Chapter 9
A/N: Oh hai there! Been a while huh? Well, here is the next chapter! :D Hope you guys like it! (: I'll try to update again soon! Love you all and enjoy!
~Becca
Joey’s POV
I glance back at Lauren briefly before walking down stairs and out of the building. Two hours. What was I supposed to do for two hours? The cold breeze hit my face as I walked out of the lobby doors. An unexpected yawn crept up on me. I hadn’t realized just how tired I was. I called Brian and obtained the hotel information before setting off to the room. Maybe an hour and a half long nap would do me good before I had to face Lauren again.
As I walked, her face kept popping into her mind. Her silky brown hair and dazzling brown eyes. The way her nose scrunched up when she laughed. The way her eyes danced in the moonlight. But then the worst images flew into my mind. Her screaming at me. Telling me to leave. The hatred and the hurt flashing harshly through her usually soft eyes. My mind began to race and didn’t slow down until I was in Brian and my room laying on one of the beds. I quickly set an alarm for 11:45.
“How did it go? That was fast.” Brian looked up from his phone as I plopped down on the other bed. My hands instinctively began rubbing my face.
“It didn’t. I showed up, Clark was there, and then Lauren told me to come back later,” I explained. Brian didn’t say anything, only nodded. And I was certainly grateful. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. Stressing would do me no good. I would fight for Lauren no matter how long it took. I was not going to give up on her again. Never again. Finally my mind gave in and I fell asleep.
Lauren’s POV
I took a moment to step back and really look at myself in the mirror. Damn. I looked hot. I had curled my sleek brown hair and let it fall in ringlets down past my shoulders. I took the time to actually apply real makeup as well. I felt so fresh and different from the lazy and unkempt person I had become. I looked down at my outfit. The plain black leggings lengthened my legs and the just below the knee boots added a flirty flair. My flowing purple tunic really pulled the outfit together. As I looked at my reflection, I began to panic. What was I supposed to say to the man I loved who had walked out on me? Of course I wanted him back. But I didn’t want to throw myself at him either. I cleaned up my makeup and curling iron before dropping down on the couch. I picked up my phone and pressed the lock button carefully. The screen lit up and stared at it quietly. I hadn’t been able to bring myself to change it. It was a photo of Joey and me from Boston on tour. All of the memories behind the simple picture came flooding back to me. It took all I had in me to keep the tears down when I heard a knock. I sighed and prepared myself to face him again. Slowly I turned the handle and pulled open the door prepared for a storm of “I’m sorry” s. But what I actually saw when I opened the door shocked me.
“Hi,” Joey said quietly. He stood before me a completely different person from the man who came to my door two hours before. I was so stunned that I couldn’t speak. He was dressed in simply jeans and a button up shirt holding a single red rose. He held it out to me. “For you.”
I took it cautiously, still staring at him. He smiled tentatively and I shook my head slightly focusing on the scene in front of me.
“Um. Hi. Do you want to uh, come in?” I stuttered, mentally slapping myself for being so nervous. I stepped back and he walked in slowly. “Uh, please make yourself comfortable. You know where everything is.”
He walked part of the way before stopping dead in his tracks. I closed the door softly and watched as the muscles in his back tense up. Not knowing what to do, I took a few hesitant steps towards him but stopped. “Joey…”
He suddenly whipped around and walked over so he stood hovering over me. I cowered back slightly. I whispered again. “Joey…”
It all happened so fast I never saw it coming. In an instant, his lips were on mine. My mind was racing a million miles a second. I tensed up immediately, my brain reeling. After a few seconds, realization kicked in. I quickly pushed him off of me, confusion in my eyes. He spoke first.
“Lauren, I’m so sorry. I was a fool. I understand if you hate me, but just give me a chance to explain everything.” I searched his eyes seeing only sincerity. I sighed and gestured to the couch. Joey nodded and sat down. I walked over, my feet feeling heavier with each step, and sat down next to him.
“Go ahead,” I said quietly avoiding his eyes. I felt his hand gently cup my chin and pull my face to look at him. I gave in and looked at his chocolate eyes that made me melt.
“Lauren I love you. I do. But I was stupid, over thinking. I’ve said that I loved other girls, but never has one said it back. Until you. And once I said it to you, I realized that it was the only time I have ever meant it. But Lo, I was…” He hesitated. “I was scared. I didn’t know what to do and panicked. That’s why I left. But I realized my stupidity as soon as I saw the hurt in your eyes. And I’m not leaving Chicago until I can call you mine again.”
I felt the tears pricking behind my eyes. I looked down at my hands in my lap. I was speechless. What was I supposed to say? “Joey… I”
“Just let me take you out to dinner tonight, like before. I promise, you won’t regret it.” I thought about it for a moment. What could go wrong?
“Okay fine.” He sighed happily and smiled before standing up.
“I’ll pick you up at 5:30 then!” he said and walked out. I sighed and looked at the rose still in my hands. What was I doing?
