Hollywood Heights, Loren Tate; The story of my life.
One day at a time Chapter 10
Loren's heart hurts, she knows Lucy's playing a big part on his reaction to her kiss.
"Don't do this!" She says.
He notices the sadness in her eyes. "Do what Loren?"
"Push me away! I care for you." Could she admit she's in love with him? Could she tell him?
"My cousin means everything to me, the thought of him never recovering hurts like hell, I need time right now."
"Take all of the time you need, I want to be there for you."
"I don't want to hurt you."
She walks closer to him. "I'll wait; I'm not going anywhere."
He holds her softly. "I don't know what to say."
She sighs, she doesn't know where she's getting the courage to tell him this much.
The door opens. Chloe is standing there. "I'm glad you're moving on!"
He rolls his eyes. "What do you want?"
"I tried calling, you never answer my calls."
"Could it be because I changed my number?"
Chloe looks at Loren from top to bottom. "Is this the best you can do?"
Loren steps back. "I'll get started on the Jackets."
"You don't have to leave, she's leaving, we're not done yet."
Chloe interrupts. "How do you know what I have to say? I asked you about my necklace, I can't find the one my mother gave me."
He opens the door. "I told you I don't have it, I haven't seen it, check with Tyler or whomever you're with now, I don't need your junk at my place."
"You haven't let me check, your dear Jeffrey won't let me go up."
"He has orders not to let you in, if you don't mind, Loren and I have business to discuss."
Chloe rolls her eyes and looks straight towards Loren. "Don't even think anything can happen between you and Eddie." She looks her again with a smirk on her face. "Definitely, not his type."
"Eddie and I are busy." Loren states.
She leaves, Eddie slams the door. "Sorry about that."
"She has some nerve, anyway I'm on my way out, I have to get started, and check on the costumes for your dancers."
"Loren the professional at work." He says.
She gets a little close to him. "I meant what I said earlier, I'm not going anywhere."
She pecks his cheek. "Later handsome."
She exits the room and heads towards her car. "Hey Loren!"
She smiles when she sees Kevin running towards her. "What a great surprise."
"Hi Kevin, everything ok?"
He smiles. "Yes, my sister is with Evan, no change."
"I was planning on stopping by later to see him, I have to get these started, I can't afford to get behind."
"I'm sure Eddie will give you all the time you need to finish."
"The costumes for the girls are almost ready, I need to work on these jackets."
Kevin smiles. "You really care for my nephew?"
"I can't hide how I feel."
"Eddie is serious when it comes to relationships, he's all in, then Chloe appeared, he was too young and rushed into something he wasn't ready for, we could tell Chloe wanted fame and money, he's wiser and smarter now."
"I met the former Mrs. Duran, she hasn't changed."
"Did she give you a hard time?" Kevin wonders.
"She tried, I didn't let her get to me."
Kevin leans on the car. "On my way up to see him, nice talking to you."
She places her things in the trunk of her car. "Same here, Kevin."
A week later, the costumes are ready, Loren drops them off at Jake's office, she's giving his jacket a final touch, per his request.
Katy's there to see Jake. "Hi Loren, you've been busy."
She acknowledges Katy. "Hi Katy, how's Evan?"
"Still the same, the Dr. ordered a CT scan for his brain, they're doing more tests, he's not responding to too well to the treatments."
"I'm sorry, did you tell Eddie?"
"No, I've asked the Dr. to do the tests, then we share with the family."
"I'm so sorry."
"I've told you several times it's not your fault, he knows Lucy is trouble."
"He loves her, don't think Evan thought about that."
Katy sighs. "Love makes you do crazy things."
Loren bites her lower lip. "Yes, it can."
"I sense something in your tone."
"Can I be honest?" Loren asks.
"Of course, what is it?"
"I almost told Eddie I'm in love with him; I don't know what's with me lately."
"You just realized it?"
Loren's eyes widen. "What do you mean?"
"I've known by the way you look at him; the look of love."
Loren's mortified. "Who else knows?"
She lets out a small laugh. "There's nothing wrong with it Loren."
"I can't help it, I kissed him the other day."
Katy looks at her. "You did?"
"I can't even look you in the eyes, I'm not sorry Katy."
"Wow! You aren't the shy Loren I met."
