Down But Not Out

Chapter 20

Josh's POV

"So, that's Lizzie then?" I rolled my eyes at my best friend who had just walked into the shop. He'd decided to come today since he'd been hearing so much about Lizzie and had decided to come and suss her out. Although of course I was sure he'd like her anyway.

I frowned to myself as I worried about her. I tended to do that a lot, plus after yesterday's ordeal with Summer's ex boyfriend and how Lizzie had gotten hurt, I couldn't help but worry about her more than what I usually would. It was frustrating, but instead of fighting my feelings for her I just gave into them, since I'd admitted to myself that I definitely liked her. Actually I'm sure my feelings for her were stronger than that but I didn't love her yet, so I wasn't quite sure how to define them.

I'd walked out of the shop door as soon as I saw Lizzie slap Theo yesterday, ready to do something in case things went out of hand. He'd shook Lizzie so hard that she'd fallen but by the time I'd reached her, she'd already hit the ground. I left her for a few minutes so that I could deal with the prick who had hurt her before he'd finally scurried off, leaving me to pick Lizzie up and bring her back into the shop. Luckily though she wasn't out for long, but I remember thinking that if anything happened to her I would personally chase him myself. At the time the punch I gave Theo- as well as the fact that I lightly threatened him- was just instinctual at seeing Lizzie hit the ground at such an alarming force, and they were the only things I could think of doing at the time.

Then when I saw her jump to her feet to go after him herself once she'd found out that he'd hurt Summer a few times, I just knew that I had to restrain her. Mostly to stop her from doing something that she might regret since I'd figured she wasn't the confrontational type- or she wasn't usually the kind of woman to go looking for a fight- but also because I couldn't risk her getting hurt. The smell of alcohol had hit me instantly when he'd spoken to me, demanding to see Summer, and if he was that violent while he was sober enough to be aware of his actions and himself, then I dreaded knowing what he would be like fully drunk- since I'd guessed after he'd left the first place he would head to, would be the local pub.

At least Lizzie seemed okay today, and for that I was grateful, since not only was she a great employee and fun to work with, I was actually hoping that we might get together. The only problem with that though was the fact that I didn't want to lie to her anymore and I knew we wouldn't be able to have a real relationship when she didn't know me. I really needed to tell her but I didn't know how to approach the subject, and I was worried about her reaction since she was obviously a big fan.

I smiled at this fact, since she was obviously so passionate about the band- as well as other bands in general- and I'd found it heart-warming to hear that it had been her sister Louise, who had introduced Lizzie to You Me At Six. Mostly though I was happy that by listening to the albums, she'd found a different road to walk, the road which had led her here, where she was healthy and not depressed, as she'd put it. Okay now I sound sort of philosophical.

"Mate?" Matt asked, nudging my shoulder and I blinked up to see that my three friends were staring at me. I sent them a small smile, embarrassed that I'd zoned out, although that was becoming too much of a habit lately where Lizzie was concerned. I shuck my head.

"Sorry, were you saying something?" I asked them and they all shared a grin.

"Fucking hell Josh, we knew you liked her but are you seriously daydreaming about her now?" Matt grinned and I glared at him, which of course didn't have the effect that I wanted it to since I was wearing my sunglasses. I breathed an annoyed sigh.

"Actually I was just thinking about things, thank you very much" I replied, a hint of sarcasm in my voice. They sniggered at my response.

"Oh yeah, and were you thinking about a certain someone with cherry red hair?" my best friend asked and I shook my head at him to see that he was wearing a white cap. Where had he gotten that from? I was sure he didn't own any caps? Unless he'd borrowed one of mine from back in the day. I stuck my tongue out at him before shaking my head at myself.

"You know, I'm sure she's definitely suspicious of us" I stated, rubbing my hand across my jaw in my usual nervous gesture. The guys shifted their weight and I knew they were waiting for me to expand on that statement.

"Well, who wouldn't be suspicious, considering that we always keep our faces covered. She's questioned me about it a few times already" I sighed, letting my head hit the counter.

"Well just tell her then" my roommate suggested but I shook my head.

"I can't. I don't know how to bring up the subject, plus you've seen what she's like whenever she hears one of our songs" I groaned. Why was it so hard? I heard Matt snigger from my right.

"Josh, you like her it's so obvious-" he started.

"-yeah to everyone except her apparently" my best friend laughed and I groaned, telling him to shut up. I still heard him chuckling though.

"Anyway-" I could practically imagine Matt glaring at the interruption over the top of his glasses, "-you should just say 'Hey Lizzie this is the reason as to why I keep my face covered' and just see how things go from there. To be honest I don't think she will go all fan girl mode on you" he continued and I could tell by the tone in his voice that he was making that up as he went along. You've got to love Matt though, even if he does get easily distracted by food.

"Something tells me that with this girl, it won't be that simple" I sighed, lifting my head up to look at my three friends. They all shook their heads at me just as I saw a woman walk through the door.

The guys disappeared into the back room, which they did all of the time since more than one guy with his face covered would definitely arouse some questions. I sighed but stayed sitting, since I couldn't be bothered to stand up, but instead of walking around the shop like I thought the woman would, she walked straight over to me. I froze as soon as I recognised her.

It would be hard to miss those dark eyes and dyed hair. I swallowed painfully, but instead of feeling pain like I thought I would once I saw her again, I only felt anger as well as slightly smug at the fact that I'd avoided getting too close to her.

"Rebecca" I stated, never taking my eyes off her as she walked over to me, her hips swinging in an exaggerated motion. Her pink lips pulled up into a smile, that she probably thought was sexy, but it really wasn't.

"Josh, baby I missed you" she replied, walking a little closer before laying her hand on my shoulder and kissing my cheek. I managed to keep myself composed and not wipe my cheek like a little child would. Instead I stood up, but had to look down at her. Damn I'd forgotten how short she was, even in platform shoes. She grinned up at me, and trailed her hand along my chest. I rolled my eyes- but of course she couldn't see me- before I grabbed her hand and lightly pushed her backwards. She pouted, before biting her lip and fluttering her eyelashes.

I have absolutely no idea why I had liked her because she didn't have a nice personality or anything, and even though she was pretty she just put on too much makeup. Although Lizzie was a natural beauty, but I'm guessing from the way that she hides behind her hair that she doesn't know it. Oh, now I remembered why I was with Rebecca, it as because she was good in bed. I sighed to see that she was still fluttering her eyelashes at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her, before sitting back down on the stool, since I hated being so much taller than her because all I could see was cleavage.

"I missed you Joshy" she replied and I rolled my eyes. Yeah, I wasn't falling for that.

I didn't reply, instead keeping quiet while I thought of something to say, or do, that I knew would get rid of Rebecca, but I couldn't think of anything. I panicked, before texting Lizzie- since I'd thought of asking her for her number when she started working here- to come and help me.