Lauren & Joey- I miss you
Part one
Lauren sat alone in the corner of the vic her thoughts as usual these days on Joey,
"Lauren?!" Uncle Jack says in disbelieve in the state of his niece who had messed up hair and looked scruffy,
"Uncle jack? Your home?" Lauren pulls herself into his arms as he holds her feeling her body trembling and could smell alcohol knowing she had been at it a while,
"Come on darling lets get you home" jack carries a fragile Lauren over to her house and once she is fast asleep jack confronts Tanya,
"What is going on Tan?!"
"Nothing. She's young she's going to get drunk jack!" Jack shakes his head knowing when Tanya was lying,
"Tan come on its me" Tanya sighs before sitting down making Jack do the same,
"She is just been through a lot. She uh is actually heartbroken"
"I've not seen her with a boy. So who was he then?"
"Joey" Tanya says so quietly that Jack has to strain to hear,
"Joey? As in her cousin Joey?"
"Yes. He broke up with her and she's not taking it too well but Jack I'm handling it"
"Clearly not tan! You saw the state of her tonight!"
Later that evening Lauren opens her eyes her head throbbing already and her mouth dry, she slowly lifts herself out of bed and makes her way downstairs and into the kitchen to get some water,
"Lauren?" Lauren frowns and her heart races hearing his voice as she tries to figure out where it is coming , she realises its coming from her mobile and anxiously places the phone to her ear,
"Hello Joey?"
"Lauren? Why you calling me?" She sighs not really sure why? Or even remembering dialling his number,
"I don't know...I am sorry Joey" Lauren says through her tears making Joey tense his heart aching in the obvious pain he is causing her,
"You want to meet Lauren?" He offers knowing that Lauren would be bottling things up,
"Yes...thank you Joey!"
"I'll meet you at the caff in five babe!" Joey hung up making Lauren frown in confusion as she thought that he didn't want her anymore and yet he's offering his support and calling her babe? Lauren puts on the nearest shoes she could find and pulls her coat on before sneaking out the house. As she enters she spots Joey already sat waiting with two mugs of tea making her smile warmly as she sits herself down,
"Thanks" she says gratefully as she sips her tea Joey lost for words on how to begin the conversation,
"Joey I have things I need to say to you..."
"Listen babe before you do I need to make it clear that I'm here as a mate nothing else" Lauren felt like she had been slapped across the face as her eyes watered and her hands trembled,
"Oh it's clear Joey. Don't worry I'm not going to pounce on you!" Lauren stands and is about to turn and leave when Joey grabs her arm,
"Lauren wait?"
"Get off me! NOW!" Jack suddenly walks in as Joey lets go looking mortified,
"Lauren?! What you doing here?!" Lauren barges past him and runs through the square and into the nightclub pushing her way towards the bar,
"Double vodka tonic please!" She says trembling as she suddenly realised she has no money on her,
"Uh hi I'm Lauren listen could you by me my drink just that I've lost my purse?" Lauren asks the guy next to her who quite clearly leering at her as her pulled out his wallet,
"Thanks uh sorry what's your name?"
"Dale. Here cheers darling!" They clink glasses as she downs her drink not evening gagging making dale raise his eyebrows making her annoyed,
"Problem?!"
"Nah love just amazed!" Lauren hands trembled craving more vodka,
"Well get me another and I'll amaze you some more!"
Jack and Joey had been looking for her for an half hour both feeling tight in anxiety as Jack got her voicemail for the fifth time,
"So why lead the girl on Joe?!" Jack asks curiously as he saw the glint of fear in his eyes which confirmed that he cared for Lauren,
"I didn't I mean I didn't mean for it to happen..."
"Come on Joe your not a player and I see the fear in your eyes like I have. You care Joey. Question is why make both of you unhappy?"
"Derek threatened me and I had no choice alright Jack now let's focus on finding her before she gets herself in danger!" Jack frowns confused when suddenly it hits him knowing his brother well and how he likes to take control of the family,
"Say no more Joey." That's when they spot her entering a car with some guys making them run yelling but are too late as the car speeds off ...