Change of Events – Chapter 2
Lauren couldn't shake off the feeling of his hands on her wet body yesterday. How he let his hands skim down her arms before letting go. She lay there just thinking of him, leaving across the square knowing he didn't want to be with her. Crying softly into her pillow, she reached a decision.
"Snap out of it" she said inwardly, sitting upright. "If you want him you go and get him" deciding enough was enough, she had so many questions and no answers.
Pulling on a large jumper and leggings with difficulty, her ribs causing her more pain as she moved around, she headed towards Dot's where Joey was now living.
Taking a deep breath she knocked lightly on the door, a panic feeling overwhelming her as she was about to walk away she heard the door creak open followed by a sigh.
"Lauren what are you doing here?" standing in the doorway with just his tracksuit bottoms on, hanging on his waist, his chiselled chest bulging. She gulped, remembering how hot he actually was.
"We need to talk, and I'm not leaving until you explain" she said confidently crossing her arms, her face scrunching slightly as she caught her bruised rib.
"You shouldn't be out, your still recovering" he replied seeing she was still hurt.
"Don't change the subject, I want an explanation" feeling herself shake slightly with anger. "You broke my heart and I want to know why" biting down hard on her lip to stop herself crying.
"I already said, me and you were a mistake" hating himself for what he was telling her.
You liar, his head was telling him.
"Since when because you didn't mention it when we were going away together" getting annoyed at how blunt he was being towards her. "Was that the plan, we go away for a bit you get bored then ditch me? Because your just a player" she snapped.
"You're right I am a player" his heart hurting as he continued to lie.
"And I got played" she choked out, not being able to control herself anymore as the tears streamed down her face, wiping away at them fiercely she turned on her heel heading to the one place she knew she could be numb.
Joey fought hard against the urge to run after her, she was in a state and he just wanted this torture to be over. Shutting the front door he slid himself down it so he was sitting on the floor, his head in his hands as the emotion got too much for him.
Lauren was slumped over a table in The Vic. Hidden in the corner from anyone. Downing her 6th drink she was well and truly drunk. Getting up to get another, she faced the disapproving eyes of Alfie.
"Lauren babe, I can't serve you anymore" rubbing his hand on her arm, seeing the clear pain in her eyes.
"Fine" she hiccupped, leaving the pub and heading to R&R where she knew she would be served.
Lauren knew exactly how to get drinks, she flirted outrageously with boys that walked through the door until they bought her a drink. One in particular taking a keen liking to her.
Sitting in a booth at R&R Lauren listened to probably the most boring man she had ever talked to tell her his life story just so she could get another drink. In some sense it was lucky she was drunk because if she was sober she would of left by now. Her eyes drifted to the bar where Joey had just started his shift. He clocked her instantly, watching as some creep brushed his hands up and down her thigh, Lauren clearly drunk beyond the point of no return. His focus flicked between serving and Lauren, that constant protective feeling washing through his veins.
"Lets go outside" the bloke whispered to Lauren knowing he could take advantage of her.
Lauren nodded unwittingly, letting his pull her up to stand, her ribs feeling a little better from the alcohol. Walking past the bar and up the stairs, Joey felt sick, it was his own fault he knew that, but he couldn't stand Lauren being with someone else.
"So would you like to go back to my place" he whispered into her ear, Lauren now backed up to a wall. She felt uncomfortable but the lack of strength she had from her ribs and the amount of alcohol swimming in her veins made her vulnerable and weak, too week to push him away.
"No thanks" she smirked, letting her sarcasm take control.
"But you were well up for it, thought you would be easy" he replied, knowing she was rejecting him.
"I am not easy, I used you to buy me drinks" she snapped back, trying to push him off her.
"Your just a dirty little slut" he spat back, gripping onto her wrists and holding her still.
"Please let go of me" her voice shaking as she knew where this might go.
He laughed in her face as he continued to get closer to her, Lauren moving her face away from his, her hands hurting as his grip got tighter.
"Let me go please" panic arising in her voice.
Joey felt this overwhelming feeling of panic and worry. Lauren hadn't come back in, he didn't want that creep to take advantage of her because of him. Deciding he would just go check she was okay, he headed up the stairs and outside. Glancing around he couldn't see her, sighing he was about to make his way back down when he heard her voice.
"Your hurting me, please let me go" the cries in her voice overpowering anything.
Looking to the alleyway at the side of R&R Joey ran over, seeing Lauren completely backed up against the wall, tear stains down her face, the bloke holding her hands to the side of her body.
Anger taking over, Joey swung at the bloke knocking him spark out, pulling Lauren from the alleyway and into his arms, sobbing into his chest.
"It's okay I got you" running his fingers through her hair trying to calm the erratic girl in his embrace.
"Why don't you love me" he heard her whisper to his chest, his heart breaking at that moment. Feeling Lauren pushing herself away from him, he watched as she wiped the tears away trying to gain control of her emotions.
"Thanks" she said before walking off towards number 5. Joey watching until he saw her get into the house.
This was going to be harder than he ever imagined.