Chapter 7.
"Joey?" Lauren's voice came from the doorway as she made her way into the room, a towel swept loosely around her body. "Are you okay?" she asked, running a hand through her wet hair and glancing at him with a look of concern.
He stared up at her and slowly nodded his head, "Yeah, I'm fine, babe," he answered her with a small smile, swallowing hard as he let his eyes trail over her. Her long, dark hair was a tangled mess and her body was covered in tiny freckles of water, her eyes wide and her expression innocent; she looked absolutely beautiful.
She nodded her head and turned her attention to drying herself off, not fully convinced. She knew something was wrong, she just didn't know what. And she knew she wasn't going to be able to just leave it. "Is it because of me?" she questioned out of nowhere, straightening herself up before going over to sit on the edge of the bed next to him. His head rose from the ground and he looked up at her in confusion, his eyebrows furrowed and wrinkles slightly denting his forehead. "Is it because you don't want me staying here, Joey? Because I'll go..."
"No, babe," Joey interrupted her quickly, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her into his side so she was leaning half her body weight against his. "Definitely not. You've left me once before and I don't want you leaving me again. I don't know what I'd do without you, Lo," he continued with a soft sigh, shaking his head a few times.
She let out a breath and chewed on her bottom lip, her thoughts a complete blur. Was it something she had done? Or was it something he had done? She really did not understand what was wrong. "Oh," she got out quietly, squinting as she dropped her eyes to the floor. "It's not do with that, is it? Me leaving you?"
He shrugged his shoulders momentarily, "Partly, I guess," he replied, his voice barely audible. He took a deep breath and brought himself closer to her, "Love you, Lo," he whispered, his hot breath on her ear sending shivers down her spine.
"Love you too," she whispered back, pressing a gentle kiss to his dry lips before getting up and opening the wardrobe. She got out her dark jeans and a button-up shirt and put on her underwear, throwing them on top and drying her hair. All the while Joey was watching her, his full focus on the stunning woman stood in front of him. She blow-dried her hair completely before brushing it through and making herself look presentable. She then folded up her towels and put them away, smirking a little as she came back into the room, "Having fun there?" she asked with a soft laugh.
"Yup," he responded bluntly, making his way over to her and throwing both his defined arms around her waist, holding her tightly in place. "Quite a lot, actually," he muttered, stuffing his face into her hair and breathing in her scent, a smile creeping up onto his lips. "You smell good," he pointed out, hearing her giggle slice through their comfortable silence.
"Thanks," she chimed out cheerfully, rubbing the side of his arm and pushing the negative thoughts aside. "That's probably the most perverted thing you've said all week, if I'm being honest. I'm looking forward to getting used to this again," she added, not even having to see him to know he was smirking.
"I really am glad you're staying, babe," he mumbled quietly, bringing his head back and looking at her with a smile. "Really, though. I missed moments like this,"
"You being perverted? Yeah, I'm sure you did, buddy," she murmured sarcastically, rolling her eyes before seeing the stern look Joey had shot her and letting out a laugh. "I'm joking, babe," she reassured him, closing her eyes and pressing her lips to his for a few seconds before pulling back and smiling. "I missed this too."
"You won't leave me again, will you?" he asked, his voice a little unsure with a smidgen of sadness. He'd hate it if he had to be without her again. Sure, he'd managed before when he'd lived back at mums, but he didn't know her then. He wasn't even aware of her existence. And he certainly wasn't aware that he'd end up falling in love with his cousin of all people...
She closed her eyes as she felt his warm hand suddenly against her cold cheek, his fingers intertwining with a stray piece of hair before tucking it delicately behind her ear. She opened her eyes with her heart speeding away in her chest, a slight grin lifting her lips, "No," she said sharply, shaking her head, even though she wasn't sure the words that had just escaped her lips were entirely true. Would she leave him again? She had no idea. She certainly didn't want to, anyway. "Who were you on the phone to earlier?" she finally asked, watching as his eyes widened in panic.
"What?"
"Who were you on the phone to earlier, Joe?" she repeated, raising her voice a little. "You're acting differently and I think it's something to do with that. Who were you talking to?" she questioned, his mouth opening a few times with no words escaping until he slammed it shut and stared at her blankly. "Is it really that bad, Joey?" she breathed.
He let out a sigh and shook his head briefly, "No, babe," he answered, dropping both his arms back to his sides and dropping his gaze. "It was Lucy. She rung me and I didn't want her to. I promise," he rambled on.
Lauren didn't know whether to laugh or feel bad at the way he was reacting, so she decided to do neither, "Joe, it's fine," she sighed, turning towards the door and making her way over towards it. "I know that you wouldn't lie to me," she finished, forcing a smile before pushing it open and creeping out onto the landing, jogging downstairs and exhaling a long breath.
She knew she was hiding something.
She just didn't know what.
a/n:
Pretty short and boring chapter - sorry ;P.
I'll try to update again soon. Tell me what you think. :)
-Charlotte. x