Chapter 10: Hangovers, Hospitals and Dates

Lauren was sat in the hospital with her Mum on her own, keeping her company as she received her treatment. However, today, it was the last place she felt like being as she nursed a major hangover herself. Yep, she had managed to somehow gatecrash a local house party after meeting a group of college guys in a local diner. The sound of others retching around her made her want to gag herself; she definitely felt as fragile as everyone around her but the big difference was her fragile state was self inflicted and theirs not.

Flashback

"Lauren, where do you think you're going?" Abi asked as Lauren grabbed her jacket. It was early evening but already dark out being winter.

"I just need some space. Don't worry; I saw some cafe, or diner or whatever, a few minutes away from here. Just need to get out of here before I go crazy." She explained; the whole day she had spent helping her Nan look after Oscar while Abi and her Dad took care of her Mum, who had spent the whole previous night and day throwing up. But it wasn't just throwing up; she was now bringing up blood which made Lauren gag even more. She knew she shouldn't be so selfish but she couldn't help it. She knew she didn't want to be here anymore; not because she didn't want to support her Mum but because seeing her Mum the way she was made her feel angry after everything their whole family had been through over the years and she couldn't be as strong as her Mum needed her to be.

Abi looked at her sister disappointedly. "Don't you think you should be here? Dad needs us."

"Abs, they've coped for long enough without us and it's just a few hours." Lauren hadn't wanted to come in the first place; the only thing that had really pushed her into coming was because of everything that was happening back home with Joey. She needed to get away from him; somewhere where there was no chance of bumping into him or him finding her. "I'll see you later."

Abi shook her head; her sister was a walking time bomb it seemed these days.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"So you're from London, right?" Zac, a twenty one year old local university student asked, as she sat in the diner nursing a black coffee.

"Yep. Good old London. You ever been?" There were a few other friends of his around but Lauren knew she wasn't interested in a single one of them.

"No, we want to though. Heard you British chicks are a good laugh." Lauren thought about it before replying.

"Yeah, I guess we Brits are a good laugh sometimes."

"Hey, look, we're heading over to a friend's party if you wanna join us; it's meant to be the place where it's all going off tonight." A brown haired guy opposite asked, although she couldn't remember his name.

"Will there be booze?" They nodded. "Then lead the way."

Lauren, for some reason in that moment, couldn't help but think back on Joey's words to her that day on the beach, about using him instead of alcohol, but when she'd tried, he didn't pick up. Feeling angry and hurt about the situation, Lauren pushed him out of her head; she was going to have drink and show him that she didn't need his pity. If she wanted to get drunk, she'd get drunk. And if she wanted to hook up with a guy, she could; she was single and Joey wasn't going to control her anymore. She needed to forget everything in her fucked up life so there would be no taking it easy tonight.

End flashback

Thankfully, she hadn't hooked up with anyone because she was far too wasted before anything could happen; Zac had insisted on bringing her home, concerned something might happen to her if he didn't. He was a good guy and this morning when she'd woken up, she'd been grateful that nothing had happened to her because most of the night was a blur once she started drinking.

"Lauren, can you pass my water please?" Lauren leaned over and grabbed the bottle of water off the side, unscrewing the lid before handing it to her Mum. "Thanks, Darling."

Lauren gave her Mum a nod before falling back into the chair. Abi had insisted on taking their Dad out for the day to give him a break, so Lauren was taking his place instead alongside her Mum in the hospital that day.

"Ah, Mrs Branning, how are you feeling today? Any better today?" Lauren looked up at the young, tanned, male registrar in front of her Mum.

Closing her eyes as her head started pounding, she listened to her Mum talk. "Hi, Jake. What have I told you, it's Tanya, not Mrs Branning. Yeah, I'm not feeling quite as bad; not been sick yet so far today, so that's always a good thing."

The young doctor turned his attention to Lauren in the chair and smiled seeing her sitting with her eyes closed before turning back to Tanya. "Definitely. You've got another three weeks of treatment left, haven't you?"

