Chapter 34

Of course to her luck, there was no cab available around. She waited for a while, but decided to take a walk, scared that Joe will catch up to her. It wasn't that far away, maybe about half an hour of a walk.

If that wasn't enough, halfway through it started raining, making her run to her hotel. When she finally entered it, she was soaking wet. The hotel staff looked at her concerned as she quickly got into the elevator and up to her floor. She walked fast down the corridor to her room trying not to bump into anyone and of course, she did.

"What the hell happened to you?" Jinjoo frowned, looking her up and down.

"Long story." She mumbled as she looked for her key.

"Let me guess: Joe?" She smirked, crossing her arms.

"Isn't it always Joe?" She sighed, entering her room, followed by Jin.

"What did he do now?" She said, jumping on Ann's bed.

"Not him... Us." She said, while brushing through her hair. "We almost kissed."

"Woah." Jin raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah..." Ann sighed, taking off her soaked clothes and putting a tee and some shorts on.

"You know how I feel about Joe. But I would never suspect him of being a cheater."

"Cause he's not, Jin!" Ann said frustrated, jumping next to her on the bed. "I don't know how it happened it just... did. I mean it didn't, but could've."

"You guys are so confusing." She shook her head.

"Yeah, there's more to the story." She said looking down at her stomach. "But I'll safe you the details for now."

"Please do." She laughed. Suddenly her phone vibrated. She took it out and they both saw Joe on the screen. "Oh look who it is. Mr. Perfectly Fine."

Ann laughed. "Put him on speaker."

Jinjoo nodded and answered. "Hey, JJ."

"Hey, is Ann with you?" He said, visibly in a rush.

"No, why?"

"Did you see her enter the hotel?"

"I don't know, Joe. I'm not standing by the front door and watching who's leaving and who's not."

"Okay, then can you go and check if she's in her room?"

Jinjoo sighed. "She is."

"Okay." He let out a breath, as if he was relieved.

"Something's wrong?"

"Everything." He chuckled.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Not right now. I just got home, we have some Sophie's friends over for lunch. But thanks."

"Okay. I'm here if you need me."

"I'll hold you on that. See ya later."

"See ya." She said, hanging up. She sighed and looked at Ann.

"I don't want to see him tonight." Ann sighed, crossing her arms.

"Well, that's gonna be hard." Jin chuckled. "But I'll do my best to keep him away from you."

"Don't think that's gonna be necessary with Sophie around." Ann rolled her eyes.

"Seriously?" Jin raised her eyebrow. "He tried to kiss you in the first possible situation and you still think he loves her?"

"Then why can't he just break up with her?" She threw her arms in the air in frustration.

"I wish I knew that too." Jin sighed. "Look, I'll try to talk to him. Make him get his shit together."

"I'm literally so tired of this shit." She raised her voice. "And here I thought this pregnancy would change him." She scoffed and immediately threw her hand over her mouth. "Oh fuck."

"Woah, woah, woah, woah." Jin raised her arms in the air and stood up from the bed.

"Shit." She hid her face in her hands.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Jin screamed, grabbing onto her hair. "What pregnancy?"

Ann eyes started to water and she was unable to look at her. She heard her walk back and forth in the room and she just wished she could take back what she said.

"Just say something!" She screamed, finally stopping. Ann slowly looked up, tears falling down her cheeks. "Did he get you fucking pregnant?"

"Yeah." Ann scoffed, pushing her head back.

"I'm going to kill him. I swear to god, he's dead." She said quietly, rushing to the door.

"Jin, stop!" Ann screamed, making her turn around. "It happened while we were together. It was our mutual fault. And it was our mutual decision to keep it."

"Ann, he got you pregnant and is fucking his ex!" She screamed, not believing what she's saying.

"It was our mutual decision to not be together."

"Fuck your mutual! I don't buy this shit at all. Does Sophie know?"

"No." She said quietly.

"Great." Jin scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Is he even planning on telling her?"

"Yes." Ann frowned at her. "He just needs some time."

"Yeah, some time to fuck her some more, before she leaves him for good. Ann, stop defending him, can't you see he's playing you?" Jin frowned, visibly frustrated. "I know him. He's a dick."

"You don't know him like I do." Ann shook her head. "He's a good guy. He's just... lost."

"Yeah, whatever. Live inside this fucking love triangle, but I'm not going to watch it happen." She threw her hands in the air and walked out of the room, closing the doors fast, making Ann jump at the bang.

Ann hid under the covers and weeped like a baby for about half an hour straight. Her phone alarm let her know it was time to go to the venue. She got up and went into her bathroom. When she looked in the mirror she growled. Her face was swollen, red and wet from all the tears.

She thought she could have a friend in Jinjoo. But a friend wouldn't do this. A friend would support her in every decision. She knew she meant good, but all she did was hurt her. With Jin gone she felt as if she was all alone in that.

She got into the bus to the venue, avoiding everyone eyes on her. She didn't bother to put on any makeup or even brush through her hair. She knew she looked like a mess, but she couldn't care less at that moment.

They got into the venue, Ann following the group far behind. They got on stage, the brothers already there, as always. They all greeted each other, Ann avoiding catching eye contact with anyone, especially Joe. She got to her mic and plastered her gaze on the floor.

"Hey, what's up with you?" Mark said, punching her in the arm.

"I don't want to talk about it, Mark." She shook her head, not even looking at him.

