A week had passed since Lauren and Joey had consummated their relationship. Ever since that eventful night the two had been stealing kisses whenever they were alone and had almost five near misses. After the first one Lauren had completely freaked out, but then the second arrived – which consisted of Max almost walking in on the two in a very compromising position in Lauren's room. The only reason her father hadn't discovered their secret was because without hesitation Lauren shoved Joey into her tiny wardrobe. When Max had gone and Joey had re-entered the actual room both had felt the thrill of keeping their secret, and it made them irresistible to each other.
But now they were sat in the car lot cabin, Joey perched on his chair whilst Lauren straddled his waist as they kissed passionately. Neither could get enough of the other and every time they kissed it was as if it was the first time. So different, finding things about each other that the other didn't know, finding out exactly what pleased the other and how to press the right buttons.
Finally the two broke apart for air but still clung tightly to each other, holding in the heat erupting from the both of them. "This weekend we're going away, I want you all too myself!" Joey grinned placing a delicate kiss on her collarbone. Lauren held in the moan that threatened to escape her lips and threaded her hands into his hair.
"I like the sound of that!" She whispered huskily as she massaged gentle circles into the back of his neck. She'd never wanted someone as much as him, never felt so connected to another human being. Everything just seemed better, felt better. She nibbled at his bottom lip affectionately before reluctantly crawling off of his lap and standing to full height, face flushed red. "But you've got work to do, my dad will be back any second now and I have to go and get a bag together ready so we can make a quick escape tomorrow morning!" She smiled happily as she practically jumped up and down on the spot. "Where are you taking me?" She asked one eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"Wouldn't you like to know!" He grinned standing in front of her hands on her waist. "It's a surprise so sorry babe but you're going to have to wait and see!" He smirked capturing her lips with his own dragging her into another heated embrace. She leaned back away from him breathless once again.
"Down boy!" She giggled lightly arms still around his shoulders. "Right now back to work you or you won't have any money to take me anywhere!" She chuckled at him and pecked his swollen lips lightly and headed towards the door. He just watched her awe, completely mesmerized by her form. As soon as the door shut he fell back into his seat and sighed. He was well and completely whipped.
Lauren practically skipped out of the car lot and back towards her house. She still couldn't get over the fact that he wanted her. That Joey wanted her and no one else. She'd fallen hook line and sinker and there was nothing she could do about it. Not that she wanted to, she hadn't felt so content in such a long time that the feeling of elation was practically foreign to her until now.
She continued on her journey blissfully unaware of what was around the corner. In a quick flash she felt a tight grip on her wrist and was forcefully yanked into the alley she had just passed. She went to cry out but a fat hand covered her mouth muffling the whimper of fright. When she turned to look at who it was her eyes widened as there stood Derek, eyes ablaze in a fury. He took his hand away from her mouth but kept her wrists pinned between his other hand. "I knew I was right about you and Joey!" He snarled menacingly backing her up so she was now trapped between the wall and his large frame. Lauren didn't know what to say and she was stunned into shock. "You're disgusting you know that!" He taunted getting right up in her face, whiskey evident in his breath. Finally gathering her bearings she put on a steely façade, showing him that she wasn't scared of him. "Going after your own cousin, are you really that lonely Lauren? I bet you threw yourself at him, and him being a typical man just gave in. Poor boy is only with you to spare your feelings, or maybe he can see how easy you are and wants to get his rocks off. Hard to tell with my boy, but if he's like me which I'm pretty sure he is – then the latter of the two reasons is why he's with you!" Derek smirked cruelly not holding back.
Lauren could feel the circulation lessening in her hands as he had them in a vice like grip, and the more she tried to wrench them free the harder he squeezed. She bit down on her lip refusing to let out the cry that was threatening to escape. Sucking in a breath she stared straight at Derek. "He is nothing like you!" She spat aggressively and his eyes flared even more at that. "He loves me Derek, and I love him. But you wouldn't know how that feels would you. You're idea of love is knocking seven bells out of your wife!" She snarled and couldn't stop the small cry escape her lips as felt as if her wrists were going to snap.
