SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER |
Ross grabs a beer and heads out to the backyard. He's stopped in his tracks when he hears her familiar laugh, looking up as he stands in the doorway he sees her on the opposite side of the garden by the edge of the pool. Laura stands chatting and laughing away with Kyla and Vanni under the fairy lights standing with glass of red wine in hand.
Ross can't stop staring at her she looks gorgeous in her red dress. They haven't spoken since the goodnight text he sent Laura after her album release party and argument, maybe tonight will change that. He turns round to look at his sister.
"You should talk to her and actually apologise" Rydel says appearing next to him breaking him from his gazing.
"I will eventually. How was lunch? I'm assuming you girls talked about me," Ross says with a sigh as he stuffs his hands in his pocket. Rydel's made him and the boys wear suits tonight for theme.
"A little, she's just confused so I guess you should give her space. Let her figure out who and what she wants. She still likes you if that helps" Rydel says with a small smile appearing on her face. She wants nothing more than her brother and best friend to be together but she knows how stubborn and in denial they are.
"Ah. That's what I'll do. I don't think I'll speak to her unless she approaches me first tonight. I did text her last night saying goodnight but no apology. I'll do that once I figure out what the hell I say without upsetting her more. How is she generally though?" He asks face full of concern. Rydel almost feels bad for Ross for how much he loves that girl. He's down bad.
"Generally she's ok, exhausted from all her album promo and party but mentally she's ok. Not her usual happy self but she's good. How are you?" Rydel asks concerned.
"Pissed off at myself for Europe. Also mad I upset her more last week when I was meant to be fixing things with her. Maybe in love? I don't know, I'm still figuring out my feelings for her and what I want since she doesn't believe I can do another committed relationship right now. I also broke things off with Indie this morning so that's a bit shit" Ross says with a sigh.
It's been tough since his break up with Jaz, like Laura he doesn't want his heart broken. Which is why he's just been doing hook ups or casual dating with Indie. Though he ended things with her this morning. So he is feeling slightly heart broken over her more gutted as he thought he really liked Indie but his heart just wants Laura.
"Aw I'm sorry Ross but that's the right thing to do. I think you need a break from girls whilst you figure things out with Laura. I had no idea you guys were trying to be an actual couple back in June in New York! You guys were cute I can't believe I didn't notice that!" Rydel squeals as her brother rolls his eyes at her. He knows his sister had been a 'raura shipper' since day 1 of meeting Laura.
"Yeah it was going so well from March to June after our reunion with the cast we realised our feelings for each other had returned and decided we finally had the timing right to try something. I don't think I'd ever been as happy during that time. We really thought we had it right." Ross pauses as he smiles reflecting back on their almost relationship.
"But Hodgkinson came into the picture in April she didn't do anything at first he asked her out she turned him down because of us. Then when I fucked things up in July and she saw all the stuff online about me drinking and hooking up and pictures of Indie she said yes to him before even talking to me about anything and now she is confused". Ross says gritting his teeth.
"Hey it will work out it always does seen if you guys end up just friends" Rydel says giving her brother a supportive hug.
"You ok if I go catch up with girls?" Rydel asks with a smile.
Ross just nods as Rydel pats his shoulder as she heads out into her backyard to join them.
Ross watches a few moments more not being able to take his eyes off Laura. Rydel must have said something about him as Laura glances over at Ross. He's been caught staring at her but he doesn't mind as it's not the first time. Laura smiles and waves at him he smiles and waves at her back.
Laura makes her way over to him.
"Hi" she smiles softly at him.
"Hey Laur" he replies.
"How you doing?" She asks, Rydel clearly just told her about Indie.
"Honestly been better just wish I could stop breaking my own heart, I've missed us" he says with a sad smile.
"I've missed you to or us being normal us. We will talk properly maybe not tonight as it's been a lovely evening and I've loved being around your family again. Maybe next week can do a movie night? Also you going to do the billboard event?" She asks curiously. She wants to take Hodgkinson as her date but wants to tell Ross before the event.
He nods "you?" He asks knowing she's been to a lot of events lately with her new album out.
"I am. I wanted to let you know that Ross will be there as my date. I guess I'm going public with him. I hope you're ok with that?" She asks hopefully.
''Is this to rub it in my face that he wins?" He questions anger building up inside, he feels his heartbreaking again
''Wins?" Laura questions getting angry too.
''I'm not a fucking prize Ross! It's not a competition! You fucked up now I'm leaving before you ruin my night!" She yells turning away. Without thinking Ross grabs her wrists and stops her. His hands wrap around her waist. Laura looks up at him lost for words, she becomes mesmerised with his brown eyes.
Ross instinctively started leaning in, his hands rest on the small of her back. Laura leans in too as her hands wrap around his neck, their lips almost brush. Laura stops him placing one hand on his chest.
"We can't, you know we can't, I'm in a relationship Ross'' Laura breaths out a tear running down her cheek.
"Are you enjoying breaking my heart?" Ross asks with sadness as he feels his heart break again.
Laura doesn't get a chance to answer or move as Stormie notices them together.
Stormie notices them and snaps a quick picture of the friends.
"Aw you guys" Stormie gushes as she sends the photo in the family chat and girl chat she has which has Laura in too and captions it Raura with a yellow and red heart emoji. Ross' hand is still on the small of her back and she has one hand on his chest as she was pushing him away. She unwraps herself from his grip wiping the tear away.
"Mom she has a boyfriend. Stop, please" Ross says and walks away back inside to get dinner not looking back.
"I've messed up things bad between us" Laura sighs sadly.
"He'll come around, maybe you need space so you can figure things out, do you like him?" Stormie asks.
"Like? More like love him. Yeah. But I like the other Ross too. I just wish things aren't always so complicated between us" Laura sighs.
"Oh Laura" Stormie says embracing her in a hug.
"It will work out I'm sure, let's go get some food dinners ready" Stormie smiles guiding her inside.
Laura nods as they to walk to the kitchen.
