Chapter 18

It was getting pretty late and they decided it's time to get back home. Of course, Joe tried to get Ann to stay. Although all she was thinking about was finishing what they started, she knew she couldn't. Sophie and Jazz said their goodbyes with Joe and wished him good luck on the tour.

„And I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled at Ann and hugged her. She felt her body warm up at his touch.

„Yes you will, sir." She rubbed his back. She smiled at him and he escorted them to the exit.

Travis was already waiting for them. Sophie and Jazz waved at Joe one more time, before slipping into the car. Ann turned around to him as he was leaning against the doorframe.

„I already miss you." He said with his smirk.

„Thank you again, Joe. For this." She gave him a warm smile. „It means a lot that you care so much about my mom."

„How couldn't I? She's a cutie patootie."

„Yeah, she is." She looked back at her in the car.

„Call me when you get home, okay?" He said placing a hand on her cheek. She could feel herself blush under his touch.

„Okay." He winked at her, before disappearing behind the big wooden doors.

The ride home was silent, the tiredness hitting all of them. She had no idea what time it was, but she felt as though this day lasted forever. She couldn't wait to jump in her bed.

As soon as they entered the apartment, they took off their shoes and said their goodnights. Ann walked into her bedroom and took of her dress. She quickly put on an oversized shirt and got into bed. She didn't even bother to wash off her makeup. She was so tired that she fell asleep in a heartbeat.

Her phone vibration woke her up. She frowned and squinted her eyes as the phone brightness hit her eyes. It was a FaceTime from Joe. She sighed and turned on her bedside lamp, before answering.

„Thanks for letting me know you're home." He said a little frustrated.

„Mhm." She murmured into her pillow. She answered the call, but her eyes were still closed.

„Are you still sleeping?" He chuckled, instantly changing his voice tone.

„Mhm." She murmured again.

„Cute."

She opened her eyes slightly to look at him. He was laying in his bed shirtless watching her with an amused face.

„Take a picture it will last longer." She said, mimicking their talking when they met.

„Oh, don't mind if I do." He shifted in his place and she heard a click on his phone.

„Did you just take a screenshot?" She frowned at him.

„Maybe." She chuckled at him and sat up on her bed, rubbing her eyes. „Hey, about what happened earlier..."

„Yeah?" She knew exactly what he was talking about. It was all she was thinking.

"I'm sorry, if I was too..." he rubbed the back of his neck, searching for the right word.

"You weren't." She smiled at him.

"I just... I never asked for your consent and I feel like an asshole."

"Are you serious? How long have you known me? I would kick you in your balls if I didn't want it." She raised an eyebrow at him.

"True." He chuckled, brushing his hair nervously. "So you wanted it?"

"Hell yeah I wanted it, Joe." She said in a more serious tone. "Am I not giving you enough signals?"

"What are you trying to say?" He frowned at fixed himself on bed, interested in what she was saying. She sighed and shook her head.

"Never mind, Joe. It's not a good time for this talk."

"What talk?"

"Are you that oblivious or you're just messing with me?" She said a little frustrated that he didn't take it as seriously. "Okay, Joe. I'm really tired. Goodnight."

"Goodnight. We'll talk about it tomorrow." He said a little concerned.

"Whatever." She said quietly before ending the call.

She looked up at the ceiling and sighed. It looked as though he wanted to avoid the topic. She felt that anger was starting to fill her body. Was he even taking what they have seriously? Or is it just fun and games for him? Now she was even more happy that she's not going to see him for the whole day tomorrow. She was about to put her phone down when it vibrated once again.

Joe Jonas mentioned you in his story!

She opened the notification only to see the screenshot that he took from the FaceTime.

Night talks with Bestie 🤍

She sighed and put her phone down, drifting off to sleep right away. Being called a 'bestie' is not really what she wanted...

The next day flew in a heartbeat. Sophie made her signature pancakes for breakfast, which Ann missed so much. No matter how hard she tried, she could never make them that good. Later they explored the city and ate some food for lunch, before going back to the apartment.

Ann started to pack, not really knowing what to bring. All her concert outfits were already packed by the stylist, so she only had to bring the clothes for in between shows. She packed mostly comfy clothes, but a few dresses as well in case they would go to a club or something. Jazz helped her zip the suitcase. She had to sit on top of it for it to close. Her mom in the same time was also packing, as her flight was later that day. It was almost time for Ann to leave, so she was saying her goodbyes. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

Joe: I'm about to leave for the airport, I'll come pick you up on the way :) are you ready?

Ann sighed. She didn't really feel like spending time alone with him. She was still a little mad at him for yesterday.

Ann: Thanks, but I already called a cab.

Joe: Then call it off. I'll pay them for the ride.

Ann: No need. See you at the airport.

She locked her phone and hid it in her pocket. She said her last goodbye, getting a bit emotional. She shrugged it off and blew them a kiss, before leaving the apartment.

She waited outside for the cab and got a little nervous as it was supposed to be there already. She checked the time once again and was about to call them, when she saw a black suv pull in her parking lot.

Of course...

Travis came out of the car and took the suitcase from Ann.

"Mrs. Hart." He greeted her with a nod.

"Travis, I told Joe I have a ride." She threw her hands in the air.

"He called it off." He said while putting the suitcase in the trunk.

"Of course he did." She murmured to herself and got in the back of the car, where Joe was already sitting.

