A/N: wow, I know, it's been super long since I last updates this fic. I really just needed to find the time to sit down and write a chapter. I'm also busy working on my two other stories, so that pushes this to the back burner. nevertheless, I did produce a new chapter for you all. I know I said I would have a new chapter of Caught uploaded first, but I worked on this instead.
I also want to thank you guys for sticking with this story and giving it all the reviews. I hope you continue with the support. I will write more chapter of this, to give you all more frequent updates. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember to leave reviews. :)
Chapter 12 - The One That (almost) Got Away
Bo's POV
I stood frozen to the spot, just before I reached the dance floor. I tried to move, walk back to Lauren at the bar, but I couldn't. "Oh no, no, no, he can't be here." I muttered I myself. Why him, why here, why now? My only hope was that he didn't see me tonight because there is no way I'm leaving this club just because of him. I proceeded to move to the dance floor, Lauren was still at the bar finishing her beer. I would dance a little alone then beckon her to join me. It seemed that the night wouldn't go as planned seeing as right after the song ended, Dyson spotted me. "Oh shit." I said aloud. He squinted and cocked his was almost trying to make sure it was really me he was seeing. He backed away from the blonde and started to approach me. There was nothing I could do now, I was virtually trapped. I started to move through the crowd of people, not really having much luck at escaping.
"Bo? Bo is that you?" I heard him calling after me. I ignored it and continued to move away from him.
"Bo!" He caught up to me and grabbed my forearm.
"Dyson. What are you doing here?" I asked politely. Our marriage ended on a bad no and the last thing I wanted to do was make things even worse between us by giving him an attitude.
"I moved here a while back. A buddy of mine owns some complexes and asked if I knew anyone who lived in the area. I said no, but that I was willing to come live down here myself."
I nodded, opting not to reply at all for fear of something snarky or bitchy coming out of my mouth. "What about yourself?" He asked.
"Oh, I'm...just visiting a friend." I don't know if he saw Lauren or not, but we weren't officially together, so technically it was the truth.
"Oh." He seemed to have no response to that.
"So, who's the cute blonde?"
"Oh that's Gina, my girlfriend." He replies. It doesn't surprise me that he chose somebody who's the exact opposite of me. Shorter, blonde hair, stick thin. Although she does have a fairly large bust. But they definitely look fake, no silicone in my chest.
"Well she looks...bored. Look Dyson it was nice to see you but-" I was cut off, I couldn't believe what happened next. As a group of people in front of a cleared out, he grabs my face and pulls me into a passionate kiss.
I furiously pushed him off of me a second later. "What the hell Dyson?!" I realized that nobody was in front of us, giving anyone at the bar a clear view of what he just did. One person in particular just happened to see it, and got off the bar stool and headed toward the exit. "Oh fuck" I whispered.
"Bo I know you messed up, but I forgive you. I want to try again." He responds. I didn't have time for him right now, I had to run after Lauren. I pushed him and everyone else out of the way to get to the exit. The whole time I'm calling after her.
"Lauren! Lauren wait!" I pushed through the door and searched for her. There was no sign of her anywhere. I gave a sad sigh, I knew I should've just stayed with her at the bar, then Dyson wouldn't have approached us. Or if he did, he definitely wouldn't have kissed me. Wait a minute...that's it! He was pissed beyond belief at me when he found out I was cheating, he was so anxious to get a divorce. There was no semblance of love left there. It was like I was the enemy. He must've seen Lauren at the bar. That's why he kissed me, to make her jealous. We were in the perfect spot after all. It gave Lauren a perfect view. Oh that bastard. How am I gonna get through to her about this? She always hates seeing me and him together, I could see it in her eyes even if she said it didn't bother her. When he was around us, the spark in Lauren's eyes was gone, replaced by a bit of sadness. It killed me to see her like that but I had chosen to be with him. It's not like I could just say "see ya!" and hop on Lauren. I made the wrong choice all those years ago, I never should've gotten with him. But at the time, I didn't know what love was. I thought that the illusion of love, was lust and attraction, and that's why I was with Dyson for that long. He treated me nicely, and told me that he loved me, but that wasn't enough. I didn't feel what he did. But with Lauren, I know how Dyson felt when he was with me. I can relate to all those sappy love stories and chick flicks. When I'm with her, my heart feels like it's gonna beat out of my chest and I feel like nothing can ruin my happiness. I know that if I don't find her, she'll think that I still want to be with Dyson. I know that if I let her get away, it'll be the stupidest thing I can ever do.
