Chapter 36

Joe:Ann doesn't feel good, I'm taking her to our apartment to keep an eye on her

Soph:Poor thing! 🥺 do you need me to come too?

Joe:We'll be fine, enjoy the rest of the party 😉

Soph:K, won't be long!

Tell her she can take whatever she wants from my closet to change

Joe:Ok, thanks

Soph:Love you both! 🩷

Joe:🩷

„Joe, this is weird."

„Stop." He rolled his eyes.

„Can't you just take me to my hotel?"

„I told you, you and the baby are my main focus. If you're not feeling good, I'm going to look after you."

„But Sophie..." she sighed.

„I texted her, she's totally okay with it. You can grab something to change from her closet."

„Yeah, as if having your ex in you apartment isn't weird enough, let's just put her into your current girlfriend's clothes." Ann chuckled, shaking her head in the ridiculousness of that situation.

„Well, when you put it that way..." Joe said, tilting his head and laughing, making Ann laugh as well.

She sighed and looked out of the window, keeping quiet for the rest of the ride. She knew it was wrong and she was still mad at him, yet the thought of finally having some alone time with him was comforting at the same time. She just hoped he wouldn't bring up the almost kiss and make this even more awkward than it already was.

They stopped under a big glass apartment complex. They went in and into the glass elevator leading them up. Of course it had to be so high, that the ride was taking forever. Why do rich people always live so high up?

They finally opened, showing off a big open space with a living room, a kitchen and a massive dining table. Everything there was so neat and minimalist, just like his house in LA. Expect this one was mostly styled in black and grey colors.

„Wow." She said looking around admiring the art that was hanging on the walls. She knew he had a soft side for art, something that she never understood.

„You want something to drink?" He said, passing her as he went into the kitchen area.

„Yeah, I'll take whatever." She said, frowning as she tried to come up what was she was seeing on one of the paintings.

„Virgin mimosa it is, then." He smiled.

„So... just an orange juice?" She chuckled, turning around and walking his direction.

„Basically, yeah." He chuckled back. „Feel free to go to our wardrobe and change into something more comfortable. It's the second door on the right." He pointed in the direction of the long corridor.

Ann hesitated for a bit, but decided to not argue, feeling extremely uncomfortable in her, a little to tight, skirt. She walked to the door and opened it slowly. She gasped as she saw a huge wardrobe space. Half of it was Joe's, half of it was Sophie's and they had jewelry cabinets in the middle.

Having a wardrobe was always a dream of Ann's. Being able to walk in every morning and decide what to wear, when it was all neatly arranged and not squished together in a small closet. She went to Sophie's side and walked along it, guiding her hand through all the stunning dresses that were hanging there. It all felt to weird for her, so she decided to grab something from Joe's side instead.

She looked at the many suits hanging neatly on hangers as well as multiple jackets and jumpers. Of course, he had a special place for his Adidas shoe's collection in possibly every color that existed. Nick once told her that, but she never believed him until now.

She grabbed a black hoodie from one of the hangers and a pair of white sweatpants, that, to her surprise, fit her very well. She went out of them room and into the main area, where Joe was already sitting by the TV on the big couch. She saw two glasses on the table and a bowl of popcorn. She smiled and sat down next to him.

„Hey, these are mine!" He frowned, pointing at her clothes.

„They fit me better." She shrugged with a smile.

„I mean, you're not wrong." He said, eyeing her with a smile. „Thought you would like to watch something?"

„Sure." She nodded, making herself more comfortable.

„Here you go." He said, passing her a thick, warm blanket.

„Oh, thank you." She smiled warmly at him. „What about you?"

„Oh, I... only have one blanket." He rubbed his neck.

„I mean... it's a big blanket, we can share." She said, a little uncertain if it was a good idea.

He just smiled and grabbed the other half of the blanket, covering his legs with it. Ann switched so she had her back pressed against the side of the couch and Joe grabbed her legs, pulling them on his lap. He started to massage her feet, his eyes plastered on the tv. Ann just smiled and closed her eyes, sinking in the moment.

She felt so comfortable. So good. He was the only one that could make her feel that way. And she hated that. She hated the fact that she couldn't get away from these feelings for him.

She didn't even realize when she had fallen asleep. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling warmness against her body. She looked down, seeing that Joe was asleep as well, cuddled into her stomach. She smiled at the view and brushed a hand through his curls, making his let out a little growl.

„Joe, wake up." She said quietly.

He slowly got up and rubbed his eyes. „Shit, sorry."

„It's okay." She smiled.

„What time is it?" He said, trying to find his phone.

Ann took out her phone and was about to tell him, when she saw her notifications.

@josh_parker followed you!

@josh_parker sent you a massage!

„No way..." she smiled at her phone.

„What?" He frowned.

„Oh..." she quickly got back to reality. „It's two."

„Okay, we should get some rest." He said, standing up.

„You're not going to wait for Sophie?"

„I'm used to her getting back from parties in the morning." He chuckled. „Come on." He reached out his hand, helping her get up.

He guided her to the guest bedroom, showing her around and her en suite as well.