"I'd shut your mouth if I was you!". He practically had steam spewing out of his ears but Lauren was on a roll and couldn't stop the words from leaving her mouth.
"No. I'm not frightened of you Derek, I never have been. You just can't handle the fact that your son hates you. Hates you so much that he won't even call you dad!" She snarled viciously. Before she could do anything about it Derek brought his hand up and grabbed her roughly by the throat slamming her back against the wall hard. He heard the sound of her head connecting with the solid concrete and smiled.
He squeezed tightly restricting her breathing and her face blanched for a second before starting to turn a light hue of red. "Now listen here. I'm gonna give you a chance to end this. You break up with Joey today, you stop this sordid little affair. Because if you don't Lauren" He smirked his face now only inches from hers. She couldn't even try and pry his hand away from her neck as her wrists were still being squeezed tightly. "I will ruin the both of you. Your lives will be in such a state that not even the bottom of a bottle will solve your problem" He growled as Lauren continued to choke for breath. Her face had turned a bright shade of purple as she continued to struggle against him.
Finally after what seemed like hours he let her go causing her to slump down to the floor on her hands and knees gasping for air. Greedily she sucked in as much oxygen as she could, clearing the stars that had been dancing in front of her not a minute earlier. "Pathetic. That's what you are Lauren. You have until tonight!" He warned dangerously swiping the sore hand that was holding her up with his foot causing her to go down onto the damp concrete with a thud. With those words he span and exited the alley a smug look on his face.
Lauren pushed herself up to lean against the wall as she continued to get her breath back. Her entire body was trembling in fear as Derek's words began to register. If there was one thing she knew about her Uncle Derek it was that he didn't make threats lightly. He was serious, she could see it in his eyes. Shakily she got to her feet and sucked in a few more calming breaths and straightened out her clothes. Unsurprisingly she instantly found herself heading towards where usually did when times got hard. The Vic.
0o0o0o0o0o
Lauren had been sat at the bar a few empty glasses in front of her. She wasn't drunk, nowhere near actually, but she definitely had a buzz coming from the alcohol. With a pained groan she chucked back the small tumbler of vodka and rubbed at her already bruising wrists. She was glad her neck hadn't bruised much, only a faint redness tinged her pale skin. She gripped her phone tightly and punched in the familiar number. It rang and rang and rang but he didn't answer. "Joey it's me. Please I need you to get in touch with me as soon as you get this. It's really important, I'm at the Vic, Just hurry please!" She pleaded down the phone to the voicemail before hanging up and putting her phone back into her pocket. Her fingers drummed on the bar anxiously and she was on the edge.
Looking around she spotted Lucy and Whitney stood there laughing loudly at something. Grabbing another drink she stormed over, looking for anything to distract her from her current predicament. She didn't want to split with Joey. She didn't think she could if she wanted to.
"Umm girls have any of you seen Joey?" She asked boldly looking at Whitney and casting a quick glance towards Lucy who eyed her angrily. Obviously she still didn't want to bother with her.
"No not today sorry!" Whitney said apologetically and Lauren nodded and turned to walk away back to her spot but stopped when Lucy's voice hit her ears. "What not gonna stay and have a drink?" Lucy drawled sarcastically and Lauren turned on her heels to look at her. With a huff she walked back over to the two and took a sip of the drink in her hand. "Beauticians day out!" Whitney grinned genuinely to the dark haired girl. She could tell that something was wrong with her, she looked incredibly spooked. She was going to ask her how she was when Lucy cut across.
"Yeah we're helping Poppy out… Unlike some people I could mention!" She said bitterly and Lauren narrowed her eyes at the girl who was purposely enticing her.
"Well I've been busy haven't I!" Lauren said briskly not being able to look at the girls. All she wanted right now was Joey. To hold him tight and have him tell her that everything was going to be okay. Running a hand through her hair she downed the last of her drink quickly slamming it down on the bar.
"You alright Lauren?" Whitney asked her friend concern etched over her face. She knew when Lauren was upset, she did the same thing every time. She drank.
