Chapter twenty-six

Joey lead Lauren into the cafe, sitting them in the corner out of sight. "Do you want a drink, babe?"

"I'll have a tea, please" Lauren answered. "Oh and-" Lauren began but got cut of by Joey.

"Extra milk?" Joey smirked.

Lauren smiled and nodded at him, letting him go off and get their drinks. She watched Joey as he waited at the counter for their order, awkwardly smiling at him when he turned around and winked at her after he caught her staring. He walked back to the table and placed Lauren's drink in front of her before sitting down on the opposite side of the table.

"Thanks" Lauren said.

Joey smiled. "So how come I've never met that auntie before?" Joey asked.

Lauren laughed at his question. "Believe me, she's not exactly someone you wanna play happy families with"

"So she's on your mums side of the family?" Joey asked.

"Yeah she's my mums sister, don't worry you're not related to her" Lauren smirked.

Joey grinned at Lauren, knowing he wasn't hardly hiding his disappointment. "So she's an alcoholic?" Joey asked.

Lauren nodded, taking a sip of her tea. "Yep, ever since I was little... I'm not like her though Joey" Lauren stated.

Joey smiled warmly. "I know, I can see that babe" he said, receiving a smile back. "Have you decided on what you're gonna do yet?" Joey asked.

Lauren sighed. "I have actually, mums moving to Devon so-"

"You're not going with her are you?" Joey asked suddenly.

"No" Lauren laughed. Joey visibly relaxed.

"Good cause I kinda want you here"

"Yeah?" Lauren smiled.

"Yeah"

"I'm not going to live with Abs, she's just got away from all the drama and she's happy... So" Lauren breathed in and out calmly.

Joey smiled to himself, knowing what the next answer was going to be.

"So for now I think it's best if I take Mick up on his offer" she said.

"Oh" joey said, disappointed.

"I know it's not what you wanted joey but it's for the best, right now"

"I understand babe, it's what you need"

Before Lauren could say anything else she was interrupted by her mum.

"Hi darling, hello Joey, love..."

"Alright Tanya?"

"Am I interrupting something?" Tanya asked.

"No, no I was just going, catch you later Lauren"

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