One last time/Zauren

8.

There was a knock at my door and then a shrill voice called out, "Room service!" I knew it had to be Liam. He and Niall were always making that voice when they showed up to visit. I walked over to the door and pulled it open, Liam was leanes up against the door frame with a smirk on his face. I walked back over to the mirror attached to the wooden door of the bath door and straightened out my outfit.

"Are you excited to go out tonight?" Liam asked. I didn't say anything I just gathered my keys and my phone. "I want to get so bladdered that I forget my own name. It's been a while," he said. I glances at my screensaver it was of Lauren and I. The very first picture we'd ever taken with one another. That's when I was going through a whole blonde streak of hair phase. "We've got that conference tomorrow."

"I'll make it to that, no worries. Are you all ready? I know I am."

"I guess I am."

Liam and I walked to the White Room. The music was blaring, and lights were flashing as we were escorted to the room Chace had rented out for Jeff. The room was about the size of my living room and bedroom put together. Leather sofas were scattered about, a strippers pole was in the middle of the room and a table full of alcohol. Music was playing and a white light was circulating around the room, giving a dim feel. The guys were the only ones there. Both Liam and I greeted them and sat down chatting and Liam wasted no time starting his drinking. I swear I saw him down four shot glasses within two minutes.

"Did you have any idea that this was happening?" I asked Jeff.

"Not a fucking clue. I just wish it was on a weekend because I want to get hammered."

"That's not going to stop Liam."

"Jeff neither."

It was about an hour and a half in and Liam was clearly feeling good right along with Chace. I watched the door open and in walked several woman in lingerie. "Who's the birthday boy?" Chace jumped up and pointed to Jeff. One of the women made her way to the pole and started doing all kinds of crazy spins. The curious one made her way to Jeff and stradled herself on his lap. Jeff almost choked on his drink and placed it down beside him as she started giving him a dance.

A busty brunette with long hair and voluptuous lips danced over to Liam who took her onto his lap with open arms. Chace and two others were watching the dancer and I was sitting there trying not to pay attention to the near bare women before me. The fourth woman walked over to me and brushed her fingertips along the back of my neck. "Hey there," she grinned, her long blonde hair sliding down her back. She twirled to the front of me where she got down on her knees and smiled up at me. "I'm Tawni." Tawni grabbed my hand and ran it across her chest. I yanked it away quick, and her grin grew even wider. "A complicated one. I like a challenge."

"I'm not a complicated one just an engaged one.." I tried to stand up, but Tawni pushed me back down by my chest where she then straddled me. "Look, I-"

"Is that an accent I hear? Sophia over there has a british accent as well. Maybe she should take over."

"No, all is very well, I don't need anyone to-"

"Show you a good time," she attempted to finish my sentence.

It was almost as though Lauren had a sixth sense because my phone rang and her and that oreo appeared as an incoming call. "I need to take this.." I said. Tawni snatched my phone and answered it. "Hey, no phones are allowed here in the White Room. Try again later," she hung up and I stared at her with my jaw dropped. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" I shouted. I snagged my phone back and pushed her aside, rushing out the door and to the front of the club.

"C'mon pick up," I panicked. The frequent ringing was driving me absolutely mad. It went to voicemail several times. "Lauren, please answer.. that all got taken out of context." I tried once more but got voicemail. So I texted her numerois amounts of time to no avail. I ended up walking back to the hotel and staying up for hours worried because Lauren was no doubt pissed. I mean, I'd be upset if a guy answered her phone and said some shit like that to me.

I woke up exhausted, running on two hours of sleep. No response from Lauren. I slipped on my suit and headed out to my car. "I'm hungover, mate," Liam groaned as he walked out his hotel room at the same time as me.
"I woke up with someone named Sophia's number on my hand in purple pen. I texted the number. No response yet. I don't remember meeting any females yesterday, but I'm guessing it happened. Did you help me back to my room?"

"Psssh, no. I left early because some unfortunate stuff happened last night."

"Like what?" I filled Liam in on what happened and his jaw also dropped.

"Lauren's got to understand. She's one of the most understanding ladies I know."

"Yeah, well at this point she's not doing that. She even turned her read receipts on to show me that she's definetely ignoring me."

"What do you thinks going to happen?"

"I don't know. I don't know if I'm going to go back to the flat and my shit will be packed or if I'll be able to plead my case and we push foreward. I told you I didn't want to go last night." I got into my car and Liam followed suit.

"Don't pin this on me, you act like I knew women were going to be there dancing about. I only knew of the reputation, I didn't know what would happen and I was so blasted last night I can't even remember the women if I tried." I shook my head realizing I shouldn't blame Liam and I should have left the moment I saw the women walk through the doors, or excused myself when I saw Lauren calling. So many things I could have done but didn't do. Two more days and I would be back home.
-
I got back to the hotel room five hours later and attempted to call Lauren again. No shock, I'd gotten voicemail. "Lauren please for the love of all that is holy answer me. Please," I pleaded unbuttoning my shirt. There was a knock on my door and I pulled it open to see an excited Liam. "Please tell me if I'm being catfished or not. I finally got a text back from Sophia and she told me she was one of the dancers and she wouldn't expect me to remember her because I was so drunk and she told me we had a very enticing conversation about the U.K, even though I was drunk. She's from the U.K! Anyway I asked her to send me a picture thinking it'd jog my memory but I am certain I'd remember seeing her.. did you see her last night?" he held his phone up and sure enough it was the busty brunette. "That is her."

"What?! Are you serious?! I have got to be one lucky bastard. Would it be foreward to ask to see her?"

"Hey, go for it." Liam grinned and started texting away. I pulled my shirt off, and got out of my pants, sliding beneath red cotton duvets.

"You okay?"

"I don't know."

"No luck with Lauren, huh?"

"None at all. Do you think I can leave tomorrow? Lie and say an emergency came up? I can't have Lauren pissed at me and not be able to do anything about it."

"Hester will fire you if you try to leave, this week is really important to the buisness for him."

"I am aware. I just- we just got engaged, we didn't even get to start wedding planning before I turned around and unintentionally fucked things up."

"Just talk to her face to face when you get back. It'll be fine."

Let's hope so.