"Just over two now." Tanya corrected. It might have seemed strange but she was quite literally counting down the days and hours until it was all over and she could go home.

Lauren couldn't believe how quick the time had gone since her Mum had come here. "Oh yeah. Time's flying by, isn't it? Your husband not here today?"

Tanya shook her head. "No, he's having a day off. Instead I've got my eldest here, Lauren."

Tanya nudged her daughter, noting her closed eyes and slumbered position. She knew Lauren was hung-over but she was also aware it was pointless having another go at her right now because neither of them was in the mood for a full blown argument; which would be inevitable when it came to Lauren, her behaviour and drinking. It wasn't like saying anything would change things either.

"Mrs Branning, Tanya, you don't look old enough to have a daughter of this age." Tanya blushed at the compliment, well that or the treatment which was known to cause hot flushes.

Lauren rolled her eyes. "Do you normally flirt with all your patients? Surely that's not ethical."

"Lauren!" Tanya scolded, hearing her daughter's remarks. "I'm so sorry, you'll have to excuse her."

"Don't worry, I've had a lot worse. And to answer your question, Lauren, no I don't. Only those with beautiful daughters."

Lauren scoffed. Was this guy for real? "Oh so you're a paedo, are you? That's sick."

Lauren's P.O.V.

"No I'm not a 'paedo'. I'm just awful at chatting to such pretty girls and asking them out so I thought I tried and go through Mum instead." He wasn't cocky as he said it but more, polite? Basically the complete opposite of Joey.

Mum spoke up, having obviously got to know the young doctor in front of us over the past few weeks. "She'd love to. She needs a good man in her life. A positive influence."

Oh that wasn't subtle at all. What because as a Mum she's been such good influence on me over the years and the relationships I've witnessed have been the best examples; all the lying, cheating, divorces.

"What? No thanks; I've already got one." I winced as the words slipped from my mouth before I could stop; why had I done that? I wanted nothing more to do with Joey, right? "Or I did have, at least." I corrected myself seeing the baffled look on Mum's face.

"What guy?"

"You don't know him. I met him just before you left. Besides, I ended it just before I came out here." The young doctor, Jake as Mum called him, looked slightly uncomfortable. Maybe a date would help me move on, right? I wanted to forget Joey and maybe another date would help me to stop thinking back to my last date with Joey. "Ok, fine, I'll go but only as a very casual friend type date."

Wait, aren't I agreeing to a date with a practical stranger? But isn't that what I did when I made the deal and met up with Joey for dinner that night and slept with him?

"Really?" He sounded genuinely surprised. Poor guy looked like he might even have a heart attack; guessing he doesn't do well with girls, despite his looks. He cleared his threat nervously. "Ok, well how about I call you later with the details?" I nodded; I guess he was good looking enough but nowhere near the same league as Joey. His arms and legs were skinny unlike Joey's bulging biceps and rock hard muscular thighs.

Wait, I had to stop doing this! I couldn't keep comparing everyone I met to Joey. He wasn't Mr Perfect after all. He'd given me money in return for sex. He was cocky. He was flashy. He was a flirt. Had a bad reputation with women. He was too wrapped up in his work for a personal life. He broke promises. He liked to be in control. But he was a delicate lover when needed. He was caring. He was passionate. He was protective. He loved me. But he's my cousin!

Well if he wasn't my Mr Perfect, why was it I felt like I was suddenly burning up at just the thought of his... well his everything?

"I don't have my phone. Give Mum your details and I'll call you. I'll be back in a minute, Mum." Standing up, I walked out of the room quickly; if I didn't get some air soon, I was gonna pass out.

This was stupid. He still had control over me and he wasn't even doing anything. Urgh! I hate him! Hate him! Hate him!

I love him!

A/N: Aren't I nice leaving you all there? I'll post more tomorrow! Sorry for the delay in getting this up tonight; had to work late. Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter! :)