Page 9 of The Vow We Made
3
Pubs and Clubs
AIDEN
At eight, I meet the boys in the basement bar at The Porterhouse for a few drinks. Set over three floors, this place is always lively and has the best beers in London which is why it’s so popular. Friday nights are particularly busy and it takes me a while to get to the bar.
There’s a guy knocking out acoustic versions of U2, Cranberries and Snow Patrol, which makes sense in an Irish pub. I only grab the odd strum of his guitar and tone of his voice as the music is drowned out below the loud and lively banter. I hold up a twenty, waiting to be served when a hand touches my arm, so I turn and smile at the pretty face requesting my attention.
“Hey there handsome.”
“Hello gorgeous.” I laugh and give her a kiss on the cheek. “No Marcus tonight?”
“He’s working late. I’ll see him at home.”
“Then let me get you a drink.”
“Lime and Soda please Aiden, with lots of ice.”
“You’re sure?”
“I had a big night last night.”
I shake my head. “Lightweight.”
She nudges into me. “Bugger off.”
“Ever the lady, Georgina.”
She gives me a mischievous glance. I love how this girl is one of the boys; but she has to be. Georgie works with the building trade every day, so a sense of humour and a shield against bad language is essential.
Georgie stands on her tiptoes and scans the room. “Have you seen my useless brother around?”
I pay for our drinks and take them from the bar, using them to signal above the crowd. “Luke’s over there, follow me.” There’s standing room only but I forge my way through, making sure Georgie is within close range. She’s petite and could easily get lost in the crowd.
We get to a table full of loud lads singing rugby songs, so I let her go in front. That's when I notice some bloke checking out her arse as she passes, but the look I give soon makes him realise he won’t be going there. He doesn’t have to know she’s more like a sister but, by my estimation, he’s better off getting a warning from me than her partner, Marcus. You wouldn’t want to cross that guy underanycircumstances. He spent a few years in the army and knows how to take care of himself, so if anyone tried to make a move on the woman he loves, they’d know about it.
The first thing I notice when we reach the lads is another victim falling for Will’s charms. Despite having a beautiful girlfriend, he has to prove he’s still got it; whatever ‘it’ might be. There’s only so many times I’ll give my older brother a lecture, but I can’t resist winding him up.
“Will,” I shout across a sea of faces. “You got some cream for that nasty rash yet?”
Luke loses it while Georgie giggles from behind her hand. “You rotten bastard.” She shakes her head but is unable to hide her glowing smile.
“Yeah. You love me really.
Georgie leans past me to kiss her brother’s cheek, noting his latest flavour of the day by his side. Luke can see what she’s doing and indicates to the stunning blonde, “This is Kirsty.”
“Hi,” she smiles nervously. We’re polite and say hi back but she’s soon turning her attention back to Luke. “So call me tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” he replies. He doesn’t sound too keen but it doesn’t block her enthusiasm. “Maybe we could grab a drink or something?”
“Sure.” He smiles.
“Nice to meet you all,” she waves before heading off to the exit. I get the feeling that’s the last we’ll see of Kirsty
“I assume she was last night’s conquest?” Georgie asks, and receives a side eye glance from her brother.
“Nope. I was talking to her while I was waiting for you lot to turn up.”
