The City (Joe Sugg/ ThatcherJoe Fanfiction)

Chapter 80

I didn't hear from Riley again until four days later when she rang me.

I decided to give her space, she would ring me when she was ready and I was glad when she finally did.

"Riley."

"Joe."

"I-uh, how are you?" I ask, placing my laptop down and getting up.

"A little bit better."

I smile as I pace my small hotel room, "That's good."

"Yeah." she breathes. 

There is a brief moment of silence before she speaks again.

"I was wondering if maybe you want to come and get a coffee with me."

 Riley's POV

I was starting to think Joe wasn't going to turn up when I finally saw him walk into the cafe.

He glances around, almost looking panicked until his eyes catch mine and a smile spreads across his face. I have missed his smile and the way it reaches every point of his face.

"I'm sorry that I'm late." he says quickly as he approaches the table I am sitting at. "I just saw a florists across the street and I- well, uh- bought these." he says, holding out a bouquet of beautiful roses towards me.

"For me?" I ask, surprised. No one has ever bought me flowers before. Not even Joe.

He smiles, "Of course they're for you."

"You really didn't have to." I say, smiling as he sits down and lays them across the table.

"Anything to make you smile."

My cheeks flush and I can't help but continue smiling, "Well, thank you. They're beautiful."

He opens his mouth to say something but stops himself. "No, that would be super cheesy."

"Cheesier than 'cheese a beauty'?" I ask, chuckling.

"That was fun, huh?"

I smile and nod, "It was."

"Until I went and ruined everything."

My face drops, "You didn't ruin anything."

"I beg to differ."

"Joe."

"I have been an asshole Riley. I was so busy trying not to lose you that I didn't realise I was making you resent me-"

"I don't resent you." I interrupt.

He sighs, "Just let me finish please."

I nod and he continues.

"These past few months I haven't been myself. I've done some horrible things."

"Don't tell me your on the run from the law Joe because my parents are lawyers and they will not protect you."

He chuckles, "Not that horrible but I might have to go on the run from you."

"Is this about Michael?"

His face drops, "You know?"

I sigh. Michael was in town last night for a show so we caught up over dinner. It did not go well.

He told me what Joe said to him. I pretended I knew everything but it shocked me that he would do such a thing. That's pretty much why I asked Joe to meet me here today. I was going to confront him about it but it appears he beat me to it.

"Michael told me everything."

Joe exhales deeply and runs his hand through his hair, "I suppose you want me to piss of back to the UK then?"

"No! Of course not. I just- is there anything else I need to know."

He sighs and nods, avoiding eye contact.

"I just- he was a threat to us. I just- I don't know what has been going through my mind but I can't seem to control my temper." he pauses, breathing heavily as his eyes begin to well up. "I warned Harry that if he continued to- if he continued to get in my way he would regret it." he looks down at the table in shame as I sit there in silence.

That day at Liam and Danielle's place. Harry immediately switched off as soon as Joe arrived, this explains it all.

The scraping of his chair pulls me from my thoughts.

"What're you doing?" I ask, reaching to grab his hand and pull him back down.

"Leaving. I know you don't want to know me anymore."

"How the hell could you even think that?!" I say angrily. "This past year has been a rollercoaster. I have done so many things that I regret but loving you is not one of them Joe. Our love is worth it. I would go through all the pain in the world so long as I knew that I had you. I love you. I love the way your whole face lights up whenever you smile. I love how you laugh every time I tell a stupid joke. I love how you would do anything to keep me in your life." I can feel the tears running down my cheeks and chuckle a little, "I don't ever want you to leave and I am sorry that I have been selfish but I just had to be sure and now I am. I love you Joe and nothing can change that."

A smile spreads across his face as he sits back down and cups my hand in both of his.

"I love you too Riley. Forever and always."

"Forever and always." I agree.

"I should probably go back to the ward and check in on my dad." I say twenty minutes later. 

Joe filled me in on how things were back in the UK. He and Caspar are starting their radio show in the new year. He almost let slip something about Zoe before he stopped himself, immediately apologising as he promised her he wouldn't say anything though it has made me curious.

"How is he?"

I smile, "I forgot to tell you but the doctors say he has finally started responding to treatment! He may actually make it through." 

He grins, "That's awesome!" 

I nod, "I'll hopefully be back in the UK in no time." 

Joe just smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he looks at me.

"I've missed you." he finally says with a big sigh.

I smile back, "I've missed you too."

It's almost as though a lightbulb goes off in his head as his face suddenly lights up even more.

"Don't take this the wrong way but I have just remembered that I have something for you back in my hotel."

I chuckle, "I suppose my dad can wait."

A/N

It has been SO long since I have posted and I apologise for that.

I am sorry if this chapter is full of mistakes. I am without an editor right now. Don't ask why, I'm not even sure why.

I hope you will all forgive me for how long this update has taken and I apologise if it hasn't lived up to your expectations but I am going through some stuff right now and I just needed some time to myself. I'm sorry for being selfish but I will try to work on that from now on.

Let me know what you all thought of the chapter as per usual. I am working on a little something for when we hit our next milestone but it's TOP SECRET :P You'll find out soon enough.

Don't forget to vote, comment and follow me :)

Until next time, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I love you all!! xx

Forever and always.