The Goldy Project

Chapter 28

After an hour of joint effort by Drake and Lucy, I finally resemble a human. Then there was the mum problem, as technically I was still grounded. So I let Drake do the talking with his eyes as he was ever so keen, I wasn't counting on it, but surprisingly his eyes didn't let us down yet again. After ten minute's of some kind of staring competition, mum eventually lets her guard down in defeat. She says that I was officially un-grounded and to leave at once because she couldn't stand looking at those eyes for a minute longer. Her wish was our command, so we said goodbye to Lucy and leave for the restaurant where we were to meet Hunter. In the cab Drake notices that my hand shakes ever so slightly, he cover mine with his hand.

"Stop worrying, Jade, confidence is key." I give him a hopefully reassuring smile and pull my head closer to his shoulder, leaning on him. We reach, and as we get out Drake reaches for my hand. we walk hand in hand into the restaurant.

"Don't forget, from now onwards, you are my girlfriend." Drake whisper softly in my ear. I nod solemnly back at him, but my is stomach in knots at the thought of seeing Hunter again. Suddenly we hear a voice yell Drake's name from behind us. we turn around instantly, and Hunter waves us towards him, a table right at the back. Plastered on his face a huge grin, and I smile back at him when I realising he's looking a his brother. His gaze shift towards me, and his grin slowly drops, and I see the painful shock in his eyes.

We sit down opposite him, Drake's arm on my shoulder now. Hunter ogles at us, speechless, so Drake starts to talk.

"So Hunter, this is my girlfriend, Jade. You might remember her, she was your partner in your project." Drake says politely introducing me to his brother, but Hunter doesn't lower his gaze once from me. After a moment he starts to speak.

"Oh don't you worry bro, I remember this one. Can I ask, how long have you guys been 'going out' for?" He says, whilst chugging down a whole a pint of beer, and calling the waiter for another. I think about when I let him have a sip of beer when he was over at my house, and his face turned into someone who just sucked on a lemon. I guess people change.

"I think just about the start of the summer. After she broke up-" Drake starts to say, but Hunter interrupts rudely.

"with Ryan, hmm.. that's remarkably fast to move on gold- I mean Jade, how did you guys meet?" Hunter looks directly at me, and Drake give a small little nudge for me to talk. My mouth dry, I lick my lips hesitatingly, only moments ago myself, Ryan and Sadie had made up how Myself and Drake had met, knowing that this was definitely going to be a question.

"It was actually at the bakery, I got him his cake and he asked me out on a date. Of course it was quite early for me to be going out with someone after my- erm- break up, but I thought I had nothing else to lose, and I went. It was actually a really great night, and since then we've been dating." I break my gaze with Hunter and look at Drake, who was give me an encouraging smile.

"wow, that's such a cute story. Drake you never told me you were interested in Jade before? How did that happen eh, bro?" Hunter gives a scrutinising look towards Drake, narrowing his brows.

"I guess I thought you guys might have a thing, but then she went out with Ryan and now you are going out with Jennifer, I thought there's definitely nothing going on there, so I took my chance." Drake says. Hunter just looks at me in betrayal.

"You were barely in town, you never had time to hang out with me, and now you have all the time in the world to be with- with her?" Drake just shrugs, and I feel that the palm of his hand is getting warm.

"Well, if this is really going to work, then I think you should know that yesterday your girlfriend came over to see me, alone, asking to be 'friends' again. Yeah, and I think there was something more than friendship on her mind, isn't that right, Jade?" Hunter looks at me accusingly, and I feel my stomach ties even tighter knots, that it was staring to become uncomfortable to breathe.