Chapter 20

Her eyes grew wide at his confession. Did he really just say that? They knew each other for so little time, she would never think of using that word. She didn't know, if she was ready to say it back to him yet. She decided to act as if she's asleep and didn't hear that.

She woke up after a couple of hours with back pain, as they slept in a very uncomfortable position together. She rolled over to her other side and checked her phone. She had a massage from her mom that she arrived safely home and to let her know when she'll land. They still had about an hour of flight left.

"Hey, we need to wake up." She gently poked him on his shoulder. He just murmured something and rolled on his side.

Ann got up and got dressed. She felt really thirsty, so she decided to go grab something to drink. She unlocked the doors and quietly got to the main part of the plane. Some people were still there, some went to take a nap as well. All eyes landed on her as soon as she entered. She just gave them a weak smile and grabbed a water bottle. She sat in one of the seats and sighed.

"Have you seen Joe?" Nick sat at a seat in front of her and she almost choked on her water.

"Yeah, he's... He's still sleeping." She looked out of the window, feeling intimidated by his presence.

"Are you guys okay? I saw that something was up with you two."

"Yeah, we had a little argument, but he came to talk it out, so it's all good now." She smiled at him. "And then we fell asleep not really knowing when. I guess we were both just really tired." She added trying to make an excuse as to why he was sleeping with her.

"I'm glad you figured it out. You have a beautiful friendship, it would be a shame if you lost it." He leaned forward and rubbed her knee.

"Yup." She said while nodding.

"Speak of the devil!" He looked up at Joe who came up to them with messy hair and narrow eyes. He looked so cute after waking up. They exchanged a handshake and he gave Ann a questioning look. She just nodded, letting him know that it's okay and he sat beside her.

"I was just saying to Ann that I'm happy you made up." Said Nick to Joe.

"Oh, yeah, we did." He smiled at her and she smiled back remembering the events from couple hours ago.

"I'm so happy you decided not to act on your feelings and stay friends. It'll be good for you guys." He said while getting up.

"Yup. Friends forever." Joe gave him a smile that was so fake that it almost made her laugh. Nick walked off and she chuckled at him.

"Friends forever." She mimicked him and they both laughed. He moved a strand of hair from her face.

"Hey, thanks for the talk. I needed it." They smiled at each other. "And about what I said at the end..."

"What did you say? I blacked out so fast I don't know what I heard and what not." Ann said, lying to him. She was never good at that, but she really didn't want to have a conversation about it. At least not now.

"Oh, then... Nothing, I guess." He rubbed his neck nervously.

"Okay." She quickly cut the topic.

The plane finally landed and they all got off of it. There were couple of vans waiting for them, so they got in them and they transported them to their hotel. As soon as she entered her room she got in a shower and changed her clothes. She felt much better all freshened up. She got on the balcony while brushing her hair. It was already 6 in the morning, so the sun was starting to fill up the sky.

"Hey there, neighbor." She quickly turned around to see Joe leaning against the railing of a balcony next to her.

"No way." She chuckled. "How do I get away from you for at least a minute?"

"I told you we'll be together 24/7." He smiled at her and checked his phone. "Want to grab a coffee? I'm looking for a good coffee shop around here."

"Joe, you know I don't drink coffee."

"You just never drank a proper coffee. Let me show you." He winked at her.

"Okay, just give me five more minutes." He nodded and disappeared in his room.

She settled for a comfy look with bike shorts and an oversized white T-shirt with white sneakers. She pulled her hair in a messy bun and left her room. She knocked on Joe's door and before she knew it, they opened and she was dragged inside. He picked her up and threw her on his bed. He got on top of her and started placing kisses on her neck. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warm feeling of his lips.

"I want a round two." He whispered in her ear, while placing a hand on her thigh.

"You promised me a coffee." She chuckled.

"Coffee can wait." He said, his voice getting raspy.

She threw him off of her and he landed next to her on the bed.

"Come on, you hornball." She got up and walked to his mirror to fix her hair.

After a while he got up and stood behind her, watching her through the mirror.

"I'm so lucky." He smiled and kissed her head.

"Yeah, you are." She chuckled.

"Never knew I could land such a beautiful girlfriend." This made her turn around to him.

"Girlfriend?" She laughed as it was the first time he ever called her that. "Okay, boyfriend."

They shared a laugh, before leaving the building in the direction of the coffee shop. All she wanted to do was hold his hand and scream to every person they passed that this was her boyfriend. But she knew she couldn't.

They walked along the street, talking about random stuff. They got stopped a couple of times for photos and Ann was more than happy to take them. One time she even got asked for a photo as well, which made her really grateful.

They walked into the coffee shop that looked very cozy and bougie. A waitress came up to them and escorted them to a free table. Ann knew nothing about coffee, so Joe placed an order for the both of them.

As soon as they arrived, Joe waited impatiently for her to try it. She took a sip and nodded her head slowly.

"Amazing, right?" He nodded too, while taking a sip of his.

"It's... coffee." She frowned, not really seeing anything special about it.

"Are you serious?" He tilted his head in shock.

"Yeah. It tastes like regular coffee." She chuckled putting the cup down.

"Okay, I may have to reconsider our relationship."

"Joe!" She laughed.