I pull out my cell phone and dial Lauren's number. The phone rings a couple times but there's no answer, so instead I leave her a voicemail. "Hey Lauren, it's me. Look I know what you saw at the club, but you have to listen to me. It's not what it looks like! Okay maybe a little bit, but Dyson kissed me, I did not in any way reciprocate it. I pushed him off of me, roughly, might I add. I'm still furious at him. But he did it on purpose, Lauren. He saw you at the bar and did it to make you angry. Please at least call or text me back to let me know you're safe." I can't believe that I was stupid enough to even engage in conversation with him. I should've just ignored him, and sat with Lauren. I should've went to the dance floor with her instead of alone. Ugh, just stop over thinking this Bo! Actions speak louder than words, or thoughts, in this case. If I want Lauren, I'm going to have to get her. I turn to walk back into the club to find Kenzi frantically and drunkenly searching for me. "Kenz, over here!" I shout to her.
"Well I'm glad one of you is still here with me! I thought you two left me here to go fool around with each other. Oh by the way, um...Dyson's here."
"I know Kenzi. That's why Lauren stormed out."
"Wait, she left because she saw him? Wow, moody much?"
"Well no, she left because she saw him kiss me." I explained. I could tell Kenzi was confused, the added combination of alcohol, was making her even less comprehending.
"What?! He kissed you? In front of Lauren? Oh man...you're in some serious shit now dude."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Look it's kind of a long story, but I promise I'll explain it to you tomorrow, ok? Right now I need to go after Lauren. She was drinking and left in a rush and I need to at least make sure she's okay." I finish. Kenzi nods in understanding. I reach in my clutch and give her a twenty. "Here, please use this for a cab and not more drinks."
"No problemo BoBo." She grabs the money and walks away. Now I have to get to Lauren. After all that happened today, there was no way I was just going to stay at the bar with Kenzi. I head to the parking lot and reach my car. I pull out the keys and notice someone has been following me. I turn around to find a rather large man standing behind me with his arms crossed and a dazed look on his face. His eyes scan my body up and down. "Hey baby. You look lonely. Maybe I could keep you some company." He slurs. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I was not in the mood to deal with another asshole tonight.
"Maybe not. Look buddy, I am not in the mood to deal with a drunk guy hitting on me. I suggest you take a couple steps back unless you want my foot up your ass." I threaten. He takes a step towards me, pushing me up against the car and preventing me from escaping.
"Ok, so that's how you wanna play it." I swiftly move my knee up to meet his crotch. He crouches down in pain giving me a perfect opportunity to elbow his back. He lads on the ground with a thud. "Don't say I didn't warn you asshole." I spat at him. The whole thing with Dyson, and Lauren leaving got my temper flaring. I got into the car and drove off, being careful not to accidentally hit the body on the ground. I was mad sure, but I wasn't going to kill anyone tonight. I sped off towards Lauren's house.
When I arrived there I quickly parked the car and ran up the steps to her door. I knocked perhaps more than I should have. Actually I continued knocking until she opened the door yelling at me that I would wake the neighbors. I just stood there staring at her like an idiot. I didn't know what to say. I had gone over it in my head multiple times on the way over but right now, standing in front of her, it's like I had gone completely mute. "What are you doing here Bo? You have Dyson at a club waiting for you. Why would you want to be here with me?"
That I knew the answer to. "Because I love you Lauren."
She laughed sarcastically. "Yeah right. You kissed Dyson because you love me? That makes so much sense."
