Down But Not Out

Chapter 26

I hit my head against the counter again just to amuse myself. Like I said, Wednesday's were uneventful and today was more dead than what it usually was. My theory on that was because we had a lot of customers yesterday, on a day where we usually have the odd few. In exchange for that, today was going to be more slow than usual.

"I am so bored" I said for the fourth time in the last five minutes before sighing and rubbing my forehead as it hurt slightly. Okay so maybe hitting my head off the counter hadn't been a good idea but it had kept me occupied for the last five minutes, although I'd lost count of how many times I'd hit my head against the counter.

"Lizzie, what the fuck were you doing?" Dan asked, walking into the shop smiling at me, closely followed by Matt and Max. I glared at him.

"Trying to keep myself occupied. Josh is in the back, I'm going to get something to drink" I announced, jumping up from my seat and heading for the door.

There was no way that I was going to hang around here with the four of them. It was hard being around Josh now since I still felt embarrassed, but being around four of them at one time would probably be worse.

"Don't think about it" Dan said, grabbing me around the waist to stop me from walking out of the shop. I looked up at him, feeling my eyebrows rise and he smiled at me.

"I'm thirsty so let me go to Marie's. You don't want me to dehydrate do you?" I replied and he shook his head at me but walked forwards, taking me with him, except that meant that I was walking backwards. I groaned but held on to his arm to keep myself from falling, deciding it was pointless to argue with him.

The door opened behind me and I tried to dig my heels in, but it didn't work because Dan was much stronger than me. Besides I had a feeling that if he'd been unable to move me he would've picked me up anyway and there was no way in hell I was going to let him do that to me.

"Hey guys what are you-?" Josh started but I knew that I was the reason as to why he'd stopped talking.

"Dan I can walk perfectly fine on my own thank you" I groaned again and he let go of my waist, showing me his palms. I smiled at him and turned around to make it look as though I was going to co-operate before I spun on my heel and headed for the door. Dan wasn't quick enough to catch me but Matt was. He wound his arms around my waist and picked me up before placing me on the floor next to couch. I knew when I was defeated so huffing a sigh, I sat down on the couch.

"You guys are seriously going to piss me off aren't you?" I asked the three of them, they nodded as I saw Josh collapse into the chair on my right.

"What exactly is going on here?" he asked and I glanced at him to see that his gaze was focused on his friends. They all took their glasses and caps off before looking at Josh, who wasn't wearing his beanie and glasses.

"Come on mate. You two cannot carry on like this. You work together and we are seriously fed up of you whining every night" Max sighed and I saw Josh glare at him. I couldn't help but to smile. I looked over at Josh to see that he was running a hand through his hair. He looked at me and offered me a small smile which I returned before shuffling around on the couch. I'd decided to give in and let the guys have the floor since I was obviously here for some reason, so I tucked my legs under myself before leaning against the arm of the chair.

"Okay then, since I know you aren't going to let me go until I've heard what I need to. The floor's yours so go ahead and babble all you want" I stated and the guys all glanced at each other. I didn't miss how pleased they look.

"Go ahead then Josh, you heard the girl" Max grinned before he walked over and sat down on the other arm while Dan sat next to me. He patted my leg while Matt sat down on the floor in front of me. I heard Josh grumble before he stood up and leaned against the cupboard opposite me. I sent him a smile and he wiped a hand over his face before looking right at me. I bit my lip at the intense of his look.