𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝕸𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘

Chapter Three

Janet tossed and turned in her bed, once again mulling over what happened through lunch.

Jim, Cory, Joey, Mick, and Janet had stopped by a local dinner. Corey pulled Janet to the side.

"Act like you're interested in Jim. It's his idea." Corey pulled away and took a seat across the table beside Joey, and Mick sat on the outside, the two purposefully blocking their drummer.

Jim smiled, "After you," and Janet took her seat.

She sat across from Joey, who had his nose buried in the menu.

A waitress stopped by and took their orders, and while they waited, the group began chatting. Jim nonchalantly stretched and draped his right arm behind Janet. A cheesy move, but they had to start somewhere. Eventually, the process picked up speed. They shared a meal, became vaguely touchy, and flirted heavily. At one point, Janet "dropped" her fork and ducked underneath the table to fetch it.

"Whoa, Janet, you haven't bought me dinner first," Jim chuckled. Corey and Mick laughed too.

Janet wasn't expecting that from him. She bumped her head on the underside of the table in surprise and scrambled back to her spot.

"Haha, You wish, Peachy." She played it off with a cheeky grin.

Janet put a pillow over her face, gritting her teeth to stifle her scream.

Sure she had to flirt with Jim, but all she could think about was Joey in his place. Fed-up with Corey's wicked game, she marched out of her room in search of him.

She heard him in the living room. Janet stood in the threshold of the hallway. Joey sat on the couch, fuming in anger, and too busy shouting into his phone to acknowledge Janet's presence.

Corey looked over and shook his head, motioning her to leave. He mouthed, "I'll tell you in a sec."

Craig made a u-turn after coming to check out what was going on. It was deathly serious, that much was obvious. Janet quietly stepped back into the hall and made her way back to her and Joey's room.

Corey kept his promise and took a seat beside Janet on her bed.

"So, he caught his girlfriend cheating." he sighed.

Janet gave a confused look, "He was dating someone, yet you tried to put us together? That's why she probably cheated. It's my fault."

"No, that's not it at all," Corey put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "It's the third time she's done this, like, way before we even knew you existed." Janet sighed with relief. "We told him multiple times to just end the relationship already, but Joey kept forgiving the bitch, and neither of them learned from it."

Corey smiled, "Look on the bright side though, you have an even better chance with him now." he nudged her, smirking.

Janet rolled her eyes, but couldn't disagree, "I guess you're right, but can y'all take it down a notch?"

"Sounds like a plan!" Corey smiled, and they sealed the deal with a handshake.

Corey stood to his feet, "Now," he changed the subject, "Let's jam out for a while."

🥁🥁🥁

Half a month had passed. Joey hadn't left his bed after breaking it off with his long-term girlfriend. It was Janet's turn to make supper for everyone that night, but Joey still didn't participate. Making him a plate anyway, Janet took it to their room and placed it on his nightstand. She switched on his bedside lamp and put the many empty beer bottles in the trash bin.

"Joey?" Janet took a seat beside him. He was blankly starring at the TV.

She shook him from his stupor, "Joey."

"Huh?" He was utterly clueless, but Janet smiled anyways.

"I dropped off your supper." but she couldn't help herself, wrapping Joey in a hug, "I- I'm sorry for what had happened between you two." Janet had been holding back and couldn't take it anymore. She wanted to now that Joey knew she cared for him.

After a minute, Joey reciprocated, "No need to feel sorry for me, but Thanks."

Janet's heart began to race with excitement. Not only did he hug her back, but he accepted it without saying something negative.

It was curiously comforting to Joey. Like a blanket fresh out of the dryer that you'd wrap around yourself quickly to savor in its warmth before it was too late.

*Snap!*

"What the fuck, Sid!" Janet pulled away and charged after the band's DJ.

Joey bit his lip, 'I got it bad,' he groaned, quickly fixing his pants.

🥁🥁🥁

Janet clocked in for the night early, as did some of the others. Craig, Corey, Chris, and Sid sat around the room doing various things.

"Well, look who's alive!" exclaimed Chris.

Joey rolled his eyes and took his spot on the sofa. He swallowed his pride, crossed his arms, and admitted, "Fine, you all are right. I like Janet."

"F I N A L L Y !" shouted Craig, "Sid, Corey, cough up those twenties!"

Craig rarely ever spoke, but he couldn't help himself. Everyone was caught off guard.