"Lauren it's not what you think. I didn't kiss him, he kissed me."
"I don't see a difference Bo. Look I'm just tired, so can you please leave and let me go back to bed." I knew she was lying about being in bed because I could smell her favorite brand of Chardonnay on her breath and see two bottles of something on her coffee table.
"You were not sleeping Lauren, you were drinking. You're still in your clothes from before and I can see bottles of alcohol on your coffee table and smell it on your breath." I take in a deep breath before continuing. "Look, I know what you saw back there. But would you please just let me explain?"
Lauren didn't answer, she just exhaled and looked away. So I pushed some more. "Please, just let me explain what happened."
"I'm sorry Bo. I just can't right now." She turns away and closes the door. I just stood there for a moment trying to comprehend what just happened. I left the club, dealt with a drunk guy in the parking lot and came here just to have her shut the door in my face. In the moment that she said those last words, I saw her walls go up. Something I haven't seen in a long time. I could come back tomorrow and try again, give her the night to rest and sober up. But what if she shuts me out again? I could try the next day, and the day after that, right up until I have to go back to New York. By then it will be too late. I have let her get away, and I was not going to let that happen. This time I don't even bother knocking, I reach for the doorknob and hope it's not locked. Thankfully it isn't, I open the door and walk over to Lauren who still hasn't realized I had entered. I grab her arm to turn her to face me. She puts up some resistance at first but give up once she realizes I'm not releasing her. "Bo, just let me go." The double meaning was not lost on me. Sure, I would let go of her arm soon, but I would not let her go.
"Lauren I need to explain what happened tonight. I don't care if you believe me or not, just please listen to me." I let go of her arm and she takes a seat on the couch. I take a deep breath before continuing. "When I walked over to the dance floor, Dyson must've spotted me. He came after me and I tried to escape, but he caught me. We talked for a bit, then when he saw you at the bar and noticed people clearing out in front of us, he grabbed my face and kissed me." I saw her wince as I said that part. "I did not reciprocate it Lauren. I pushed him away, hard, not even a second after he made the move. Please believe me. He's the last person I expected to see here. I didn't even know he left New York."
She stared at the floor for a minute, processing all that I just said. I could see her face we'll enough to read her expression. Knowing Lauren as long as I have, I've learned to read her emotions from her facial expressions. Her brow was furrowed which meant she was thinking, but I could see sadness in her eyes. Maybe she still didn't believe me. I couldn't really say anything else to make her believe me, so I just had to hope that she did. "I'm sorry he's an asshole and tried to make you angry and jealous." She smiled a sad little smile. It hurt my heart to see her this torn over something that meant nothing.
"Just like a couple years ago." I decided to go off track and discuss something else. "Every kiss or touch he gave me when you were around, it was to make you jealous. He knew I had a special connection with you, something that went beyond friendship. I'm also sorry that I chose him over you." She still wasn't saying anything, only slightly nodding in acknowledgement. I sat down on the other end of the couch. "I was stupid. I didn't know what love was then. God I'm an idiot." I hung my head.
"You're not stupid or an idiot, Bo." She finally spoke up.
"Yes I am. I ignored you when I was with him. All those years I ignored how you felt about me."
"You didn't know, I never told you how I felt."
"You showed it, Lauren. When we kissed, I felt the love you were putting into it. I saw those little looks you would give me wen you didn't think I could see them. I saw the sparkle in your eye when you looked at me. When you smiled, and it lit up the room, it was directed towards me. I was an idiot to chose him and ignore those looks and smiles and the times we shared. I just wish I could go back and change everything."
"Yeah, well you can't." She said flatly. It wasn't meant as a dig or to sound mean, but just as a statement. I couldn't. What's done is done.
I decided to go back to the topic at hand. "If you don't believe me, it's okay. I'll understand if you don't want to see me again." I stood up to leave, she still wouldn't look at me. She probably hates me for all that I've done the past couple years, and with tonight's event added. I don't blame her, I hate myself too. The fact that she couldn't even look at me, hurt the most though. I bit my lip to bite back some tears. "I'm sorry Lauren," I sighed. "...for everything." I turned to leave when I heard her voice.
