After a messy divorce, Joe Jonas finds himself lost within the inability to move on with his life. That is, until he unexpectedly starts to feel a love he never thought he'd experience again, let alone with a stranger.
I was on cloud nine, blasting music through my noise-cancelling headphones, ready to see Joe not long after I landed. Liv helped me pick out an irresistible dress that flaunted the shape of my body in a way where he dare wouldn't take his eyes off me.
His support throughout me following my own dreams made it all the more special. This was only the beginning. For once, I was finding my purpose in life. That I actually meant something to a world that once was only filled with loss, anxiety, and pain.
Just as one of Joe's personalized songs started to play, my smile fell into a scowl as his voice disappeared. Hitting the power button repeatedly in an attempt that it was just a glitch, my reflection stared back at me in the black screen. Great. I should've made sure to charge my phone beforehand.
I was just glad traveling no longer made me nearly as anxious as I used to be, especially knowing where to go after landing. All the signs and the commotion of crowds coming and going should have been overwhelming, but there was something about it now that felt normal.
After finding my car in its spot where I had left it in the parking garage and stuffed my suitcases and belongings in the back, I rummaged through my purse for my phone charger. Damnit. I must have had left it in one of the hotel's outlets. That'll be a nice free gift for the next guest.
My route wanted to go to Joe's condo out of habit, but I knew he would've been at the arena instead. Besides, I needed to get my spare charger at my apartment.
I rolled my suitcase on the concrete pavement to my door, unlocking it. My focus landed on a large round bouquet of black roses close to the bedroom entrance, immediately putting a large smile on my face.
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Leaving everything by the front door except for my phone and purse, I picked the bouquet up and headed into the bedroom. My jaw dropped at the sight of floating black roses all around and above my bed. I placed the bouquet in the middle of the bed where it felt more appropriate than the floor. My fingers lightly grazed rose after rose, noticing the thorns were already taken off.
I plugged my phone in the spare charger I kept in the drawer of my left-sided nightstand and made my way to the bathroom to take a hot shower, washing away any airport germs.
Ten minutes later, I heard my phone repeatedly buzz with notifications. It was enough to alert me to hop on out, wrapping a towel around my dripping body to dry me enough not to create a water trail behind as I walked to my phone.
My heart stopped at the amount of calls from Liv, a few of Joe's friends that were also a part of the band, his brothers and his sisters-in-law. Only Liv sent me texts throughout her calls, one standing out than the rest: He knows.
Throwing on a shirt, some jeans and one of Joe's black hoodies that still had his smell lingering on it, I rushed out with my phone and charger, disregarding the outfit I had chosen beforehand. There wasn't time to go through my suitcase.
There in my living room was my secret exposed all over the floor, left in a clutter from Joe. He knew it all. There was no hiding anymore.
I dialed his number dashing to my car. Straight to voicemail after the first ring, indicating he rejected my call. As did Liv, which was unexpected.
Once at the arena, I tried to avoid any fan interactions while making my way backstage. I first went to his dressing room that had his name typed boldly onto a piece of paper that was taped to the door. No Joe in sight.
"Where's Joe?" I asked one of the crew members that I'd never met before in a panic. She either was working specifically for that arena only or had taken Liv's position.
She shrugged, having the slightest of clue, "Try the main room."
Going in a direction I hoped was correct, I spotted Joe in the sliver of a half-opened door. He was sitting next to Jack, their drummer and close friend, with his head tilted back resting on the back of the couch. His eyes were closed, but not as a form of relaxing.
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As I entered, all attention was on me as the room went quiet. "Babe, can we talk?" I asked in almost a whisper, now standing right in front of him.
When he opened his eyes to look at me, they were empty, "No."
"Please, Joe," I begged, "We need to talk."
"Was the park the first time you met me?" he abruptly asked louder than what was comfortable.
"In private?" I kept my voice low.
"Answer the fucking question," his cold tone pierced through the tenseness in the air, not only coming from Joe, but from everyone that most likely knew as well.
"Yes," I answered in a hush, "Please, Joe, can we please talk in private?"
With a huff, he obliged to my request, hastily walking out the door and beelining to his dressing room. I followed closely behind, shutting the door behind us. I had only one chance not to screw this up.
