Jaye entered R&R, ready to party the rest of the night away. She loved not feeling hurt or angry anymore. It was like tonnes of weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she was finally free. Who needs relationships, she asked herself, they're overrated.
"I'll have a double vodka and tonic." Jaye smiled at the barman, who set about creating her order.
"Been a hard day?" He smiled, setting the drink down in front of her.
"No. Just time to let my hair down." She shoved him a few pound coins and carried her drink to a booth in the corner. As she surveyed the crowd, she noticed a large group of guys dancing together. They were covered in tattoos and wore vests and skinny jeans. She knew that if Lauren were here, Jaye would be dragged over to talk to them. Jaye knocked back her V&T and walked over to the group. Immediately one of the lads put his arms around her waist and they were dancing to the heavy music pumping out of the speakers. His sandy blonde hair was in a messy quiff and he had tattoos across his chest and arms, partially hidden by a USA vest. He wasn't Jaye's usual type but she was attracted to him and loved the feeling of his hands on her waist. So much so she started gyrating and wiggling her bum seductively much to his expressed delight.
"We've got one here." He smiled to his friends.
Jaye flicked her hair over her shoulder and carried on dancing with the boy.
After a while, he ushered her over to a booth and she sandwiched herself between his friends. He introduced himself as Ry and his friends as Ads, George and Tom.
"Jaye." She grinned.
"Do you live in Walford?" Ry asked.
"In the flats over there." She gestured with a perfectly manicured nail that she'd spent hours on for her date with Tyler. "What about you?"
"Nah, we're down here for the clubs. We live up in Bradford." Ry explained. "We're in a band."
"ReallY?" She asked excitedly. "What sort of stuff do you play?"
"Indie and a bit of rock." Tom answered.
"Ry, you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ads raised his eyebrows at Ry.
"I think so." Ry nodded. "Jaye, do you fancy coming back to our hotel room? We got some drink there, we could play some drinking games?"
"Alright." Jaye nodded. "I'll just go to the loo." She climbed over Ry's lap, giggling as he slapped her bum.
"She is so hot." George exclaimed once she'd gone.
"I wouldn't mind getting my foot in that door." Ads grinned.
"What does that even mean?" Tom cackled.
"Only thing is, she danced with me. Tonight this one is mine." Ry winked.
"She didn't have a choice." George teased. "I want her. You got that girl last night."
"She climbed on me after a few shots of vodka." Ry shrugged. "I can't help that girls dig me, mate."
"So arrogant!" Ads rolled his eyes jokingly.
"She's come from a date that's gone wrong." Tom said.
"How can you tell?" George frowned.
"This girl has come to a club at eleven, starts dancing with us for half an hour and then agrees to go back to our hotel room? She's trying to forget something - or someone."
"I'm ready."
Ry took Jaye's hand as they left the club and headed across the cold Square.
"Jaye!"
Her and her group of new friends turned to face the pounding footsteps. She rolled her eyes and dragged Ry away as she recognized Joey.
"What are you doing, Jaye?" He sighed.
She span around to face him. "I've made some new friends, Joey. We're going back to their room. Not that you should care."
Ry and his friends tittered before Ry draped an arm around Jaye's shoulders and looked Joey up and down.
"Can you not see why they want you to go back to their room? Let's get you home. You can't keep playing these games to get to me, we belong together!"
Jaye walked towards Joey, placing her face centimeters from his, and whispered loud enough for Ry and his friends to hear, "And keep talking that mess, that's fine. But could you walk and talk at the same time?"
Ry and his friends cackled and fist-pumped each other.
"You heard her, bruv. Run along." Ry joined Jaye and draped his arm back around her shoulders, a cocky smirk on his face.
"I ain't your 'bruv.'" Joey hissed, scowling as he grabbed Ry by the collar of his shirt. "You interested in her, you just want your next fix."
"Seems like we got a sore loser, lads. She ain't interested." Ry sneered.
Joey let go off his shirt, brought his fist back and smacked Ry in the nose, causing him to stumble backwards.
Ry got up and lurched forward, catching Joey in the stomach. Ry's friends joined in as Joey retaliated.
"Joey! Ry!" Jaye shrieked, pulling Ry backwards. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she managed to grab Ry's hands and pull him away from Joey. "I'm going back to Ry's room, Joey. Get over it." Jaye turned away, ready to start walking.
Ry shot Joey a victorious smile before walking Jaye, his friends close behind him.