He messes up my hair, which is out for the first time around my crew. It flies everywhere, my unruly thick waves bouncing around my shoulders.
“Be in the corner, Davies,” Sandy says and leads me to the large circular booth where Owens and Hammond already sit.
My gut flips like I’m the new kid in a group of friends who have been together for years. Their connections and close-knit culture is already cemented, and I’m not part of it.
Yet, at least.
“Sit!” Owens pats the seat beside her.
“Oh, thanks.” I drop into it.
Hammond’s blue eyes find mine, his fingers turning a coaster through his hand as he doesn’t break eye contact. When a lump rises in my throat, I break the stare and look around the space. I recognize other crewmembers. Some from 41. Some from 37?
Davey arrives with two pints of... “Is that Guinness?” The words tumble from my lips before I have time to think otherwise.
“Absolutely. Best refreshment this side of the globe, I’ll have you know.” Davey hands me one of the oversized glasses.
I chuckle, sipping the foam, and smile up at him. “Thank you.”
His face cracks up with laughter.
“What?” I swipe at my face, and foam slicks over my palm.
Owens is cackling to herself. That seems to be her normal state—genuinely happy all the damn time. Sandy shakes his head, handing me a napkin. “Here, kid.”
He slides his arm around Owens’s shoulder and leans in.
Hammond’s Adam’s apple bobs, his focus not leaving me even as his crewmates huddle up. Davey slides into the booth beside him, and he breaks his stare. It’s only then I feel the heat creep up my throat. I pick up the glass and busy myself with downing the dark drink.
We start chatting, and mostly it’s the crew asking Davey and I about our families, our lives before 53. Davey tells us about all the crazy shit his grandma does. And we laugh at her brazen attitude and sass. I’ve decided after two pints I’m going to be Audrey Davies when I grow up.
“What about you, London?” Heidi, that’s Owens’s first name, how cool isthat...
“What about me, Heidi on the hilltop?”
She raises a brow.
Too old school?
Wow, this drink isguns.
I down the dregs of the glass in front of me as another one appears. I scrunch my nose up.
I need to pee . . .
The table in front of me sways a little, taking my glass with it.
Shit.
Shit.
“London?” Sandy says my name funny.
I smile up at him. “Sandy. Did your mum name you after the girl in Grease?”
Heidi and Sandy—hang on, what is his first name—give each other the side-eye. No. They look at each other...
Davey giggles...Um, okay bro.And falls into my shoulder.
