"I can't go out there Jon" I whisper, holding his hand tightly as his music behind to play. He smiles. "Yes, we can" he says simply. I take a deep breath and let him pull me along with him, plastering a smile on my face as soon as we're through the curtain. Jon hands me the award and kisses me softly before stepping up to the podium and taking a deep breath. "Wow" he finally says. "Who knew going public with my marriage, sorry, our marriage, would prove the right thing to do? To everyone that voted for us, thank you. You have no idea how much this acceptance means to us. Maybe now, rumours can stop. But hey, probably not. To my wife, I love you more than words can ever describe." I smile. "I love you too" I mouth. He grins. "See that?" he asks the crowd. "She loves me too." He grabs my hand again and pulls me back through the curtain. He knows there's gonna be trouble as soon as I start looking around, pulling my hand out of his as I spot the person I've been looking for.
"Exploit my marriage again" I warn, poking Hunter in the chest. "And I won't be responsible for my actions!" "Woah Lora!" Jon yells running up to me and pulling me away. Hunter smirks at me. "I have no idea what you're talking about" he says, looking at Jon. "See Lor" Jon says. "He doesn't know what you mean. Funnily enough, neither do I." "Oh come on Jon!" I yell. "Even you can't be that stupid surely! I saw the nominations on the internet earlier. How the fuck can we win this award when we weren't even up for it? Fans can't vote for an option that isn't there Jon!" Realisation dawns and he looks up at Hunter, who at least has the good grace to look sheepish. "Once more" I warn. "And what?" he scoffs. I shake my head. "I go home" I shrug. "Kiss your exclusive on the DVD goodbye." He pales. So does Jon. "You wouldn't" he says. "Try me" I say, pulling away from him and walking off down the corridor. "Don't walk away from me Lora" Jon yells. I don't look at him, just carry on walking. "I'll meet you at the hotel later" I say before opening the door and heading out into the parking lot.
I'm asleep in his shirt on the bed when he walks in. "Hey" he whispers, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You awake?" I groan and roll over to face him. "I'm sorry" he whispers. "I am so fucking sorry Lora. But don't you ever, ever walk away from me again, you hear?" I shake my head. "I didn't leave everything I love behind for shit like this Jon" I says sitting up. "My best friend isn't even speaking to me, for reasons I don't even understand. I have absolutely nothing. Nada. Zip." "You have me" he says, holding my hand. I shake him off. "Hunter has you" I say, looking at him coldly. "You're a yes man, Jon. Anything Hunter wants, you do. I bet you even knew about that award tonight." He glances at me awkwardly. I shake my head, getting off the bed. "I knew it" I say, grabbing my jeans and shoes. "Where are you going?" he asks quickly. I shrug as I button my jeans. "No idea" I admit. "I've no idea where I am Jon, where am I meant to go?" I surprise myself, and him, by breaking down in tears, sinking to my knees. He's next to me in an instant. "Dammit Lora" he groans, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tightly. I try and push him away but he's having none of it. "You're my wife Lora" he says, as if I'd forgotten. "I'm not leaving you, or letting you leave me. We're getting through this, and we are doing that DVD, and that is the end of it. Ok?" I look up at him, nodding slowly. He's done what I needed him to do, he's fighting for us. "No more letting Hunter do this to us" I say. "It's our marriage, not his, just because his is played out I front of cameras, doesn't mean ours has to be too. I can't do that Jon, it's not me, it's not us."
I cling to him in bed as if he is my lifeline. And he is. Which makes what I have to do even harder for me. I know he won't understand, but we both need it. I hardly sleep that night, plotting. As soon as it starts getting light I get up and hit the shower. He's awake when I go back into the room. "Hey" I say, grabbing clothes out of the suitcase. "Hey" he says quietly. "Am I forgiven Lora?" I glance across at the slammy, sitting on the table. I shake my head. "I don't know, Jon" I admit, getting dressed quickly. "I haven't thought that far ahead. We're ok for now, but don't push it, ok?" He nods, holding his arms out to me. I shake my head, pulling my shoes on. "I'm gonna go get something to eat" I say, grabbing a keycard and heading out. As soon as the door is closed I hear him yell and throw something, something that shatters as soon as it hits the door. I shake my head, take a deep breath, and head downstairs to the lobby.
"Lora?" Colby calls. I stop and turn to face him. "Hi Colby" I say, smiling as he puts his arm around me. "Where are you heading?" he asks quietly, making me look at the fans gathered in the lobby. "I don't know" I admit. "Anywhere but here. I can't be here Colby." He frowns. "Where's Jon?" he asks. "In the room" I say. "I just had to get out. I'd better go. I'll see you later." I pull away from him and head out of the hotel.