You Ran Away, You're All The Same

Part 12

*Corey's POV*

Laying here watching Stephanie sleep is a dream come true. I know she's angry with me, and seeing the pain in her eyes broke my heart. I'm not a sappy lovey guy, but with her, I'm a different person.

I don't know why I agreed to take that woman to the night club that night. Her name was Scarlett and she worked at the club. That's all I knew about her, I didnt want to know more. Nothing happened. Once I saw Paul's name pop up on my phone, I instantly regretted my decision. I drank myself into oblivion, like I normally do when I'm upset.

I made the choice to pack my shit and head out to Los Angeles, against my better judgment. My bags stayed packed for days. Waiting for Stephanie to call. Jim and Sid both told me how much I fucked up. Paul wouldn't talk to me.

Sid said he would check on Stephanie and just watch her cry. She never crys unless shes really pissed. She had every right to be.

All I can think about is her. At first, she was the unattainable, a myth that she would ever want me like I wanted her. I wrote a song about her but havent showed anyone yet. I wanted to surprise her with it once the whole band got here.

Once I got here, Paul warned me that if I break Stephanie's heart again, he would beat my ass to a bloody pulp. It kills me to think that I did that to her.

I can only hope that after our wild night, we can work on getting better. Together. She looks like an angel laying here with her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and kissed her on the nose.

My Stephanie.

I heard my phone vibrate on the nightstand. I slowly reached for it to make it shut up. A text message from Paul. At 3am I might add.

"Glad yall are done fucking. Come down here when you get cleaned up" the text message read.

I threw my head back on the pillow and sighed. I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to leave her side. But I knew Paul ment business.

I slowly moved my arm out from under Stephanie and quietly made my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. I didn't fool with my bag so I put on the same clothes I had on when I got here.

Waiting in the living room was Paul, Jim, and Sid. Once they saw me, they stopped talking and just looked at me.

"Care to explain what the fuck is going on Taylor?" Paul said sternly while I sat down beside Sid on the couch.

"Man, nothing happened with that woman. I don't even know why i agreed to take her out that night. I swear nothing happened." I pleaded with him.

"You better not be lying Corey. Do you have any idea what you've done to Stephanie?" Jim added in.

"I'm not lying. I love Steph with everything I have. I know what I've done and I wish I could reverse it. But I know I can't." I said holding my head in my hands and looking at the floor.

"Corey, that girl loves you. If she didn't, she wouldn't have gotten upset. You need to realize you can't be the same ol Corey who gets shit faced every night and gets any woman that looks in his direction." Paul stated while standing up and leaving the room.

"I don't want that life anymore. I only want Steph."

"Keep it that way." Paul said pointing at me while heading out the door to smoke a cigarette.

I looked at Jim and Sid and they were silent. I need to show Steph that she's the only one I want and will ever want.

I jumped off the couch and went outside to where Paul was.

"Can I bum one?" I asked Paul and he handed me his cigarette pack and a lighter.

"You're thinking of a plan, aren't you Corey?" Paul asked while inhaling the cigarette smoke.

"When a store opens, I'm going to get her flowers. Her favorite tiger lilies. And some disposable cameras. Think she would like it?"

"Why the cameras?"

"So she can take pictures of our stay here. And when we are done, she can get them developed and frame some."

"Not a bad idea Taylor. Not bad. Sorry we did this so late. I knew she'd be asleep by now."

"Yeah she is." I couldn't stop grinning. I'm going to marry that girl one day.

"Well let's head back in and get some sleep. Sounds like you'll have a busy morning."

We finished our cigarettes and went back inside. Once in Stephanie's room, quickly got out of my clothes, leaving only my boxers on, and crawled back in bed beside her. Once my head hit the pillow, she rolled over and curled up to my side.

"I love you baby" I whispered while wrapping my arms around her and falling into a deep sleep.