Thanks for the reviews on Laugh, Loss, and Love. I love writing that story. So anyways, here's chapter five...

Chapter 5

Eddie

I'm scared. Scared I might lose her. I'm nervous. Nervous of what she might say. But most of all, I'm furious. Furious that I can't be happy for one day without Chloe coming along to ruin it. Apparently last after I rejected her, she went to a bar to drink all her problems away. In all honesty I could care less about what she does to get rid of her issues. That's not what bothers me. No, it's that fact that after that, she goes home and downs two bottles of pills. Then she played the innocent girl act and wrote a note to me and Jackie saying that she loves us both very much, but she couldn't go on anymore because I broke her heart. Really?! She cheated on me with Tyler Rorke, but I broke her heart? The reason I'm not so sure on telling Loren is because even though she knows how Chloe is, she still has trust issues. So, if she sees Chloe in the hospital, sh'es going to think that I'm going to leave her. And that's exactly what Chloe expects. When she wakes up, she expects me to leave Loren and go running back to her. Well, guess what. I'm NOT. I love Loren so much, it scares me. But that's just it. I love Loren Tate.

Loren: Eddie?

Eddie: Huh? Oh, um, well you see-

Loren: (snaps) I'm not four any more, Eddie. Just spit it out!

I've never seen her like this. She's acting her life depends on my answer.

Eddie: Well, earlier tonight, before I came to get you, Chloe dropped by. We went through our usual routine: She begs for another chance. I tell her get out. She fake cries. I get mad and slam the door in her face. Well, after that it turns out she went to a bar, got drunk, then went home and took a bunch of pills.

Loren: I thought you weren't supposed to take pills after you've been drinking.

Eddie: (shakes head) You aren't. So, after that, her mom came home and found her passed out on the floor. Right now she's in the hospital in a coma.

Loren: (covers mouth) That's so sad. But, I'm still not understanding one thing.

Eddie: What?

Loren: Did you tell me this because you wanted to go visit her...or because you don't want to be with me anymore.

And that's the question I was affraid she was going to ask.

Eddie: Loren, of course not. Neither one of those is why I told you. I told you because I wanted you to find out from me instead of the tabloids. They always stretch stories and turn them into something else. She's in the hospital because she O.D. They'd probably say she's in the hospital because she's having my baby!

Loren: I understand...so you do want to be with me?

Eddie: (laughs) Yes, Loren. I want to be with you.

Loren: (smiles) Oh, ok.

Eddie: (kisses her) Ok, now let's get you home before your mom tries to kill me.

I pulled back out onto the street and looked at Loren one more time before focusing my attention on the road again. Her smile was bright enough to light up the whole world. I'm so proud to say that this is my girl. We pulled into her driveway and ran around to the other side of the car to open her door.

Loren: You know you don't have to do that.

Eddie: Yea, I know. But, I want to.

She smiled her beautiful smile and took my hand. I walked her to the door and gave her a quick peck before turning around to walk back to my car. I stopped when she grabbed my arm.

Loren: Wait, I want a real good-bye kiss.

I laughed then kissed her. Like really kissed her. This one wasn't like all the others. This kiss was full of passion and love. We both pulled away breathless.

Eddie: Was that good enough for you?

Loren: (panting) Eh.

She kissed me on the cheek before running into the house. I laughed then made my way back to my car. I am a lucky man.

Loren

Tonight was one of the best night of my life. I closed the door and lean back on it back sliding down to the floor. God, that kiss! I put my hand up to my lips, missing the feeling of his lips on mine. What I didn't realize is that Mel and my mom were sitting on sofa watching me the whole time.

Nora: Well, looks like someone had a good night.

Mel: (pats spot next to her) Come on, spill it, Tate. We want details. Now!

Loren: (laughs) Ok, ok.

I get up off the floor and make my way to the sofa, sitting between Mel and my mom.

Nora: (bouncing up and down) So, where'd he take you?

Loren: (laughs) Well, first we went to the movies. Then he asked me if I was hungry and took me to our spot. There we had dinner.

Mel: What?

Loren: Well, at the top of hill he had set this table...

I explained everything that happened. When I told them about Chloe, Mel clenched her jaw to refrain from saying something.

Nora: That's so sad.

Loren: That's what I said.

Mel: That's not sad. It's pathetic.

Loren/Nora: Mel!

Mel: What, it is! Everything about her is pathetic. She just can't stand the thought of Eddie being happy without her. I doubt she ever even loved him. She was probably just using him for the fame. I mean, come on! How stupid is she. Eddie is a really great guy. Trust me, I know! You know it too, Lo! We've known him our whole lives. She doesn't deserve him. If you ask me, she should have done this long time ago. Maybe that way, she would have stayed out of Eddie's hair.

We sat in silence, shocked by the truth of her words. Mel was pissed, and for two reasons. One: Chloe cheated and lied to Eddie. He's always been there for us and shared our pain, so it doesn't shock me that she's upset about that. Two: She knows Chloe will do anything to get attention. Even if it means putting her life in danger. My mom was the firs one to recover.

Nora: (gets up) Well, I'm going to head off to bed. It's gettinf girls should do the same.

Loren: Ok, mom.

Nora: Good night, I love you.

Loren: Night, love you, too.

Mel: Good night, Nora.