„You have all the essentials in the drawer. Toothpaste, toothbrush, shower cosmetics, face cosmetics, whatever you want."

„Wow, thank you." She raised her eyebrows seeing the drawer under the sink filled with all beauty products possible.

There's been an awkward silence, as they just stood there, dangerously close to each other. Ann didn't want to look up at him, feeling that his eyes were already staring into her.

„Hey, about the other day..." he started.

„Joe..." Ann sighed, not wanting to have this conversation.

„We have to talk about what happened."

„What almost happened." She frowned, correcting him.

„Yeah." He sighed. „I just wanted to tell you that I would never cheat."

„I know that." She shifted from one leg to another, locking her eyes on the sink.

„It's just with you... It doesn't feel like cheating. It's just... natural. Because I still have feelings for you."

Ann bit on her lip and closed her eyes, trying to not be bothered by his words. When she finally looked up at him, his eyes were sparkling, just like they used to when they first met. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek.

„Then why are you treating me like a toy?" She said quietly, trying to hold back her tears.

„Why would you say that?" He frowned, shaking his head.

„Because you're playing with my feelings constantly." She whispered, a single tear falling down her cheek.

„It's not like that..."

„It is to me, Joe." She sighed, taking a step back from him.

„I'll tell her tomorrow." He sighed as well.

„Yeah, right." Ann scoffed.

„I promise you."

„Joe, enough with the promises. I'm caring your fucking baby and you just can't get your shit together. I know you're afraid of commitment. But if you don't want to raise this baby with me than just tell me and stop giving me false hope!" She screamed, tears now falling out of her eyes.

„I want to! I just... I need time."

„How much more, Joe?" She screamed. „I've given you way too much already!"

„Calm down." He said quietly.

„Don't tell me when to calm down, Joe! I'll calm down once this shitshow comes to an end."

„I said I'll tell her."

„Yeah, just try to do it before I fucking give birth to our baby." She said, storming off the bathroom and into the bedroom.

„Can we talk about it calmly?" He went out of the bathroom with a concerned face.

„I've had enough of these talks! Unless you get your shit together just don't talk to me." She said, jumping on the bed and crossing her arms.

„I don't like this attitude." He frowned.

„Yeah, well, I don't like yours. So please, leave, before I smash something on your head."

„Wow." He scoffed and left the room, smashing the doors behind him.

Ann sighed and screamed into one of the pillows that were on the bed. She could feel herself boiling inside. She knew it was because of the pregnancy and her hormones going crazy, but she literally could've killed him if he stayed a second more in her presence.

She watched the ceiling for a while, before grabbing her phone, remembering the notifications from earlier. She quickly opened the message, hoping it was the same Josh she wished it was.

Josh:Hey stranger! Found you 😉

It was him. She opened his profile and looked through his photos. There were many from vacations in what looked like some luxury resorts, some shirtless photos from the gym and some from his work, wearing a full suit. He looked good in every single one of those photos.

Ann:Hey stalker, glad you did 😉

Josh:It wasn't that hard 😜 recognized your friend at the club right away and went from there.

Ann:Yeah, sorry about him 🙄

Josh:No problem 😉Are you still in New York?

Ann:Actually yeah, for one more day. Then we're back on tour.

Josh:Perfect!Up for a morning coffee? 😉

Ann:Sounds amazing

Josh:😊I'll text you the address tomorrowIs 10 am ok for you?

Ann:Perfect 🙂

Josh:🙂Have a good night then

Ann:You tooSee ya tomorrow 😌

Josh:See ya 🩷

Ann locked her phone and smiled to herself. Did she just land herself a date with him? She smiled to herself, her confidence building. She needed that. A distraction from Joe.

She woke up and quickly got up seeing that it was 9 am already. She had to get to her apartment, change and do her makeup, which was not going to be easy in such short time.

She ran out of her room seeing Joe and Sophie sitting at the table, eating breakfast together.

„Oh hey, you're up!" Screamed Sophie, waving at her. „Come on, Joe made breakfast. Nutella toasts."

She smiled to herself. Was this his attempt at saying sorry? That's not going to work for her.

„I would love to, but I'm in a rush." She said, putting on her shoes.

„In a rush where? It's your free day!" She frowned.

„Actually, I'm going on a date." She smiled.

Joe almost chocked on the toast, as Sophie stood up to her.

„Girl! And you're going like this?"

„No." She laughed. „I have to get home quickly to change and make myself presentable."

„Let me do it, please." She jumped up and down.

Ann smiled at her. „I'm not even going to argue." She shrugged, making Sophie squeal.

„Who is it? Is it the guy from the club? I saw you two were getting along."

„Actually yes." She said happily.

„Nice catch." She winked at her and went down the corridor. „Come on!"

She took a quick look at Joe, whose eyes were plastered onto his plate. She went up to him and grabbed the half eaten toast from his plate.

„Told you I'm not going to wait forever." She said, pushing it in her mouth and walking away with a smile.

___________I'm back!Sorry for the long wait, unfortunately my grandfather passed away, so I was spending most of my free time with my family.I hope I can get back on track with these updates, but sorry in advance if they'll be slower than usual 🫣