That Way

20. Old Friends.

After we ate at Nando's, Jack and I made it to the pub me and my mates used to go to, because my old best friend, Maggie, her brother works there.

"Who's coming tonight then?" Jack asks as we drive to the pub with our hands intertwined, resting on my lap. "Maggie, Jamie, Serenity, Harper, Amber, Chase, Hugo, George, Alfie and Summer." I say making his eyes widen. "Alright, little miss popular." He chuckles making me laugh. "We all grew up together, some of the group broke up when relationships ended." I say making him side eye me. "Like Brad?" He asks making me nod.

"Brad and I were together since year 9. April also left the group when her and Alfie broke up. Amy left when her and Chase broke up, and Jacob left when Jamie dumped him." I say making him shake his head. "My brain ain't gonna absorb all that." He says making us laugh.

"It's right there." I point at the old building. "This looks cute." He smiles as he pulls into the car park. "It's an old cottage. This is where I was gonna work." I pout as he parks, he grabs my face and kisses me, making me smile as we pull away. "You've got me now, we can make a new future." He says making me smile and kiss him. "Until we actually want to settle down and then end this." I say making him shrug.

"Who knows, darlin." He smirks as he gets out, I open my door only for him to slam it shut. "What's the rule." He says as he opens it again. "I don't open my own door." I roll my eyes as I get out, making him pout and grab my face aggressively and kiss me. His arms go around my back and pull me hard against his chest, while my arms snake around his neck.

"Loose the attitude, doll face." He says making me smile and shake my head as we pull away. He locks the car and throws his arm around my shoulder and we walk into to see everyone waiting. "Ivy!" All the girls shout and run over to me, Jack pulls away and smiles as they all pull me into a group hug. "Oh, my girls." I pout as I pull away and look at all of them. "Look at you! You've changed so much, but in a good way." Maggie says making me smile and hug her tightly.

"I can't believe it's already been three months!" Summer says making me pout. "I know. I've missed you all, and you dickheads." I say to the boys making them smile and stand up and pull me into individual hugs. "Right everyone, this is Jack, my best friend and Jack, this is Maggie, Jamie, Harper, Serenity, Amber, Chase, Alfie, Hugo and George." I say making the boys shake hands and they girls all hugged him.

"Right, what does everyone want, first rounds on the house?" Steve, Maggie's brother walks over as we sit down at the table. I stand up and pull him into my arms. "Stevie." I say making him chuckle. "Good to see you too, dickhead." He laughs as we pull away. "And you must be the famous Jack Payne, I'm Steve, basically Ivy's older brother." He holds his hand out to Jack and they shake hands. "It's good to meet you mate." Jack smiles. "So, what will it be?" He asks before we all order our drinks.

"So how's Birmingham?" Chase asks as he sips his beer. "Better then I thought to be honest. Jack's made it a lot better." I say making him pull me into a side hug. "You fallen in love, Ivy?" Amber asks making me roll my eyes. "I don't do love." I say making everyone laugh. "We know that, I just thought Jack might've changed your mind." Amber says as she sips her drink.

"I don't do love." I shrug before sipping my wine. "How's the premier league going?" Hugo asks making Jack smile and nod. The boys starting talking about football while the girls caught me up on who they're seeing now and what's been going on since I left.

We've had a few rounds now and everyone is tipsy except for Jack. "You look so pretty." I look up slightly at Jack as my head rests on his shoulder while he holds me close. "So do you darlin." He smiles before kissing my head and then resting his on top of mine. "You say that you don't do love, but to me it looks like your both in love." Maggie says making me smile. "Do we?" I ask tiredly making her giggle. "Yes, you do. Are you in love with her Jack?" She asks making him look into my eyes and smile at me. "I don't do love." He says making us both laugh.