Page 48 of Heartbreaker

“Corey, this is my brother Jake and my sister-in-law Sadie. Sadie, Jake, this is Corey.”

They exchange greetings and just then the barman takes our order.

I buy Jake a pint of his favourite Old Spiked Hen and Sadie a tonic water. They follow us over to the table to say hi to Ashley and Taylor.

“Sadie, Jake,” Ashley shrieks and jumps up to hug them both. I make the introductions and we all sit as Ashley and Taylor insist on them joining us.

The atmosphere is relaxed, the company is fun, and I can't remember the last time I felt so content. The night continues in this vein, with giggles and relaxed chatter as the evening draws on. Ashley and Taylor are getting tipsy and Corey is looking a little pie-eyed. We order some pork scratching’s and crisps as the girls get the nibbles and Sadie pounces on the scratchings like a carnivorous animal that hasn’t seen anything other than kale for a month.

Everyone laughs and then Taylor turns to me a serious look on her face. “Jackson, it’s time for the most important question of your life. The answer to this will determine if your relationship with Ashley can continue,” she says.

I shoot Tinkerbell a bemused look. “Okay,” I answer slowly, wondering what the hell she is going to ask me as Ashley just smiles as she sips her Mojito through a straw. I’m momentarily distracted by the way she is rolling the straw around her tongue. Tipping her head she winks at me as her tongue comes out and flicks the end. The little minx is doing it on purpose. A hand bangs the table and I turn to Taylor again.

“Stop mooning and listen,” she says in a slightly slurred voice which causes me to grin. God, I wonder if this would have been easier if I was pissed too, but I hate drinking on a work night.

“So, the question is which team do you support? And remember if you get this wrong, it’s all off. No nookie for you ever again from my girl here,” she giggles and cuddles up to Corey. “My baby got it right didn’t you moo?”

Corey rolls his eyes at her. “Yes, baby I got it right.”

“Team?” I ask in confusion. I glance at my brother and Sadie for help. Jake shrugs and Sadie shoves another pork scratching in her mouth.

“Yes, team,” Taylor says as if I’m an imbecile. “You know, football team.”

“Ah, I see,” I say and smile a nervous smile. Football is such a big thing and fans from opposing teams can have a rivalry that is intense and sometimes nasty.

London was no different with Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham, and Crystal Palace to name just a few. I wondered who the wrong answer would be, then decided that with so many options I just had to be true to my team.

“Well there is only one isn’t there?” I ask and sit back as I slip my arm around Ashley. Her eyes get squinty as she tries and fails to give me a scary look.

“There is,” Taylor says and looks at me with a challenge. I feel Tinkerbell hold her breath as she waits for me to answer.

“I’m a gunner,” I say.

Taylor slaps a hand over her mouth and Ashley laughs and throws her arms around me. “Oh, thank goodness, it would have had to be over, if you were a Chelsea fan,” she whispers in my ear. I tilt my head and catch her mouth in mine. I break away when people start catcalling.

“Fuck off Jake,” I say and give him the finger. “Just because you’re the black sheep of the family and support West Ham.

“West Ham,” Taylor squeals in outrage. “How can you be married to this, this person,” she stammers to Sadie and looks at Jake in horror, who just laughs, rolls up his sleeve and kisses his West Ham tattoo on his bicep.

“Urgh,” Taylor snorts but it’s all in fun and I know there is no real malice just friendly banter.

They continue to banter as Tinkerbell leans in and kisses my ear. “I have a Gunners shirt at home if you want to see me in it…… and nothing else?” she purrs.

I feel my blood start to heat at the suggestion the in her voice. “Let’s go,” I say and pull her up out of her chair. She giggles and turns to her friend and with a seriously bad stage whisper says to Taylor, “Jackson is going to get his reward for being a gunner now.” Everyone starts laughing and Jake punches me on the arm again. Fuck that hurts.

“Get in there kid, she might be Gunner, but she’s a keeper.”

I change my mind about hitting him back and decide to let it slide as I grin at him.

We glide out of the car park and I floor it home, well not home, but Ashley’s place, which is beginning to feel like my second home.