Chapter 3

The next morning, Joey walked across the square. He hadn't slept all night, after what happened with Lauren. He knew he shouldn't have kissed her, but she started it! if she hadn't had stood in front of him, looking like she had just seen him in a new light, then he wouldn't have acted on impulse and gone for it. He noticed a taxi pull up at the Branning's residence and saw Lauren walk out with a packed bag. His eyes widened and he rushed across the square faster.

'LAUREN!' he shouted. She looked up and her eyes widened as he rushed towards her. She shot into the taxi and it sped off, leaving Joey fuming...

Joey stood in the same spot a few minutes later, till he heard Alice calling his name. He turned and smiled.

'Whats up?' he asked, planting a fake smile in his face

'Just wondered if you fancied going to a movie or something?' asked Alice. Joey hesitated. He hadn't spent much time with Alice lately and he missed her a little. He smiled

'Sure. Come on then' he said, smiling at her and slinging an arm round her shoulders, hoping the movie would take his mind off what happened last night...

Three hours later, Lauren paid the taxi driver as she arrived at the hotel her parents and siblings were staying at. She looked up and entered the hotel. She was about to ask the receptionist what room her parents were in when Max spotted her.

'Lauren? What you doing here?' Max asked his eldest daughter as she turned round.

'I missed you guys... is that a crime?'. Max raised an eyebrow at her and Lauren's smile faltered.

'Oh fine. An argument with Whitney and Luce' she said, as she dragged her bag over to him. Max took it from her and motioned for her to follow him to Abi's room...

A few hours later, Lauren had met up with Tanya, Abi and Oscar in the restaurant with Max. Abi pulled back from the hug and let her mum hug her eldest. Lauren sat down and asked her Dad to get her a drink, before starting a conversation with Abi. Tanya smiled at them, before she joined Max at the bar.

'What's wrong with Lauren?' she asked

'I don't know. She just said it was argument with Whitney and Lucy' replied Max, watching his daughter.

'So, why did you come here?' asked Abi

'Argument with Whit and Luce' replied Lauren, before reaching into her bag for her phone as it signalled she had a message. She frowned and opened it.

From Peter

Heading back 2 Devon. See you soon though, yeah? Come and visit me with Luce sometime? X

Lauren smiled and replied

OK. Have a safe journey back and of course. We'll be down before Christmas ;) X

'What's got you smiling?' asked Abi

'Nothing. Just a message from Peter. He's heading back to Devon, so...' Lauren off and Abi knew the conversation was closed...

Early next evening, The Branning's arrived back on the square. Derek saw them from across the street and walked over to them.

'Now then, my brother. How about a few drinks?' he said, walking up to Max and clapping him on the back.

'Derek, we've just got back' said Tanya, rolling her eyes

'Oh come on. A few drinks won't hurt ya? Come on, what'd you say?' said Derek, trying to persuade them. Tanya opened her mouth to speak

'They're on me' said Derek, before she could get a word out

'Deal. We'll meet you in half an hour' said Max, turning to walk up the steps to his house, listening as Derek walked off, happily whistling to himself...

Half an hour later, as promised, Lauren, Abi, Max and Tanya entered the Vic. Derek waved them over to him, Jack, Alice and Joey.

'Come on, budge up... make room, make room' said Derek, before ordering in another round. Joey and Lauren shared an awkward glance at each other, not made any easier by the fact they were sat next to each other. The last thing Lauren wanted was to let her feelings show infront of her family, so she decided to ignore him...

A few hours later, and sick of Lauren ignoring him, Joey asked if anyone wanted another drink. Everyone except Tanya said yes.

'Ok. Lauren, help me carry them back please' he said, walking to bar, leaving Lauren with no opition but to help him. She groaned silently, but got up and joined him at the bar.

'What do you want?' asked Lauren

'Stop ignoring me. What happened on Friday.. We can't change it. It happened' whispered Joey. Lauren, not wanting Joey to voice her thoughts shot back.

'Nothing happened. It was a stupid mistake-'

'What you started! If you hadn't have leant down, that wouldn't have happened!... But regardless of everything... you did nothing to stop it, Lauren... Why?' retaliated Joey

'I did stop it' hissed Lauren, her fiery side coming out. Joey scoffed.

'Not before we ended up on your bed... and let me remind you that you were the one pulling me closer..'

'That meant nothing..'

'Sure it didn't'

'It meant nothing!' Lauren repeated more firmly

'If it meant nothing... why has your foot been brushing up against my leg all evening?'Joey said cockily. Lauren's mouth snapped shut and the fire in her eyes faltered a bit, and Joey knew he hit a nerve.

'It meant something to you, Lauren. You don't want to admit to yourself because your scared how deep your feelings will run... You want me, Lauren. Admit it, because your feelings won't just go-' Joey's sentence was cut off as Lauren picked up a pint of lager and threw it over him, before she made a quick exit.

'LAUREN!' Lauren heard her mum shout her. She heard Joey tell Tanya to stay where she was, before the Vic door opened.

'LAUREN!' shouted Joey. She looked over her shoulder and saw Joey advancing on her quickly. She quickened her steps, before Joey grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the car lot where her Dad worked.

'We've got to talk about what happened' said Joey, holding Lauren's wrists above her head, so she didn't try and hit him.

'I have nothing to say to you! Let me go!' said Lauren, struggling to get free. She tried to pull free of his grasp, but he tightened his hold just a fraction.

'Let me go' whispered Lauren, sensing the air around them change. She looked at Joey, her eyes falling to lips, and her breathing get heavier. Joey knew she was scared and let one of her wrist go, using his hand to caress her cheek.

'It's okay... I promise' he whispered, leaning in closer. This time, Lauren didn't hesitate and pressed her lips to Joey's. He let go of her other wrist and tangled his hand in her hair, as he drew her closer to him, deepening the kiss. Lauren let her hands glide through his hair, pulling him closer to her, if that was even possible. She heard Joey's jacket hit the ground and she smiled into the kiss, feeling, for the first time in a long time, truly happy...

Things are heating up :D R&R