"Wait." I looked back to see her still staring at the floor. "I believe you Bo." She brings her head up to meet my eyes. "Thank you. For saying what you did. But it's okay, you chose him and I understand that." I could hear the resignation in her voice.
"No Lauren, it's not okay. God, don't you get it? I was so stupid to not realize that you cared for me as more than a friend. I was too disillusioned and dense to realize that I felt the exact same way. I guess maybe I just didn't want to admit it. Or maybe it was just easier to be with him. I played with your feelings Lauren. Everything we did together, every kiss, every hug, every movie night, sleep over, and day spent together meant something more to you. I mean it meant something to me too, I just...I didn't realize it at the time." Maybe I was just making a fool of myself now, but these things needed to be said.
"Well your here now, and that's all that matters." She said simply, walking over to me. I wasn't sure what to say to that. I was here now, and I knew that I would leave again. Maybe to go to New York to get the rest of my stuff, and then move here for good. But I also knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving Lauren Lewis, and waking up next to her everyday. I would do that, I was determined to.
"I will be here everyday too. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Lauren. I want to make up for lost time and go beyond that. If you want me to, I mean."
She put her hand on my cheek. I leaned into her touch. "I would love that." She smiled softly at me, which I returned. "So what about Dyson?"
"What about him?"
"Are you just going to pretend that scene at the club didn't happen?"
"I will talk to him tomorrow. I still have his number, if it's the same."
"If it's not I can get Tamsin to get it for you." I just nodded in agreement. "We also need to talk about a few other things, ya know."
"I know. But not tonight. It's been a long day and night, and you need some rest. I want to make sure that we're both sober when we do. Come on, let's get you in bed." I held out my arm which she graciously took, and lead her up the stairs.
She opened a drawer and pulled out two pairs of shorts and a Red Wings, and a YALE t-shirt. "Are you gonna stay? Or do you have to get back to Kenzi?" She put on a little pout. One that a little kid wore when they really wanted a toy that they saw in a store, and begged their parents to get it.
In that moment she looked too adorable, that I couldn't turn her down if I wanted to, not that I did want to. I laughed a little at her cute expression. "I'm sure Kenzi's fine. I told her to get a cab, I'll just text her and let her know that I'm staying here tonight." She smiled lazily at me. I could tell that she was tired. I walked over to the bed and grabbed the Red Wings shirt and a pair of grey shorts. "I didn't know you liked Hockey."
"Oh I don't, that was given to me by my cousin. He heard I was moving to Detroit, and since he's a huge Red Wings fan, he just had to send me that shirt. Which by the way, I've never actually worn.
"Darn, here I was thinking I was going to sleep in something you've worn." Bo smirked.
"Haha, we can switch if you want. It doesn't matter to me."
"It's okay. I don't mind." I say softly. Lauren starts to undress and I know that if I don't turn around, I might not be able to resist the urge to jump her. That will not be happening tonight, she needs to sleep, and so do I. I turn my back and begin to change too. She moves to the bed and pulls back the covers on the right side. I do the same on the other side and we both climb in. Immediately I move in to spoon her and she moves back into me.
"I missed this." I said quietly.
"What?"
"Cuddling, and just sleeping together. It's so comfortable and calm. It's a couple of hours where I can just relax with you in my arms."
"I missed this too."
"I really am sorry for acting the way I did all those years Lauren. I was an idiot to throw away what we had all for some guy who I wasn't even in love with. If I had a chance to go back and do things differently, I would. But...I guess we all have regrets right?" Silence. "Lauren?"
I move my head up from her shoulder so I can see her face. Her breathing has slowed and she has fallen asleep. I smile and kiss her cheek before whispering goodnight to her. I put my head on the pillow and close my eyes. There's no doubt that she will be in my dreams tonight. Dreams about our future, or a different past. Either way we would be together and happy. Something I was was a reality right now.
