You Ran Away, You're All The Same

Part 9

Once the plane landed, Paul picked up our rental car and we went straight to the grocery store.

"Don't forget to call loverboy once we get inside the store." Paul said to me sarcastically.

"Why do I have to wait that long?" I asked with a puzzled look on my face.

"So I can walk away and don't have to listen to you two kissing through the phone." While he made a grossed out face, I punched him in the arm.

I couldn't wait to hear from Corey. After what we shared this morning, these next three months are going to be painful and testing.

Once Paul put the car in park, I quickly got out of the car and made my fast entrance into the store while I started to dial Corey. No answer.

"Hey babe. It's me. Just wanted to let you know we made it to LA and heading to the mansion after the grocery store. I love you Corey. Call me when you get this." I left my message and walked around until I found Paul in the cereal aisle.

"That was a fast conversation." He said to me while reading the back of a corn flakes box.

"He didn't answer. I ended up leaving a voicemail."

"Oh. I'm sorry Steph. Maybe he will call afterwhile."

Paul and I finished shopping and continued our journey to the mansion. This place was huge. It has ten bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. A full size recording studio in the basement and a pool in the backyard.

"Which bedroom you getting Steph?" Paul asked after we looked at every room upstairs.

"I'll take the one on the end of the hallway. Which one you getting?"

"Ill take the one beside you. But no fucking Mr. Taylor while I'm awake, okay?" Paul shook his finger at me.

I laughed and shook my head while picking up my bags and going to what was now my room. It was perfect; black walls, black curtains, king sized bed, and a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi tub.

"Hey Paul! I'm going to take a shower and get cleaned up." I hollered down the hallway.

"Okay, I'll be down stairs." He yelled back.

I unpacked my bags and put everything away in the closet. I walked into the bathroom and started the water for the jacuzzi tub. Once the tub was filled, I got in, and enjoyed the hot water. I never had one of these to myself before, let alone in a bathroom. I ended up falling asleep and woke up about 45 minutes later with a leg cramp.

"Great, Steph" I said to myself as I splashed the water on my face before getting out of the tub.

I managed to steal some of Corey's shirts while I was packing my bag. He'll be here soon enough so he shouldn't miss them too much. I decided to wear his old Misfits t-shirt and a pair of my ripped blue jeans. The clock on the nightstand said it was already 7pm, I figured Paul might want to go out somewhere for dinner. My thoughts were interrupted by hearing Paul screaming down stairs. I opened my bedroom door to hear him still screaming, like he was in the phone with someone.

"Steph! Come down here!" I heard Paul yelling from the bottom of the stairs.

"What's wrong?" I asked frightened while running out of my room and down the stairs.

"Look what's on the TV." He said in a stern tone.

I look up at the TV in the living room and it showed Corey, walking into a night club with some woman clinging to his arm while they walked in the door. My heart sank and tears filled my eyes. That motherfucker. I haven't even been away from him for 12 hours!

"I've already called Jim and hes looking into it. He said he would let me know what he finds out." Paul said while trying to break my concentration from the TV.

I grabbed Paul's cell phone and quickly dialed Corey's phone number. If this was live TV, then I will know. I didn't even put the phone to my ear, I could hear it ringing. The paparazzi kept their cameras recording, thankfully, once he went inside that club. Before the door shut behind them, the camera zoomed in, and I could see that he got his phone out of his pocket. When he did, my end of the call went to his voicemail. This video feed was live. And he ignored my call.

I threw Paul his phone back.

"No need to wait for Jim, Pauly. I just got my answer." I said with tears starting to fall down my face. I grabbed my cigarettes and went out to the pool area.

I rolled my pants up to my knees, and put my feet in the pool while I sat on the edge. By the time I had chain smoked four cigarettes, I heard Paul come outside and sit beside me.

"Jim called back. Do you wanna know what he found out?"

I couldn't speak. I only nodded my head while taking a sip of Paul's beer he had brought with him.

"Okay. Jim said the girl is a stripper at some local club. He couldn't get her name, but he said if you wanted it, he would make some calls."

"Tell me something Pauly." I say while turning to look at him, tears now flowing down my face again. Paul only looked at me, waiting for my question.
"This morning, everything was going great. He told me he loved me. We had our first real kiss. I thought he ment it."

"Steph, I don't understand this either. And neither do the guys" Paul started, while he wrapped me in a hug.
"We will get to bottom of this, Steph. I mean it" I began to sob uncontrollably into his chest.
"Shhh Stephanie. We will get through this. He does love you. Why this had to happen right after we left, I will never get." We stayed by the pool until I had calmed down some.

"Pauly, you're the big brother I always wanted" I looked at him while wiping the tears off of my face. Before Paul could reply, his phone rang. It was Jim.

Paul answered, "Hey Jim, what's up?....Okay?.....You mean now?.....I'll let Steph know......See you soon man."

"So Jim and Sid are getting on the airplane heading our way. They both felt they needed to be here. For you." Paul said while smiling genuinely.

"Okay. Maybe they can help gather some answers once they get here too." I say while getting up from the side of the pool and sitting in a lawn chair.

"Jim said he will help any way he can. Sid knows some people who run the night clubs on Des Moines, so maybe we will get somewhere."

I looked at my pack of cigarettes and decided to smoke one more before I went back to my bedroom. This has been a day full of great ups and terrible downs. I'm greatful Paul is here, and I'm greatful Jim and Sid are on their way. Even if I don't know them that well. As long as I don't see Corey's face, maybe I can keep my anger inside.

For the time being