"Was I wrong?"
"Of course not, love makes you do silly things."
"Does it make me look needy?"
"Stop it, my son needs someone like you in his life."
Loren sighs. "I'm afraid Eddie won't feel the same way, who am I kidding? I'm not his type."
"Don't you dare say that? You have to take things one day at a time with him, he more cautious after his divorce from Chloe."
"I know Katy, I have this awful feeling that when he looks at me, he's sees Lucy."
"Let's not go there, you're Loren, not Lucy." Katy adds.
Loren uses the sewing machine; there are small details she's adding to the jacket.
"I can tell that this jacket is going to have every stitch carefully placed."
"It's for Eddie, it has to be perfect." She hands the Jacket to Katy. "Tell me if it needs anything else."
Katy looks through every single detail. "I think it's perfect, is this for his upcoming fall tour?"
"Yes, I delivered the girls costumes, they turned out amazing."
"You're amazing and talented; I'm glad Jake lets you work here."
"I'm here to make sure everything is ready for Eddie; I think he likes what I do."
"You are going places, speaking of that, Sylvia Tongs is interested in looking at your work, you do know who she is?"
"That lady inspires me!"
"It's obviously she likes what she's seen; she wants to meet you."
"What does this mean?"
"It means she will probably want to work with you."
"Thanks Katy." She gives her a tight hug. Katy knows she's sincere. Katy's phone buzzes.
"I better get back to the hospital, Max is there, the Dr. wants to see us."
"I'm done here, can I come with you?"
"Sure, we need all the support."
Loren grabs her things, they walk out.
Meanwhile…
Max sits in Evan's room, the machines are helping him breath, they brought him back into the room after running some tests, he looks fragile and pale, his color hasn't improved, that worries Max.
He looks at his phone, Katy's on her way. He hears noises in the hallway, he's surprised to see Eddie standing a few feet away talking to one of the nurses, they're laughing.
"How long have you been here?"
"Hey Pops, I walked in and stopped to chat with Sally. She smiles. "Hi Max."
"Hello Sally."
"She's one of the nurses that tends to Evan."
"Did the Dr. talk to you?" Sally asks.
"Yes, I'm waiting for my wife, is everything ok?"
"He's getting the results of the tests; he'll be down shortly."
The elevator doors open, Katy and Loren step out, they turn when they hear laughing and giggling coming from the side of the room, Katy notices the nurse is standing close to Eddie, she's flirting, it's obvious, Katy nonchalantly turns towards Loren, she hopes she hasn't noticed, who's she kidding?
Eddie turns when he hears his mom cough to get his attention, he sees Loren standing next to her, they make eye contact. Loren forces a smile, Sally's attractive, long blonde hair, the thought of her talking to Eddie makes her uncomfortable.
"Hey mom, glad you're here, hey Loren."
"We'll continue our talk over coffee." Sally can't stop smiling. Loren overhears that part of the conversation.
"That would be great; I'll let you know." Eddie responds.
Katy has to say something. "Is the Dr. here?"
Sally speaks before Eddie can answer. "He should be down any minute."
Max's coming out of Evan's room. "Hey honey, we have to wait for the Dr. in Evan's room."
"I'm coming." She turns to Eddie. "Are you going to join us?"
"In a second."
Loren semi smiles, why is she hurting? Eddie talk with this nurse in a flirtatious way, many unwanted thoughts run through her head, she isn't going to let anyone get in her way. She makes eye contact, she wonders if he's going to say something, anything, she finally speaks.
"Don't forget we have plans for dinner on Friday."
Without hesitation he responds. "I don't remember, I made plans with Sally."
He walks away. Loren feels a hint of pink rush towards her cheeks, she makes eye contact with Sally. "I'm sorry; I must have confused the dates."
"No problem." She responds and walks away. Loren takes a deep breath and walks towards Evan's room, she walks in, he opens his eyes, he spots Loren, his eyes widen, there's fear in his eyes. He's having problems breathing. Eddie turns to see what's causing him so much discomfort. He spots Loren. "Get out of here!"
Loren exits the room; she fights back tears. Katy runs after her. The Dr.'s run into the room after the alarms on the machines that help Evan breathe go off.
Loren can't seem to catch a break.