Chapter 14

Sorry I was intending on posting this last night, but in all honesty, I feel to sleep, oops!

So last chapter's quote was "Life's not a spectator sport. If watchin' is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya." And that was from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Well done Crazychichick74 and direct quote in this …

The club was completely different the second time around, partly because it was less crammed and secondly for the fact that everyone was identifiable, no masks in sight. Joey paid their door fees and guided Lauren inside, somewhere along the journey from Walford to the club, Lauren had ended up wearing Joey's jacket and had linked her arm tightly through his.

They took seats at the bar towards the back of the club, Lauren knew it was the bar they'd been at that night and was hoping that the similar surroundings didn't give her away. Joey ordered them two cocktails and slid the glass across to Lauren.

"Ooo What's this?" she sniffed at the deep red liquid and swished around with the straw. "it smells yummy"

Joey smiled "it's called Evil stepmother… made with chocolate vodka, pomegranate juice and chocolate liqueur."

"nice...it'll be like Kirsty and liquid form" Lauren stated. She drew the straw to her lips groaning in satisfaction as the sweet but somehow bitter liquid trailed down her throat. "Oh my god that is so good… try some" she pushed the glass to Joey and he tried it too. His face showed it all though and he almost choked as he swallowed.

"Christ Lauren that's like acid in a glass" he smirked and pushed it back to her.

"Why buy it then?"

"Because I know you like chocolate vodka. We had it last Christmas remember?" Lauren bit her lip and nodded. Last Christmas was the first time she'd discovered, (thanks to said chocolate vodka) just how much she had feelings for her oh so meltingly hot cousin. "right drink up there's plenty more on the list…"

A little squeal emitted from her mouth as she threw herself at him and hugged him tight. "I just wanna thank you in advance for tonight Joey, it's really nice of you"

Joey held her close. His hand trailing up and down her bare spine. He was trying so so hard not to notice the perfume she was wearing, it was so familiar. "you're welcome babe." His eyes closed as her body pressed a little more against him, he was just praying she wouldn't be able to feel his body reacting to hers.

*JL*JL*

An hour later and between them, they'd worked their way through a list of fairy-tale inspired cocktails, from Maleficent to Mother knows best to Evil to the core and Fairy dust she'd had the first time around . Lauren had now vacated the bar and was dancing freely with the numerous guys she had surrounding her. Joey was watching from the bar, his jaw clenching every time one of them touched Lauren. The way she laughed back at them as they joked an whispered in her ear. He downed the last of the drink in his glass and moved to the other end of the bar. The move gave him a much clearer view of Lauren, but he couldn't decide if this was a good thing or not, because the more of Lauren he could see, the more he could see lf the lads with her.

He was broken from his daydream as he heard Laurens voice "I Said No" . He looked over and saw her pushing at one of the males. "What is it about the word No, do you not understand" she was much firmer with her words but Joey could see the fear in her eyes. He was up and over to her within milliseconds, his arm looping around her waist and pulling her back to his chest.

Laurens eyes flicked up to him, her hands clasping to his arm that was around her waist. "Problem?" Joey questioned, although it sounded much too threatening to be a question. "well?"

"it's ok Joe… they were just leaving" Lauren stated flaring at the guys. The stared at her and Joey for a second before fleeing the dance floor. As soon as they were out of sight, the tension freed from her body, relaxing into Joey arms. He turned her into his chest, his arms caging around her small frame. She didn't say anything, just held on tight as his fingers brushed through her hair.

"Do you want to leave?" he felt her weak nod against his chest, and kissed the top of her head, the protective nature becoming very apparent. "Come on then"

*JL*JL*

"Do you want another drink?" Joey asked her, although his words were slightly slurred now, Lauren nodded understanding him. Joey topped up her 4th maybe 5th glass of alcohol and repeated the action for himself. After leaving the club, they got a taxi straight back to his flat and had proceeded to drink, but this time it was no fancy cocktails but whatever it was that they found in Joey cupboards.

"You know…I've come to the conclusion. I really Love you Lauren Eleanor Branning"

Lauren laughed and sat forward cross legged on the sofa. "Ye I kind of like you to Joey"

He shook his head "no…I really like you. Your amazing. I mean look at you. I don't want to find this girl anymore Lauren. I want you. I've fallen in love with you"

His words hung in the air, Lauren just staring wide eyed at him. She shook her head "your just drunk Joey, you don't know what you're saying."

Joey leaned across and placed his once again empty glass in the table, and took Lauren hands in his. "I know what I'm saying Lauren…I love you I promise you I do. We can make it work Lauren, I'll always be there for you… I promise"

She sighed and shook her head again, it was becoming a habit now. "That's a piecrust promise, Joey. Easily made, easily broken." Joey sighed and leaned back against the cushions of the sofa. "Look I'm going to go to the loo, maybe you should make some coffee and I think this is a conversation to have when we're more sober." She got up and left the room going to the en suite.

"Lauren…" he got up but turned back at her next words.

"Don't follow me please!"

well Joey definitely has feelings... big feelings, will Lauren let him and believe him or does she just think its the drink talking ? And how nice do those cocktails sound ? They are all real too and very yummy I've tried them ! I may be persuaded to post again ! Xx