You're My Exception

Chapter 10

"Hey Dem!" Joe said brightly into his phone the next morning.

"Joe, why are you calling me at this hour?" Demi mumbled while she squinted at her clock. It was 6:30 in the morning.

"Oh, well I was just getting ready for work and I don't think I can call you while I'm on set, so...I decided now would be nice!"

Demi bit her lip, smiling. "Well, you woke me up, Joseph."

"I'm sorry, Demetria, but I had to let you know about last night." He cooed into the phone softly, aware that she was still sleepy.

"How was it?" she asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"It was amazing," he mused. His mind wandered to how great the night had been. "I really think this isn't going to be a fling."

"That's good, Mr. Player," she teased him. Inside, her gut was giving her feeling that she wasn't really happy about this. It was that same feeling when she skimmed tabloids and saw Joe and another girl yet again.

"Yeah, Demi, ever since we ran into each other, things in my life have gotten great." He pointed out.

"Yes, they have," Demi had to agree. 'Everything but the fact I don't like you dating,' she thought.

"Well, I'll let you sleep then," he told her.

"Nah, I guess I'll stay up since you woke me." She answered, gently slipping out of bed. "Have a good day."

"I will, you have one, too!" he chirped and hung up. He stared at his phone for a moment. How could some of the words he'd told Demi come out so easily? Lily was great, but the only one he wanted was Demi. She'd never know that. Not now, at least.

"I still don't like the idea of you and Joe being friends," Sterling commented when he and Demi got together.

She sighed. "What's it going to take, Sterling? Joe's a good guy."

"Too good, if he acts totally normal around you after three years of nothing," he retorted.

"Fine, come with me on a double date with him and Lily next week." She smiled.

"All right," he said doubtfully.

The following week, Joe, Demi, Sterling and Lily were all sitting in a coffee shop, drinking their coffee and having small talk. It was somewhat of a double-date when they were all off.

"The movie's coming out great," Joe said to Demi and Sterling. He was holding Lily's hand under the table because the public didn't know about them yet.

"Yeah, it's honestly one of the best movies I've worked on," Lily added.

"That's because I'm your boyfriend, right?" Joe gave her a jokingly-cocky smile.

She looked at him and laughed. "Sure."

Demi shook her head. "Why are you going out with this idiot?" She was snuggled into Sterling, who had his arm around her.

"Oh, please, Demi. Like you didn't date me," Joe smiled, avoiding Sterling's looks.

Demi sighed dramatically in response. "I was young and foolish; only a teenager."

"Hey, that foolish teenager was my best friend," Joe smirked at her.

"Whatever Joseph!" she groaned.

"That's right, Demetria," he smiled wide, showing he knew he was right.

Sterling pulled Demi a little close, not enjoying their playful banter. Lily looked at Demi. "It's amazing how you put up with him for four years."

"Well, he is a Jonas Brother," Demi teased.

"I could tell how smiley you were on the first day we met," Joe said. "You were smiling big...with your gap."

"Shut up!" Demi hit his arm on the table.

"I think the gap was adorable," Sterling smiled down at her.

She giggled, "Thank you, babe." Demi kissed his cheek softly.

Joe held back a look of want. It was so hard to watch the woman he loved be with another man; a man who hated him. His phone beeped, and he looked to see who texted him. "Oh, I should get going, Nick needs me at home right now." He looked at Lily. "Is it okay if we leave early?"

"Sure, it's fine," she smiled and then looked at the couple across from her. "This was great, guys. Really, it was."

"I couldn't agree more," Demi answered. "I'll see you guys later."

"Bye Dem," Joe said. "Bye Sterling."

"Bye Joe, Lily." Sterling answered. They walked away and Sterling turned to Demi. "I still don't like him."

She sighed. "My best friend and boyfriend don't get along. Joe's trying, he really is." She looked up into his eyes. "Why can't you?"

He looked away. He couldn't tell Demi that it felt like Joe was still after her. It would just make him sound insecure. "I'll try," he said softly. "For you."

She pecked him on the lips. "Thank you, Sterling. I love you."

"Love you too," he kissed her forehead. "Let's get out of here."