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Chapter 3 – Just a Crush?
Loren walked out of the café and saw Eddie leaning against his car in a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap. Loren smiled and walked up to him. Eddie pulled her into an embrace as she approached.
Eddie: Why don't we get out of here?
Loren: Sounds good.
Eddie opened the door for her and he got in the other side.
Loren: I didn't know you drove.
Eddie: Ha-ha funny. I don't have people drive me everywhere.
Loren: Well what do you expect me to think? I don't have many rock star friends.
Eddie: Yeah I kind of figured.
Loren: Hey shut up!
She pushed his head playfully and he leaned over and pushed hers.
Eddie: Hey I just have to make one stop.
Loren: Okay that's fine. Where?
Eddie: Umm Chloe's house…
Loren: Oh… Okay…
Eddie: I need to get my stuff that I left over there.
Loren: Okay are you sure you want me to come?
Eddie: Yeah I really want you there with me.
Loren: Okay if you are sure.
Eddie nodded and looked back to the road. Loren squeezed his arm in comfort and he smiled.
Chloe's ~
There was a knock at the door. Chloe figured it would be Tyler. She went to open it and she was surprised to see Eddie.
Chloe: (smiling) Eddie it's great to see you!
Eddie: Don't insinuate anything Chloe I am just here to get my things.
Eddie walked past her and walked in with his hand in Loren's as she walked in with him.
Chloe: I didn't realize you were babysitting.
Eddie: Oh shut up Chloe!
Chloe seemed taken aback by Eddie's anger. He ignored her and pulled Loren along by the hand into the bedroom. Loren held out her bag and Eddie shoved his stuff in it. As they turned to go Chloe stood in the doorway.
Eddie: Move.
Chloe: No not until you talk to me.
Eddie: I have nothing to say to you.
Chloe: Could you at least clue me in on why you are dating this little valley girl who doesn't deserve you.
Loren: Excuse me we aren't dating we are just friends.
Chloe looked pointedly at their clasped hands. Loren thought Eddie would release her hand but he just squeezed tighter. She smiled that he was still on her side and wanted her in his life. He shoved past Chloe.
Chloe: Eddie do not do this. You are making a mistake!
Eddie: Am I, because I don't see it.
Chloe: Eddie you will regret this. You will be crawling back in no time.
Eddie just shook his head and walked out with Loren.
Penthouse ~
Eddie: Sorry about that.
Loren: It's okay.
Loren was looking around in awe.
Eddie: What?
Loren: This place is amazing!
Eddie: (laughed) It's just an apartment Lo.
Loren: Just an apartment?! You are crazy!
Eddie laughed again. He started walking up the stairs and motioned for Loren to follow. They walked up to his room. She handed him her bag for him to put his things away. She walked up to a wall that had all his awards and pictures.
Loren: These are amazing.
Eddie: Yeah I guess…
Loren: (laughed) You guess… Who is this?
Loren was looking at a picture of Eddie with Max and a woman.
Loren: Is this your mom?
Eddie: Yeah. That's my mom. She died in a car accident a few years ago.
Loren: Oh Eddie I'm so sorry.
Eddie had walked up to her to look at the picture. She squeezed his hand in comfort. He walked over to the bed to sit down with her hand still in his. They sat down next to each other.
Eddie: It was harder for my dad because he was the one driving. A car was driving on the wrong side of the road. He tried to swerve out of the way. But he drove right into a tree. My mom died when they got to the hospital.
Loren leaned her head on Eddie's shoulder.
Loren: That's awful. Did they ever catch the person who did it?
Eddie: No that's the worst part.
Loren nodded. They sat like that for a few more minutes in silence.
Loren: Didn't you want to play me some of your new songs?
Eddie: Yeah I did.
Eddie stood up and they walked back downstairs. He went and sat down at the piano and Loren sat down next to him.
Eddie: It's not finished.
Loren: That's okay I still want to hear it.
I'm not usually the type of guy to call twice,
and leave a message everytime (It's me again) [Chorus] So big, this thing that we got going on And I'm like, yeah
That's quite alright
And most days I just dust them off like that
Girls text me, you're the only one I text back
Cause you know where the party's at
And I'm like, yeaaah
Everything you heard is true
Everybody knows I'm hung up on you (oh oh oh)
And I'm like, yeaaah
Telling other girls I'm through
Everybody knows I'm hung up on you (oh oh oh)
Riding round downtown where you take the top off, yeah
It turns me on
And I'm like, woah
Girl, how'd you get me hooked like this?
One look, one touch, one kiss, one chick
And then I can't resist
Everything you heard is true
Everybody knows I'm hung up on you (oh oh oh)
And I'm like, yeah
Telling other girls I'm through
Everybody knows I'm hung up on you (oh oh oh)
Eddie: That's all I have so far.