"Yeah I'm fine I just really need to find Joey!" She spoke sending a glance at the doors of the pub.
"Well let's hope he's taken a long walk off a short pier!" Lucy bit harshly and Lauren could feel her anger swell up within her at the blonde's words. How dare she? How dare she? She screamed inwardly and glared at Lucy. "Lucy!" Whitney scolded not liking how her friend was acting.
"What he tried splitting me and Whitney up, and well he succeeded in splitting us up didn't he!" She said bluntly and Lauren took a tiny step forward, gritting her teeth in frustration. "Or does that not matter to you?" She questioned and Lauren sent her a tense smile.
"Yeah of course it does!" She managed to get out but her grip on the bar tightened. "Well I heard what Derek did, he punched him didn't he?" Whitney said trying to change the subject. She could feel the air start to thicken in tension.
"Good he had it coming for months!" Lucy laughed and a small chuckle escaped Lauren's lips. Both girls looked at her and the cruel smirk which had come onto her lips.
"Hah, no wonder he dumped you!" She laughed and Lucy got up from her casual position against the bar and approached Lauren slowly.
"What?!" Lucy said looking at the other girl. The tension from their previous argument was bubbling to the surface and Whitney stepped forward as well weary as to what would happen next.
"You're a bitch!" Lauren laughed bluntly and Whitney cringed inwardly at the tone. It was filled with a malice that she'd never heard her friend have. Something was definitely wrong.
"The only reason we split up is because of you. Interfering as usual. Being the victim once again and needing someone to look after you, and you chose my boyfriend!" Lucy spat and Whitney put a hand on her arm to pull her back but she shrugged it off.
"Ex boyfriend!" Lauren smirked and stepped forward towards Lucy. "You know it must be really hard to actually like you!" Lauren laughed again and as soon as the words left her mouth Lucy lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of her hair. Lauren reacted instinctively and flung her hand out straight into Lucy's ribs. She heard the girl cry out but the momentum from the lunge sent them both tumbling onto the table of a nearby booth. Lauren felt the glass shatter under her frame as Lucy clawed and tugged at her.
In a quick movement Lauren wriggled out from under her and slammed Lucy down on the table causing the girl to cry out once again. Lauren didn't realise her own strength and neither did Lucy as the younger girl gained the upper hand. The two rolled off of the table onto the chairs Lucy on top of Lauren as she tried to get the upper hand but once again Lauren managed to punch her in the face sending the blonde tumbling off of her and onto the floor. Lauren went to lunge forward on top of the girl when she felt familiar strong arms around her waist tugging her back away from the blonde who was stumbling to her feet . Whitney grabbed a hold of her and managed to restrain her as well.
"What the hell is going on?" Joey yelled looking between the two girls who were each trying to get out of the hold Whitney and Joey had them in. He almost let Lauren go, not realising how strong she actually was but reigned her back in before she could get a hold of Lucy. "Okay girls truce!" Joey said calmly but Lucy flashed him an angry look.
"Depends!" She snarled looking between the two Brannings. "It's us or him Lauren!" Lucy snarled knowing that she was putting her old friend in an impossible position. "Are you serious?" Lauren said in an exasperated voice. Instantly she felt safer, calmer with Joey's arms around her.
"Lucy you can't expect her to do that, he's family for god sakes!" Whitney chided unimpressed with her friend. Even though she was holding Lucy back – which was only for the blonde's safety because she didn't want to know what Lauren would do if she got her hands on her again – she really wasn't happy with how she'd been treating Lauren the past week at all.
"No go on Lauren, we're meant to be best mates after all!" Lucy scoffed at her staring directly at the girl. "Us or him!".
Lauren tore her gaze away from the angry Beale and sent a glance at the man holding her in his arms. She looked into his eyes and then to his lips as all the things he made her feel came back to her and she knew who she'd choose. Joey or Lucy. It was an easy decision. "Fine… I pick Joey!" She said simply and calmly with one last look at Lucy she shrugged out of Joey's grasp and strolled to the otherside of The Vic Joey hot on her heels.