"Hey there." He smiled warmly at her. "Did you have a nice day?"

"I told you not to come." She frowned at him.

"Woah, woah." He put his hands up in a defensive gesture. "Where is this attitude coming from?"

"Joe..." she shook her head. "Not here, not now."

He frowned at her and looked out of the window, not saying another word. The ride was filled with an awkward silence, breaking only with the sounds of Travis' GPS telling him to turn right or left.

She quickly got out of the car when they reached the airport and opened the trunk herself.

"Mrs. Hart, let me." Travis quickly rushed up to her.

"I have arms, Travis. I can do it myself." She rolled her eyes and took out her suitcase.

She started walking in the direction of the entrance, not waiting up for Joe. She did it because, one, she didn't want any paparazzi spotting that they arrived together and two, she just simply didn't want to.

She then realized she had no idea what is their gate, so she needed to wait for him anyway. She turned her suitcase around and sat on it with a sigh. Joe entered the airport and looked around for her. When he finally spotted her, he came up to her with a frown.

"Can you stop acting like a kid?" He said, catching Ann off guard.

"Wow, I'm acting like a kid?" She chuckled.

"What is up with you today?" He shook his head at her. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Yeah Joe, let's have a fight right here in the middle of one of the biggest airports in the worlds, with paparazzis outside. Great idea." She rolled her eyes at him.

"You're the one who started it."

"And I'm the one who ends it too. Where do we go?" She sighed and looked anywhere, but at him.

He didn't respond and just made his way to one of the customs. She followed him silently. It was a more secluded one, no people waiting in line there. They checked in their suitcases and rushed to security gates. Then they walked to their gate where the rest of the band was already waiting.

"Well look who it is! Two lovebirds coming in last!" Said Kevin, standing up from his seat. Ann frowned at him and took a seat next to Jinjoo. "Okay... No further questions."

"What's going on?" Jinjoo said quietly to Ann. "Should I beat him up like a tomato?"

"Yes, please." She said, letting out a little laugh. Jinjoo laughed too and hugged her tightly.

Their plane was ready and they all boarded it. Ann's eyes grew wide as soon as she entered it. She expected a normal plane, but this was like a flying hotel room. With seats spread around the plane facing each other, a mini bar and bedrooms. Jinjoo took her hand and they sat together in one of the corners.

"I'm so getting wasted tonight!" She said jumping from joy.

"I'll pass. I think I'll just go to sleep right away."

"Hey, don't let that asshole take the fun off of your first private plane ride!" She punched her in the shoulder. "It's a party plane with us!" She shouted, making everyone cheer.

Almost immediately, music started bursting through the speakers and everyone grabbed something to drink.

"You really don't want anything?" Jinjoo asked as she stood up.

"A beer, maybe. But that's all." She smiled at her. "Thanks."

She left and Ann stared out of the window, watching some plane take off. With the corner of her eye, she saw a figure taking a seat at Jinjoo's seat.

"Is it a good time to talk already?" Joe said a little frustrated.

"No, Joe. It's not." She didn't even bother to look at him.

"Okay, can you at least say something? And not keep me in this suspense?"

"You should know already. If you don't, then I guess you're not ready for it."

"Not ready for what?!" He said, his frustration growing.

"Excuse me, that's not your seat." Jinjoo said, while holding a drink and a beer. "Leave my sis alone."

"Jin, we're talking." He looked up to her.

"Not anymore. Move."

"Whatever." He sighed and got up.

Ann thanked her silently and they clinked glasses. She enjoyed her beer, before deciding that she really needs a sleep. She saw Joe watching her as they made their way to the back of the plane. Jinjoo showed her one of the small bedrooms where she could rest and left her. Ann sighed and sat on the bed, looking out of the window.

She knew sleeping was not an option before talking with Joe. She had million thoughts in her mind and her frustration was getting a bit out of control. She knew she was too hard on Joe, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to put a name to whatever they had. She wanted him to commit. She quickly grabbed her phone.

Ann: come here

A few minutes passed before he read the text and not so long before there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." She said almost in a whisper.

Joe sneaked inside, taking a quick look if anybody saw him. He stood by the door and Ann patted a place on the bed next to her.

"Is it the moment when I die? At least let me call my mom."

Ann couldn't help but laugh. "No, silly. It's time for the talk."

He sat next to her and Ann turned herself to sit in front of him.

"I'm listening." He fixed himself to face her too.

"First of all, I'm sorry for being so mean to you today. Emotions took over me." Joe nodded and she took a deep breath. "We have something going on. And I like this something. But I would like to know what that something is."

"Okay." Joe nodded, giving her a space to continue.

"I can't get you out of my head. You're the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last one when I go to sleep. I think about you every second of the day. I miss your touch every second you're not with me. I crave it more when you're with me. You make me laugh, you make me forget about all my problems. You make me happy. You make me feel wanted. You make me love myself."

Ann started to tear up and sighed, trying to push the tears away. Joe was just silently staring at her with wide eyes. She nervously brushed through her hair and locked eyes with him again.

"So that's me. That's how I feel. Now, I wanna know how you feel. Truly."

She needed to hear him express his feelings to her. She didn't care what the outcome would be. She was prepared for the worst. That this was all for fun and he can't commit to anything after her ex. That he still loves her. That this was just a fling. A mistake. An attempt to fill a hole.

"Ann..."