A/N: Thank you to Wilsonae for kindly reviewing. I appreciate it. This story is almost done.

Hollywood Heights: Fighting Temptation

Chapter 15

***The Next Morning***

(Eddie was at home pondering his thoughts. He did have a good time with Mel last night in the park listening to the band. He admitted to himself he would have had a blast had it been with another woman. Ugh! He needed to squish those thoughts. Loren was not interested in him. At least, not to his knowledge)

(Eddie admitted to himself that ever since he met Loren all those months ago at her college campus party, he saw something in her. Something he liked. Really liked. She liked him for him, not his popstar status that he gets the feeling Mel likes him for. He still did not feel the same for Mel, even if she liked him, though)

(Eddie loved everything he knew about Loren. She defended what she wanted and held no prisoners. They liked the same music. She did not care for his rockstar reputation. Unfortunately, she had a painful past, just like he did. And most of all, they had fun together and enjoyed chatting with each other)

(Eddie is caught off-guard by the knock at the front door. He shook his head to clear his thoughts before answering the door)

Eddie: "Hey, man."

Ian: "Hey, mate."

(They share a hug before sitting down on the couch)

Ian: "How did last night go?"

Eddie: (nods) "It went well. We had a good time."

(Ian could not help his next comment)

Ian: "But, I am sure you would have had a better time if you were 'hanging out' as you call it with Loren, versus Mel."

(Eddie stared at Ian for a long moment before closing his eyes and lowering his head)

Ian: "I know you are trying, mate. You are trying to make it a go with Mel. But I have a question for you and I want you to answer honestly. Is your heart really in it with Mel?"

(Eddie sighs deeply and then shakes his head before facing his best friend again)

Eddie: "I thought Loren did not think of me like that. So, I wanted to give Mel a chance. But, honestly, Ian? I feel so deeply for Loren. I have never felt for someone what I feel for Loren…not even Mel for Chloe."

Ian: (shrugs) "And how do you feel for Loren, Eddie?"

Eddie: "When I first met her, I thought that she had a serious attitude. Then again, so did I." (chuckles)

Ian: (nods) "That you did, mate. We were both interested in the ladies. Probably me more than you." (small smile) "Until you met Loren."

Eddie: "Every time I find something new about her, it just makes me want to know more about her. She excites me. I'm…To be honest, I've been falling for her for a while now. I just could not admit it to myself."

Ian: "Eddie, just so we're clear…are you saying you're in love with Loren or you just think you are in love with her?"

(Eddie raises his eyebrows at his best friend as he stated matter of factly)

Eddie: "Honestly, I think that I have been in love with Loren since our chats on the swings in the park. When I got to know the real Loren Elizabeth Tate."

Ian: (smirks) "I see you know her middle name."

Eddie: "I asked Mel once. Yeah, I did some investigating."

(Ian could not help but be happy for Eddie. He finally admitted his true feelings for Loren. But, where does that leave Mel? Truth be told, Ian had developed feelings for Melissa. He never acted on them as he did not think she felt the same way. When Mel asked out Eddie, Ian did not know if it was because she was into him or because Eddie was popular in the music business. Ian got the impression it was the second one. Ian may need to have a talk with Melissa, too)

Eddie: "I feel like I am leading Melissa on as I think she likes me. I don't feel the same for her, though. I just wish I knew how Loren felt about me. If she felt the same, things would be so much easier. But I will not break Melissa and Loren's hearts. I do not even know if Loren feels the same way I do."

(Ian smiled in private as he knew how Loren truly felt about Eddie. He would never betray her confidence, though. He decided to try a different route)

Ian: "Talk to Melissa and Loren, mate. You won't know how either of them really feels unless you ask them. Sometimes, you need to put your heart on the line and see where life takes you."

Eddie: (nods) "I see your point." (sighs deeply) "I know Melisa has class for another hour. Then she is free for a few hours. I will have a heart to heart with her."

Ian: "As for Loren?"

Eddie: "I'm going to tell her how I feel after I'm honest with Melissa. If Loren does not feel the same way, I will accept just being friends. I will hate it, but I'll deal with it."