They enjoyed their drinks and then visited a second hand shop that was just around the corner. She was shocked that he was shopping at this kind of places. She loved them, but while being broke, you don't really have a choice. He said that most of his closet is vintage stuff and that he never really liked buying expensive clothes.

She was amazed at how good at this he was. He could find really nice pieces in the sea of hangers. Some of them Ann even found ugly, but when he put it on or in an outfit it looked amazing. She liked that he was so into fashion and put a lot of thought into his clothes. Most of them were comfy, oversized, vintage, some may even say "dad clothes". But he made it work and she admired that in him. He even picked a couple pieces for Ann, which she tried on as well and got his approval.

She then noticed on one of the stands the coolest pants ever. They were glittery and had a split at the end. Joe joined her and was impressed as well, telling her to try them on.

She put them on and looked at herself from every perspective. They fitted perfectly and made her ass look amazing.

"And? Show me." He said from behind the curtain.

She walked out and his jaw dropped immediately.

"Okay, is our stylist going to kill me if I wear this tonight? They are perfect!" She looked at herself again in the mirror.

"You have to! Wow..." He said, looking at them, but mostly focusing on the butt.

"You like them?" She spinned around.

"I mean... Suddenly I'm craving a cake." They both laughed and Ann went back to change.

When she got out, she saw Joe looking at some pair of sneakers and she decided to pay for her things already. She reached the register and smiled to the lady behind it.

"Hi, I would like to pay for this. And these." She said placing her finds on the table.

"Oh, your husband has already paid for everything." She smiled at her and packed the clothes in a bag.

"Oh, he's not my-" she quickly said, scared of the assumption.

"Thank you very much." Joe came up to the register and took the bag from the lady, interrupting her speaking.

They went out of the shop and Ann stopped Joe who was giggling to himself.

"That's funny to you?"

"Your face." He said, while still giggling.

She frowned and continued to walk, leaving him behind her.

"Hey, hey! Wait up!" He catched up to her. "Are you mad?"

"Yes, I'm mad! That's not really being secretive, Joe." She rolled her eyes.

"Stop!" He laughed it off. "We are meant to tease the media a little. Let's have fun with it." He smiled, making her smile back at him.

"I just hope you know what you're doing."

They went back to the hotel as they were going to start rehearsals soon. In the hall she saw Jinjoo and immediately ran up to her.

"Jin, look what I have!" She squealed taking out her new pants.

"No way!" She gasped, grabbing them. "I'm borrowing them on the next show."

"No! They're mine!" She snatched them out of her hands and hugged them to her chest. She walked away in direction of her room.

"Sharing is caring, Ann!" She shouted after her and Ann laughed.

They drove to the venue and rehearsed for about two hours, before heading backstage. They had a little free time before getting ready for the show. They passed it by eating food, talking, laughing or playing pool and darts. She even made some time to call her mom and then Jazz. She didn't mention her status with Joe. If they were meant to be a secret and work out, she had to do it all the way.

Everyone started to spread into their dressing room after a few hours. Ann got her make up done and went to her dressing room to change into her concert outfit. Their stylist agreed on the pants, admitting that they are amazing as well.

For a top she picked a lace bodysuit. She checked herself in the mirror and nodded. She felt sexy. Ann put on her heels and sat on the couch in the room, trying to get a little chill before the concert starts. She heard her phone vibrate.

Joe: leather pants or not?

Ann: yes to the leather pants. Hundred times yes!!!

Joe: ok can you come help me again?

Ann: on my way

She got up from the couch and left her room. She wandered down the corridor, looking at the sheets of paper taped next to the doors, searching for his name. She decided to text him where to go, before she heard someone clear his throat behind her. Ann turned around only to see Joe standing with his hands in his pockets.

"Who allowed you to look this good?" He smirked and walked up to her.

"You." She smiled at him.

"Damn." He bit his lip, looking her down.

"Where's your room? I'm lost." She turned around and looked at the doors beside them again.

"I'll show you." He put his arm around her waist and they walked together.

Suddenly they stopped and Ann looked around. The only door that was around them was unnamed. Before she could ask anything, he grabbed her hand and led them inside. It was a small room, filled with cleaning supplies and brushes.

He closed the door behind them and pushed her against them. She gasped, as she didn't expect that turn of the events.

"I need you." He whispered, taking off his pants, while unbuckling hers.

She laughed and they started kissing, their breath heavy against each other's mouth. He spun her around and pushed her against one of the storage racks, knocking some things to the floor. They laughed and continued kissing. He wasted no time, pushing inside of her right away. She screamed in pleasure and he placed a hand on her mouth. She grabbed onto the rack and pushed her head back, hitting it onto something hard.

"You okay?" Joe laughed between the heavy breathing and she just nodded.

He moved even faster and before they knew it, they both groaned into their mouths. He gave her a long kiss on the lips, before starting to put his pants back on.

"I think I just discovered my new pre-show ritual." He smirked and Ann licked her lips.

No matter how fucked up it was that she had to sneak into this kind of room to show affection to her boyfriend, she couldn't help but like it a little. The sneaking around and teasing was kind of fun and sexy. She just wished it would be enough.

"Umm, hey guys." They jumped as they just now realized there was a silhouette standing at the door.