"Okay." He said, knowing better to know continue the topic.

The whole sound check Ann was avoiding looking at Joe, which was hard, as he was constantly looking over at her. But it finally came to an end and they all went to grab some food from the buffet. Ann didn't even feel hungry, so she just quietly got into her dressing room. She laid down on her couch and closed her eyes, wishing the day could end now.

She heard a knock on her door and sighed, wishing it was everyone but him.

"Yeah?" She asked.

Jinjoo walked into her room with a plate of tater tots in her hand. "Thought you could use some."

"Thanks." She sit up as Jin placed them on the table in front of the couch.

"Can we talk?" Jin sighed.

"Depends."

"I'm sorry." She sat next to Ann and put her head on her shoulder. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No shit." Ann mumbled.

"I was just... shocked. And furious." She sighed, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry. I'm here for you. And I'll be here no matter what you do."

Ann smiled and hugged her friend back, feeling her eyes getting watery again. "Thank you."

"No more crying." She pulled her back, wiping the tears from Ann's eyes. "We have to sort this shit out."

"No, Jin." Ann shook her head. "Joe has to."

"So you're just going to let him play with you like this?"

"Jin, believe it or not, he's been really good to me since he found out. He's sweet, caring, protective and is really excited to be a dad."

"Sounds like you're talking about a completely different person, but okay." She shrugged. "So... how far are you?"

"About 10 weeks." She smiled weakly.

"I can't believe it." Jin shook her head.

"Same." Ann chuckled. "It's a girl. Willa."

"You already have a name?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah." Ann laughed.

Jin squeezed her hands. "You're going to be the most awesome mom I know."

Ann pouted her lip at her and pulled her into another hug. "And you're going to be the most awesome aunt."

"Hell yeah." They both laughed, hugging each other tighter.

"Am I... interrupting?" A voice made them jump from each other.

Joe was peaking from behind the door with an uncertain look on his face. Ann quickly looked back, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yes, Joe." Jin frowned.

"Okay, can I... Can you leave us alone for a sec?" He said, entering the room.

"Only if Ann wants to." She said looking over at her.

"There's nothing to talk about Joe." She said, still not looking up at him.

"There's a lot to talk about, actually."

"Did you talk to Sophie?" She finally looked up at him, a frown painted on her face. Joe looked over at Jin, not knowing how to respond. "I told her." She rolled her eyes.

Joe frowned as well. "What? We said we're not going to tell anyone!"

"Yeah? I guess you took it very serious, not even telling Sophie about it!" Ann screamed.

"I told you I will tell her!" He screamed back.

"I'm not going to wait forever until you get bored of fucking her!" She screamed, tears building up in her eyes.

Joe's face softened at her words. "Is that what you think is going on? I meant what I said today."

"Yeah, well, I didn't." Ann scoffed, crossing her arms. "I'm not a fucking toy, Joe!" She screamed, tears now falling down her cheeks.

"All you think about is yourself." He threw his hands in the air in frustration. "You don't think about how hard it is for me too."

"Believe me, I tried." She said, standing up to face him. "If you want to be a father, be a man first." She said, clenching her teeth. "Now leave."

Joe looked at her one last time, before quietly leaving the room. Ann sighed, sitting back down on the sofa.

"You got him good." Jin nodded in approval.

"Fuck men."

"Fuck men." She said back, nodding, making them both laugh.

They talked for a little, before starting to get ready for the concert. They did each other's make up and Jinjoo braided Ann's hair. She put on a tight top and her favorite sparkly pants, before going to the back of the stage.

Everyone was already there. She saw Joe's eyes locked into her, but she knew better to avoid him.

"Oh my god, your hair!" Sophie ran up to her and admired her new hairstyle. "You look bomb as fuck."

"Thanks." She chuckled, unable to look her in the eyes, after what happened this morning.

"Oh wow, you look nice!" Priyanka said, joining them.

"Babe, did you see Ann's hair?" Sophie screamed turning to Joe. Ann turned to look at him, but he only nodded in response, unable to take his eyes off of her. "Good luck tonight, ladies!"

She said, before they both waved them and walked to their section.

"Awkward." Jinjoo said, chuckling.

"Welcome to my world." Ann said, making them both laugh.

"Showtime!" Nick screamed, gesturing the band to get on stage.

The concert passed in no time. She had a lot of fun, goofing around with Jin. She knew she looked good and she could feel Joe's eyes on her almost all the time. She would be a fool not to use it, so she let her confidence guide her as she swayed and danced on stage.

After the concert Ann sat on the couch with Jin, laughing away.

"I'm going to quickly grab a water." She said, standing up and walking up to the fridge.

To her luck, Joe, Sophie, Nick, Priyanka and Kevin and Danielle were all standing next to it. She tried to act as if she wasn't there, but of course, Sophie noticed her.

"Ann! We were just talking about going to a club for an afterparty, just us. You should come with us!"

Ann's eyes widen and she locked them with Joe's, whose were as big as hers.

"Oh, she always comes to our afterparties." Said Kevin, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

Here comes my number one supporter. She thought to herself.

"I don't think-" Joe started.

"I would love to." She smirked, not letting Joe finish.

"Yay!" Sophie clapped her hands. "It's going to be so fun."

"So fun." She locked her eyes with Joe, still a mischievous smirk on her lips.

"So fun." He said quietly, taking a big sip of his beer.