Saved By Steven (the first story)

35. You know I love you, right?

Mick took Lauren outside for a cigarette. She hadn't had one all day and was craving it so badly that her hands shook. He lit her cigarette and sat down with her on the cold concrete bench."You okay?" Mick asked gently.
Lauren let out a bitter laugh, then coughed. "Not even close."

He nodded slowly, watching the smoke curl into the night. "Listen... I need to talk to you about what's next."

Lauren stared at the glow of her cigarette, trying to make her hands stop shaking. Mick talked, but it sounded like echoes. Something about Maui, summer and Steven taking care of her. Words she should cling to, but her brain was sludge.
"I know this isn't what you want," Mick said softly. "But it's what you need. Steven's going to take care of you, I promise." 
"When will I see you?" she cut him off, her voice hoarse.
"I'll be coming to Maui for the break. Six or seven weeks," Mick said, his voice steady.
Lauren stared at him for a long moment, then said quietly, "Okay."

"Lauren..." Mick's voice cracked. He reached for her hand, cold and damp in his. "Darling, I'm so sorry this happened to you. You were always so strong. But ever since—" He hesitated, eyes shining under the streetlight. "Ever since the attack, you haven't been the same. I miss you. I love you."

His words sliced through her fog like a blade, clean and deep.
The attack.
She never said those words out loud anymore.
The memory clawed at her chest—the alley, the sound of her own breath, the weight that pinned her down. That night had been the beginning of the end. Rehab couldn't erase it. Booze couldn't drown it. Drugs just blurred the edges until the monsters inside her head got too loud again.
"I love you too, Mick," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "Always had a soft spot for you.""And I for you." He kissed her forehead, his lips warm and sad.
For a few moments, they sat in silence, just the hum of traffic and the soft burn of cigarettes between them. Then headlights cut through the dark as the cars pulled up. The band spilled outside, voices low and tired. Steven walked over and dropped onto the step beside Lauren, close enough that she could smell the leather of his jacket.
"Darling," he said, lighting a cigarette of his own. "You really smoke too much."
"Fuck off," she muttered, not even looking at him.
"Okay. Got it. Not in a talking mood."Feeling suffocated by Steven's presence, Lauren stood up abruptly and walked away toward the street. Mick followed a few steps behind.
Too many eyes. Too much noise. Her nerves were screaming. 
"Lauren, come on. Don't walk away," Mick called, jogging after her."Don't, Mick!" she snapped, spinning around. Her voice shook with rage and panic. "I'm not up for this. Detoxing on a plane? Really?! That's your idea of helping me?"
"Baby, what happened? I thought you were okay with going with Steven."
"I don't know! I don't know anything anymore!" Her voice cracked. "Why can't you come? You're the only one who understands me!"
"I'll be there for the first show," Mick said. "I can't stay the whole tour, but I'll be there."Lauren stopped for a second, tears welling. "Why does it feel like you're all just... sending me away?""Because we love you," Mick said softly.
"Lauren!" Another voice cut through—Joe. "Darling, talk to me.""I can't, Joe." Her breath came fast and shallow, like she was drowning. "I can't do this. Fuck—I need a drink."
"No, darling." Joe's voice was calm, steady, pulling her back from the edge. "You don't. You just need to breathe. Everything's going to be fine. I'm here for you. Whatever you need. You know that, right?"

Lauren heard his voice, but it felt far away, muffled by the pounding in her head. Her body screamed for escape. She kept pacing—toward the street, back to the wall, toward Joey and Tom, then back again. Her heart clawed at her ribs, her brain tearing itself apart. She wanted to scream, cry, run until she disappeared. Instead, she just muttered under her breath: I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't—

When the cars finally pulled up, Mick kissed her forehead, holding her a second longer than usual."I'll see you at the first show. I'll call every day."Tears threatened to spill, but Lauren blinked them back. Mick turned and climbed into his car, and just like that, he was gone.

Lauren climbed into the car with Joe and Steven. She slid into the backseat, pressing her forehead to the window. Joe sat beside her, Steven up front. 

Then she was in the car, wedged between Joe and the door, Steven silent in the front seat. Her forehead pressed to the cool glass, tears slipping silently down her cheeks."You okay?" Joe asked gently."Not really." Lauren's voice cracked, and then the tears came, streaming down her face uncontrollably."That's okay," Joe murmured, pulling her into his chest. She collapsed against him, sobbing quietly as the city lights blurred past.