"Are you okay? You didn't have to do that you know?!" Joey said affectionately taking her hand and squeezing it gently. She sent him a small tired smile and returned the gesture.
"Yes I did. And I'd do it again!" She said truthfully and he was sure he was falling in love with her all over again.
He stared at her for a few seconds before deciding to leave the Lucy subject behind and move onto more important topics. Such as her call. "Right I just saw your voicemail. What's wrong? What's so important?" He asked and instantly she stiffened as the real reason she had wanted to see him came back to the front of her mind. She could hear Derek's voice easily, taunting her and threatening her and she gulped in fear.
"It's your dad!" She said eyes watering and his face flashed with annoyance.
"What's he done now babe?" He asked encouraging her to go. He rubbed her forearm kindly but stopped when she hissed in pain and yanked her had back. "Lauren what's wrong?" He asked but she looked away from him unable to look him in the eye. Huffing in annoyance he grabbed her hand again and pulled it towards him rolling up her shirt sleeve. His eyes nearly popped out of his sockets as he saw harsh bruises covering her wrist. "Who did this to you?" He asked leaning forward to get closer to her. She was biting her bottom lip anxiously and kept her head away from him. It was then that he also noticed faint red marks around her neck, marks that were certainly too big for Lucy. "Lauren talk to me?!" He begged moving around so he was sat right next to her.
"Your dad!" She managed to get out as she composed herself and turned to look at him. His entire face flushed red with anger and she was sure he was going to pop a vein in his head. "I'm gonna kill him!" He growled and stood up but Lauren grabbed a hold of his arm desperately.
"Joey please don't. Stay here. Stay with me. I'll tell you what happened?" She pleaded and seeing her so distraught he couldn't just leave her sat there so he perched himself down next to her once again breathing deeply through his nose to calm himself. "He knows Joey. He knows about us!" She got out and he shook his head in denial.
"No way. There's no way he could, he's just bluffing Lauren!" Joey said but Lauren held her exposed wrists out towards him. "Do these look like he's bluffing!" She said to him and his temper flared once more. "He cornered me in the lane, when I left the car lot… He said that I've got to break it off with you or he's going to ruin the both of us. And I don't doubt that he will either Joey!" Lauren spoke up her hand clutching at his.
"Well he can whistle then can't he. He's not dictating what we can do!" Joey spoke defiantly scooting closer to her once again.
"I don't think you understand, he'll destroy both of us Joey. He'll tell my dad, my family, oh god my Dad will kill you!" She half sobbed rubbing her eyes wearily. Why was it whenever she found some happiness something would come along and ruin it.
"I can look after myself Lauren. Your dad doesn't frighten me!" Joey spoke up clutching her hand tighter than before.
"But your dad frightens me. My dad isn't gonna let you see me. You're gonna have to go, you'll have to leave. I can't let him hurt you!" Lauren pleaded eyes wide with devotion. She was willing to hang around and allow herself to take the brunt of Derek's wrath.
"I am not leaving you here alone. I'm not going anywhere without you!" He said determinedly. There was no way he would leave her.
"Go to your mum's or something. You have to go, this… this… Us… it has to stop! Otherwise everything in our lives will be ruined!" Lauren said a lone tear slipping down her cheek. His heart was breaking; much like hers.
"And that's what you want is it?" He challenged her words stinging him violently.
She shook her head back and forth all the fight leaving her. "No… No of course I don't. But… But we can't be together… Not here!" Lauren whispered quietly so that no one would over hear their conversation.
"Right… Then we'll have to leave!" Joey said strongly rubbing soothing circles on her knuckles.
Lauren's eyes widened at these words. "What?!... We can't!" Lauren countered trying to untangle the jumble of thoughts in her head.
"Why not? Lauren we're old enough to do what we want! We were going away tomorrow anyway!" Joey spoke up his entire posture rigid with determination. He'd be damned if his father interfered more than he already had.
"But that was different… We were going to come back… My family are here, my friends… My mum and dad are getting married again!" Lauren said her heart aching even more as she thought of her family who she had been deceiving.
