I'll Fix Your Broken Heart (Lawson Fanfic)

Chapter Eighteen - Birthday Boy

(Ryan's Point of View)

Finally twenty. I couldn't wait for tonight. We were all heading out to go clubbing and get drunk. Basically our normal weekend but expect today we had a proper reason to. I headed down the stairs once I was ready and went into the kitchen to find Joanne making breakfast for herself. She'd moved in with us when Joel came back down after his three weeks at home. It was weird having a girl living with us but she got along well with us all. Plus she was a laugh to have around the house. She turned around and smiled at me as I sat down at the kitchen table. 

   "Morning birthday boy." she said and sat across from me. 

   "Morning. Joel not up yet?" I asked. It was unusual for her to be downstairs without him attached to her. 

   "He's in the shower then getting ready." she explained. I nodded and stood up to sort some food out for myself. "Looking forward to tonight?" she asked. I turned around and flashed a grin. 

   "Of course I am! Any excuse to get pissed and what better excuse than your birthday? Plus I'm seeing Erin again tonight." I explained sitting back down with a bowl of cereal. 

   "Oh maybe a little birthday celebration between the two of you." she laughed and winked at me. I laughed at her as my face turned red. This is why I liked Joanne, she was hilarious and in the almost eight months she'd been with Joel we'd always teamed up to take the piss out of him. 

   "Well aren't you cheeky when Joel isn't around." I said when I finally managed to stop laughing. "Nah nothing like that. It's only been a few weeks since our first date and I don't know really. I'd love to hopefully ask her to be my girlfriend but we'll see." I explained. Joanne was about to start speaking when firstly Joel walked into the room and distracted her and secondly my phone started ringing with a text. 

   "Morning gorgeous." Joel said with a smile. 

   "Aw thanks sexy." I said with a wink and laughed before opening the message. 

From Erin: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RY! I'll see you later for your birthday night out! x

I smiled at the text and typed a quick reply. 

   "Was actually talking to my girlfriend but yeah morning to you to you gorgeous birthday boy." Joel said with a laugh. 

   "Stop flirting with me Joel. I don't swing that way. Plus I have Erin." I smiled. 

   "Ohh you wee lover boy." he said with a grin. Joanne just shook her head and walked off out the room. 

   "How does she cope in this house with us lot?" I asked laughing. 

   "Who the hell knows! She can be just as bad though." he answered and turned to flick the kettle on. "Andy and Adam up yet?" he asked. 

   "Yes. They went out for breakfast though." I said pointing to the note on the fridge. He nodded in acknowledgement and went back to making two cups of tea. 

   "Well you're no longer a teenager mate! How does it feel?" he asked. I laughed. It felt different yet didn't at the same time. 

   "No different really but still different. I mean I'm not a teenager anymore. Feels weird to know that." I said. 

   "Ah right. Well you'll get used to that soon enough. You'll forget all about it after the first few drinks tonight. Speaking of which when we heading out?" he asked. I glanced at the clock on the wall and thought for a minute. 

   "I was thinking head into the city about nine? Erin's coming here first so we can all head in together." I explained. 

   "Sounds great. Now if you'll excuse me I'm being forced into a movie day until we have to get ready tonight." he said lifting the two mugs up. He walked out the room and I laughed before shouting after him. 

   "She doesn't force you into anything mate! You do it willingly." I laughed and turned back to my phone. Only nine and a half hours until I see Erin and until we head out. 

Finally we were at the club for what would be an amazing birthday night out. I immediately pulled Erin to dance while the rest of them went to get a table somewhere and get the drinks in. 

   "I'm so glad you could come tonight!" I shouted to her over the music. 

   "Of course I was going to come! It's your birthday! Plus it means I have an excuse to get pissed." she laughed. I swear we were made for each other with half of the stuff she said. 

   "Birthday's are the best reason to get pissed. Speaking of which I think they all have our drinks. Let's head over and get them." I said. I grabbed onto her hand and led her through the crowd towards the table Adam had managed to secure for us. I slid into the booth next to Erin just as Andy and Joanne came over with our drinks. 

   "Drink up guys! Time to properly celebrate this one entering his twenties!" Andy grinned and handed me a beer and Erin her vodka and Coke. Joel appeared behind Joanne and picked up a beer before dragging her off to dance. 

   "Do they two ever separate?" Erin asked from beside me. 

   "Oh god no." Adam laughed. "I wanted to hang out with her the other day and Joel couldn't bare to be away from her so came with us." he added. 

   "They are so lovesick you don't know whether to find it cute or laugh." Andy said with a small smile. 

   "Most of the time its cute. I mean this is his first serious relationship and its going this well. So we're all happy for him." I said. 

   "What about you two? Date number two on the horizon?" Andy asked with a grin. I glared at him and he just brushed it off. I had wanted to ask her away from them all about a second date. 

   "Well if Ryan's up for a second date then so am I. He's quite the romantic when he wants to be." Erin said and I nudged her under the table. 

   "Obviously I'm up for it. I was just waiting for a better opportunity to ask rather than have Andy basically do it for me." I said. "Want to dance again?" I asked her and she nodded taking a sip of her drink before following me away from the table. 

   "Just leave us two single lads here on our own!" Adam called after us with a laugh. Instead of taking her to where everyone else was dancing I pulled her towards the door and we headed outside for a bit of fresh air. I turned to her when we were outside and smiled. 

   "Having a good night so far then?" she asked, smiling up at me. Even in the street lights she looked gorgeous. 

   "Yeah I am especially because you're here." I smiled back and tucked a bit of loose hair behind her ear. 

   "About what happened just there. I'm sorry, I should have waited to see if you were going to ask about a second date or whatever." she mumbled looking down at the ground. I tipped her chin up so she was looking at me again.

   "Don't apologise for them. I was going to ask you tonight anyway. Well I was actually going to ask you something completely different tonight." I said. 

   "Really? And what was that?" she asked, her smile lighting up her eyes as she spoke. I took hold of her hand and moved closer to her. 

   "Well, I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend. I know we've only been on one date but still. I really, really like you Erin. You're all I think about. All I talk about. When I'm not with you I'm wishing I was." I said. "So, what do you say? Fancy being my girlfriend?" I asked. She was silent for a few minutes before leaning up and pressing her lips against mine. 

   "How's that for an answer?" she asked when she pulled away. 

   "Pretty damn good answer." I grinned and kissed her again, smiling against her lips.