“Bro! Long time no see!” There was an almost excited sounding squeal coming from behind where Chlo and I stood. He brushed past us and wrapped his arms around Haz. I scoffed on my air and watched Chloe frown at me. They looked like a carbon copy of one another. That must have been the older brother.
“Been a while? How was Afgan?” Haz pulled away from his embrace and I watched as his brother straightened his white shirt. He shrugged as a response before he made eyes with Chlo and then with me. “Oh you know, as good as war can be,” he paused as he examined me on Chlo’s arm. I couldn’t help but blush under his gaze. “Who’s this?” He made his way towards where we were stood and I smiled at him. He wasn’t shy, that was for sure.
“Avaya. My name’s Avaya.” I answered before anybody could answer for me. The tall army guy smiled at me and ran his hand underneath my chin. His eyes were darker than Harry’s but warm and friendly.
“It’s lovely to meet you sweetheart.” He smirked as he released my chin and I watched as Chlo placed her lips against his cheek.
“It’s been a while.” I heard her whisper and rolled my eyes as I moved from next to her and stared at Jay and Haz who both looked like they wanted to thump him in the face.
“Juve, put her down.” Jay snapped eventually and I watched as Juve moved away from Chlo a little. Chlo seemed pissed when he did as he was told and I suppressed a chuckle. I felt Haz’s hand on my lower back and followed him towards the older lady and gentleman sat at the bar. I smiled at them softly.
“Mother, father this is,”
“Avaya, yes I heard her.” I watched as his Adams Apple rose and fell and I shifted uneasily beneath her gaze. “Where did you meet her? One of your drug meetings?” She almost snarled at him and I watched his jaw tense.
“I’m a friend of Jay’s actually.” I cringed as the words left my mouth. Internally of course. I wasn’t going to let her know any different. My blood was bubbling and I looked towards the older gentleman. Harry was his double, they had the exact same blue eyes and jawline and I froze. The two girls who were sitting next to him had their arms crossed. I felt Haz lean down towards me and point out everyone.
“That’s Juve,” he pointed towards the guy who had toured in Afgan “that’s Chantelle and Aimee,” he gestured towards the two hard faced girls sat next to their father and then finally towards the other three lads at the other side of their mother “and that’s Warren, Levi and Josh.” I tried my hardest to remember their names but couldn’t quite grasp them all. I watched as Aimee ran over towards Buddy and he gripped her softly in his arms. I smiled sweetly as I watched them. I examined them and they were all different in their own ways though resembled their fathers devilish good looks. His mother was looking good for her age, her black dress fitted her well and she stood to pull Jay into an embrace.
“It’s lovely to see you again son.” Her icy eyes warmed through when she hugged him and kissed his cheek. “You look well darling.” Her hand cupped his face and I watched as he smiled politely at her.
“Thank you, so do you.” My eyes didn’t leave them and I watched as Juve came rushing through us all.
“Tables ready!” He exclaimed and dragged Chlo by her hand towards where we were being seated. I caught his chuckle. His smile was infectious and he seemed so upbeat. Similar to Buddy. I laughed to myself and watched Haz smirk down at me.
“I can’t believe you spoke to my mother like that.” I frowned at the mention of her and shrugged.
“She spoke to you like shit and me?” He smirked and I shook my head. I felt his hand rest on the bottom of my back. “Will you sit next to me at least?” I murmured at him and watched as he smirked and shrugged.
“What’s in it for me?” I placed myself in one of the chairs at the table and raised my brow at him. He placed both hands behind me on my chair and I pulled his shirt a little so his ear was by my mouth.
“I’ve got no knickers on.” I heard him gulp and closed my legs closer together. I watched him straighten himself out.
“You’re lying.” He wasn’t smiling or smirking, his face was dead straight and I smiled as I shrugged.
“Try me.” I smirked again and watched him take his seat next to me. My eyes followed his hands as he wiped them down his trousers and I grinned before I looked back at the people gathered around the table. I leaned towards Jay as he nudged my arm and smiled softly at him. His big brown eyes were shining.
“You pair need to be more subtle than that.” I pushed his arm softly and smiled as he shook his head. “What did you say to him? He looks like he’s gonna have a heart attack?” I chuckled and shook my head. I examined him carefully and took his hand in mine softly. His eyes met mine and softened. I felt him run his thumb over the back of my hand and closed my eyes when he did it. I loved that feeling.
The atmosphere around the table was tense and though conversation seemed to flow well between everyone else both Haz and I kept quiet. I glanced at Chlo taking pictures of everyone, she caught my eye and tilted her head towards Haz. He
