Love Hangover
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I found myself awake rather early, rolling over in the double bed I was sharing with Abi. She was of course already out of bed, washed and dressed. I on the other hand had always been the lazier sister. Preferring to lie in bed for a lot longer. The day's events dawned on me as I realised I had promised Joey and Alice that I would meet them for lunch, great. It wasn't that they didn't seem like lovely people because they did, it was just be really awkward. Sitting with two people I didn't know, trying to find some sort of common ground. Plus I was finding myself having ridiculous thoughts about Joey. I had only known him a few hours yet he was already invading my dreams with his beyond god like chest and impeccable face. How would I be able to sit opposite the bloke with a straight face, when my mind would be reliving the rather naughty dream it had the previous night.
I simply put these crazy thoughts down to first meeting nerves. I surely wasn't the only one to be struck by his good looks, because you were mad to say he was gorgeous. Sure we were cousins but I was allowed to think he was good looking, just stating the obvious. Although that didn't justify the full body sweeps he gave me countless times, I could tell from the first few minutes that he was a ladies man, it was written all over him, so maybe it was justified he just found each girl he encountered attractive whether they are family or not, and soon enough he would pounce to the next girl.
I suddenly felt a little guilty, judging Joey before I even got to know him. Labelling him a ladies man when I didn't know for sure, but also suggesting the fact he thought that I was attractive, something I had never though myself as.
Rolling out of the bed, I shuffled my way over to the bedroom, getting myself ready for the day ahead with my cousins. That word somehow making me cringe internally when Joey popped into my mind.
An hour later I was finally dressed in my black skinny jeans and cream peplum top, throwing my classic leather jacket over the top. Although my style had changed from when I was 19 I still had the classic pieces, aka the leather jacket, the black jeans, the wedged boots the things I loved from my old style. I guess I was just more mature in my fashion nowadays, living in New York doing that to a girl. Leaving my hair dead straight and applying minimal make up, I made my way downstairs.
"Going to meet Alice and Joey, catch you later mum" I called, mum popping her head around the kitchen door.
"Have fun Lauren, try not to be too sarcastic, Alice is very, um what's the word, naive she may not know your joking" mum issuing me a sort of warning, sometimes new people didn't understand my sarcasm and sense of humour. More fool them.
"I'll be on my best behaviour mum" I chuckled, although I had grown up a lot, mum still felt the need to baby me.
Strolling into The Vic, I spotted the pair sat around a table in the corner, Alice looking considerably nervous as she glanced at her watch, opps I guess I was a little late.
"Hi guys" I smiled, walking over to them, stopping at the table.
"Lauren, you came" Alice chimed standing up and pulling me into a hug.
"Of course" I chuckled, removing myself from her hold and flashing a grin at Joey, who's eyes funny enough were glued to my lower half. The skinny jeans still had it.
"I'll get a round in" I offered moving over to the bar, ordering a round of drinks from a surprised Alfie who hadn't seen me in years.
"So.." I trailed off, after placing the drinks down on the table and pulling up a stool the other side of the table.
"How long have you both lived here?" I asked, trying to break the ice, someone had to make the first move.
"Just under 2 years" Alice smiled, taking a sip of her lemonade.
"Ah so you haven't fled the mayhem yet" I giggled, before I actually did leave there had been so many times I wished I hadn't lived in the square, there was drama each and every week.
"There have been times" Joey muttered, rolling his eyes at Alice, as she clearly kicked him under the table.
"I know the feeling well" I smirked at him, already agreeing on something with Joey.
"So how was New York, what was it like?" Alice asked, wanting to move past the previous conversation.
"New York was epic, it's very fast paced, huge, colourful and there are so many wonderful people" I smiled, New York had certainly captured my heart.
"And you swapped it for here?" Joey seemed genuinely shocked, although his question sort of annoyed me.
"Had my reasons" I snapped a little sharply, Joey rolling his eyes once more and I noticed Alice kick him again. This boy had a way of putting his foot in it for sure.
"Touchy subject?" he asked, clearly unfazed by the daggers he was receiving from his sister.
"JOEY" she hissed, blushing a little with embarrassment, before excusing herself to go to the loo.
"Nosey bugger aren't you" I stated, taking a sip of my coke, Joey taking a little off guard by my accusation.
"Merely curious as to why my cousin left New York behind to come back here, boring old Walford" he muttered, moving his chair a little closer.
"Fine you got me, I got cheated on, shit hit the fan and well luckily my company wanted to open a base shop in London, so I jumped at the chance to leave" I sighed, shrugging my shoulders. Joey looking rather uncomfortable and a little guilty for asking in the first place.
"Why would someone want to cheat on you? Seriously must be proper thick" he commented, gulping the dregs of his beer, making me blush a little.
"He was thick, so was I, but its history" I shrugged again, noticing his intense gaze on me.
"Well I'm sorry" he said, a guilty look washing his face.
"No need to be Joe, sorry Joey" I chuckled nervously, my brain defaulting and for some reason thinking it was okay to shorten his name automatically.
"It's fine Lauren, you can call me Joe, you'd be the only one though" he smirked throwing a wink at me as Alice returned to the table.
"I forgot to ask how old you both are?" I quizzed, Alice looked younger than me, but seemed to dress like a 30 year old. Joey looked early twenties but I could be wrong.
"Oh I'm 22 and Joey is 24, two years between us, what about you?" Alice smiled.
"21, the best age of course, although I can't get over the fact my baby sister is 19" I chuckled, Abi had certainly grown up.
The rest of the day went generally well. Finding myself learning more and more about Joey and Alice. I knew why they had arrived on the square but I let Alice tell me herself, Joey not looking too happy as she talked about Uncle Derek. I also learnt that Joey had encountered in a fling with my previous friend Lucy Beale, who had now moved down to Devon where Peter had been living. It didn't surprise me in the slightest, Joey seemed like the type to get what he wanted, and Lucy had always been a little too easy when it came to boys.
Alice also informed me of their jobs, herself running a babysitting business after looking after some of the local children, Joey managing R&R the local night club which was owned by mum's friend Sharon.
A lot had changed since I had been away; it was just about finding my feet back here now.