(Ian privately knew that would not happen. It was just a matter of how Melissa reacted to everything)

(Melissa received Eddie's text once her class ended. She was curious on what Eddie wrote)

Eddie: "'Hey, Mel, I know you are in class. When you are done, send me a text. I need to talk to you'."

(Melissa stared at the text for a few moments before responding)

Mel: "'Hey. Class just ended for the time being. What's up? It sounds urgent'."

(Mel sends the text and within a minute, Eddie replies)

Eddie: "'When is your next class?"

Mel: "'Not for another two hours. Why? Is everything okay?'"

Eddie: "When is your last class?'"

Mel: "I'm done for the day at 4pm. Eddie, what's going on? You are starting to freak me out'."

Eddie: "No need to get freaked out. Just want your undivided attention. When you are completely free, shoot me a text, and we will meet up'."

Mel: "Okay. Sounds good'."

(Mel could not help but be nervous about her upcoming talk with Eddie. Did he not enjoy their date? Did he want to break up? Well, technically, they couldn't break up as they only went out once. Or did he privately like their date so much he wants to go out again? Mel told herself not to speculate as it was a lost cause)

(After her classes were done for the day, Mel texted Eddie)

Mel: "'Hey, Eddie. I am done for the day. Where do you want to meet?"

Eddie: "'Let's meet in the park. We will have more privacy there. Meet you in a half hour'."

Mel: "'Okay'."

***Thirty Minutes Later***

(Both were on pins and needles as they met face to face for the first time since the band played at the park)

Eddie: "Hey, Mel."

(Eddie had his hands in his jeans pockets and he was trying to contain his nerves. Mel smiled politely)

Mel: "I think I know what you want to say."

(Eddie was a bit surprised by her choice of words before he continued)

Eddie: "You do?"

Mel: (nods) "Yes. Even though you tried to, you just did not have as much fun as I did not when the band played."

(Eddie lowered his head in shame as he nodded)

Eddie: "You are right. I wanted to have a good time. Really, I did. But my heart just was not in it."

Mel: "I could tell." (chuckles dryly) "I dressed kind of out there and made a few moves towards you. But, either I didn't try hard enough or you didn't feel the same way towards me."

Eddie: (sighs deeply) "To be honest, Mel, no, I do not feel the same way towards you. All I feel towards you is friendship. I am sorry."

Mel: (nods & smiles) "It is okay. I appreciate you being honest."

(Mel raises her eyebrows as she makes her next comment)

Mel: "Besides, I think the woman you have the real feelings for is Loren. Am I right?"

(That caught Eddie off-guard as he was not expecting that)

Mel: "How did I know that? Ever since we all met….me and Loren…you and Eddie…at mine and Loren's college campus party all those months ago…I see you two flirting with each other. Even when you two did not realize it."

(Mel fiddles with her hands before she bravely asks her question)

Mel: "You have feelings for Loren, don't you, Eddie?"

(Eddie did not want to lie to Mel, so he told her the truth. He nods & whispers his answer)

Eddie: "Yes, I do."

Mel: "Do your feelings go deeper than that? Are you in love with her?"

Eddie: (sighs) "Mel…"

Mel: "Eddie, I understand. You and I…we did not work out. Truth be told, we never should have tried. But, I will tell you this. If you love Loren, be honest with her. Tell her the truth. She has had a bad couple of years with her mom. I don't know if she will ever speak to her mom again. I won't force her to do that,

though. Loren deserves to be happy."

Eddie: (nods) "So do you, though, Mel."

Mel: (smiles) "I will be. I think I know the perfect guy. I just did not realize it at the time. Hopefully, he has not given up on me."

(Eddie narrows his eyes as he had a feeling, he knew who she was talking about)

Eddie: "I do not think he has. Go get him, Mel. You deserve to be just as happy."

Mel: "Thank you."

(They both do a fist bump and walk away from each other as they knew what needed to be done next)

Chapter 15 Done

Please kindly review. Thank you. Next chapter is the epilogue. I'm also posting this story on AO3 if you're interested. Eventually all my stories will be on there, especially when fanfiction acts up.