The Draw

9

Kyle knocked on the door a couple of hours later. She gave him a massive hug and invited him in to watch some rubbish tv for a while. They didn't speak much apart from to ask how her flight was and how he was finding it. She liked Kyle. Not in the way Dan used to take the mickey out of her for. She liked all of them. They were all sound lads, easy to get along with, always up for a laugh. Dan couldn't have picked better friends to share his talents with.

'So...' Kyle began. Stacey smiled nervously. 'You and Dan, hey?'

'Ha, erm, yeah.' And her cheeks began to burn.

'When did this start then?' He hadn't told them everything? All the sordid details?

'Just before he left. He hasn't...?'

'Oh well, we all knew. Obviously. The whole kiss at the airport gave it away. I'm just glad he's finally had the balls to tell you he likes you.'

'What? How do you mean?'

'We've had to listen to him for months going on about you. I don't think he even knew he was doing it to be honest.'

'Ha. Oh. Ok. I didn't...'

'Well we told him you didn't seem too bothered.'

'Because I thought he wasn't bothered.' She laughed.

'Oh you crazy kids. I'm happy for you both, it's quite sweet seeing him happy. Happy little Dan.'

She smiled to herself. She was glad Dan was happy, even when she wasn't there. It made her feel even more relieved.

Dan was back just before six o clock. They all dumped their bags and headed down to the hotel bar. Stacey and Dan had a quick fumble in bed before joining them downstairs. Will and Woody gave her massive hugs and bought her a drink. They sat round the bar, all laughing and making fun of Daniel 'now his missus was here, he can stop moping around'.

'I have not been moping.' He told her. They all laughed. 'I haven't!' His checks went red. She'd never seen him embarrassed like this before. He was easy to embarrass, you just told him how good he was and his cheeks would turn scarlet. But about her...she felt privileged.

'Yewh yeah.' She joined in. 'I bet you didn't even tell them I was coming!'

'Oh he did.' Woody said. 'And he was like a little teenager! 'Stacey's coming, Stacey's coming!' Jumping up and down!' They all fell about with giggles except Dan who did seem genuinely mortified.

'I didn't.' He tried to tell her.

'Then I'm insulted that you didn't!' She said with mock disgust.

'Come on guys...leave it out.' He pleaded. Which only made them all laugh more. She patted him on the shoulder and gave him a kiss.

They stayed in the bar all evening. It was such a great night. They watched some baseball on the telly, ate a load of bar snacks while enjoying a lot of beers. They had got taking to some other people staying at the hotel and it seemed the whole bar was joining in on their night. Stacey didn't want to go to bed but she was utterly exhausted. She left with Dan at about 1am and got straight into bed to cuddle up with him. She was fast asleep within minutes.