Bar west was packed. It was a Friday night and it seemed everyone was out for a drink. The club was hearing with people looking to have a good time. Seeing as Aaron hadn't met most of Jackson's friends, the older man had thought it would be a good idea to take Aaroon with him to his Firends twenty fourth birthday. Aaron hadn't been to too thrilled about it. Two of Jackson's friends already disliked him. So at first he couldn't see the point, but he knew he had to go. He owed the older man that at least. So that was why he found himself being dragged by Jackson through crowds of people towards his friends table.
"Behave." Jackson had whispered in his ear before they reached the table. He hadn't been joking when he's told Aaron that quite a few people would be there. Twelve people already occupied the table having drinks and laughing as they talked. Jackson had only had to meet on of Aaron's friends. He didn't have to face a whole gang of them. But then Aaron half expected it really. Jackson was an extremely sociable man and easy to get along with, a great laugh. He kicked himself sometimes, unable to believe he really had him. Of all people Jackson chose him.
"Jackson!" A tall ma with dark hair exclaimed as he caught sight of the couple, a huge birthday badge pinned to his chest. "Glad you could make it."
"Wouldn't miss this. Happy birthday, mate." Jackson wished as he pulled the man into a brif friendly hug, while Aaron stood at the side with his hands in his pocket.
"And who's this?" Jackson's friend asked as he looked at Aaron.
"This is Aaron." Jackson told him. "Aaron this is Max. Max. Aaron." He introduced as Max shook hands with Aaron.
"Come one over and the meet the others. They're all dying to meet you." Maz said as he gestured voer to the two tables everyone was taking up.
"Could of at least wished him a Happy birthday, miserable." Jackson sighed as they followed Max.
They were soon all seated with the others and introductions had quickly been made. Now they were all enjoying they're drinks. Jackson had been pulled into a discussion over a Max's sister Jessica's latest boyfriend with another girl called Sophia and couple of other guys. Aaron could hear them tearing the poor guy apart behind his back as he sat beside Jackson, quietly drinking his beer and wishing the time away. He's had no problems so far with everyone. Generally all Jackson's friends seemed alright, apart from Sol who kept on the other side of the table.
"You alright mate?" A guy to his right asked him, snapping him out of his solitude state.
"Yeah." Aaron told him, he was a big guy. A lot bigger than he was. He wasn't fat, just mostly muscle and broad shoulders. He had brown short hair and a light tan he was showing off in his white shirt.
"I'm Darrel. . ." He told Aaron, holding out a hand. He couldn't remember being introduced to him. Then again he hadn't really been listening when name after name was shot his way.
"Aaron." He said as he returned the greeting.
"Been dragged here then?" Darrell asked light heartedly.
"Why have you?" Aaron avoided. He promised Jackson he would be on his best behaviour.
"Yeah as it happens." Darrel admitted. "Rather not be here to be honest."
"Darrel it' your round!" Sammi called out across the table.
Darrel rolled his eyes and stood up. "Same all round?" He asked everyone who nodded in response. "Aaron? Beer?"
"What- yeah please." Aaron answered before the older man disappeared towards the bar in the lively crowds.
"I'd watch him." Sammi warned Aaron as she stole Darrels seat. She was a nice woman, only a couple of years older than Aaron. She seemed to be the mother of the group even though she was a lot younger than most of the others. When Aaron only looked at her confused she continued. "Just be careful." She told him. "Even though he's with Max he's been known to wonder."
"I'm not-" Aaron started. He didnt' want Sammi to think he was after him. He was with Jackson.
"Don't worry I know. You're with Jackson." Sammi assured him. "Just be careful. Once he sets his eye on something, he won't stop."
Aaron wasn't interested in Darrel. Never in a million years would he be interested in any one other than Jackson. But he thanked her al lthe same for his warning.
A little while later he went outside for a needed cigarette. He'd tried to sneak past Jackson on his way out as he knew Jackson didn't approve of his bad habit. But he bumped into him on his way out and the older man had then followed him out. He was keen to see Aaron was and what he thought of his friends. They both leant against a wall outside as Aaron smoked.
"I don't want to hear it if it's bad." Aaron told Jackson as he blew out smoke.
"It's not actually, don't worry I was surprised as well." Jackson teased. "Not everyone tihnkgs your a mindless chav."
Aaron shot Jackson a glare. He was always on the brunt of Jackson's jokes about his dress sense.
"Jessica said if you were straight she's dump her stupid boyfriend and go after you." Jackson told him. "Had to listen to her drool over you for the past hour." Jackson said as he pulled a face remembering exactly what she had said.
