Chapter 2

Later that day, in the Gym, Derek bumped into Joey, who was just about to leave. Derek chuckled and folded his arms.

'What?' asked Joey, not in the mood to deal with Derek right now

'Just wondering where you were this morning' Derek said, narrowing his eyes at his son. Joey swallowed.

'I was out. Why? What's it to do with you? You stopped me seeing Lauren, you can't stop me from doing anything else' said Joey, folding his arms. Derek chuckled menacingly.

'Well, if you was out... then why was Lauren walking out of the back door with you this morning?' Derek asked him, towering over him. Joey swallowed but stood his ground.

'She was visiting Cora' Joey replied. Derek raised an eyebrow.

'Was she now? Because it looked like from her appearance she'd just come from a roll in the hay with YOU!' Derek thundered the last word, making Joey pursed his lips and curse himself.

'It was moment of weakness. It meant nothing! I swear!' said Joey. Derek eyed him

'I don't believe you. But, I'll give you one last chance. You tell Lauren to stay away from you... or you'll know what'll happen' said Derek, walking away into the store room, leaving Joey to head outside...

Lauren was sat in the cafe, a cup of tea between her hands, when Joey walked in. He spotted her and sat down across from her. Lauren smiled brightly.

'Hey Joe-'

'It meant nothing. Last night, it meant nothing. It was just a moment of weakness, a mistake. I didn't mean to let go as far as it did, Lauren. I don't love you. So just stay away from me, okay, and move on, because I have. You meant nothing to me. Now move on!' said Joey harshly. Before Lauren could question his attitude, Joey had rushed from the seat and out of the cafe. Lauren could feel her throat growing tight and her eyes watering dangerously. She stood up and rushed from the cafe, and straight to her house. She unlocked the door, went inside, and slammed it shut, sliding to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart hurting...

Joey watched as Lauren streaked past him. He bit his lip to hold back his tears, feeling the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. He let out shriek and in moment of anger, punched the brick wall in front of him, his knuckles splitting and bleeding almost instantly. He regretted it as pain shot through his hand. He squeezed his eyes tight shut and headed to Alice, hoping she could patch up his hand rather than have him go to A&E. He knocked on the door and Alice opened it, seeing the state of his hand almost instantly.

'JESUS! What's happened?' she shouted, as she stood back to let him. Joey looked at her.

'I punched a wall because I was angry'. Alice rolled her eyes and Joey followed her into the kitchen, where she patched up his hand.

'So you going to tell me what happened?' Alice asked. Joey shook his head.

'Know where Derek is?'. Alice frowned and shook her head.

'Why?' she asked, straightening up in her chair.

'Just wondering. If he comes back here, just tell him to call me' said Joey, standing up, hugged her and headed for the door, leaving Alice to her thoughts...

Later that evening, Jack, Max and Tanya were all in pub, having a drink. Tanya let out a groan as Lauren's phone went straight to voicemail again.

'Lauren! Please, call me back when you get this. It's important' said Tanya, before hanging up. Max swallowed a sip of his drink, looking at her.

'What's wrong?' he asked

'Lauren. Her phones been off all day and I can't get in contact with her' said Tanya, putting her phone back in her bag.

'Maybe Joey knows where she is' said Jack, nodded over to where Joey was at the bar.

'Hey, Joey. C'mere will you?' asked Max. Joey walked over to his Uncle.

'Alright, Uncle Max. What's up?' he asked

'You aint seen Lauren, have you?' asked Max as Joey swallowed.

'No. Why?'

'Tanya's been trying to get hold of her all day, but she's not answering her phone' replied Max. Tanya got up

'Maybe I should go check on her?' she said, looking at Max.

'I'll go. I need to pick the last of my stuff up anyways. If that's okay' said Joey. Max nodded, handing Joey the house keys and smiled. Joey smiled back and left the pub heading for the Brannings house...

Joey unlocked the door to the Branning house and stepped inside. He headed straight into the living room and stopped dead. The room was a tip, like a hurricane had swept through and wrecked everything. His eyes widened as he spotted Tanya's wedding dress torn to shreds and Max's suit. The pieces of fabric slipped through his fingers, as he realised Lauren had done this. He rushed into the kitchen and saw the wedding cake smashed into pieces on the floor. He groaned silently and squeezed his hands into a fist, ignoring the shooting pain in the hand he'd injured earlier today. He heard footsteps upstairs and knew Lauren was home. He headed up the silently as possible and headed for Lauren's room. He pushed the door open and saw Lauren kneeling on the floor.

'Lauren?' asked Joey, startling Lauren. She let out a gasp, but she didn't turn round.

'Lauren? What are you doing?' asked Joey, edging slowly into the room, towards Lauren. Lauren didn't answer, however the sound of sobs reached his ears. He slowly touched her shoulder and kneeled down next to her, seeing the vodka bottle and empty bottle of tablets next to her. His eyes widened in horror.

'Lauren! Look at me! Where are they?' he questioned. Lauren looked down at her right hand, which was clenched into a fist. Joey followed her gaze and put his hand on top of hers, gently prising her fist open to reveal a handful of tablets.

'Give me them, Lauren' said Joey. Lauren shook her head and closed her fist back round the tablets quickly. Just then, the door downstairs opened and Abi's voice came floating upstairs. Joey sighed. He rushed to the top of the steps.

'Abi? What are you doing here?' he asked, trying not to sound desperate. Abi looked to the top of the stairs and saw Joey looking at her.

'Came to get my phone charger. Night' said Abi, holding up the charger, before leaving the house again, not thinking as to why Joey was there. He sighed and headed back into the bedroom, just in time to see Lauren raise the vodka bottle to her lips, the pills gone from her hand...

Hope your all enjoying this so far :D R&R