“I dunno, Sunday we met up in the evening, had food and I dunno something in him had changed. He said they were going away on business again and that he didn’t want anything serious…” I gulped down the lump growing in my throat. Sunday was the day I pushed Haz. Oh fuck has he told him? I pushed the thought away and watched as she picked at the food that had arrived on our table. Suddenly I was no longer hungry. I placed my hand on her arm and squeezed it a little.
“Well he’s an idiot for letting you go.” I tried to smile, I wanted to comfort her but I was hurting too and I was a rubbish liar. She nodded and didn’t say another word. I looked down at my plate where my lasagna was and cut into it before I placed some in my mouth.
The conversation moved on swiftly from our love lives and I was pleased about that. They discussed travel plans for next year and their plans over the Christmas break. Soph was traveling to Scotland to visit her dad’s family and Nancy had said that she would spend it with her mum and dad. I had no idea. I had zoned out. I watched the bar fill and began to wonder where they were, I hadn’t heard anything from either of them and Chloe had tried calling me all day. I looked at Soph who’s eyes lit up as she looked at the bar.
“Who is that?” She flicked her head in the direction of Rava and Arlo and my mouth dropped.
“Oh God,” I muttered as I nudged her arm. “Soph don’t.” I warned. I watched her bite down on her straw and giggle. “Nance watch her will you?” She huffed and shrugged.
“Somebody has to.” I frowned at her remark and stood from my seat. I made my way towards the bar, closer to where Rava and his cronies were standing and I glanced towards Alfie. I heard a whistle and rolled my eyes.
"Can I help you?" I questioned sharply as I noticed Arlo smile down at me. Just seeing them both again made me feel uneasy and this time Haz or Jay weren’t here to come to the rescue. My breathing became uneven. They muttered something in Italian to each other and I examined them closer. They are more familiar than I remembered. Blood brothers. They both shared a laugh and I shook my head.
"You seem to have caught my brothers eye, as I told you that you would." I felt my nose wrinkle. Arlo looked so young compared to his brother, his brown eyes were sparkling and I found my eyes wandering towards Rava.
"I've met you before?" I stated bluntly and he nodded.
"You have, briefly? A friend of Chloe Conways?" I watched as he tilted his head up to look towards me, his dark hair moved a little as he did and I watched him examine my chest. I gulped and tried to make eye contact with Alfie. “Would you like a drink?” He offered and I instantly shook my head.
"No actually I was just going to see if Alfie needed any help behind the bar?" They shared a brief look of confusion and Rava reached for my hand.
"One drink won't hurt? Anyway your friends over there look down, let us join you?" Before I could say anything he was walking me back towards the direction of the table where Nance and Soph were sitting. I shook my head and tried to pull my hand back from his. My heart raced with fear.
"Erm no honestly we are fine." I felt almost rigid under his grip, he was really strong and I finally pulled my hand free.
"Woah lads, ladies can I help you?" Alfie’s voice made me feel instantly at ease and he was standing behind me. I turned to look at him. My eyes must have been screaming help me and he looked towards Nancy and Soph. "Avaya, Nance, Sophia?" We all looked up at his friendly slender face and he smiled sweetly at us. "I could do with your help behind the bar?" I nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah we could do that?" He smiled at me and I felt the distance increase between Rava and I.
"I didn't realise you knew the girls so well?" Arlo questioned.
"Avaya sings here often, you get to know the acts." He gently placed his hand against my back and ushered me away from them both. I felt like I could breathe again. I made my way behind the bar and needed to take a break. That was all too intense. I held my hand against my pounding heart and closed my eyes. I hear the door shut and my eyes fly open. Alfie was standing perched against the door with his arms folded.
“What was that all about Alf?” My voice cracked slightly as my fear threatened to consume me. He shrugged.
“I was going to ask you the same question? Rava and Arlo bat women away and you were turning them down?” He raised his brow at me and I shrugged.
“He creeps me out.” I partially lied. “Where are Jay and Haz? Why are they here?” The questions flew from my mouth and I felt him offer me a comforting hug. His long arms draped over me and I felt more comfortable.
“They’re in Italy on business, Haz called me this evening and said Jay and him both want you all at mine until they get back tomorrow.” I shook my head.
“What why?” I questioned.
“They don’t trust Rava and neither do I,” he pulled away from me a little and held me at arms length “he’s making a bee line for you and none of us understand why.” I felt as though my airway was about to close and shook my head. “They just want you
