Forbidden

5

I wake up late morning and hop into the shower, throwing on cut off jeans and a red tee shirt with black hearts all over it.

I walk by the living room and Joe is still asleep on the couch, the blanket covering him up to his neck. I go into the kitchen and start making waffles because I'm sure he will be hungry when he wakes up.

I'm almost finished with my first batch when Joe walks in. He's dressed in the same clothes from last night, his eyes puffy and his hair sticking up in different directions. But he still looks as attractive as ever.

"Those smell amazing."

"Here." I say, handing him a plate.

"Thank you!" He says, his eyes lighting up. I giggle, handing him the syrup.

He sits at my island and takes a bite, closing his eyes and savoring it. I smile and shake my head at him.

"So good." He says with a mouth full.

I finish cooking my waffle and take a seat beside him. He picks up his phone and reads something on it before setting it down hard on the table.

I raise an eyebrow at him, "What's wrong?" I ask.

"Amy doesn't want to go to the show tonight. She says she has an early morning tomorrow."

"But we head out to Pennsylvania tonight, and then she won't be able to see you." I say.

"I know." He snaps but his face softens immediately, his eyes sad. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that."

"It's okay Joe." I take a bite of my waffle, chewing slowly.

"I just..." he starts but stops, shaking his head, "never mind."

"You can tell me anything."

"I know El. It's just not even worth talking about." He says, running his hand through his hair, trying to fix it up.

"Okay." I say, not pushing it any further.

After we are done eating, I start washing the dishes. Joe comes over, grabbing a dishtowel off the sink before grabbing a clean plate from the strainer and drying it. I look at him and he smiles at me. Of course, I can't help but smile back at him.

"I should head out. I'm going to stop at Amy's office and say goodbye to her at least before we have to be at the show." Joe says as he dries the last plate.

"Alright." I tell him.

"See you tonight." He says, patting my shoulder as he walks by.

I hear the front door shut and I bite my lip. I don't like what I'm feeling at this very moment. I feel like... he just left and I miss him. No. Fuck this. He's my best friend's boyfriend. He is off-limits.

—

"What the hell is this?" Stacy shouts at me. I look at the table I have set up, in the same order for every show since I started, dumbfounded by what is making her so angry.

"What?" I ask.

"It's in the wrong order." She says.

"Since when is there an order?" I question.

She picks up an empty box and shoves it into my arms. I grab onto it, fumbling and almost dropping it.

"Put it all back and re do it." She growls.

"Are you serious? What's wrong with you today?"

"Don't be fucking talking back to me just because the brothers pity you and let you hang out with them."