Chapter 14 – Two Steps Back

Loren blew hair that had fallen out of her ponytail out of her face. She was packing up boxes while Eddie was at the office. He and Jake were getting everything sorted out with the record label and the office transfer before the move. She couldn't believe she was actually going to New York, before it had seemed impossible. Even though she was excited there was a part of her that was going to miss this. She had grown up here, she had met Eddie here, but at the same time this place was connected to so many past demons. New York and Eddie were her escape. Things were finally looking up.

"What's this?"

Loren was shaken out of her thoughts by Katy who was holding up an old tin box. Loren motioned for Katy to come over. Once Katy had sat down next to her Loren pulled off the lid and pulled out a large pile of pictures.

"These are pictures of me and my mom from when I was born until a few weeks before the incident."

Katy began looking through them with Loren, "Wow your mom was so beautiful. You look just like her. She seems so happy."

Loren sighed, "She was as far as I could tell. I guess everything just became too much."

Katy squeezed her shoulder, "We will never know truly what she was dealing with at the time. But we know that she loves you and she is so proud of the woman you have become and how strong you are."

Loren smiled, "There is also letters or notes we wrote to each other as well as some of your MK albums. She loved you guys I was raised listening to them. We used to dance around the house laughing and singing into hairbrushes."

Katy laughed, "Yeah I think you mentioned that to me once."

Loren smiled and put the photos carefully back into the box. Katy went back to packing but when she looked over again she saw Loren with the tin box in her lap and running her hand along it softly.

…

Eddie walked into the office. Jake was on the phone with someone but waved Eddie to come in.

"Ok thank you so much. We will be in New York in a couple days and we will meet with you as soon as we get in."

Jake hung up the phone and clapped his hands, "Who is the best manager ever?"

Eddie looked up and smirked, "I'm guessing you are?"

Jake smacked his shoulders, "You bet I am! So instead of dealing with all the drama with record label I got you a new one, an even better own in New York."

"Whoa wait can you do that? I mean I signed a contract?"

"Eduardo do you have no faith in me?"

Eddie held his hands up in defeat, "Okay, okay whatever you say!"

…

"Wow and I thought we would have a lower profile in New York."

Eddie looked over Loren's shoulder as she spoke. They saw the crowds of people waiting to greet Eddie as they got off the plane, "Believe it or not it probably isn't nearly as bad as LA."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him as he walked off the plane. Loren tried not to get overwhelmed by everyone screaming and yelling. She wrapped her arms around his pulling her sunglasses down. Eddie sensed her discomfort. He reached over with her free arm and rubbed his hand along her arm. She looked up at him and nodded, releasing his arm.

He squeezed her hand before he walked over to the crowds and started signing autographs. Jake walked over to her. "I'm guessing you weren't expecting this?"

Loren sighed, "I've learned to just expect chaos since I started dating Eddie."

Jake laughed, "That's smart. But trust me you will get used to it." He grabbed her arm making her look at him, "Loren just remember… Don't get caught up in the lies and the stupidity of people who just want to get to Eddie or even you because of the fame."

"But I'm not famous!"

Jake sighed, "Loren you are dating Eddie Duran. You are famous, better get used to it."

Loren sighed and walked towards Eddie mumbling to herself as she went. She squeezed his arm and whispered in his ear, "Are you ready to go?"

Eddie smiled and nodded.

…

"I can't believe this place is ours…" Loren fell backwards onto the sofa.

Eddie laughed, "Yeah it was nice of the new label to get this for us."

Loren looked at him, "Nice? This is beyond nice!"

Eddie walked over and lifted her up onto his lap, pressing his forehead against hers. "You're right. I guess with growing up in this world stuff like this doesn't seem as big of a deal. But you are right it was very generous of them."

Loren leaned back and smirked, "Hey it's okay you are just a spoiled rock star."

Eddie narrowed his eyes at her, "Oh really?"

Loren laughed, "Yes, but I love you anyways."

Eddie sighed wrapping his arms around her. "Good thing I have you to keep me grounded or I don't know where I would be."

Loren smiled, "Oh probably up to your eyeballs in luxury. You wouldn't have even missed me."

"Now that is a lie."

Eddie pulled her into a kiss.

…

Loren walked into the apartment when her phone started ringing. "Hey Max, what's up?"

"I'm so sorry Loren, its Eddie."

"What's going on?"

Loren walked into the club and saw Max sitting by Eddie. She walked over and Eddie smiled broadly.

"HEY! It's my baby! Isn't she so pretty pops?"

Max looked over at Loren apologetically. Loren walked over and Eddie stood up and tried to kiss her, but she turned her head so he slobbered on her cheek. He started messing with her hair as she turned to Max.

She pushed Eddie's hands away before talking to Max, "What happened?"

Max sighed, "Eddie ran into Chloe at the office. She found out he was moving here and she had to make sure he noticed her. Well he was upset and it brought up a lot of different feelings and he called me after a couple drinks and said where he was. By the time I got here, well this is what I found obviously."

Max motioned to Eddie, Loren looked at him and saw him trying to order another drink. "I better go, before I can't get him home."

Max nodded, "Do you need some help?"

Loren frowned, "No I think I can manage. Thanks for calling Max."

Loren turned to Eddie and wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him away from the bar. "Come on Eddie let's go home."

Eddie grabbed onto the bar, "Just one more drink."

"No Eddie you have already overstayed your welcome."

Eddie finally let her pull him away from the bar. She got him to the car and saw cameras flashing. She pulled open the passenger side door and began pushing Eddie in. But he stopped her and turned around.

"I don't want to go home." He tried to kiss her but she pushed him away into the car.

"Please just get in." She slammed the door behind him and walked around the car but reporters were blocking her path.

"LOREN! Are you and Eddie splitting up?!"

"Is this because of Chloe Carter?!"

"Does Eddie love Chloe?!"

Loren scoffed, "I guess you will have to ask Eddie those questions."

She shoved through the crowd and got into the car driving away.