Chapter 27：Young and Learning

"Are we really going to the after-party?" Lana frowned at her husband.

"Yes WE are!" Jordan laced his hands with hers. They were standing in the foyer at the hotel where the after-party was already in full swing.

"But you're not well?" she raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, courtesy of Michelle.

"We won't stay for long. Promise," he kissed her chastely, "I have to make an appearance you know that right? Plus I really need to get you home so I can finish off what we started in the dressing room.." he nuzzled her neck

"Hmm..and no drinking tonight? Agreed," she looked at him with her pretty brown eyes.

"Sweets, come on!" he whined. "Can we just go and have fun, please? I could really use it," he massaged his temple with one hand.

"Why are you avoiding my question?? I'm watching you Carter," she eyed him suspiciously.

"I don't mind baby," he hugged her and gave her a long kiss.

"That's blackmail," she said, breathless.

"Is it working?" His breath danced on her lips.

"Let's go," she pushed him away playfully, "I really need to get this over and done with so I can go home and rest. I'm overdue on sleep."

"Sorry, that's my fault, I know," he said sheepishly.

"Just remember that when partying the night away and I have to drag you home," she muttered under her breath.

"I heard that Mrs. Carter," he laughed softly as he hugged her waist.

"Good," she replied.

"What's he doing here?" Jordan froze and Lana followed his gaze. It landed on Preston. Jones and Ryan were arguing with him in a corner.

"Let Jones handle it okay?" Lana put her hands against his chest and pushed him back gently, "Let it go. Please?"

"Fine," he said through gritted teeth and walked away.

"Hey JC! Hie JC! Great show JC!" was all Lana heard as Jordan held her hand all night.

"I need the bathroom," Lana whispered in Jordan's ear.

"Let me come with you," he stood up with her.

"No. Stay with your friends," she said with a wave of her hand, "I just spotted Amy so I'll go with her," Lana pointed over to where Amelia was standing.

"You're sure? Preston is lurking about so I'm a bit uneasy," he confessed.

"I'll be fine okay?" she kissed the side of his mouth and he smiled.

"If you're going to kiss me then you should make it count Bambi," he crushed his lips against hers and kissed her breathless.

"Hurry back before I start missing you," he said as a parting shot.

"Hey, there stranger!" Amelia practically jumped on her.

"Hey! Careful," Lana giggled.

"How have you been? How are you handling having your face and relationship splashed all over the tabloids?" Amelia asked.

"Jordan prefers it if I don't see that," Lana replied, "probably doesn't want me to get worked up I guess,"

"Something like that.." Lana laughed.

"I want all the deets but let's go and get something to drink first," Amelia pulled her over to the bar.

"I really didn't want to drink today Ames.." Lana said hesitantly.

"Just have one with me?? We haven't hung out for a while..please?" Amelia coaxed.

"Okay fine," Lana sighed in defeat, "just one," she held up her index finger for emphasis. They went to the bar and Amelia ordered two cosmos.

"Can we go to the bathroom?" Lana shifted around in agitation, "otherwise I will pee on myself," Amelia laughed as she handed Lana her drink.

"Let's just go up and use the one in my room?" Amelia suggested and Lana nodded, "I-uh-need to get my phone. Need to take pics you know. It's our last week on tour," she said as the stepped into the elevator.

"Bella!" they cried out in shock. Bella was curled up in a ball, whimpering in the corner of the elevator. Her face was badly bruised, her nose was bleeding and she was a mess. Usually, she was well dressed, without a hair out of place but tonight she looked like a junkie.

"Who did this to you?" Lana demanded as she crouched next to Bella.

"Just leave me alone okay!?!" Bella snapped, "you and your perfect little life! Just leave me alone! Go away!" she yelled.

"I want to help you!" Lana said, forlorn, "please allow me to help you?"

"Let's take her to her room, Maybe she needs to clean up a bit and sleep it off," Amelia looked around, nervous.

"If you're sure..?" Lana said hesitantly.

"Look, why don't you go use the bathroom in my room and I will take care of Bella? I'm sure Preston must already be looking for her of something," Amelia babbled.

"No! No Preston!" Bella backed away in fear, "don't call him. Please?" she grabbed my arm.

"Okay, I won't," Lana assured her. Something strange was going on here but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"Come on Bells let's get you cleaned up. You'll need a change of clothes as well," Lana steered her in towards her hotel room.

"Let me do it!" Amelia said too quickly, "well..since you needed the bathroom so badly-I can help Bella. You go ahead-I got this," she said with a tight smile.

"Okay.." Amelia was acting very strange today, maybe she was high or something, Lana thought. Lana looked walked into Amelia's hotel room and got a sense of foreboding but she just shrugged it off. She went into the bathroom and relieved herself and as he was washing her hands she heard the hotel room door open.

She thought it was Amelia so she hurried out of the bathroom to find Preston standing at the doorway with a smug expression on his face.

"Hello Bambi..so glad you could make it," he slammed the door shut and locked it.