We Meet Again (Sequel to Without You)

Slapped!

"Finally!" Josh yells, the minute his eyes land on me. Josh jogs over to me, and kisses me on the lips, gently. I smile as he pulls back. "Thanks for coming. It means a lot to me."
"No problem." I say as Josh guides me toward the table where all his friends and colleagues are seated. Josh has his hand on the small of my back, and I love it. It sends a feeling of warmth and comfort through my body.
"This is Mus!" Josh tells his friends.
"Hi!" They say in unison.
"Hi." I say, taking a seat. Josh sits down beside me, and grabs my hand underneath the table.
"Mus, it's been so long since we met." Laurel says, grinning. Out of all of Josh's friends, I like her the most.
"Yeah, I know. Our lives are so busy." I say, grabbing a garlic bread from the bread basket. Everybody engages themselves in conversation. However, my mind is somewhere else. My mind is stuck on him. The things Harry said today crushed me. It's true, though. The truth always hurts.
"Mus!" Josh calls out, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at him, questioningly. "Why are you so lost?"
"Nothing," I mumble. I don't want to tell Josh about me meeting Harry. I don't know how he'll take it or what his reaction will be.
"Oh, come on. Tell me." Josh insists, poking my side, playfully. I purse my lips, sighing. I know Josh will not leave me alone, until, and unless I tell him what's disturbing me.
"I met Harry today." I say, slowly. Josh's smile fades, and I watch his face as he absorbs this piece of information. Josh's jaw clenches, and he purses his lips.
"When?" Josh asks me, monotone.
"Near Darcy's school. He saved her from a drunk driver."
"Did you speak to him?"
"Of course! I had to thank Harry for saving our child's life." I say, matter-of-factly.
"You shouldn't have spoken to him." Josh says, sternly. "He's bad news and I don't want him around you or our daughter."
"I'm an adult, and I think I can make my own decisions." Josh can't order me around or tell me what to do. He has been trying to act dominant, but I'm not weak, and I will not let him control me. Josh squeezes my hand.
"I am your fiancé, and I have the right to help you make your decisions." Josh scoffs, and continues. "We all know that you aren't good at making decisions." I clench my jaw. Josh is so critical nowadays. I don't mind it if he's giving me constructive criticism, but this is far from constructive criticism.
"I'm tired. Can we head home?" I say, pulling my hand out of Josh's.
"Yeah." Josh gets up and so do I. I'm tired and I'm not in the best mood. "Guys, we'll head home. We're both super tired." A few people groan, and insist that we stay. However, Josh and I say goodbye, and head towards the parking lot.
"What're you thinking?" Josh asks me, as we enter the lift.
"Nothing." I say, curtly. Josh huffs, and steps closer to me. He wraps his hands around my arms, and places his lips on my shoulder. I shrug him off.
"Not now." I say, taking a step in front.
"Is this about Harry?" Josh says, irritated. "Did he say something to you? Bloody bastard, always gets in my way."
"Don't call him that!" I exclaim. "He has nothing to do with this, whatsoever." I turn around and wave my hand between Josh and my body. "You're not the same, and I don't like this new person that you've become."
"New person?" Josh rolls his eyes, and crosses his arms over his chest. "I've not changed. That bastard has come between us. Again!
"He never came between us. In fact, you came between us!" I say, jabbing my finger into his chest. Josh grabs my hand, and pulls me toward his chest.
"I did?" Josh asks me, incredulously. "So, you still love him?" The elevator dings open, and I yank my hand out of Josh's tight hold, and rush out. I know Josh is close on my heels.
"Do you?!" Josh yells from behind me. That's a question I don't want to answer. Truth be told, I don't know myself. Everything's such a mess right now. Suddenly, Josh yanks me back, and my back slams hard into his chest.
"Answer me, Mus. Do you still love him?" Josh asks me. He turns me around, and stares me straight in the eyes.
"Do you?" He asks me, softly. Josh places his right hand on my cheek, and his eyes soften. "Just tell me."
"Yeah," I murmur. "I love him a lot." Josh purses his lips, and anger flashes in his eyes. In a flash, Josh raises his right hand and I feel a stinging sensation on my cheek. He slapped me! Josh releases my other hand, and jogs toward his car. I can't believe that Josh slapped me. He has been pretty rough lately. However, he's never raised his hand on me. My knees buckle from underneath me, and I sink onto the ground. I hear Josh's engine start, and I look up to find him speeding out of the parking lot. I place my head in my hands. What have I done? I've ruined my relationship with Josh. I lift up my head, and push my hair back. So much for being honest.