"So you'd rather stay around her and wait for it to kick off because it will eventually!" Joey countered. She shook her head and dropped it onto her chest. "Give me half an hour please, go pack your things and I'll meet you in the gardens yeah!" He said his voice filled with nothing but tenderness.
She looked at him and bit back the tears that were forcing themselves out. "I'm scared Joey!" She whispered honestly and he sent her a supportive smile. "You've got nothing to be scared of Lauren!" He cooed lovingly and pushed her hair behind her ear, stroking her tear stained cheek in the process. "I'm gonna look after you Lauren. I promise!" He spoke and she nuzzled her head into his hand.
"Okay let's do it!".
0o0o0o0o0o
Lauren hurried into her house and as soon as she did she was greeted by the sight of her mother who's head was leaning against the door, obviously eavesdropping. "Mum… Can I speak to you now?!" Lauren questioned and her mother rounded on her a look of agitation covering her features.
"Oh you know what I want. Just for once for someone to ask me if I'm okay!" She groaned angrily looking between the door and Lauren. Lauren's eyes widened at her words, not being able to control her emotions. Hiding her hurt at her mother's rejection she hardened her face and walked straight past her and up the stairs, the only thing stopping her moving were her mother's next words.
"You think life's hard Lauren, well let me tell you it doesn't get easier!" She spoke bluntly and Lauren just shook her head at her mother and continued up the stairs. Entering her room she grabbed a small travel bag and ripped open her drawers chucking anything essential she needed in. Still can't believe we're doing this she mumbled inwardly. Everything felt so surreal, the entire day a blur to her now bar Joey's words. I'm going to look after you. Even with the pain she was feeling now those words were making her heart soar. They gave her hope. Hope Derek had tried to rip away from her not two hours earlier.
Quietly she crept out of her room but not before giving it one more look around. This would be the last time she'd see this place. The last time she'd argue with Abi over the light being on or off. Last time she'd chase Oscar around trying to get her phone back off him. Shutting the door behind her she held back her emotions, exhausted enough as it was. Her heart shattered into pieces though as she heard her little brother's playful laughter echo from his room. She wanted to go and hug him, kiss him and tell him how much she loved him so. That he'd always be her little man, her little brother. But she couldn't. She couldn't say goodbye. She didn't think she could withstand it.
Slowly she went down the stairs avoiding the creaky steps so that she wouldn't make a sound. She could hear her mother still talking and she stifled another sob. No matter their ups and downs she loved her. Loved her more than anything. She was more than a mother. She was a friend. A best friend. Shaking away the tears she opened the door very quietly and stepped out. "Goodbye mum!" She whispered before shutting the door behind her and scurrying over to the gardens awaiting the arrival of Joey.
0o0o0o0o0o
Joey slipped into Derek's house easily the man completely oblivious to another presence being there. He crept over to the coat rack and began checking the pockets of each coat. Peeking a look in at Derek who was sat there, bowl of food in his hands, it took every inch of self control to stop himself from storming in there, beating seven bells out of his so called father. How dare he touch Lauren, how dare he leave a mark on her skin he screamed inwardly but his angry trail of thought was stopped when he felt cold metal beneath his fingertips.
Smirking towards the man who was enthralled in whatever he was watching he looked at the keys and pocketed them quickly. And with one last hateful look at Derek he slipped back out of the back door and into the night his bag in his hand.
"Joey there you are!" Lauren said jumping up as the man approached her swiftly. She launched herself into his arms his bag dropping carelessly from his hands. He engulfed her in his embrace kissing the crown of her head lovingly.
"You didn't think that I wouldn't show up did you?!" He said playfully cupping her face in his hands, glad that they were sheltered by darkness and the surrounding bushes. She shook her head and gave him a watery smile.
"Never!" She grinned and kissed his lips gently. "My car's parked across the road, I've got the keys so shall we get going?" Lauren asked about to pick up her bag but Joey stopped her.
