Aaron decided he needed a night out. He opted for a Thursday to avoid the usual weekend rush, but he happened to pick the one night Bar West were holding their annual karaoke competition.

He sat by himself in one of the booths at the rear of the bar, staring at his now tepid pint, occasionally he glanced up at the door. It was unnerving to know that Jackson wouldn't be walking in wearing that tight red checked shirt and his goofy smile.

Aaron couldn't relax, paranoia set in, he felt like everyone in the bar was staring at him, like they knew what he'd done, what he was.

Having survived an hour and a half he decided enough was enough. Jackson had made it perfectly clear they were over and he had to move on, and he was unlikely to do that sat in the very bar where they had met, drowning his sorrows and stirring up past memories.

He was on his feet, putting on his coat and checking his pockets for his phone, keys and wallet when he felt a tentative tap on his shoulder.

"You're not going are you? I just worked up the courage to come over here. I mean being as cute as you are I assumed you were waiting on someone."

Aaron almost pirouetted and found himself inches from the most stunning pair of chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen, belonging to a lad with spiky brown hair, of a similar age and build to him, wearing a tight black polo neck t-shirt and a pair of figure hugging skinny jeans.

"No just having a quiet drink."

He was definitely cute and Aaron was convinced he had seen him in the bar before, not that he had ever looked.

"So you're not here to sing then? The lads signed me up for a laugh."

"It would be a laugh if I sang, or a disaster one or the other."

"So if I bought you another pint I couldn't persuade you to make it a duet?"

Aaron blushed at his forwardness, but he took a deep breath and managed a nervous smile. It was only flirting what harm could it do?

"That depends."

"On what?"

The stranger returned his smile.

"Do I get to know your name?"

"Yeah of course. I'm Luke. I think I have met you before. You are Andy…no Aaron. You were going out with Jackson, my ex's mate. Aaron felt the colour drain from his face. Have you and him had a falling out? We haven't seen him in here lately."

"You could say that, but I don't want to talk about it."

Aaron mumbled before downing the rest of his pint and standing ready to leave. The last thing he needed was to spend the rest of his night talking about Jackson, when he couldn't stop thinking about him anyway.

"Alright. I'm sorry. Don't go. Luke grabbed his hand. I'll get you that other pint."

"No. Thank you. Aaron pulled away and made a dash for the door. I have to be somewhere. It was nice seeing you again."

Once he was out of earshot Luke made a phone call.

"He's on the way to you. Just trust me. Tell Jay we're thinking of him and we'll visit him when he's ready. I know. Yeah, bye Hazel."

Luke returned to his mates a Cheshire Cat grin on his face.

"So that was easy."

"It worked then?"

"He's on his way to see him now. He definitely misses him. You should have seen his face when I mentioned him."

"Maybe he just didn't fancy you."

"Be serious. He's just a taken man."

"And you're sure about that?"

"I'd bet my life on it."

"Right, well drink up 'cos you're up next."

"You can't be serious?"

"Oh but I am. A bet's a bet."

"I guess. Get me one in then. I'll need it."

Aaron was stood at the bus stop in the freezing cold apparently he'd just missed a bus and the next one wasn't for over half an hour, so he swallowed his pride and called the cavalry.

"Paddy. It's me. I know you're in the Woolie, but can you do me a favour? What do you mean? I need a lift to the hospital. I'm at Bar West. I know, but there every half an hour. I know when visiting hours are. Can you please just take me? I'll owe you one. Yeah bye. Bye."

When Paddy arrived Aaron was frozen and his patience was wearing thin.

"Where have you been?"

"The roads are bad you're lucky I came at all."

"I know I'm sorry."

"What changed your mind anyway?"

"I got chatted up."

"And that isn't a good thing?"

Paddy asked suddenly confused.

"It is. If I were over Jackson."

"And you're not."

Paddy couldn't hide his obvious excitement.

"No. You were right. I…I love him."

"And he's finally got there. So you're going to tell him that?"

"If he'll listen."

"He will. He's not as stubborn as you."

Paddy quipped.

"I wouldn't bet on it. That's one of the things that drew me to him."

Aaron blushed he hated all the soppy lovey dovey talking about feelings, but when it came to Jackson he couldn't seem to help himself.

As they pulled up outside the hospital Paddy noticed that Aaron suddenly appeared less than confident.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

He squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.

"No. It's down to me now."

"Good luck then."

"Thanks Pads. I'll see you later."

"You will. Just be honest with him. He'll know you mean it."

"I hope so. I really do."