Chapter Forty-nine
Joey wondered what Lauren meant when she said she couldn't do this anymore. He was worried she meant she couldn't continue with their relationship and he didn't like the idea in the least, nor did he like how it made him feel. He'd planned to ask her that night at work, but she called in sick. She'd spoken to Ricky, claiming she had a migraine. Joey knew Jake had gone out with some friends and Lauren was home alone. He tried to call her but her phone was switched off.
He needed to talk to someone but he didn't know who he could talk to without them jumping to conclusions. Uncle Jack was off the list to start with, he was already suspicious something was going on between him and Lauren. His dad was also not an option. Which only really left Sharon…who would tell Jack, so that ruled her out. Or there was his Uncle Max. Maybe he could talk to him.
'You okay?' Ricky asked Joey, pulling him out of his thoughts.
'Yeah, sorry I was miles away' he said his attention moving back to the now.
'You didn't even hear the question I asked you did you?' Ricky rolled his eyes. I said it's quiet here tonight. Would you mind if I took off early?' he asked him 'Only, I have a date' he said, he nodded his head towards the end of the bar, Joey followed his gaze. Standing at the end of the bar was a stunning blonde, wearing a red dress that clung to her figure like a glove. Joey recognised her as girl who'd been flirting with him for most of the night and she'd apparently given up on him and moved onto his colleague.
'Yeah, sure' Joey nodded his head. 'Go for it. But you get to clean up in the morning'
'Thanks mate. I owe you!' Ricky clapped him on the back and then headed towards the blonde. He watched as the two of them left the club. Maybe he needed a little of the same, he thought to himself. A random hook up with a nameless bit of skirt to get his mind off Lauren. He scanned the club seeing if there was anyone there he would consider taking home with him tonight.
*JB*JB*JB*JB*
Lauren walked through the square, pulling her jacket tightly round her. She was thankful Jake was out tonight, and he'd told her he wouldn't be back for a couple of days. She knew he was giving her space and for that she was thankful. She really didn't think she would be able to keep her temper under control. Before she came here she found it easier to just do what Jake wanted, she learnt to ignore his barbs and hurtful comments. Not that they didn't hurt, they did. A lot. And after a while she started to believe everything he said to her. And then she moved here, and she met Joey and his family and everything changed.
Her thoughts lingered on Joey. Joey made her feel things she'd never felt before. She didn't know if she could stop seeing him. Not now. Not ever. She was scared about Jake finding out about the two of them. He trusted Joey…and Lauren knew what happened to people who broke Jake's trust. She found herself outside the club. She stared at the doors, debating if she should go in or not, it was almost closing time. She sighed and decided not to and turned to head back towards the house. When she got there she couldn't bring herself to go inside. She turned around and headed for Joey's flat. Sitting down on the steps outside to wait for him.
*JB*JB*JB*JB*
Joey cashed up and locked the money in the till. He glanced around the empty club. He'd already collected all the glasses up, putting them on the bar for Ricky to clean. He also left him a note about restocking the drinks. He made his way up the stairs and locked the doors and headed towards home. It was a cold night, and zipped his jacket up and pushed his hands into his pockets. He'd have a hot shower before he went to bed, maybe that would warm him up a little. He crossed over the square and saw a small figure huddled on his steps.
'Lauren?' he said softly 'is that you?' his heart beat rapidly in his chest.
She looked up and then rose to her feet. 'I'm sorry I know it's late…' she told him 'I just…I didn't…Is it too late?' she asked him.
'Of course not' he shook his head 'come on, let's get you inside. It's freezing out here' he said pulling his keys out of his pocket. He took the stairs two at a time and unlocked the door, holding it open for her. 'Why didn't you use your key?' he asked her.
'I wasn't sure I should after what I said earlier' she replied, he unlocked the inner door to the flat and she stepped inside. He shut the door and he took her hands in his.
'Jesus, Lauren, you're like an ice cube, How long have you been out there?' he asked her
'A while' she replied 'I've been walking around and thinking and…I didn't want to go home' she said looking up at him 'I don't want to be on my own tonight'
'Well that makes two of us' Joey replied with a smile. 'Let's get you warmed up, hey' he said softly.
'Yes please' she nodded her head.
AN: Thanks for your reviews…As a treat you have a second chapter tonight. To answer a couple if questions. As I have already stated there are over 150 chapters to TBB. Yes there is another 12 Days of Christmas story coming co-written with 74crazychick. So what did you think of this chapter? Leave me a review. Back tomorrow.