"I've got a better idea!" He grinned cheekily and popped his head over the bushes, eyes trained on Derek's house. Lauren joined him wondering what he was going to do next. Eventually the door swung open and Derek stepped out, wrapping his coat around him tightly before strolling off down the street. "Come on!" He said grabbing her hand and tugging her towards Derek's swanky car which was parked outside.
He unlocked it quickly and opened the boot chucking his and Lauren's things in there before shutting it quietly. "Are you serious?!" Lauren questioned in shock as she looked at the keys, the car and then at Joey.
"Well if we're doing this we may as well do it in style!" He chuckled lightly and she couldn't help but smile at his excitement. This was the start of their new lives.
"But what about my car?" Lauren said to him stepping closer to his side.
"Lauren don't worry about it. We'll come back and get it as soon as we can, as soon as everything has calmed down okay!" He cooed gently squeezing her hand. She nodded at him and smiled seemingly happy with the plan. With that he held the keys up to her smugly. "So Miss Branning, have you ever driven a Daimler?" He laughed heartily and tossed her the keys. She grinned happily and skipped to the car jumping in the drivers side and instantly starting the engine.
Joey looked at the girl to his right and couldn't stop the smile from gracing his face. Pulling off they made their way around the square and Lauren almost stalled as she saw Derek outside of Branning Brothers. "Slow down for a minute Lauren" Joey said as he wound down the window and climbed out of it ignoring Lauren's pleads for him to stop. "You can think of it as child support" Joey bellowed across the square to his father who's face had turned in anger. "You made it easy you know, I came here to show the world what a low life piece of scum you are" He smirked before banging on the hood as Derek neared. "Go, go" He urged and Lauren put her foot down whizzing off around the corner as Joey slid back into the car. "It turns out I needn't bothered, you did that all by yourself Derek!" He yelled out the window as he father disappeared from sight.
Finally they had gotten out of the square and Lauren found her voice. "I can't believe we're actually doing this?" She spoke voice filled with a nervousness.
"Exciting isn't it!" Joey smiled at her trying to ease her worries. He could see that she was scared, and he didn't blame her.
"Is it?".
"Yes, think about it no more looking over our shoulders or hiding out at the car lot" He reassured placing a delicate hand on her thigh and squeezing gently.
"No more dramas, no more kicking off" She said following his drift. Thinking of it now it was exciting, they were going away. Starting a new life together away from all the people who would try to tear them apart. "Just me and you Joey!" She smiled at him lovingly.
"Yeah, it's like a film isn't it" He laughed loudly and she couldn't help but join in with him. It was such a cliché but it was true. They were going to get their happy ending. Joey smiled and began fiddling with radio and Lauren couldn't help but cringe at the cheesiness of the song.
"You can't be serious?" She questioned seriously throwing him a glance. He nodded happily and she just shook her head and fiddled with it to a more upbeat song. "There that's better!".
"Lauren I love you but there's no way I'm listening to this!" He chuckled and fiddled with it again but her hand was in the way. Both fought for control of the radio laughing loudly and Lauren couldn't stop her gaze from falling away from the road.
When Lauren finally looked up at the road she couldn't stop the car from hitting a parked one and the car veered out of control. She slammed her foot down on the brake but it wasn't working. Spinning the wheel didn't seem to have any effect either and the next thing she saw was the car going straight through a large shop window.
Joey managed to brace himself slightly and could only watch as Lauren's head smashed against the steering wheel before bouncing off of the side window. And the next thing he knew his own head was connecting with the dashboard and everything had gone dark.
The car slammed into the metal railing lining the aisles causing it to come to a violent stop. And as the building collapsed around them, no life emanated from the car at the centre of the debris.
I want to take this chance to give my sincere apologies for the wait. It was completely and utterly ridiculous and you guys did not deserve it at all. But I'm back. The chapters will still be slightly sporadic as work has gotten a lot more hectic recently and my shifts are all over the place, but please bear with me, I'm not going to let you down.
So if you enjoyed you know what to do. Leave me some comments and tell me your thoughts, this story is written for you!.
Once again, my sincere apologies and a gracious thanks for the continued support.
Gwen.