My mom went to her room and Mel and I just sat there for a little while longer in silence, until Mel broke it once again.

Mel: I'm gonna spend the night here. I don't feel like having another fight with Lisa.

Loren: Ok, that's fine.

Mel: What's wrong with you.

Loren: (sighs) Nothing, Mel.

I walked to my room with Mel follwing close behind.

Mel: Lo, I know you, and I know when something's wrong. So, just spit it out.

Loren: (yells) Nothing, Mel! Just leave it alone!

Mel: What the hell is wrong with you?! What, you're dating Eddie now so you're too good for me?

Loren: Why would you even think that? You have no idea how much you sound like Adrianna right now!

Mel: Well, I guess I'll just have to sound like Adrianna then, because acting really stuck up.

Loren: I'm acting stuck up because you think something's wrong with and I tell you no? Really, Mel? That makes no sense. You know, what doesn't make sense is how you and Adam are crazy about each other, but any time he tries to make an effort, you treat him like shit just to see if he'll keep chasing you around.

Mel: Loren, anything that someone else says doesn't make to you. You always have to correct someone or down talk yourself to make people feel bad for you. And you want to know what really pisses me off about you? You use the fact that your dad walked out on you as an excuse for everything you don't want to or can't do. You're talented as hell, but anytime someone asks you to sing, it's always "oh, I'm shy. My dad left when I was four. And blah, blah, blah." Nobody wants to hear that! Dammit, Loren! Everybody has their flaws. Me, you, even Eddie - . You make stupid ass mistakes all the time, but when I accidently hurt Adam, you throw it in my face without hesitation!

Loren: (sarcasticaly...sccidlt) Well, I'm sooo sorry, Mel. You know me, correction bitch of the year. I guess I should just go ahead and apologize to you about everything, huh? I'm sorry that I try to help you with Adam. I'm sorry that I'm happy with my realtionship with Eddie. I'm sorry I'm shy. And I'm so sorry my dad left me because that is all my fault isn't it, Mel?

Mel: There you go making it about you again! Maybe it is your fault your dad left. You can be so self-centered sometimes!

I stood there in shock. I had never heard Mel say something like that before. How could she say that? She knows what happened. She knows that that's a touchy subject for me. But maybe that's not the problem; maybe she just doesn't care. I grab her purse off my bed and throw it to her. She catches it mid-air and gives me a confused look.

Loren: (yells) Get the hell out!

Mel: Fine! That fight with Lisa doesn't sound too bad after all this bullshit.

And with that, she left. I didn't beg for her to stop so we could work this out, nor did I want to. She didn't even look back as she stormed out of my room, then out of my house. Out of all the disagreements Mel and I have gotten into, this is the worst.

I didn't cry myself to sleep that night. I didn't cry when I went to school the next day and Adrianna picked on me while Mel stood only a few yards away watching and shaking her head. I didn't cry when Eddie asked why I haven't been talking to Mel for the past two months. Hell, I didn't even cry when she cried on the phone call asking if we could work it out because it was killing her.

**Phone Call**

Mel: (crying) Loren, will you please talk to me?

Loren: I don't what you want me to say.

Mel: I want you to say you forgive me and that we can be friends again.

Loren: I don't think I can do that.

Mel: Look, I said some things I didn't mean. Which was practically everything I said. Please Loren, just give me another chance. We can work this out.

At the moment, I was at Eddie's penthouse. He was holding my hand and comfortingly rubbing my back. I gave him a pleading look and he nodded, giving me the indication that it was time to get over this bump in the road. I sighed.

Loren: Fine. Meet me at the cafe in fifteen minutes.

Mel: Thank you, so much.

She hung up before I could even open my mouth. Typical Mel. I sat my phone down on the coffee table in front of the sofa and, not wanting to, burst into tears. I realized then how much I missed her. That's not even the worst part. The worst part is that she won't even look at me when we cross paths at school. The worst part is that she isn't there for me when I need someone to vent to. The worst part is wanting to call her after something amazing happens and knowing that she won't take my call because of our fight. By now I'm getting hysterical and Eddie is holding me in his arms with both worry and concern covering his face, while my face is buried in his chest.

Eddie: Shhh. Its okay. I'm here.

That calms me down somewhat and my sobs are getting softer.

Eddie: Loren, look at me.

I look up into his beautiful brown eyes.

Eddie: No matter what happens, know that I'm here for you. I don't care waht anybody has to say, I will always be waiting for you with open arms. You mean the world to me and I won't ever let anyone hurt you. I know you and Mel are going through some hard times right now. I know that your dad left you. aAnd most importantly, I know that you aren't ready to talk about neither one of the two topics. But, I swear to you, I will wait as long as I have to. Trust me, for you, it's worth it.

He whispered the last part and brought my hand to his lips. He tenderly kissed each of my hands and I closed my eyes, taking in his affection. When I opened them again, he was looking dead at me. He cupped my cheeks with his hands and brought me so close to his face, that our lips were hovering right over each other. Then barely above a whisper, he said the one thing I least expected him to say.

Eddie: Loren, I love you.

BAM! Once again sorry for the delay. I know you probably hate me for make making Mel and Loren fight, but trust me, they will make up soon enough. So, here's chapter five, I hope you guys LOVE IT as much as I do!

Till next time,

-Mj