Angus laughs. “It’s fine. I’m used to not drinking.”
“But we’re celebrating tonight!”
“I can celebrate and stay sober.”
Jimmy purses his lips and stares at Angus forseveral seconds. “Suit yourself. The offer of a place to crash is still there.”
“And I appreciate it.”
Jimmy heads towards the bar. I follow, because there’s no way he’s going to be able to carry that many drinks on his own, even with a tray. I’m amazed he can remember what everyone requested. The cost of the drinks is eye-watering.
“Not too overwhelmed?” he asks.
“I won’t be able to remember everyone’s names.”
He snort-laughs. “Don’t worry, they’ll be too drunk to care soon.”
I was right. It takes both of us to carry the drinks. Even then, they’re precariously balanced on trays. We make it back to his friends without incident and hand out the drinks. They’ve pulled three tables together, but it’s still a bit of a squish for us all to sit around them. I’m sandwiched between Jimmy and Steph. Jimmy and I twine our fingers together beneath the table, resting our hands on his powerful thigh.
I'm a little out of it. Everyone is friendly and tries to involve me in the conversation, but weightlifting isn't my thing. Even though I took my finals a year ago, I can relate to their hopes and fears. The worry they might not have revised enough, and the pressure of deciding what comes next. I lucked out with the job offer from Angus’s mum. Between that and graduating, I could only get temporary work on farms. I helped with harvests in the autumn and with sheep dipping and shearing in the spring. Now, here I am, workingfull-time on a dairy farm. Hopefully, my newfound bubble of happiness won’t burst.
“You okay?” Jimmy whispers into my ear.
“Yes. Your friends are nice.”
They are. I’m glad Jimmy has such a massive group of friends.
After a third round of drinks, everyone decides to move to a nightclub for more drinking and dancing. I’m happy to go along with them.
The nightclub is already busy, the music is deafening and thrums through my body, plus it’s hot and sticky inside. We make our way onto the dance floor. We start as a huge group, but it’s not long before Jimmy’s friends begin to drift away and flirt. Jimmy and I dance close, our hands on each other’s hips, our stares locked.
Steph flings her arms around our shoulders, squishing us closer together. “You two look so sweet together,” she shouts above the music. She rubs her knuckles into my hair. “You’d better not break Jimmy’s heart.”
“I’m not planning on it.” It hurts my throat to raise my voice loud enough to be heard.
She grins. “Good, good. Oh, and by the way, you’re invited to my farewell party.”
“Farewell party?”
“She’s jetting off to the US,” Jimmy yells.
“I’m going to see how I fare on the bodybuilding circuit over there.” She releases us and shows off her biceps and triceps.
“Good luck,” I say.
“We’ll miss you,” Jimmy says.
“I’ll miss you, too. Have you decided what your plans are?”
Jimmy shrugs. “Other than staying in Leeds, no.”
Steph raises one eyebrow and nods her head towards me. “Does farm boy here have anything to do with that decision?”
“I’d already decided to stay, but Flynn being here is a bonus.” He winks at me.
“Make sure you figure out your future before you end up on the streets.” Steph moves away to dance with another friend.
I lean close so I can speak into his ear. “Is that likely?”