Aaron laughed as he finished his cigerette.
"Saw you talking to Darrel and Sammi Earlier." Jackson hinted.
"Yeah they're alright." Aaron said making his way back towards the club.
"Sammi is, she's a diamond. Not sure about Darrell though." Jackosn admitted. "He's only been with Max just over a month. Haven't had a chance to really talk to him."
"He's alright. Seems like a sound bloke." Aaron told him, feeling as though he was defending the guy.
"Well if he's made a good impression on you, he must be nice." Jackson joked with a raised eyebrow, as if he didn't believe.
"Whatever. You're just jealous that I might be changing my mind about us." Aaron smirked.
"You can't get anyone better than me, babe." Jackson teased.
Towards the end of the night Jackson, Max, Aaron, Sammi, Sophia and Darrell were all challenging each other to play winner at pool, while the others were making fools of themselves on the dance floor. Max had had quite a few drinks brought by almost everyone who attended his birthday so whoever was playing him was at an advantage. They'd start playing for money a few games back. Sophia was already out and trying to persuade Jackson to join her on the karaoke.
"Sorry mate you out!" Aaron grinned as he potted the black ball.
"Right my go!" Jackson called out as he took the pool cue off of Max with a wide grin. "You're going to lose." Jackson told Aaron confidently, who had already stayed on three games.
"You sure about that?" Aaron smirked at his boyfriend. "'Cause I'm not."
"Just you wait, Chav." Jackson teased as Aaron began to set up the pool table.
"Yeah yeah." Aaron mumbled scrunching up his nose.
He'd had too much drink. He'd stopped drinking five rounds ago, sticking to coke because he had work the next morning. But now he was busting for the loo and it was his turn.
"I need the loo, sorry." Aaron said ditching his cue on the side of the pool table.
"I'll take your turn!" Sammi announced, snatching up the cue to help Aaron lose against Jackson as he dodged his way through the tables.
Just as he washing his hands Darrel walked in through the door. He gave him a subtle nod of the head as he washed his hands before ripping paper towels from the dispenser.
"Enjoying your self?" Darrel asked as he zipped his trousers up and walked over to the sink.
"Yeah." Aaron said shortly, hearing Sammi's words in his head.
"Don't say much do you?" Darrel laughed.
Aaron just shrugged. He was never known to talk much. Paddy had often gotten onto his case before now about being monosyllabic and Jackson had lost his patients few times with him when all he did was give him one of his famous looks in response.
"That's alright. I like them quiet." Darrel breathed as he stood near Aaron staring into his eyes as he ripped the paper towels.
Darrel was coming on to him. He knew he was with Jackson? He was with Max so he shouldn't be trying it on with him. Only a few men had tried it on with him since he'd come out and Jackson usually helped him out then, telling him he was taken. So what did he do now?
He didn't have time to think about what to do before Darrel tried to make a move. He began to lean in towards Aaron, tilting his head to the side and pressing his hand on the wall behind Aaron's head trapping him.
"What you doing?" Aaron barked dodging Darrel.
"Sorry, thought you were up for it." Darrel shrugged, his hand still on the wall, stopping Aaron from running.
"Up for it? I'm with Jackson." Aaron told him sternly.
"And. . ." Darrel sighed rolling his eyes. He'd been giving Aaron the impression all night that he wasn't interested in Max one bit. He'd been ignoring the birthday boy all night in between complaining about how boring the night was to Aaron. He hadn't been encouraging him had he? He hadn't meant to. He'd only been doing what Jackson and Paddy had tried to get him to do, be friendly.
"And I'm not a cheat. I'm not interested!" Aaron growled fixing Darrel with a glare before pointedly looking at his arm then at his face again.
With another sigh Darrel dropped his arm and freed Aaron who was soon out the door and back to Jackson at the pool table.
"Alright? You two were a while." Jackson commented. "Should Max and I be getting jealous?" He teased.
"Jackson can we go?" Aaron asked.
"What? Why? Thought we were having a good time." Jackson asked a little surprised. Aaron had been getting on so well with all his mates. He even looked like he'd been enjoying himself towards the end of the night.
"Yeah we are. Just got work in the morning." Aaron lied, he could sense Darrel near him.
"Oh okay, let me just say bye to everyone." Jackson said finishing off the pool game.
"Shame you're going. Things were just starting to get interesting." Darrel said quietly to Aaron so only he could hear as everyone was too busy wishing Jackson a safe trip home.
Aaron shot Darrel a warning glare before grabbing his and Jackson's Jackets.