At the airport, Joe never left her side. She looked fragile, hollowed out, like the shell of the woman who once owned every room she walked into. He held her hand as they moved through the terminal. Steven stayed ahead, not saying a word.

"Joe, what' with him?" Brad asked, as they reached the gate. "Lauren," Joe said simply.  "He loves her, but she doesn't want him near her right now.""That sucks."
"Joey, can you take her for a sec? I need to talk to Steven."Joe handed Lauren—quiet now, numb—to Joey. She rested her head on his shoulder while Joe marched toward the jet bridge. He found Steven sitting alone on the plane, jaw clenched."Dude, what's going on?""Nothing.""You haven't said a word since we left the hotel.""You'll just get mad if I tell you.""Is it Lauren? You think I'm stealing her? I'm not. She just trusts me for some reason."
Steven looked away, his voice tight. "Why doesn't she want me near her?"
"Think about it. You and Mick put her in rehab, she slipped and now you're dragging her away again. Don't you think she blames you? Besides... addicts don't want change, remember?"
Steven swallowed hard, staring at the seat in front of him. Joe clapped him on the shoulder and walked away.

Lauren was already on the plane, curled up in a chair, fidgeting with her hoodie strings. Joe sat next to her."You want a smoke?"She nodded. He lit one for her, then one for himself. Joey watched quietly.
"What's going on with her?" Joey asked.
"She's bottomed out," Joe said flatly. "Her life's spiraling and she's been drinking, using. Steven thought he could fix it by bringing her with us. But right now? She wants him as far away as possible."
Halfway through the flight, trouble hit. Lauren woke up, wobbling toward the bathroom. Detox was sinking its claws into her—nausea, cold sweats, shaking bones. She tried to hide it, staggering to a couch and lying down.
Joey noticed first. "Joe, you better check on her. Something's wrong."Joe rushed over. Lauren was trembling violently, clenching her fists to her stomach.
"Fuck. Not now."
"What?"
"Detox."

He grabbed a wet towel and pressed it to her neck. She gagged, then vomited. Joe held her up as Joey joined, rubbing her back gently.Lauren's sobs broke the silence. Her body curled in on itself as she slid to the floor, shaking so hard her teeth chattered.Fuck. I can't do this again. I can't. The last detox almost killed me. I need Steven.Her muscles seized. Joe whispered to her softly, holding her close while Joey massaged her cramps. Lauren lifted her head, eyes glassy  and saw Steven watching from across the aisle. She mouthed help.
Steven came over immediately. "Joe, would you mind if I sit with her?""Be my guest. Just... keep her calm."
Steven lifted Lauren gently onto the couch, her legs draped across his lap like a child. She burrowed into his chest, clutching his shirt. His arm wrapped around her as his other hand stroked her wrist softly.
He spoke to her in low tones—stories, memories, nothing heavy—just enough to pull her from the storm in her mind. Slowly, her breathing evened out. Her trembling eased.The band watched in silence.
"Wow, he's good," Tom whispered."He knows her better than anyone," Joey said."She trusts him," Joe added. "She just didn't know that."
Hours later, the plane touched down. Mick was waiting for them at the hangar, a quiet presence in the chaos. Lauren barely stirred as Steven carried her off the plane, followed by the rest of the band.
That night, Steven laid her in bed at the hotel, sitting beside her until her eyes fluttered open."Hey, baby," he whispered."Hey," she croaked."How do you feel?""Like I got hit by a truck and put in a blender."
Steven chuckled softly. "But you look better.""Thanks to you," she said weakly. "You saved me up there.""Thank you for letting me. You know I love you, right? That's why I put you in rehab. That's why I brought you here.""I know," she whispered.
Later, she let him take her downstairs to eat with the band. She barely touched her food, leaning against him like a lifeline. Mick watched from across the table, quiet but smiling faintly.After dessert, Steven tilted her chin toward him. Her sleepy eyes met his.
"I love you," he said simply."I love you too," she murmured. Then he kissed her—slow, deep, full of everything they hadn't said. Cheers erupted around the table."Never leave me?" she whispered against his lips."I wouldn't dream of it, baby," Steven promised.
Mick looked away then, hiding the ache in his chest. He would be gone after the first show. But for now, Lauren was safe.