Loren: Well I love it. How did you get the inspiration for this song?
Eddie looked into her eyes. Loren blushed. She got a text on her phone from her mom.
Loren: My mom needs me home. I got a lot of homework to do before school tomorrow.
Eddie: Okay. I will take you home.
Next day at school ~
Loren: MEL!
Mel: WHAT!?
Loren: I need to tell you something.
Mel: What?
Loren pulled her aside.
Loren: (whispering) I was hanging out with Eddie yesterday and he wrote a song. It was called Hung Up on You.
Loren gave her a look and Mel freaked.
Mel: SERIOUSLY!?
Loren: Mel be quiet!
Mel: Sorry!
It was too late they had attracted attention. Adriana Masters walked up.
Adriana: What's with the yelling? Trouble in paradise?
Mel: Oh shut up Adriana.
Adriana: Oh very snippy are we. Don't forget I am dating your brother.
Mel: Yeah and you two deserve each other completely.
Loren and Mel laughed and walked away leaving Adriana furious. At lunch Loren and Mel sat down at the table outside.
Mel: So what did you say after he sang that song?
Loren: I said it was amazing even though it wasn't finished. And I asked what inspired it and he just looked straight into my eyes.
Mel: Oh my gosh!
Loren: I know what does it mean?
Mel: Loren are you stupid?! He likes you!
Loren: I don't think he does.
Mel: Loren he likes you. Just because he is a rock star doesn't mean he can't like you!
Loren: Yeah but we are from two different worlds.
Mel: Not for long.
Loren paused digesting this. Adam walked up and sat down.
Adam: Hey guys what's up?
Mel: Oh nothing Loren just told me Eddie Duran has a crush on her!
Adam: Seriously?!
Mel: That's what I said!
Loren: You guys! Nothing is going to happen!
Mel: Oh please!
They were interrupted when Phil walked up and sat down.
Phil: What's up sis?
Mel: Nothing. But your girlfriend sure had her say this morning.
Phil: Aid is just misunderstood that's all.
Mel: Oh like you?
Phil: Ha-ha very funny. I will see you later.
He kissed her cheek and walked away. Mel rolled her eyes.
Mel: So anyways back to what we were talking about before.
Loren: There is nothing to talk about Mel. Nothing is going to happen.
Loren stood up and walked away. Mel turned to Adam.
Mel: How can she not see how amazing she is?
Adam: Yeah. Someone like Eddie would be crazy not to like her.
Mel: And he does like her she just is too afraid to admit that he likes her.
MK ~
Max: Hey Eddie what's up?
Eddie: Nothing much just wanted to come see what Papa Max is up too.
Max: Really?
Eddie: Pop I can come see how you are doing without having a problem that I need you to solve.
Max: Okay sorry.
Eddie: So what have you been doing in your spare time? I haven't seen much of you these past few days.
Max: Actually nothing. What have you been doing?
Eddie: Alright I get it.
Max: So how is Loren?
Eddie: She is fine.
Max: So what are you thinking about?
Eddie: I kind of told Loren that I liked her. Not straight out. But through a new song that I am writing and I haven't talked to her since.
Max: Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Eddie: I thought it was a good thing at the time. But I don't want to scare her off. I really like this girl. I don't want to do something stupid and risk losing her completely.
Max: Eddie if you shy away from her you could risk losing her anyway.
Eddie: I know. But I can't even trust my feelings yet. It has only been a few days since I broke up with Chloe and I have only known Loren for a few weeks.
Max: Sometimes a few weeks is all it takes.
Eddie: But can I trust my feelings or do I just feel like I need companionship?
Max: Eddie you have always been open about your feelings. I get that you are scared. You just got out of a bad relationship. But are you going to let that fear get in the way of something great?
This comment silenced him. He couldn't figure out what he wanted to do.
Two Weeks Later ~
It had been a few weeks since Eddie and Loren had hung out in person. They had texted or seen each other at the office but that was it. Loren was working when she saw someone walk up to the counter. She looked up and saw that it was Eddie.
Eddie: Hey Loren can I talk to you?
Loren: Umm sure I just got off.
She took off her apron and grabbed her bag following him out. He drove them to their secret spot. They got out of the car and Loren stood there with her arms folded.
Loren: What's up Eddie? You haven't even talked to me in forever.
Eddie: I'm sorry. I am just trying to figure some stuff out.
Loren: Figure what out?
Eddie sat down and Loren sat down next to him.
Eddie: Loren I have never met someone like you before. You are so down to earth and real.
Loren: Well I can honestly say I haven't met someone like you.
Eddie: (laughed) Is that supposed to be a compliment.
Loren: Of course.
Eddie took her hand and she looked at him confused.
Eddie: I have been trying to figure out what has been going on with us.
Loren: And what have you figured out?
Eddie looked at her straight in the eyes before he began to speak.