Chapter 2

Lauren awoke the next morning, feeling slightly rough. She rolled over, expecting to see Joey laid next to her, but he wasn't. She frowned and got up. She noticed a note on the side of her bed. She picked it up and read:

Lauren, Didn't want to wake you. Had to go to work early

I'll explain everything later

Love Joey x

Lauren smiled and headed for the bathroom...

Meanwhile, seeing as it was almost twelve, Joey thought it was a good idea to take a lunch break. He asked Max when he wanted him back.

'An hour. No later' he replied. Joey nodded, grabbed his jacket and walked out into the sunshine. He was about to go across to the shop when he spotted Abi getting into car with Tanya. He walked across the street, watching as they drove away. He walked up the steps and looked around, feeling his pockets for the key he had had cut when he nicked his Dad's key. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.

'Lauren? You here?' he shouted out. He poked head into the living room and kitchen. He noticed a glass of water and painkillers on the table. He realised that Lauren had yet to come downstairs.

'LAUREN!' he shouted. He heard a thud upstairs and stood still. Then his instincts kicked in and he rushed up the stairs, almost colliding with Lauren.

'What are you doing here?' she asked, tightening her dressing gown around herself. Joey saw the steam coming from the bathroom and shower gel container on the floor.

'I... I heard a thud and I thought you'd fallen or something' said Joey, going a bit red in the face. Lauren smirked.

'Really? Or did you just want to see me?' she asked. Joey swallowed, turned to run back down the steps and out of the front door, leaving Lauren at the top of the steps smirking...

Later that evening, Lauren waved her mum, dad, Abi and Oscar off, as they drove off for a weekend away. Lauren had obviously refused, saying that she wasn't spending a weekend with her family and that she was old enough to do what she wanted. Lauren sighed as they disappeared round a corner and out of sight. She walked back into the house and decided to go to R&R. She rushed upstairs and picked out a black sequined mini dress, her black heeled shoes and redid her make up. She grabbed jacket and her bag, put her keys in and headed out of the house...

Joey was bored. Lucy had gone out with Peter, and had left him alone in the house. He checked the time on his phone. He thought for a minute, before going through his contacts and lingering of Lauren's number. He shook his head and threw his phone down on the sofa. He had to get away or distract himself from his feelings from Lauren. He spotted his jacket, grabbed it and headed out...

Meanwhile, in R&R, Lauren was downing drink after drink after drink. She managed to forgot about her current problems and allowed some random guy to dance with her on the dance floor.

'So whats your name?' he asked Lauren, pulling her close to him.

'Lauren. Yours?'

'Brad' he replied, smiling. Lauren smiled back, letting the music beat take over body and making her move in time to music... Unaware Joey was walking down the steps into the club...

Joey walked down the steps to R&R, the music blaring from the speakers. He went to the bar and ordered a drink, quickly downing it, before ordering another one. He sighed and looked round, doing a double take when he spotted Lauren. He came here to forget, yet she seemed to be everywhere he went. He sighed and ordered another drink.

'You sure you want another one?' asked the barman. Joey nodded, not taking his eyes off Lauren...

A few hours later, Lauren stumbled from the club and leaned against the wall, a hand clutched to her head. The door opened and Joey walked out, spotting her.

'Lauren! Lauren, look at me...Come on... Let's get you home' he said, making sure she didn't fall. He helped her up the steps and unlocked the door. He walked her to the kitchen and sat her down on the chair, before reaching for the cupboards to make two cups of coffee. Suddenly, he heard the sounds of someone gipping. He turned to Lauren about to throw up. He shot across the room, lifted out the bowl, grabbed her gently and held her back as threw up in the sink. He rubbed her back and whispered soothing words to her. After she had finished throwing up, Lauren stumbled away from him and up the stairs to the bathroom. When the coffee's were ready, he took them upstairs and headed into Lauren's room.

'Here get this down you' he said, handing her the cup. She smiled her thanks and took a sip. Joey looked around.

'Where's Abi? And your parents?' he asked, as he sat down on the edge of Abi's bed.

'Out for the weekend. Come back Sunday night.' replied Lauren. Joey frowned.

'Do you... want me to stay with you?' he asked. 'So much for staying away and forgetting about her' he thought.

'Would you?' asked Lauren, her eyes locking with Joeys. He nodded. Lauren swallowed and put her cup down. Joey felt the atmosphere in the room change, the air became heavy and he found himself breathing heavily.

'Lauren? What are you doing?' he asked as she stood in front of him. She looked down at him, her eyes flicking to his lips a few times. She leaned down slowly, but then hesitated.

'Lauren?' Joey whispered, his hands reaching up to tangle in her hair, his thumbs brushing her lips lightly. Lauren's eyes flickered down to his lips one last time before Joey connected their lips. Lauren's hand rested themselves on his shoulders and slid down to the lapels of his jacket, dragging him to his feet. The kiss he had trapped in came passionate, and Joey's hand started to wonder. He walked Lauren backwards and they fell onto her bed. After a few seconds, he felt Lauren trying to push him away and he pulled back.

'Lauren?' he asked, studying her shocked expression. Lauren clamped a hand to her mouth in shock at what she had just done.

'Oh god... Oh god... Get out!' she said, scrambling out from under him.

'Lauren!...' Joey started, but Lauren cut him off and pointed to the door.

'GET OUT!' she screamed. Joey opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it and left the room. Lauren stood still and heard the front door close, before her legs gave out from under and she slid to the floor, unable to process what she had just done with Joey...Her cousin...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter :D Plenty more to come :D R&R