We're Just Friends

Chapter 13

Lauren's POV

"When did you tell him?" Julia asked suddenly.

"Actually, I told her. It was just before we met you guys at the beach after I took Lo to the hospital," Joey said, his arm still wrapped around my waist as if he was afraid to let go.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Meredith asked.

I smiled, "we just wanted to have some fun," I shrugged.

Once everyone calmed down from mine and Joey's announcement, we decided it was time to head to bed. We had to be up relatively early the next morning to pack everything down and begin the drive back.

"Sorry if I gave the game away tonight," Joey said and I laughed.

"No, baby. It was getting harder for me to not act like I'm so in love with you. And besides, I'm the one that said dare," I said, blushing a little as I admitted that to Joey.

"I know the feeling," Joey whispered, before we settled down for one more night in the tent.

The next morning was busy as we were all taking down the tents and packing the cars up. This week had been a rollercoaster for me, I'd been dumped, got a new boyfriend, and broken my wrist all in the same week. I'd had some of the happiest days of my life, and I had shared them with all my favourite people.

Once we were all packed up, everyone climbed into the cars, agreeing to stop off at the grocery store to buy snacks for the trip back. Joey drove the majority of the journey with one hand rested on my knee, or holding my hand.

"I still can't believe you guys managed to keep it all a secret from us for as long as you did. And you probably would have lasted longer had we not played truth or dare," Julia said.

"I genuinely believed you guys when you shut us down at the beach. I started to think maybe we were reading too much into it," Joe said and I laughed.

"To be fair, the way Joey said that I was worried he actually meant it," I said. Joey turned to look at me briefly, before turning his eyes back to the road.

"Really?" he asked and I nodded. "I guess I'm just a great actor then."

Everyone laughed, "But seriously, you guys didn't have a clue you both had feelings for each other before we pointed it out?" Julia asked.

"I knew I did, but Lo was with Will so I sort of just pushed the feelings down and did my best to forget about them," Joey said. "But I clearly didn't do a very good job."

"I guess I never really thought about where my relationship with Joey was going. I just thought we were friends, probably because I was with Will, but then I noticed I was happier with Joey, and I could be myself around him rather than pretending to be someone I'm not. I didn't have a clue as to whether he felt the same way towards me though," I replied and Julia shook her head.

"You two are unbelievable. But I am honestly so happy for you guys. Just treat her well, Richter, or I'll hunt you down," Julia said, her voice becoming a tad threatening.

The drive back to Joey's seemed to pass by in no time at all. We all headed inside to his apartment, everyone staying for a little while before heading home, leaving just Joey and I.

"What a week, huh?" I asked, collapsing back onto the couch.

Joey smiled, "it certainly has been eventful. But a good eventful," he said.

"Well other than my breakup and wrist fracture," I said and he laughed.

"Yes, but the breakup led to us getting together so really it was a good thing," Joey said, pulling me closer to him. I was now sat with my legs across his lap with his arms wrapped around me.

I smiled, "Very true, JoJo," I said, leaning up against him.

I never wanted this moment to end. I was so perfectly happy with Joey. I couldn't believe I had never realised just how happy he had made me before this week.

"What's on your mind, babe?" Joey asked, playing with my hair.

"Just how I could have been so oblivious to all of this. I don't feel like much has changed with us physically, other than more kisses. It's like we've been like this forever," I said and Joey smiled.

"Forever is how long I've liked you," he whispered.

I looked at Joey, who smiled warmly at me. "How long have you liked me?" I asked.

"Since the first day I met you. But I started having feelings for you during AVPS, I didn't fully acknowledge them until SPACE tour though," he said quietly.

"JoJo," I whispered, tears forming in my eyes. "Why did you wait so long to tell me?"

He smiled, "I was too afraid. I didn't think someone like you would ever like someone like me," he said.

I placed my hand on his face. "JoJo. I don't like someone like you," I said, pausing a little. "I love you."

"I love you too, LoLo. So much," he said before reaching over to kiss me.

I spent a little while longer with Joey before he drove me back home.

"I don't know how I'm going to sleep without you by my side tonight," I said as Joey walked me to my door.

He smiled, "I'm only a phone call away if you need me. But I'm definitely going to see you tomorrow anyway," he said and I smiled.

"Can't get enough of me, can you?" I asked, reaching my arms up to hug his neck.

"Never, Lopez, I can never get enough of you," he said and gave me one last kiss.

I watched as he walked back to the car, giving me one last wave before driving off. I headed inside and unpacked my bag, putting some washing on before sitting down on the couch.

I pulled out my phone and smiled as a message from Joey popped up on the screen.

JoJo: Miss you already, LoLo. Thank you for a life-changing week. Love you xx

'Miss you too JoJo. Love you more xo' I replied.

I really did miss him, even after just a few hours of being away from him. We'd spent so much time together over the past week, I guessed it was natural for me to feel that way. But I only knew one thing for sure, Joey was definitely more than just my friend.

••••••••

Ok so tomorrow is the last chapter... which is important, but no where near as important as yesterday's announcement!!!

Lauren and Joey are engaged!! If you haven't seen the cute as fuck announcements on Instagram, please go and look at them because you won't be disappointed.

I am honestly so happy for them, they deserve so much and I am so glad they have each other!

Anyway, I'm gonna go back to crying over how much I love them!

Thanks for reading - see you tomorrow for the last chapter!

E xo