‘Well, Will loves me,’ Declan said, wagging his eyebrows. Will had made that particular proclamation at their last pub quiz night with Oliver’s mates. Declan had successfully listed the last ten boxing all-stars from the UK, a question that no one elsehad even a chance of getting correct. They’d won that night, and if Oliver had enthusiastically snogged Declan as a reward, well, Declan’s competitiveness must be rubbing off on him.
Declan’s phone pinged and he tossed it to Oliver. ‘Probably Jack.’
Oliver nodded, reading the message. ‘Yeah, he and Maeve just arrived. The hotel is “swanky”. His words.’
‘Obviously.’ Declan laughed.
They were heading up to Bristol for Niall and Stella’s engagement party. Declan had snorted when they’d got the invitation, but Oliver knew he was secretly excited at the prospect of seeing their castmates again. It would be the first time they’d all be together since the summer.
‘Oh God,’ Oliver cackled, reading Jack’s next message. ‘He’s found a karaoke bar nearby.’
‘Absolutely not,’ Declan deadpanned.
‘I dunno, Holls says she’s in,’ Oliver said.
‘Don’t you remember Jack in the shower?’ Declan groaned. ‘The man is completely tone-deaf.’
‘Exactly, this is going to be hysterical.’
‘I am not singing,’ Declan declared.
Oliver squinted at him. ‘I think I could convince you.’
The quick glance Declan shot his way was full of bravado. ‘Oh, yeah?’
Oliver nodded, eyes wide and innocent. He leaned over the console, pressing his lips to the shell of Declan’s ear. ‘Absolutely.’
In the end, it didn’t take much to get Declan up on stage. They’d barely had time to check in and drop off their bags before Jackhad found them and dragged them out to the bar. Maeve, Holly and Owen had joined them during their third round of beers, then someone suggested tequila and Declan and Jack were on stage belting out the chorus to ‘Mr Brightside’ not long after.
Oliver had bowed out after the first round of shots, but watched, enraptured, as Declan threw back his head, dramatically playing air guitar while Jack gyrated against the mic stand.
He liked when Declan got like this; it wasn’t often that he allowed himself to let loose. Even with stepping back from the spotlight, he never seemed fully relaxed when they were out in public. There was always a part of him on guard, but Oliver had had the satisfaction of seeing that part of him slowly unclench since they’d got together.
‘I need a refill,’ Maeve said, the slurp of her straw barely audible over the music. ‘And I can’t possibly watch any more of this.’
‘Oh, you love it,’ Oliver said, slinging an arm over her shoulder as they made their way back to the bar.
‘Two G&Ts please.’ Maeve could hold her drink, but Oliver knew from the bright pink of her cheeks that she was shit-faced. She narrowed her eyes at him as if she could read his thoughts. ‘Don’t look at me like that.’
Oliver raised his hands appeasingly. ‘Like what?’
She pointed a finger at him. ‘We should hang out more.’
‘We should,’ Oliver agreed, grinning at her. ‘But you’re too busy for me. With all your soliciting internationally and such.’
‘Pfft.’ Maeve waved her hand like his comment was an annoying gnat, then returned to her pointing. This time her finger poked at Oliver’s sternum. ‘You’retoo busy forme.’
‘Hey, don’t I know you?’ came a voice, and Oliver turned to see a man hanging off the bar, staring at them. ‘Shit, you’re Maeve and Oliver! FromSummer of Love?’
Oliver glanced at Maeve, who shrugged. Being recognised by random people didn’t happen that often any more, but it still wasn’t something that Oliver had got used to.
‘Oh, this is so cool,’ the guy said, pulling out his phone. ‘Do you mind if I get a pic? You were my girlfriend’s favourite couple. She was gutted when you left the show, Ollie.’
‘Aww, that’s sweet,’ Maeve said, throwing an amused look at Oliver. ‘What’s her name?’
‘Sara, and I’m Tim,’ Tim said, bringing his phone up for the picture. Oliver felt himself smile robotically, hoping the photo wouldn’t make it online, but also knowing that it probably would.
‘Sorry,’ Tim said, glancing between them. ‘But are you, like… together now?’
